best jazz pickup

[bartel]

Hi wondering which would be the best pickup for clean jazz tone.

I have an old epiphone semi which was replaced many years ago by a les paul for my main guitar. Rather than have lie in its box I would like to have it refretted and generally fixed up to use, as I am starting to play a fair bit of jazz. I know that it isn't an ideal jazz guitar but it would be great to start playing it again as i used to love this guitar.

Looking for really warm clean tone and not really sure which pickup would suit best as most of these pickups seem to be more suitable for rock and blues.

any suggestion would be great.

[AndyR]

I believe there's a version of the Mississipi Queen called Manhattan I think - a p90 type in a humbucker size.

It's not on the product pages, but I understand it's aimed at Jazz tones - maybe contact Tim to ask?

Otherwise, I seem to remember Fourth Feline (I think) is using MQs to get a similar tone out of a semi of some sort. I'm a blues/rocker, but if I was trying to get a jazz tone, it's probably my MQs I'd use.

Having said that, the "more suitable for rock blues" is a misconception I think we all make/cause - most BKPs are far more versatile than we make out with what we post on here! (I've even got a funny feeling that I've read somewhere that someone uses Warpigs for jazz - not tried them, but I understand they have excellent clean tones...)

Welcome to the forum by the way :D

[gwEm]

i occasionally dabble in a bit of jazz. i'd have a word with tim - he recommends A3 magnets for jazz. perhaps he could do you a set of A3 Stormy Mondays.

[WezV]

i was going to say manhattan or stormy mondays

[FELINEGUITARS]

If it is a 335 type guitar then I would recommend a Mississipi Queen
We did one for a jazz player recently and it was superb
I was going to use a Manhatten but tried the MQ and was so happy that I did
Single notes were sweet sounding , nicely rounded but with a bit of bite
Wonderful sounds - slightly smoother than you would get with a mule or whatever

We keep them in stock in Nickel and Gold

[tomjackson]

Just a thought if you go for SM's, which I do play a bit of jazzy stuff with, you could request them unpotted.  I like to turn the gain up sometimes but if that's not your thing you may as well have them unpotted for a little more of an open sound.

[Fourth Feline]

I believe there's a version of the Mississipi Queen called Manhattan I think - a p90 type in a humbucker size.

It's not on the product pages, but I understand it's aimed at Jazz tones - maybe contact Tim to ask?

Otherwise, I seem to remember Fourth Feline (I think) is using MQs to get a similar tone out of a semi of some sort. I'm a blues/rocker, but if I was trying to get a jazz tone, it's probably my MQs I'd use.

Having said that, the "more suitable for rock blues" is a misconception I think we all make/cause - most BKPs are far more versatile than we make out with what we post on here! (I've even got a funny feeling that I've read somewhere that someone uses Warpigs for jazz - not tried them, but I understand they have excellent clean tones...)

Welcome to the forum by the way :D

Yes, welcome !

I recommend the Mississipi Queens in a semi-acoustic or archtop, as I find them to have a really warm, fat but superbly articulate tone. To be specific, I love that slightly compressed Larry Carlton sound - and if you put the M.Qs about 1/16" between top of pole pieces and strings held down at last fret ( + or - a half turn of the pickup adjusting screws at both sides ) - you have a lovely sweet , articulate , yet uniquely rounded tone.

I have no doubt the Manhattans are also lovely, but for me it is the controlled / harnessed POWER of the M.Qs at the right setting that makes it sound like a hot jazz box instead of an acoustic guitar - and we are still talking sweet and clean here.  They also have the flexibility ( due to strong but tight output ) - to really dominate an overdriven amp too , if you should later want that tonal 'colour'.   :)

* Edit : I just realised that Jonathan at Feline Guitars has already said / implied all this , but it's interesting for me to hear that I am not alone in my perceptions of this ' hidden gem' amongst the range of B.K.P. *

[Fearhk213]

I just got Warpigs in my Mira and that neck kills at Jazz cleans.  Very full bodied and warm.  Has just enough compression to keep it together.  I remember reading some post back in the day about some jazz cats using warpigs and I'm not surprised. 

[il˙ti]

I remember reading some post back in the day about some jazz cats using warpigs and I'm not surprised. 

Really? I know that the Warpigs have a surprisingly great clean tone, but the only jazzy clip of them I remember is the one Lepersmeesa did. And it's no secret he's mostly a metal player (and a good one).


I'd just like tI have Mules in my semi-hollow. It's my jazz-blues guitar (well, blues-jazz really...). I chose them over Stormy Mondays because I needed them to be able to do some fusiony creamy lead tones aswell as cleans. If you play everything clean, I'd say go for the slightly sweeter Stormy Monday, if you need gain from time to time, get Mules. If it's humbuckers you want of course.

[bartel]

Thanks for all of the replies, that has been most helpful.

I never even considered a p90 pickup, and i am seriously thinking that MQ pickups might get the sound I am looking for. I am also a little intrigued by the idea of using warpigs for jazz. PLenty to think about.

Good forum btw, and thanks again for the help.

[Chaz]

I was inquiring about the same thing to tech support and just got a reply from Tim. After giving him a brief description of what I play (straight-ahead jazz through an ES-175) and what I'm looking for in the tone, he recommended the Manhattan. He says that it has a fat but focused low end and a warm, round tone that rings like a bell. I'm eager to hear it myself.

[lulusg]

Mmmm... Manhattan!! That description sounds what we are after. Excellent !!