Fatter JB soundalikes?

[Rex Rocker]

I have the plain old new production JB in my Les Paul. I like it, but I like the Antiquity JB in my LTD better, honestly. The LTD is fatter acoustically, and the Antiquity is a bit smoother (and overall more interesting, TBH), so by comparison, the Les Paul, which is naturally bright with the Maple neck and the chambered body, with the standard JB sounds a bit thin and scratchy, and not as hot. I want to fix that. Plus I kinda want to move that standard JB to another guitar where I think it will shine more.

What I have come across that I think could pull the job off would be the Suhr Aldrich or the DiMarzio Tone Zone. But no one seems to agree oh wether the Aldrich is actually hotter than the JB or not. I'd prefer that, but it's not a deal breaker if it's not. But it kind of is a deal breaker if it's actually lower output. I don't want less. I'd feel like I'd be moving in the wrong direction. Then the Tone Zone... kinda seems like it could work, but then, I fear it might just be too much.

I have also considered swapping the magnet in the JB for A8, but I feel that would be another case of too much. Based on what I've read and heard, it would seem like A8 would make it too bassy, too hot, and it would loose the nice upper mid focus that I love from the JB.

Is there any other pickup that I should be looking at?

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

Thrash factor or possibly JB Rails?

 

[romanianreaper]

I have an Aldrich in one of my Les Pauls and I always struggle to describe the tone. I think there is a tone in a JB that the Aldrich doesn't have, especially at lower volumes. The Aldrich, in my opinion, cleans up way better than a JB does.

My LP Studio has a Burstbucker in it and when I play my LP with the Aldrich, it feels similar gain wise. The Aldrich shows high output but it definitely does not feel that high. I'm not sure why that is but have noticed it with two guitars that I had with that pickup.

 

[smanning73]

I have an Aldrich in one of my Les Pauls and I always struggle to describe the tone. I think there is a tone in a JB that the Aldrich doesn't have, especially at lower volumes. The Aldrich, in my opinion, cleans up way better than a JB does.

My LP Studio has a Burstbucker in it and when I play my LP with the Aldrich, it feels similar gain wise. The Aldrich shows high output but it definitely does not feel that high. I'm not sure why that is but have noticed it with two guitars that I had with that pickup.

I agree. The Aldrich pickup definitely doesn't feel like a 17.5K output pickup. I have one in a Suhr Koa Reb Beach, it's great!

 

[Nashville Riff Co]

unpopular opinion but whatever

https://customshop.seymourduncan.com/eclair/

 

[DanTravis62]

sh-14 or tonenerd sunset strip

 

[Tone Ranger]

Rio Grande BBQ Very similar more beef, less spikey

 

[headlessdeadguy]

Motor City Afwayu

 

[romanianreaper]

Rio Grande BBQ Very similar more beef, less spikey

Great pickup!!

 

[JohnnyGtar]

The Aldrich, in my opinion, cleans up way better than a JB does.

The Aldrich shows high output but it definitely does not feel that high. I'm not sure why that is but have noticed it with two guitars that I had with that pickup.

I agree. The Aldrich pickup definitely doesn't feel like a 17.5K output pickup. I have one in a Suhr Koa Reb Beach, it's great!

Yep!

 

[Rex Rocker]

So if I want a slightly chunkier, louder JB, then the Aldrich doesn't get your seal of approval?

 

[Erock]

So if I want a slightly chunkier, louder JB, then the Aldrich doesn't get your seal of approval?

I think they're saying it doesn't have the "feel" of a super hot pickup, which can sometimes feel like you're losing articulation.

 

[MetalHeart]

Rio Grande BBQ Very similar more beef, less spikey

I forgot about the BBQ

 

[Tone Ranger]

I forgot about the BBQ

Yeah. I have it in a Jackson dinky. Started with the JB, then a Dimebucker which sounded thinner. Had a BBQ laying around. Much thicker in the lows and mids than the Dime. Singing leads.

 

[LP Freak]

So if I want a slightly chunkier, louder JB, then the Aldrich doesn't get your seal of approval?

I’d take an Aldrich over a JB any day

 

[Bloodrock]

Kramer Eruption! It's like a JB without the spiky treble and muddy lower mids. Total sleeper pickup... Jim Decola nailed it. Too bad it's not marketed better.

 

[RedPlated]

Aldrich is probably my favorite pickup right now. It's got more lows than a JB for sure.

JB is much brighter and upper midrange-oriented than the Aldrich. I actually prefer that in some guitars. A bright guitar will benefit more from an Aldrich.

 

[LP Freak]

Aldrich is probably my favorite pickup right now. It's got more lows than a JB for sure.

JB is much brighter and upper midrange-oriented than the JB. I actually prefer that in some guitars. A bright guitar will benefit more from an Aldrich.

They seem to go exceptionally well in a Les Paul

 

[Erock]

Aldrich is probably my favorite pickup right now. It's got more lows than a JB for sure.

JB is much brighter and upper midrange-oriented than the JB. I actually prefer that in some guitars. A bright guitar will benefit more from an Aldrich.

JB is much brighter and upper midrange-oriented than the "Aldrich" ?

never tried an Aldrich, but assume this is what you meant?

this thread is making me want to try an Aldrich, now I just have to find a guitar that "needs" it!

 

[RedPlated]

JB is much brighter and upper midrange-oriented than the "Aldrich" ?

never tried an Aldrich, but assume this is what you meant?

this thread is making me want to try an Aldrich, now I just have to find a guitar that "needs" it!

Haha, yes. This damn flu is affecting my brain.

They seem to go exceptionally well in a Les Paul

Yessir, my current favorite. I just bought an Aldrich neck off TGP. Looking forward to trying it in the same guitar.