The great JB love/hate..Convinced I hate!

  • Thread starter Thread starter napalmdeath
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napalmdeath

napalmdeath

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This pickup sounds great in certain guitars, but for me, it's probably been a 25% keep rate..

So, I posted the gorgeous Edwards E-LP-130CD I recently bought direct from Japan. It's impeccably made. Fretwork is top-shelf. Not a tool mark to be found - Gibson should intern over there and learn how it's done right!

I put Gotoh lockers on it, and Tonepros locking tailpiece studs. The bridge works surprisingly well for intonation. I was concerned that there wouldn't be enough travel on the saddles, but no issues. I suspect it's made in China,, since there's no markings.. I would think if it was a Gotoh like the tailpiece, it would clearly have Gotoh stamped on it! I set it up beautifully, and it's super nice to play. Tuning stability is off the charts.

Enter the JB... At first I thought it roared, but I didn't spend a long period with it until last couple weeks. It sounds bloated, muddy, and like shit. Not sure if the pots are playing a role here too, I believe they're ESP branded. Nothing fancy. It sounds like the tone knob is on zero!

I have a Duncan Custom SH-5 and '59 Zebra set I'm thinking of putting in, but I'm actually loving the clarity of my SG with the 490R/490T's. Sure, it's a thinner guitar/less mass...I know some dislike those pickups, but man, in this SG they work. They work really well, and rated about 8k. I think the Custom is around 14k, and the JB 16-17k, (I believe). What else should I consider? I'd like a brighter, yet tighter, lower output. I've really come to appreciate the clarity of the lower output, and hit the amp a little harder with a boost, and pushing the amp's gain. I think I'm starting to outgrow high output pickups!
 
I can’t stand high output pickups. My favorite bridge pup for playing old school hard rock/metal is the Gibson Custombucker (less than 8k). I have numerous guitars and my hottest one is a Gibson V with a WCR Fillmore……13k I think. Anymore than that and things just turn into a compressed/bloated mudfest.
 
If you already have a Custom/'59 set there, you should at least give them a try. If you hate it, no loss other than the time to swap it. If you love it, you didn't spend any money on something else.

I'm new to the Custom, but I like it quite a bit so far. It's not super high output, but you won't feel like you're playing a low output pickup either. It definitely has some push, so maybe it won't be enough of a step down in output from the JB for you. I do think it's a bit brighter in the top end than the JB, though. It has a powerful low end too. Depending on your guitar, you may have to keep the bass side backed off a bit so things open up better and more separation and chime comes through.
 
Sort of an indirect answer but I'd go new 500k pots, multiple caps, and setting the existing pickup very low. Raise the pole pieces higher than you'd think then fine tune them in. Then play with cap size till you reach your desired level of bright/ tight. That combo gives me a super dynamic tone where I can go from robin trower to Sykes riffs with just my volume knob.
 
I’ve tried to like JBs but just don’t. My favorite SD is the custom 5.

If I had to pick a favorite HB it would be the WCR dark burst
 
fearhk213 said:
If you already have a Custom/'59 set there, you should at least give them a try. If you hate it, no loss other than the time to swap it. If you love it, you didn't spend any money on something else.

I'm new to the Custom, but I like it quite a bit so far. It's not super high output, but you won't feel like you're playing a low output pickup either. It definitely has some push, so maybe it won't be enough of a step down in output from the JB for you. I do think it's a bit brighter in the top end than the JB, though. It has a powerful low end too. Depending on your guitar, you may have to keep the bass side backed off a bit so things open up better and more separation and chime comes through.
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The Custom is/has been a favorite of mine. I bought it for a guitar that I decided didn't need it, so it's brand new.

I does indeed have more high end, and definitely a good bit tighter. I'm going to give that a go, I'm sure.
 
Chubbs said:
Sort of an indirect answer but I'd go new 500k pots, multiple caps, and setting the existing pickup very low. Raise the pole pieces higher than you'd think then fine tune them in. Then play with cap size till you reach your desired level of bright/ tight. That combo gives me a super dynamic tone where I can go from robin trower to Sykes riffs with just my volume knob.
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I do want better electronics. I just have to figure out what will work. Being an import, I don't think a CTS will go in without some reaming.
 
A rough cast A5 works really good in a JB to tame it a bit . Only reason I ditched the JB is it’s a fairly compressed and mid heavy pickup and seeing as I always use some type of OD boost that puts it a bit over the top. My sloppy playing didn’t help
 
I have never thought of a JB as "Muddy" .. I have them in 70% of my guitars and for me they sound good in most and awesome in 2 guitars but for me they have never worked in thick LP type guitars ... before you buy new pick ups maybe get hold of some A2 magnets and do a swap
 
I can’t stand a JB. The original pickups in my 84 LPC were an 80’s JB/59 set. Ripped them out for EMG 85/81.
 
I have a 93 Gibson SG Standard with a JB that sounds phenomenal. I play 8 strings and jam with them most of the time . Then I plug in my SG into my Wizard and it’s so good . But ya I get it sometimes people have them on a guitar that for some reason don’t mix . It’s like boost pedals . I love TS9 boosting my Diezels then I use it with my Wizard and it ruins it . So I guess it’s got to fit with it’s partners
 
JBs in Les Pauls kill all y'all.

Custom 5/Custom Custom in all the pointy shit that we love.
 
napalmdeath said:
This pickup sounds great in certain guitars, but for me, it's probably been a 25% keep rate..

So, I posted the gorgeous Edwards E-LP-130CD I recently bought direct from Japan. It's impeccably made. Fretwork is top-shelf. Not a tool mark to be found - Gibson should intern over there and learn how it's done right!

I put Gotoh lockers on it, and Tonepros locking tailpiece studs. The bridge works surprisingly well for intonation. I was concerned that there wouldn't be enough travel on the saddles, but no issues. I suspect it's made in China,, since there's no markings.. I would think if it was a Gotoh like the tailpiece, it would clearly have Gotoh stamped on it! I set it up beautifully, and it's super nice to play. Tuning stability is off the charts.

Enter the JB... At first I thought it roared, but I didn't spend a long period with it until last couple weeks. It sounds bloated, muddy, and like shit. Not sure if the pots are playing a role here too, I believe they're ESP branded. Nothing fancy. It sounds like the tone knob is on zero!

I have a Duncan Custom SH-5 and '59 Zebra set I'm thinking of putting in, but I'm actually loving the clarity of my SG with the 490R/490T's. Sure, it's a thinner guitar/less mass...I know some dislike those pickups, but man, in this SG they work. They work really well, and rated about 8k. I think the Custom is around 14k, and the JB 16-17k, (I believe). What else should I consider? I'd like a brighter, yet tighter, lower output. I've really come to appreciate the clarity of the lower output, and hit the amp a little harder with a boost, and pushing the amp's gain. I think I'm starting to outgrow high output pickups!
Click to expand...
I feel ya - Check out my "Iron Cross inspired E LP 113"
 

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Not sure if you saw my post about the JB but I'm there as well myself. I agree with everyone that a JB sounds awesome in a Les Paul and certain other guitars. I'm looking at an SH-5 as a replacement down the road.

I'm a big fan of the Suhr Aldrich and I have 2nd Degree Blackbelts in my Les Paul Classic. I had a JB in a cheaper LTD back in the day and was one of my favorite guitars I've ever had. Then I got a Jackson Flying V with a JB and wanted to yank my ears out of my head. Was awful.
 
Unfortunately, with pickups it's imperative to experiment to really know what's best with each individual guitar. IF you want it to sound it's best. Which, admittedly is a PIA. For example, the USA Charvel SoCals from 08/09 came with DiMarzio Tone Zone in the bridge...I can't stand that pup. Just not for me...I have 4 sitting in my 'miscellaneous junk' box. But, I had an 08 Candy Tangerine SoCal that had GREAT tone....as good as anything I've owned/picked up and it had the stock TZ in. I ended up selling it because I found an 84 Charvel for 799...listed as a model 1 Lol....but before I sold it I swapped the TZ for a Duncan Custom...the TZ sounded better in THAT guitar. First time that ever happened. I always swap in/out a few pickups that I have here just to see if one fits better than the rest. Time consuming yes, but worth it in the end. I have an MCP Angel Dust, Duncan Custom and RTM, 1983 JBJ, and Wagner Iron Man for my experiments here.
I would also add, with a JB and any pickup you really have to experiment with the height to get different responses/tonal changes. But you guys probably know this already.
 
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