Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

[Xeromus]

I own an esp EC-1000 which is a very nice Les Paul style guitar. In it right now is a JB bridge that it came with and I'm considering the Custom. I like the JB because of the clarity and singing quality but I don't have any first hand experience with the Custom. I know I like to have a lot of crunch and chunk available in a bridge pickup. I have a Distortion in my Ibanez but I think that might be too much in a fixed bridge guitar like this one and I don't want two guitars that sound similiar. What are your arguments between the two, pros cons? Anyone direct compare them before? what do you think.

for extra credit: I also have a '59 neck in there now, considering swapping to a Jazz. if you want to add comments about this also, feel free.

[korovamilkdud]

Re: Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

I'll go for xtra cerdit Alex.

The Custom is pretty defferent from the JB. It has much more in the way of low-mids, so it sounds thicker. It's also balanced like a PAF on steroids. You could play some convincing AC/DC, The Darkness, Jet with it. Or Aerosmith, whatever you're into. It's a hard-rock pickup for sure, I love it.

It's a little similar to the Distortion though. Just a little. The Distortion's bass is tighter, and it sounds a little, dare I say "processed" to me, where I think the Custom has more presence and warmth.

The Jazz is similar to a 59, I think of it as a 59 without the boomy bass and with more chime and articulation. But they actually do seem to have some kind of similar vibe.

[papersoul]

Re: Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

To me the Custom sounds thicker but also harder. The JB feels and sounds warmer to me in the same guitar.

[7th Hell]

Re: Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

Good tone is where you find it. If your happy with the way a pickup sounds in one guitar, feel free to install it in another. The guitar's woods and hardware will make it sound different from the others. Look at Mr. Lynch- most of his guitars have Screamin' Demons in em', an gosh-dangit, they ALL sound very different! The JB does have a warm singing quality to it. The Custom adds more low-end chunk and would be more suited to heavier rock/metal playing styles.

Very Metal.

[JammerMatt]

Re: Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

What Korovamilkdud said.

[papersoul]

Re: Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

Good tone is where you find it. If your happy with the way a pickup sounds in one guitar, feel free to install it in another. The guitar's woods and hardware will make it sound different from the others. Look at Mr. Lynch- most of his guitars have Screamin' Demons in em', an gosh-dangit, they ALL sound very different! The JB does have a warm singing quality to it. The Custom adds more low-end chunk and would be more suited to heavier rock/metal playing styles.

Very Metal.

When I talked to Lynchat a show, he mentioned most of his guitars use the JB, but maybe he switched.

I agree that many people use the same pickups in every guitar and they all sound different. I know guys who have the Rio BBQ in every guitar...some have the JB in every guitar and others the C-5.

[keano12]

Re: Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

Checking again custom being Sh-11 or SH-5?

[Iced Dragon]

Re: Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

hi,

my RR1 came with a TB4 bridge and Jazz neck. I found the TB4 somewhat thin sounding so I replaced it with the SH5. This is a great combination. Previously I didn't like the TB4 for soloing so I only used the jazz, which gave a more fluent and warm tone. Now, I use the custom also for soloing. It has more gain, warmth and sounds more fluent.

I've put the TB4 in my ESP Horizon together with a '59 (I replaced the original LH 200's). This makes an excellent all-round combination, but the '59 is, IMO, not that suitable for a distorted sound. Maybe it's because I'm used to the jazz-neck for soloing and sweeps, but it's hard to get a good articulated distorted!! sound out of it. Clean, the '59 simply rules!

edit: hmm, the '59 is suitable for distortion, but maybe just more for rock than metal

[Davey]

Re: Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

edit: hmm, the '59 is suitable for distortion, but maybe just more for rock than metal

trust me, it's well suited for metal

[papersoul]

Re: Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

Yes, the 59 is fine for metal. I saw a local guy use a Warmoth strat with a Duncan in the bridge running through a Marshall. He had an amazing thickand heavy tone. I asked what he had in the bridge and he said a 59!

I think the Custom sounds and feels harder than the JB which to me feels and sounds warmer and thicker......

[Marcel]

Re: Direct comparison JB versus Custom Bridge

I compared them in my RG. I found the JB a bit warmer, custom a bit more agressive with more bottomend, more scooped and compressed but more what i think is called paf'ish. Custom had more crunch. But i like the JB more it's more modern sounding and fits better with my rig.