A2 in a JB what changes?

[Rex_Rocker]

I kinda want to try A2 in the JB in my Strat now. I like the idea of a reduced bottom-end for that particular guitar. I'm not crazy about the loss of high-end/agression, but I suppose I can counter that with higher pot values.

Maybe A4 or UOA5 if A2 is too extreme.

 

[idsnowdog]

I like the RCUO A5 better.

 

[Sam SG]

Jammed on my HSS strat with JB last night. It has a series/ parallel switch I installed.
Imo the JB sounds much better in parallel( still not my fav) but worth a shot for as simple as it is.
To me its more bitey and less lowend fat. Same kinda mids but not as irritating with the extra bite.

 

[jeremy]

i like a series/parallel switch on a jb. mine is currently wired to split which is ok as well. it works for live stuff, but id use something else in the studio

 

[Sam SG]

i like a series/parallel switch on a jb. mine is currently wired to split which is ok as well. it works for live stuff, but id use something else in the studio

I had a JB in a 70s strat years ago with a coil split switch. I never liked it split back then.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I don't mind the JB split or parallel, but I'm the biggest JB (in series) fanboi.

 

[magillver]

Thank goodness! I thought I was the only freak that didn't like the JB, I feel so much better now...

 

[Thurisaz]

Interesting thoughts on a JB with an Alnico 2 magnet instead of an Alnico 5. I like the JB regardless, but I wouldn't mind trying one with an Alnico 2 magnet at some point, as the video comparing them sounded awesome. I am also a fan of the Distortion, and don't really prefer the JB or the Distortion over the other. The Custom model on the other hand is a massive no all around for me. Hard pass on that pickup. I had a Custom 5 in the past I also didn't like.

 

[ehdwuld]

I can get good tones from Customs and JBs
Haven't tried the Distortion

I just have a bunch of JB and JB-ish pickups.

I may research comparisons of the Custom with the A5 vs the A2
Thats just a Custom vs Custom Custom right?
Or is the Custom 5 the proper nomenclature?

Custom Custom is the A2 version right?

 

[beaubrummels]

I can get good tones from Customs and JBs
Haven't tried the Distortion

I just have a bunch of JB and JB-ish pickups.

I may research comparisons of the Custom with the A5 vs the A2
Thats just a Custom vs Custom Custom right?
Or is the Custom 5 the proper nomenclature?

Custom Custom is the A2 version right?

Custom is ceramic
Custom Custom is A2
Custom 5 is A5

 

[Mincer]

Thank goodness! I thought I was the only freak that didn't like the JB, I feel so much better now...

There are a few of us out there.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah, I feel like the JB is very polarizing. I suppose most of us love it, or else, it wouldn't be like the best selling aftermarket pickup. But the people who don't like it, kinda hate it. I don't think there's too much middle ground. I've never heard anyone say "yeah, it's OK".

 

[Mincer]

When it came out, there was nothing like it. It made the guitars sound like nothing else before. Entire genres of music were invented to exploit these new sounds.

 

[beaubrummels]

I think it changed a little over time. My Seymour-wound one is great: it doesn't have the ice-pick spike people complain about and it cleans up with the volume control. My new production one just sounds a little uglier, weird upper-mid thing going on, and never cleans up with the volume.

 

[ehdwuld]

That icepick thing is just a pickup too close to the strings

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I know people use 250K pots too to tame that. I've never had an issue even with 500K pots, and even 1M in my old EC-400VF. I do think it's dependant on what you want/like. I'm used to that rasp and aggression in pickups like the 500T or the Black Winter, so even modern-day standard JB's have never been problematic in that regard to me.

 

[Chistopher]

The JB is kinda like sushi. The more you love or hate it, the more you like to talk about how much you love or hate it.

 

[Thurisaz]

I know people use 250K pots too to tame that. I've never had an issue even with 500K pots, and even 1M in my old EC-400VF. I do think it's dependant on what you want/like. I'm used to that rasp and aggression in pickups like the 500T or the Black Winter, so even modern-day standard JB's have never been problematic in that regard to me.

It is potentially the voicing/brightness of the pickup mixed with the voicing/brightness of the amp and speakers, as well as whatever effect buffers, etc. are doing to the signal along the way.

 

[playas]

I kinda want to try A2 in the JB in my Strat now. I like the idea of a reduced bottom-end for that particular guitar. I'm not crazy about the loss of high-end/agression, but I suppose I can counter that with higher pot values.

Maybe A4 or UOA5 if A2 is too extreme.

Of the magnets I have tried in one (A2/A4/A5/A8) I like the A4 the best.
I suspect I like A4 mags more than most though - seems like they're not overly popular for bridge pickups.

I never found it had an upper mid "spike", at least my two 90s JBs, but to my ear A4 seems to spread out the mid hump a bit more than the other magnets I've tried.

I would like to try an UOA5 for comparison.

The A2 smoothed out the mid hump a bit, but also made it a little mushy in my opinion. Not awful or anything, I just prefer A4.

 

[Sam SG]

That icepick thing is just a pickup too close to the strings

Yes and the JB is touchy to get perfect too IME
But allways middy.