Advice/Opinion On Which Vintage Of JB To Use

[Leon Of Late]

Hi Everyone,

I know the best answer is to just try each of them and see what I think, but I would like some opinions from those who have used several different vintages of JB’s. I also am pretty slow at soldering and installing pickups, so I’d like to do it as few times as possible. And it’s hard on my back.

The 3 I have to choose from are:

An original “The JB Model” version that came out of a 76’ Les Paul Custom. It’s an early model.
A JB-D version. Early sticker model with no logo on the baseplate at all, like The JB Model. I’m thinking late 70’s early 80’s.
A more modern 2002 JB.

I cannot remember what year in the 80’s Duncan started putting imprinted logos on the baseplate, to date my JB-D more accurately.

This pickup will be going into a USA Dean Hardtail, Les Paul type bride, tailpiece and controls. Maple cap (carved), mahogany body and neck, ebony fretboard. The 02’ JB came stock in my Hardtail, but I haven’t played it that way since 2004. I remember it sounding pretty darn good, but at the time I was more into PAF style pickups. I still am, but this guitar will do more hard rock, 80’s metal, etc now.

Just curious to see what those of you with experience think about any differences in tone between the 3. Several years ago I read Darth Phinias’s reviews of each of these, and I thought I saved the link to them, but I can’t find them now. Hopefully I can get some insights from the group.

 

[Leon Of Late]

Oh, and I’m replacing a mid 80’s DC-J Duncan Custom that is a bit under wound at 13.31 DC. It’s a tad bit bright and crispy, and I just want a different flavor of crunch than I get from the ceramic Custom.

 

[Masta' C]

Blank baseplate with "JBD" is likely 1980-82. Large logo baseplates started appearing around 1983.

If the guitar is a keeper (sounds like it is), then I'd toss the '70s-era pickup in there and enjoy!

Otherwise, return it to stock with its original JB and send that "The JB Model" my way!

 

[beaubrummels]

My recommendation is get the oldest one you can get. They are different. They have top end, and they clean up with the volume control IME in my LP Studio

For those reviews, try this
https://darthphineas.com/?s=Duncan+JB

 

[Mincer]

I would go with the oldest one, too, if just as a baseline to judge what changed over the years. Certainly some things changed, and some of those things might have a slight impact on the sound.

 

[gimmieinfo]

I'm not expert on JB's at all, but i will just say this. In the mid 80s i had a strat with a B in the bridge and i loved it. That strat went away tho, as i was in my worse GAS period of my life and i no longer had a JB equipped strat. Anyways somewhere i guess around 2000 or so i remembered how good that JB was and i bought a new one. Now granted, your ear for tone can change over time, but i'm not sure thats near enough to explain the difference in that new JB. It outright sucked. Couldn't pull it out fast enough. No idea why, but if i were you i'd buy the one you say was made in the late 70s or early 80s.

 

[Clint 55]

The vintage JBs are insane. Are you talking about which one you should buy, or do you already own them and are asking which to install? Buy both the 70s and 80s ones if you haven't already.

 

[marcello252]

this worries me much since I just put a JB back on my strat after many years, a pretty new model. The one I had here was a JBJ bought new in 1989 or 1990, and as far as I can remember the tone it had, I'm not feeling such a huge difference as you pointing out.
I have the same of kind of feeling under the fingers, I don't think I can compare it tonally 100% because its the same guitar but the older was mounted directly to the body, no springs, only washers, and my rig has profoundly changed over the years, but the mid high peak is there, so its particular bass.
Are my ears betraying me?

 

[Leon Of Late]

Thanks everyone. Clint55 and beaubrummles, I own all 3 pickups, just trying to decide which one to put into the guitar. Yes, the guitar is definitely a keeper. It’s a spalted maple top Hardtail. Very unique.

I am leaning towards the original The JB Model, just because of the age and they are supposed to sound so good. It’s a reverse zebra…I think. I get them confused. The slug coil is cream.

Masta’ C. Thanks for the date confirmation on the JBD model. I like the idea of putting that one in because it is double cream, and will match either the Custom Shop 59’ or the PG that I will put in the neck to go with it. The 59’ is currently installed with the Custom in the Hardtail. I have a thing for double cream pickups, but the tone is more important. If I ever decide to move The JB Model, you are my first message…..if only because I know you have a killer stash of vintage Duncan’s. :14:

The consensus among you all so far is to go with the oldest, which I believe I will do no later than this weekend. I appreciate all of the opinions and stories of JB’s used back in the day, sincerely. I hope to hear more stories and opinions on this subject, as I am fascinated with vintage Duncan’s. I really enjoyed gimmeinfo’s story about his 80’s model JB memories.

beaubrummles, thank you for the link to Darth’s site, I really appreciate it.

 

[Leon Of Late]

I am thinking that both the early 80’s JBD and the The JB Model will sound fairly similar, given they are close in age and both feature blank baseplates. I need to buy a new multimeter to test the DC values. That may provide some insight too.

Masta’ C, do you have any info on dates for the older The JB model, other that “from the time Duncan first started making pickups formally until the early 80’s sticker changeover?

 

[Mincer]

Thanks everyone. Clint55 and beaubrummles, I own all 3 pickups, just trying to decide which one to put into the guitar. Yes, the guitar is definitely a keeper. It’s a spalted maple top Hardtail. Very unique.

I am leaning towards the original The JB Model, just because of the age and they are supposed to sound so good. It’s a reverse zebra…I think. I get them confused. The slug coil is cream.

Masta’ C. Thanks for the date confirmation on the JBD model. I like the idea of putting that one in because it is double cream, and will match either the Custom Shop 59’ or the PG that I will put in the neck to go with it. The 59’ is currently installed with the Custom in the Hardtail. I have a thing for double cream pickups, but the tone is more important. If I ever decide to move The JB Model, you are my first message…..if only because I know you have a killer stash of vintage Duncan’s. :14:

The consensus among you all so far is to go with the oldest, which I believe I will do no later than this weekend. I appreciate all of the opinions and stories of JB’s used back in the day, sincerely. I hope to hear more stories and opinions on this subject, as I am fascinated with vintage Duncan’s. I really enjoyed gimmeinfo’s story about his 80’s model JB memories.

beaubrummles, thank you for the link to Darth’s site, I really appreciate it.

I'd love to hear about the results of these tests.

 

[GuitarDoc]

If you're bound and determined to install the JB, then go for the older 70s model.

However, if it was me, I'd keep the underwound Custom and just replace the magnet with an alnico UOA5 to get rid of the overly "crisp" high end. A Custom wound to 13.3 sounds awesome.

But then, I'm not JB (of any era) fan.

 

[hamerfan]

do you have any info on dates for the older The JB model, other that “from the time Duncan first started making pickups formally until the early 80’s sticker changeover?

The information about this period of the production is very scarce. My notes say:

1. no backlogo, long tag with full model model name: 1976 to late 70ies

2. no backlogo, small tag without winder initial from late 70 up to ?

3. no backlogo, small tag with winder initial from ? to 1983
​

 

[Leon Of Late]

I'd love to hear about the results of these tests.

I will definitely follow up with results after I test the JB’s. I am looking forward to hearing them. After measuring the remaining lead on my The JB Model, I am a bit concerned that it will reach my volume pot in the Dean. It came out if a Les Paul, but it’s cut to just shy of 5”. It’s going to be close. I can always send it to Duncan to replace the lead, it’s just time consuming.

More to come.

 

[Leon Of Late]

If you're bound and determined to install the JB, then go for the older 70s model.

However, if it was me, I'd keep the underwound Custom and just replace the magnet with an alnico UOA5 to get rid of the overly "crisp" high end. A Custom wound to 13.3 sounds awesome.

But then, I'm not JB (of any era) fan.

That is an option as well Doc. I have enjoyed the Custom for quite a while in this guitar and I don’t really recall why I started to feel it was overly crisp. I may well try the JB’s and go back to the Custom.

I do have an old smooth black UOA5 in my pickup box that I can try, along with a US made long UOA5 Roughcast magnet from James @ Rewind Electric Pickups, which is supposed to be warmer and have more midrange and smooth highs compared to other A5’s. I have generally not liked the C5 in the past due to its scooped sound and strident highs, but the A5’s should have less highs than the Ceramic mag, so it’s certainly worth a shot.

Thanks!

 

[Leon Of Late]

The information about this period of the production is very scarce. My notes say:

1. no backlogo, long tag with full model model name: 1976 to late 70ies

2. no backlogo, small tag without winder initial from late 70 up to ?

3. no backlogo, small tag with winder initial from ? to 1983
​

Thanks for that hamerfan. I am going to add this info to my own Duncan history notes. Great stuff. My double cream JBD falls under #3 above….which jives with what Masta’ C offered earlier. Early 80’s is best guess, with MAYBE late 70’s being a possibility on the early end, but no definitive way to date it more accurately.

My The JB Model falls under #1 above.

Curiously, I have only seen pickups labeled The JB Model that fall under the #1 description above. I assume there have to be others. Have you or anyone else seen any? The JM or Jazz was being made during that time, as was the 59’ and the Custom I believe? Not sure if the Distortion was or not…and I feel like I might be missing another early model or 2. I’ll have to dig up my notes. I don’t have them on my iPad. The early Duncan history really fascinates me.

Thanks again!

 

[hamerfan]

I have a Custom and a Seymourizer II made in the #1 period with the long tag. The Custom is a double cream btw.

 

[Masta' C]

Masta’ C, do you have any info on dates for the older The JB model, other that “from the time Duncan first started making pickups formally until the early 80’s sticker changeover?

Look at the 4 baseplate mounting screws. If they are slotted (-), the pickup is a very early one, likely from '76-'77. If they are Philips (+) head screws, it's more likely to be from '78-'80.

 

[Leon Of Late]

Look at the 4 baseplate mounting screws. If they are slotted (-), the pickup is a very early one, likely from '76-'77. If they are Philips (+) head screws, it's more likely to be from '78-'80.

Such good information. I was hoping that I had one of the earliest models, but mine has Phillips head screws. Not that an example from 78-80 is a terrible example to have….it is in fact still awesome beyond words. You just always hope to have the earliest iteration of something so iconic. It doesn’t effect its value to me or the market if I decide to move it, but it’s a very cool and interesting way to date the pickup further.

Thanks Masta’ C.

 

[Leon Of Late]

I have a Custom and a Seymourizer II made in the #1 period with the long tag. The Custom is a double cream btw.

Does the tag on those just list the name, “Custom” or does it say “Duncan Custom”…or something else? I have never seen another pic or example of another pickup from this era, other than The JB Model.

Really cool that you have two examples, and a double cream to boot.