AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
- Thread starter walt
- Start date
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
I like the Air Zone better. It worked in any of my guitars. I cannot say the same for the JB. The JB sounds good to me in only one, the Kramer, and that's because the body is maple. I don't like it in alder bodies but I love the Air Zone in alder. I'm not using one now though. Just needed a change.
I like the Air Zone better. It worked in any of my guitars. I cannot say the same for the JB. The JB sounds good to me in only one, the Kramer, and that's because the body is maple. I don't like it in alder bodies but I love the Air Zone in alder. I'm not using one now though. Just needed a change.
Reckless Abandon
New member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
Those are my 2 favs but I like the AZ better right now. Thicker sound but feels mor ebalanced. I use my AZ in a wolfgang never tired the JB in it. I also liked the AZ in ash
Those are my 2 favs but I like the AZ better right now. Thicker sound but feels mor ebalanced. I use my AZ in a wolfgang never tired the JB in it. I also liked the AZ in ash
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
The AZ for me. I like it a lot better than the JB. It seems bigger sounding, has plenty of output, has a tighter and bigger low end than the JB, and still has a great (if different) lead tone. It's also a whole lot friendlier to different axes than the JB.
The AZ for me. I like it a lot better than the JB. It seems bigger sounding, has plenty of output, has a tighter and bigger low end than the JB, and still has a great (if different) lead tone. It's also a whole lot friendlier to different axes than the JB.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
AZ, but it's my favorite humbucker period. The JB is one of the close runners-up, though.
AZ, but it's my favorite humbucker period. The JB is one of the close runners-up, though.
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
I don't think I like high power pups as much these days, though I would love to hear both pups would between 10 - 11k specs.
I said AZ because its sweet, harmonically rich, and smooth in MANY guitars, AND its great for rhythm. The JB and I have never gotten on well, but I fear my answer may be wrong because I always seem to come back to Seymour Duncan.
I don't think I like high power pups as much these days, though I would love to hear both pups would between 10 - 11k specs.
I said AZ because its sweet, harmonically rich, and smooth in MANY guitars, AND its great for rhythm. The JB and I have never gotten on well, but I fear my answer may be wrong because I always seem to come back to Seymour Duncan.
TSE
New member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
Tough choice, but I think I liked the JB better. The AZ was more lively when I played at low-med volumes, but when I cranked it the Air Zone was very bassy and sounded like Numetal korn type of tone. I liked the bright JB edge more. Brighter pickups seem to work better for me when I play cranked, they are less muddy when they fatten up.
Tough choice, but I think I liked the JB better. The AZ was more lively when I played at low-med volumes, but when I cranked it the Air Zone was very bassy and sounded like Numetal korn type of tone. I liked the bright JB edge more. Brighter pickups seem to work better for me when I play cranked, they are less muddy when they fatten up.
walt
New member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
Interesting, the jb is duncan's top selling pickup and the biggest complaint is the high end/lack of rthymn tone. Do you think that maybe there should be different versions of the jb (ex. one for a strat, one for a paul etc)?? Or maybe a re eq the pickup by giving it more low end??
Interesting, the jb is duncan's top selling pickup and the biggest complaint is the high end/lack of rthymn tone. Do you think that maybe there should be different versions of the jb (ex. one for a strat, one for a paul etc)?? Or maybe a re eq the pickup by giving it more low end??
WhammyBar Allstar
New member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
Isn't the "popular" shortcomings of the JB addressed with the Demartini pickup? I like the JB, but the Demartini pickup advertises exactly what I would want more or less of from the JB.. more bottom, smoother top.
I should just order one, but those same shortcomings found in the JB seem to point me toward Rio BBQ, Air Zone/Tone Zone, Norten, Breed, VHPAF, Brobucker?.. so many choices, so little dollars.
Isn't the "popular" shortcomings of the JB addressed with the Demartini pickup? I like the JB, but the Demartini pickup advertises exactly what I would want more or less of from the JB.. more bottom, smoother top.
I should just order one, but those same shortcomings found in the JB seem to point me toward Rio BBQ, Air Zone/Tone Zone, Norten, Breed, VHPAF, Brobucker?.. so many choices, so little dollars.
fenderiarhs
New member
strangegrey
New member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
This doesn't seem like a fair comparison....The JB clocks in at 16-17k.....so does the AZ.
However, the AZ has that 'air' gap thing going on, which is removing the magnet from the coils slightly...which is dropping the output power of pickup a bit and changing the tone curve of the pup as well.
This doesn't seem like a fair comparison....The JB clocks in at 16-17k.....so does the AZ.
However, the AZ has that 'air' gap thing going on, which is removing the magnet from the coils slightly...which is dropping the output power of pickup a bit and changing the tone curve of the pup as well.
hanumanlangur
New member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
Well, I guess that's me. I just think that they should discontinue it. The pickup doesn't do much of anything particularly well. The Full Shred is clearer and tighter, the DD is better for metal, etc.
But I guess it's not so much that it exists, as it is that so many people buy it expecting something else. And the Pickup Wizard recommends it for practically any guitar it can fit in... :smack:
Well, I guess that's me. I just think that they should discontinue it. The pickup doesn't do much of anything particularly well. The Full Shred is clearer and tighter, the DD is better for metal, etc.
But I guess it's not so much that it exists, as it is that so many people buy it expecting something else. And the Pickup Wizard recommends it for practically any guitar it can fit in... :smack:
LesPaulRules
New member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
While I generally prefer Duncans, I like the Air Zone better then the JB.
Had both in a Les Paul Studio. The JB was ok, but something was missing. The AZ had more/tighter bass, smoother highs (but not lacking in highs), and an overall better balance. Reminds me of a souped up vintage pickup instead of a high gain pickup.
The JB is cool, but it has to be in the right guitar.
While I generally prefer Duncans, I like the Air Zone better then the JB.
Had both in a Les Paul Studio. The JB was ok, but something was missing. The AZ had more/tighter bass, smoother highs (but not lacking in highs), and an overall better balance. Reminds me of a souped up vintage pickup instead of a high gain pickup.
The JB is cool, but it has to be in the right guitar.
veryhungrycaterpilla
New member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
JB has great singing solo tone, other than that, not much else.
AZ has oomph for rhythm, balls, better splitting ability, and nearly as good solo tone as the JB. It is a much better all around pup.
JB has great singing solo tone, other than that, not much else.
AZ has oomph for rhythm, balls, better splitting ability, and nearly as good solo tone as the JB. It is a much better all around pup.
soundgardener75
New member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
Very true. I've had better luck on JBs on mahogany bodied guitars imo.
As far as the AirZone's concerned, I'd like to add more to what LesPaulRules just said: I love the fact that it's responsive to your picking attack. Play soft and it sounds like you turned down the volume on your guitar. Play aggresively and it screams back at you.
This is one tough poll, as both are great pickups.
Very true. I've had better luck on JBs on mahogany bodied guitars imo.
As far as the AirZone's concerned, I'd like to add more to what LesPaulRules just said: I love the fact that it's responsive to your picking attack. Play soft and it sounds like you turned down the volume on your guitar. Play aggresively and it screams back at you.
This is one tough poll, as both are great pickups.
pstarove
New member
Iron Horse
New member
Re: AirZone vs JB which do you prefer and why
Should I make a poll: PG vs. X2N? Because this is mostly kinda fool, IMO, because they are very different pups and pups sound is just a minor part of the whole chain: amp, effects, cables, guitar.
E: or perhaps a poll named Martin vs. ESP would be better.
Should I make a poll: PG vs. X2N? Because this is mostly kinda fool, IMO, because they are very different pups and pups sound is just a minor part of the whole chain: amp, effects, cables, guitar.
E: or perhaps a poll named Martin vs. ESP would be better.