Alnico II vs. JB bridge position

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I'm putting new pickups in a Dean Cadillac (mahogany body/neck, rosewood fingerboard).
I've decided on an Alnico II in the neck and I've narrowed my bridge choices to these two: Alnico II or SH-4 JB.

This guitar will be used mainly in a coverband side project playing 70's - 80's music: disco/rock maybe some Gn'R etc. but no real metal.
I have a JB bridge in another guitar and it sounds great, but I'd like to try something just a little fatter/hotter, I don't have access to a guitar with an Alnico II so I have to rely on advice and info from the SD site.

I'm a little thrown by the sound clips/tone chart. The JB is rated as a high output p'up and the Alnico II a moderate output, but to my ears the Alnico II sounds hotter on the sound clips (dirty bridge).

I'm running thru a Marshall JMP-1 and 8008 poweramp into a 1973 Sound City 4x12. And while my rig sounds hotter than the one used in the sound clip demos, I can say the JB clip is pretty accurate.

Anybody out there played both? Is the Alnico II sound clip a fair representation of the actual sound?

Sorry for the long post but if you made it this far Thanks,
john

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: Alnico II vs. JB bridge position

The APH is definitely not as hot as the JB. I personally like the APH in the both the neck & bridge positions. Given the style of music your playing, I'd be leaning toward the APH.

The clips online do not, as least IMHO, fairly represent the true tonal quality of the pickups. Mainly because it depends alot on the type of guitar, how good your sound quality is on your computer etc....

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Alnico II vs. JB bridge position

The APH is no where near as hot as a JB, which IMO, is a good thing. The APH will let more of your guitar's tone come through.

If you do want a high output pickup that's warm, try the Custom Custom. It won't be as hot as a JB, but it is definately warmer and thicker. It will also get along extremely well with the APHn.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Alnico II vs. JB bridge position

Those are 2 pretty different pickups you are considering. JB will have better cut but the Alnico II will be warmer sounding.

I am not a huge fan of the JB but for what you are doing its probably a nicer bridge pickup....and the JB is nice in a Mahogany guitar (imo)