Antiquity JB Trembucker

J

JWR

New member
I just took delivery of a custom shop MJ wound Antiquity JB Trembucker. I am replacing a regular production JB trembucker. All I can say is that the video comparison of the 35th, Antiquity, and production JB is a realistic representation of the results you can expect. After installation, I noted that it is a bit smoother on the volume knob from 0 to 10. Perhaps a bit more friendly at under half on the volume. The breakup is indeed a more complimentary to my ears in the mids and highs. To me, the subtle differences are worth the added cost. Think I'll order another.
 
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Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

I almost went this route but decided on a "Concept" JB trembucker, basically a 35th aniv version. I am impressed with the results. I took it out of the guitar i had it in now i need another guitar for it to go into. I think I am going to put it in my 1990 HRR Strat.
 
Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

I put a RCA5 magnet in a JB and it is extremely close to the antiquity version.
 
Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

Thank you for the review! I don't think there are a lot of people here on the forum that have tried them yet, so this should help a lot of people.
 
Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

Ayrton said:
I put a RCA5 magnet in a JB and it is extremely close to the antiquity version.
Click to expand...

I just went back to the RCA5 after using the standard polished A5 in the JB for the last few years. Loving the tone I`m getting
 
Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

I think a roughcast A5 helps bring a few Duncan humbuckers closer to the early black-magnet versions. It did subtly warm the highs on a 59B. They're still fully present, just a little sweeter. I'm tempted to see if RCA5 will do the same for a Perpetual Burn.
 
Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

I'm not a huge JB player, but I do have an early one from the late 70's that I love. I listened to the JB comparisons on Darth Phinias's site and on my tablet and headphones through a good headphone pre-amp, I preferred the 35th Ann JB the best. It had the sweetest and smoothest tone, which I preferred. The Antiquity was next. I think the newer version with the polished magnet is just a bit too harsh.

I've never looked at the mag in my 70's JB. What's the story with black magnets and are today's magnets in SD pickups that different than those of the 70's and 80's? I've been playing SD pickups since 2001, but I don't know a ton about older SD pickups, other than some of the older ones DO sound better to me.
 
Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

Am I to understand that his is an unpotted JB?
Or does the antiquity adjective just refer to the relic’d aspect?
 
Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

I can't imagine the Antiquity JB being unpotted. I think it just refers to the wind and the ageing.
 
Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

Jeff_H said:
I'm not a huge JB player, but I do have an early one from the late 70's that I love. I listened to the JB comparisons on Darth Phinias's site and on my tablet and headphones through a good headphone pre-amp, I preferred the 35th Ann JB the best. It had the sweetest and smoothest tone, which I preferred. The Antiquity was next. I think the newer version with the polished magnet is just a bit too harsh.

I've never looked at the mag in my 70's JB. What's the story with black magnets and are today's magnets in SD pickups that different than those of the 70's and 80's? I've been playing SD pickups since 2001, but I don't know a ton about older SD pickups, other than some of the older ones DO sound better to me.
Click to expand...

Some of the older humbuckers have dark colored mags which many of us feel sound a little sweeter than newer ones. AFAIK, other than Antiquities or CustomShop pickups, all the Duncan alnicos for the past thirty years or so have been polished. They tend to be slightly brighter.

Not sure when the switch occurred but I'm pretty sure it was some time ago now- late 80s maybe?

Hopefully someone better informed than I can let us know exactly when they changed over.
 
Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

Yeah, best we could do is guess, by inspecting pickups that we can prove their age. I don't know if many people (other than people who work there) who would have access to a timeline of changes.
 
Re: Antiquity JB Trembucker

Out of sheer morbid curiosity I pulled the magnet out of my ancient JB. It sure is black as black can be. And it's not just age or goop. The black cloth tape has become very sticky over the years and although I did finally find the end of the tape, I was hesitant to unwrap it as the layers had almost merged. I was afraid I'd get it off then have it not stick back on. Anyway, the magnet sure is black.

So, my baseplate has no stamping on it at all, no made in USA or Seymour Duncan. Just a plain plate with the JBD sticker on it, for Debbie Nyquist. If I understand the timeline correctly, this should put my JB somewhere between 77' (JB intro year) and 83', when stamped baseplates came out. Does anyone know if that is correct?
 
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