Any suggestion to replace a JB?

[Michel347]

Hi, I recently got a Godin SD22 that is equipped with a JB in the bridge, STK-S7 in middle and neck the volume pot in that one is 250K.

The JB is not bad but it could be better. I also have a Godin Summit CT with a 59 in the bridge that I like very much.

The Summit CT is a Les Paul like, 24.75scale, mahogany/maple cap body, mahogany/ebony neck/finger board, H-H(59 bridge, A2 neck), these are perfect fit for that one.

The SD22 is also 24.75 but maple core with poplar wings body and maple neck/finger board.

In terms of gain I mainly play classic rock, a lot of Rush, some blues and up to early Sabbath ( Marshall type amp and H&K Tri-amp) in standard tuning.

Unplugged the SD22 is mellower that the Summit CT.

I find the JB not dimensional in the guitar and looking to get closer to the 59 I have in the other one. I think it is missing some highs and lows. Also even if the sustain is about the same in both the one with the JB is somehow perceived as lower output (may be the result of the EQ).

I was looking at the Custom (SH-5) or Pearly Gates or Saturday Night Special ? But I'm not sure about the result with a 250K volume pot.

Thanks

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The Custom might suit your needs.

The Custom is kinda like a '59 on steroids in many way. Both are open, broad, and wide. The key differences I'd say is obviously hotter, but the Custom has more of a grindy high-end and a thuddier low-end, but that's not to say it's more scooped. I'd say the Custom has a bit more of a high mid focus than the '59, but still not nearly as much as the JB. The Custom is just kind of a middle ground between a hot pickup and a PAF-type like the '59.

The Custom is also around the output level of the JB, if not a smidge hotter. So it's very much mid/high output, but by no means a blistering screamer.

I wouldn't use it with a 250K pot, though. My reasoning being to get the most detail and make it the most PAF-like, I feel like you have to really open it up with higher value pots. Then again, depends on the guitar and the rest of the rig. I ran mine with a 1M volume. Only then did the high-end I felt really opened up, but I tend to like pickups bright and wide open. I'm sure a person with a more "normal" taste could make it work with 500K pots.

 

[Mincer]

So is it the EQ that you don't like about the JB...or the power? Or both?

 

[Masta' C]

First, have you tried adjusting the height of the JB?

Second, you might want to try it with 500K. I find a JB too mellow in most guitars when used with 250K. If you want more top end presence, 500K is the way.

 

[Michel347]

Thanks all.

As you can see there is an onboard tuner (N-Tune) on the volume pot that I like, so I don't want to change that one for a 500K.


The JB is not bad in itself in that guitar, but it feels compressed and a bit congested in the mids and I was in search of getting into the 59 ballpark tone and be a tad hotter. EQ wise compare to the JB a little more highs and lows and slightly less mids.

Looking at the EQ charts it looked like the Custom or the others I listed could work even with that 250K volume pot, but was looking if someone experienced with it.

 

[jeremy]

the jb is quite different than a 59b eq wise. the custom is closer for sure, c5 is maybe a better bet

 

[Clint 55]

If you want something close to the 59 and less hot and compressed than the JB you have a few options:

Variant of custom. Mag swapping the custom yields the custom with ceramic, the custom 5 with A5, and the CC with A2. And other mags are options as well. Duncan advertises the C5 as a 59 on steroids.

Another mid output option is the Jason Becker. Has mids like the JB but not crazy with it.

Several vintage output options. The Saturday night special sounds like a hotter jazz with A4 to my ear. The Whole lotta is middy and crunchy but also not crazy with it like the JB. The A2P is very thick with the low mids, they're not raspy. The Pearly Gates sounds kind of stratty and vibes with single coils. The 78 is thin and rawk raspy. Don't know about how the Green magic sounds but it seems like it could be an option.

I'd say the Slash (version 1 or 2) might be the pickup that would behave the most like the 59 but give you an alternate tone.

So I'd say:

1. Slash 1 or 2
2. Custom 5
3. Something else like a PG or Jason Becker.

 

[Michel347]

Thanks to all, I made my choice, I just ordered a Custom SH-5, that way I can try it and this will give me the possibility to swap the A5 magnet from the JB to experiment.

The SH-5 not currently in stock at several music stores around me, but I found out that it was in stock at Godin directly and 20$ less then elsewhere through order, I'll get it next Monday and will leave my comments.