Are all JB's virtually unusable?
- Thread starter keithm
- Start date
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
OK, firstly - it is defo not user error! I've been playing guitar rather well for over 40 years and never had the problems the JB gave me. I like highish gain but not ultra gain - I play rock/blues not metal.
To anyone reading my op it should have been obvious I know quite a bit about guitar electrics: I tried stronger springs and rubber tubing (like on a Fender) hardly the words of a novice. But I do appreciate the replies.
Now of course I know the JB and Seymour Duncan have a good reputation - that's why I bought them, but the JB I had was useless. The howl was a loud low feedback growl (not squeal) and once it started howling it would not stop unless the gain was reduced or I tightly pressed down on the pickup (hence trying the stronger springs, rubber tubing instead of springs, and packing under the pickup).
And now I shall tell you how bad this pickup was: even through a small Blackstar Fly III combo (3 watts solid state!) it would howl with the gain turned up. Through my Egnater Tweaker 40 with a Blackstar HT Dual, of through a Fender Mustang II 40 watt combo it was unusable at volume.
I also understand people trying to speak up for Seymour Duncan but if you search the internet for Seymour Duncan JB howling you will find other examples (wish I'd done that first - of course I can't find the links now).
I agree I should have had a full refund but if the UK distributers say it was ok (it wasn't gone long enough to be sent to the U.S) then I was pretty stuffed. How the heck would you get a pickup checked by an independent source? So not a lot I could do. Morally I think the shop should have done more to help me.
My point of starting this thread was has the quality control of Duncan dropped - a pickup like mine should never have left the factory. I also wish Seymour Duncan had responded to my support request, I have to say you folks over the pond are usually very good at responding to email support requests.
OK, firstly - it is defo not user error! I've been playing guitar rather well for over 40 years and never had the problems the JB gave me. I like highish gain but not ultra gain - I play rock/blues not metal.
To anyone reading my op it should have been obvious I know quite a bit about guitar electrics: I tried stronger springs and rubber tubing (like on a Fender) hardly the words of a novice. But I do appreciate the replies.
Now of course I know the JB and Seymour Duncan have a good reputation - that's why I bought them, but the JB I had was useless. The howl was a loud low feedback growl (not squeal) and once it started howling it would not stop unless the gain was reduced or I tightly pressed down on the pickup (hence trying the stronger springs, rubber tubing instead of springs, and packing under the pickup).
And now I shall tell you how bad this pickup was: even through a small Blackstar Fly III combo (3 watts solid state!) it would howl with the gain turned up. Through my Egnater Tweaker 40 with a Blackstar HT Dual, of through a Fender Mustang II 40 watt combo it was unusable at volume.
I also understand people trying to speak up for Seymour Duncan but if you search the internet for Seymour Duncan JB howling you will find other examples (wish I'd done that first - of course I can't find the links now).
I agree I should have had a full refund but if the UK distributers say it was ok (it wasn't gone long enough to be sent to the U.S) then I was pretty stuffed. How the heck would you get a pickup checked by an independent source? So not a lot I could do. Morally I think the shop should have done more to help me.
My point of starting this thread was has the quality control of Duncan dropped - a pickup like mine should never have left the factory. I also wish Seymour Duncan had responded to my support request, I have to say you folks over the pond are usually very good at responding to email support requests.
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Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
I'm pretty sure there is some user error in there, because there's very few - if any - complaints matching yours. Either user error, or the shop is screwing you. Are you 100% sure the pickups you bought were new still sealed in the box, and not tampered with? It sounds like a scam if the distributor makes you pay full price for a pickup, it malfunctions, and then let you return it for a 50% refund. You don't see how they can just keep duping people with the same "new" pickup and continuously bring in 50% of the sale through returns? That would not be Seymour Duncan's fault.
I'm pretty sure there is some user error in there, because there's very few - if any - complaints matching yours. Either user error, or the shop is screwing you. Are you 100% sure the pickups you bought were new still sealed in the box, and not tampered with? It sounds like a scam if the distributor makes you pay full price for a pickup, it malfunctions, and then let you return it for a 50% refund. You don't see how they can just keep duping people with the same "new" pickup and continuously bring in 50% of the sale through returns? That would not be Seymour Duncan's fault.
Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
This maneuver violates the European union consumer protection laws on electronics. Some scummer may try it but they sure wouldnt stick around long to get caught at it.
This maneuver violates the European union consumer protection laws on electronics. Some scummer may try it but they sure wouldnt stick around long to get caught at it.
Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
Of course you cant...
You are kidding right? A sample size of one is not evidence at all that quality control has dropped. Never mind the fact that no one has 100% quality control errors always come out. It is possible that the pickup had a production issue. It happens that why return policies are in place. If you had 100% quality control you wouldnt need a return policy now would yah.
Nevermind that it is entirely possible that the pickup was mishandled which caused an issue. We cannot tell.
But I still maintain you are a troll. Why do I think this? Because if you were genuinely interested in resolving an issue you would not have worded your title and post with what you know will be polarizing language and fill it with vitriol.
Of course you cant...
You are kidding right? A sample size of one is not evidence at all that quality control has dropped. Never mind the fact that no one has 100% quality control errors always come out. It is possible that the pickup had a production issue. It happens that why return policies are in place. If you had 100% quality control you wouldnt need a return policy now would yah.
Nevermind that it is entirely possible that the pickup was mishandled which caused an issue. We cannot tell.
But I still maintain you are a troll. Why do I think this? Because if you were genuinely interested in resolving an issue you would not have worded your title and post with what you know will be polarizing language and fill it with vitriol.
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
How on earth can you say user error? Fit lead from guitar to pedal or amp. Turn on amp, turn up amp whoooooooo loud howling noise!
As for it being my error: It was tried in the shop still in the guitar by them and it howled - so no user error.
The shop didn't give me 50% refund (they didn't have to do anything as the pickup was deemed ok by the distributer). They bought the pickup back of me at my loss as I couldn't sell it on without worrying it would come back on me.
I agree the shop should have given me a full refund but without proof it was a bad pickup I could have been stuck with it.
BTW I am a qualified electrician/pcb worker and used to repair guitars for my local music shop (not the same shop!)
How on earth can you say user error? Fit lead from guitar to pedal or amp. Turn on amp, turn up amp whoooooooo loud howling noise!
As for it being my error: It was tried in the shop still in the guitar by them and it howled - so no user error.
The shop didn't give me 50% refund (they didn't have to do anything as the pickup was deemed ok by the distributer). They bought the pickup back of me at my loss as I couldn't sell it on without worrying it would come back on me.
I agree the shop should have given me a full refund but without proof it was a bad pickup I could have been stuck with it.
BTW I am a qualified electrician/pcb worker and used to repair guitars for my local music shop (not the same shop!)
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
Just a sanity check: could you post a picture of the pickup, top and bottom?
Are we sure this is even a real JB?
Just a sanity check: could you post a picture of the pickup, top and bottom?
Are we sure this is even a real JB?
Nostalgic Distortion
New member
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
I freaking HATE JB's, with a passion, but I still love & always will love Mr. Duncan's pickups!!! Just F.Y.I., they do make more than just the Hot Rod set. There's actually dozens of other Bridgebuckers to choose from!!! Just because you don't like one of their pickups I wouldn't go writing off the whole company forever. To me that seems a little bit extrem & kinda stupid @ the same? I'm not calling you names, it's just my opinion. i mean if I go to McDonald's and they give me cold fries I don't write them off & go to Burger King for the rest of my life, I just get some different fries?
Maybe a 59 Hybrid is the answer to all your problems, or a Dimebucker? Probably worth a shot before joining us just to spit venom all over a site that many of us love & take great pride in! Just so you understand why people have gotten so upset about the O.P., to many of us it seems like you joined just to take a huge dump on the floor of Seymour's house?
We are usually very welcoming to new members but when you're very first post is a virtual slap in the face to a lot of us & most definitely a slap in the face to the guys who work at Duncan & keep the forum up & running, you have to expect a little bit of that venom coming back @ you...
What's I find really strange about you O.P. is that the complaints that you've listed about the JB are not the typical complaints that people usually have after they have had a bad experience with it? Normally it's the upper mid spike or that it is too shrill running off a 500K pot & not tight enough when it's running off a 250k pot? From what you described it sounds like either your doing something wrong during installation or what you have isn't real? In any case, if you want pup recommendations this is most definitely the place to be!!! If you just want to complain or troll, if that's indeed what you are doing, maybe you should try Harmony Central???
I freaking HATE JB's, with a passion, but I still love & always will love Mr. Duncan's pickups!!! Just F.Y.I., they do make more than just the Hot Rod set. There's actually dozens of other Bridgebuckers to choose from!!! Just because you don't like one of their pickups I wouldn't go writing off the whole company forever. To me that seems a little bit extrem & kinda stupid @ the same? I'm not calling you names, it's just my opinion. i mean if I go to McDonald's and they give me cold fries I don't write them off & go to Burger King for the rest of my life, I just get some different fries?
Maybe a 59 Hybrid is the answer to all your problems, or a Dimebucker? Probably worth a shot before joining us just to spit venom all over a site that many of us love & take great pride in! Just so you understand why people have gotten so upset about the O.P., to many of us it seems like you joined just to take a huge dump on the floor of Seymour's house?
We are usually very welcoming to new members but when you're very first post is a virtual slap in the face to a lot of us & most definitely a slap in the face to the guys who work at Duncan & keep the forum up & running, you have to expect a little bit of that venom coming back @ you...
What's I find really strange about you O.P. is that the complaints that you've listed about the JB are not the typical complaints that people usually have after they have had a bad experience with it? Normally it's the upper mid spike or that it is too shrill running off a 500K pot & not tight enough when it's running off a 250k pot? From what you described it sounds like either your doing something wrong during installation or what you have isn't real? In any case, if you want pup recommendations this is most definitely the place to be!!! If you just want to complain or troll, if that's indeed what you are doing, maybe you should try Harmony Central???
Christopher Caruana
New member
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
He gets 1 bad pickup (if it be a fluke, or user error or what) and makes the claim that quality control has dropped......sounds like a sound scientific claim to me haha and you can't argue with science :banned::chairshot
And now he conveniently can't find the links to the other threads about ppl complaining about the JB
He gets 1 bad pickup (if it be a fluke, or user error or what) and makes the claim that quality control has dropped......sounds like a sound scientific claim to me haha and you can't argue with science :banned::chairshot
And now he conveniently can't find the links to the other threads about ppl complaining about the JB
firebirdguy72
안전놀이터추천 『‰』ＫaＫa８３.ＣoＭ까톡: oxiz 『‰』 해외 베팅 업체
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
Come on guys... I think the OP makes a few good points... after all he has been playing over 40 years and used to repair guitars for a shop... (sarcasm)
Funny how this is your first experience with a JB considering you used to work for a shop... and with that first experience being slightly negative you decide to write off the entire company because you think you got a bad one. You yourself said the howling stopped when you touched the pickup. Which means it's a problem with how it's mounted. If it was a problem with the wax potting or the actual pickup it would not matter what you did. It would be microphonic no matter what.
Come on guys... I think the OP makes a few good points... after all he has been playing over 40 years and used to repair guitars for a shop... (sarcasm)
Funny how this is your first experience with a JB considering you used to work for a shop... and with that first experience being slightly negative you decide to write off the entire company because you think you got a bad one. You yourself said the howling stopped when you touched the pickup. Which means it's a problem with how it's mounted. If it was a problem with the wax potting or the actual pickup it would not matter what you did. It would be microphonic no matter what.
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Christopher Caruana
New member
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
Im not saying he's not, but he SAYS he's been playing for 40 years and blah blah blah.......you don't know. He could be a 15 year old kid with nothing better to do than make outrageous claims about crap
Im not saying he's not, but he SAYS he's been playing for 40 years and blah blah blah.......you don't know. He could be a 15 year old kid with nothing better to do than make outrageous claims about crap
firebirdguy72
안전놀이터추천 『‰』ＫaＫa８３.ＣoＭ까톡: oxiz 『‰』 해외 베팅 업체
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
I was being facetious in the first part...
I was being facetious in the first part...
Christopher Caruana
New member
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
Haha i figured you were, but just thought id make sure
Haha i figured you were, but just thought id make sure
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
I guess that leaves the "troll" option.
I've also been a tech since before I was born, and I say it is user/installer error. I'm still confused as to why the distributor would deem the pickup "ok" and not the actual SD company here in California. Story doesn't add up.
I guess that leaves the "troll" option.
I've also been a tech since before I was born, and I say it is user/installer error. I'm still confused as to why the distributor would deem the pickup "ok" and not the actual SD company here in California. Story doesn't add up.
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
What a chuffer. (<= Did I make that up, or is it something bad?)
Go away man. You don't know 10% of what you are talking about. And that's the 10% that isn't lies. I play a JB in an Epiphone Dot in a Metal band.
Loughting chuffer…. (Does that sound offense in an England kind of way?). You are a 40 year old whining tea drinking pinky extending English crumpet pumping chuffer.
If you have a problem, ask how to solve it. If you want to complain, call Customer service. Otherwise bag off you flidling laughing crumpet chuffer!
What a chuffer. (<= Did I make that up, or is it something bad?)
Go away man. You don't know 10% of what you are talking about. And that's the 10% that isn't lies. I play a JB in an Epiphone Dot in a Metal band.
Loughting chuffer…. (Does that sound offense in an England kind of way?). You are a 40 year old whining tea drinking pinky extending English crumpet pumping chuffer.
If you have a problem, ask how to solve it. If you want to complain, call Customer service. Otherwise bag off you flidling laughing crumpet chuffer!
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
You think a fish on a bicycle would be better off with an A2P.
You think a fish on a bicycle would be better off with an A2P.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
Now now. If we start trolling a troll, we're all trolls.
(Said so in my last infraction/ban/whatever anyway.)
Now now. If we start trolling a troll, we're all trolls.
(Said so in my last infraction/ban/whatever anyway.)
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
email Scott Olsen and he will sort it out. The rest of us here in peanut gallery have a tendency have a tendency to go mentally AWOL.
email Scott Olsen and he will sort it out. The rest of us here in peanut gallery have a tendency have a tendency to go mentally AWOL.
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Are all JB's virtually unusable?
To the OP, is the shop you went to a reputable shop? You still didn't answer my question of whether or not you were 100% sure the set was completely untouched and new. What was the packaging like? Did the leads show any previous amount of use? Was the black pickup tape original? Did you bother to test anything with a multimeter? Have you ever tried any Seymour Duncan pickups to ensure this was not just a single occurrence? Or are you being extremely vague and dodging questions because you know this is a troll post?
Off topic, I know, but why are you so obsessed with blueman? You're the only one I see doing a constant witch-hunt of him. He's not perfect, but none of us are (except Frank Falbo). Did he stand you up on a date or something?
To the OP, is the shop you went to a reputable shop? You still didn't answer my question of whether or not you were 100% sure the set was completely untouched and new. What was the packaging like? Did the leads show any previous amount of use? Was the black pickup tape original? Did you bother to test anything with a multimeter? Have you ever tried any Seymour Duncan pickups to ensure this was not just a single occurrence? Or are you being extremely vague and dodging questions because you know this is a troll post?
Off topic, I know, but why are you so obsessed with blueman? You're the only one I see doing a constant witch-hunt of him. He's not perfect, but none of us are (except Frank Falbo). Did he stand you up on a date or something?
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