CC and JB users...

J

JSS

New member
I'm almost positive (pending responses on my EVH thread) that I will be putting one of these two pickups into the bridge of my SG with the APH-1 in the neck. I have seen the tone chart, and what not, but my big question is such:

What style of music can I play with the JB, but by no means with the CC?

And, likewise, what could you use a CC for, but not even consider a JB?


Thanks a lot.

-Jeremy
 
Re: CC and JB users...

I've never tried a CC, but I'll hazard a guess. ;)

I think the JB would do country reasonably, the CC would not. Umm... the CC will do those sweet AII tones that the JB can't. That's all I can think of.
 
Re: CC and JB users...

A correct answer would depend a lot on personal taste.

However, they are both "midrange" pickups where the JB is stronger on the higher mids and the CC is stonger on the mid-mids and lower mid. With a clean sound the JB sounds excessively agressive (ice-pick). Distorted they both sound great, the CC being smoother.

For a naturally "bright" setup (amp, guitar) I would recommend the CC and viceversa, for a "darker" setup, I would recommend the JB.
 
Re: CC and JB users...

I haven't tried the CC but the AP/CC combo it is quite popular because they both are alnico II. This way you have a more related tone between the pickups.

May be somebody will tell more about this combo.
 
Re: CC and JB users...

I think you could play anything with either pickup. I really do.

In a solid body guitar I like the CC best driving a cranked Marshall or '59 tweed Bassman...cranked! That's when it really comes to life and the notes just take off.

In a solid body guitar, I didn't really love the CC unless it was driving a cranked amp like that...then I loved it. Through my blackface Fenders set at more modest volumes (2 or 3) and for a cleaner tone, I thought the CC sounded like it was idling and didn't really do it for me.

However, in my semi hollowbody Hamer Monoco, the CC sounds good to me all the time through any of my amps at pretty much any volume.

I think they both excel at overdriven rock and blues tones...and I like a clean, vintage output neck pickup like the Seth Lover for my cleaner tones.

Personally, I think the JB tends to sound better than the CC in solid body guitars and the CC tends to sound better than the JB in semi hollow body guitars...but they both sound killer in any guitar plugged into a vintage Marshall type amp.

Lew
 
Re: CC and JB users...

I think that both have their applications. I have used both, and have found that the JB didn't suit my taste in music in the guitars I've had it in (PRS, and 335). I have a CC now in my LP, and I LOVE IT. I think that you will find more clarity and a hell of a lot more brightness in the JB. The bottom end IMHO of the JB just isn't there. The CC also doesn't have that big booming bottom that you find in the C5, but it has a lot of lower mids so you get a really nice 60's and 70's rock tone. I think that the CC would not be a great metal pup. I don't like the JB at low gain (or clean). I found the CC sounds warm and musical when clean.
 
Re: CC and JB users...

I think you'll like the JB or a C-5 better. They're more "expressive" overall (although Lew brings up a good point about cranking up the CC). The CC is nice, but is too far into the midrange area. I had a CC in my LP/SG reissue and changed it into a C-5. Sounds much better IMO. You can also consider a JB with an alnico-2 magnet, that's really nice sounding.

Jeff
 
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Re: CC and JB users...

Hey guys for soloing. Getting a thick sweet lonnnnnggg sustain would more mids be better? Trying to get an idea of known guitarists that have lots of mids in there sound compared to not? ie CC sounds like______________? JB would be_______________?
 
Re: CC and JB users...

Thanks! I've since sold the guitars but I had a CC in my '92 Hamer Studio and a C5 in my '95 Hamer Studio and compared them back and forth alot.

In the end, I reinstalled the JB's they both came with and preferred the JB's fatter mids over the C5 and the JB's deeper bass and more articulate treble over the CC...but these are solid body guitars.

In my semi hollow body Hamer Monoco the CC sounds great and when we did a mini pickup shootout the CC won over two historic Les Pauls (one with Tom Holmes and one with original Burstbuckers) and over the two Hamers mentioned above.

We tried them through my blackface Fenders, '51 Super, '53 Super and '59 Bassman.

As mentioned, I didn't love the CC or C5 in either of my solid body guitars until I plugged them into my '59 bassman or Marshall and cranked up the volume. Then they were both KILLER and the room just exploded in great tone.

But at lower, cleaner volumes both pickups sounded thin and uninspiring in those solid body Hamers...I liked the JB's fatter and thicker tone better.

To me, the C5 and CC are born to rock...that's when they come to life: when the volume's cranked.
 
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Re: CC and JB users...

keano12 said:
Hey guys for soloing. Getting a thick sweet lonnnnnggg sustain would more mids be better?
Click to expand...

I think so! At least for the way I play. You can overdo it tho...

Trying to get an idea of known guitarists that have lots of mids in there sound compared to not? ie CC sounds like______________?
Click to expand...

Van Halen. Through a cranked Marshall, the CC makes it easy to get a nice, mid period Van Halen tone...whether he used a CC or not!

JB would be_______________?
Click to expand...

Jeff Beck: Freeway Jam, Cause We've Ended As Lovers, etc.
 
Re: CC and JB users...

Marinblues said:
For a naturally "bright" setup (amp, guitar) I would recommend the CC and viceversa, for a "darker" setup, I would recommend the JB.
Click to expand...

I have a super bright guitar and even with 250K pots I think that the JB is not quite rich enough for me. However, I dig the Jazz neck lots- SD really nailed something with that pickup. Would a CC match a Jazz neck, or would I have to replace it with another AII? If I do need an AII, does anyone have any recommendations? (A2 pro?)
 
Re: CC and JB users...

Lewguitar said:
In the end, I reinstalled the JB's they both came with and preferred the JB's fatter mids over the C5 and the JB's deeper bass and more articulate treble over the CC...but these are solid body guitars.
Click to expand...

I agree Lew, although I have yet to play the CC. I agree with your take compared to the C-5....if those thick mids are not there, I have a hard time vibing with the sound. That is another thing I like about the Rio Grand BBQ (have you gotten any yet?) as in my opnion it is like a fatter JB....with a deeper bass....like a combination of the C-5 and JB.

The JB is a work hourse though and it is hard to beat. The lows are perfect and really allow you to get some tight bass going.
 
Re: CC and JB users...

Let's talk about woods...heheh. Lew was saying that the CC, at lower volumes, isn't quite the same in solid wood guitars. My question is though, would the CC tame an ash guitar better than the JB? I have the FS in my ash strat right now, and contrary to popular opinion, it's not particularly bright (for my taste, anyway). But, I'm looking to put my FS in a different axe...I have a couple of JB's layin' around...but I'm wondering if I shouldn't try the CC or maybe even a C5 in my ash strat? What do you guys think?

Farkus
 
Re: CC and JB users...

I am about to dive in a buy I have a light LP standard, very light. Between CC and 85. JB sounds a bit harsh and I already have 81/85 set up in one of my customs. So it sounds like same tone kind of. Would the output be similar between 85 and CC?
 
Re: CC and JB users...

Headache man....I listen to clips here and on the SD tone page. I like that I like this I like it all. Sounds to be that everyone say the JB is hi end sounding? Is the JB big sounding tho' I head a clip of Stevos CC clip called Darkday it was huge sounding. It was cranked. Curious if the JB cranked would have this huge mammoth sound also. I can hear that the JB is definitely more articulate that is hands down noticeable. The DD sounds like a JB but with distortion added. Think I am losing it. Ha!
What bands used JB for sure in the 80,90 now whatever for sure? :smack:
 
Re: CC and JB users...

I switched from the CC to the JB. I liked both pickups each have their strengths so I guess it's a matter of what you'd use it for. I find the JB slightly tighter in the bottom end all things being equal (same guitar same amp), the CC being thicker and has a mucho smooth top, think big top end but not bright-thin but thick round top end. The JB's is still smooth in the same guitar but just not as thick and round up there.
 
Re: CC and JB users...

Hmmm..... what type of guitar you own? Wood?
I play heavy rock. Alternative heavy and blues.
 
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