Custom or JB?

[erogenousjones17]

I want to swap the humbucker in my lowly Jackson JS20. I've narrowed it down to either an SH-4 JB or an SH-5 Custom. I've got a 15-watt amp, and I want something quite versatile, as in good for classic rock, punk, ska and metal, and with a nice, not-too-bright (or twangy) sounding clean. Any suggestions? Also, if my guitar has a trem bridge, do I really need to get a trembucker?

 

[BG00]

Re: Custom or JB?

Welcome to the forum,
I would go with the JB, and yes you should go for a trembucker.
good luck.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: Custom or JB?

Thanks a lot. The only thing I'm concerned about is the clean on the JB. One reason I want to change the pickup is because it has a lot of "quack;" you don't think the JB would be too bright?

 

[sosomething]

Re: Custom or JB?

I found the Custom to be brighter and much more "scooped" sounding than the JB. This is, from what I understand, contrary to what a lot of others here have found. It might just be the guitars I have them in.

I would think the Custom might sound better for cleans, but for OD I would choose the JB over it every time.

 

[Rowan]

Re: Custom or JB?

The JB clean is pretty quacky.

 

[BG00]

Re: Custom or JB?

Bottom line is that you're not going to know until you try it. To my ears, the JB sounds much better than the custom. Every person has different preferences. I do not think the JB clean is too quacky or twangy. It does have those characteristics to it but not overly so in my opinion. The custom has smoother cleans than the JB but does not do as well with high gain stuff.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Custom or JB?

The JB can be pure magic in a really dark sounding mahogany bodied guitar. In anything else it can be pretty bright. I would try a Custom 5 or Custom Custom instead of the JB in your Jackson if you want warmth.
Use the trembucker spacing as the standard spaced bucker will not match the Jackson string spacing at the bridge and both the E strings will just hit the edge of the outside polls.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Custom or JB?

The above post speaks the truth, but I'd like to add that the JB really can sound great in a good piece of alder as well.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Re: Custom or JB?

This may seem like a stupid question, but I find it kind of hard to describe sounds with words (maybe my brain is wired funny). My guitar's sound is currently kinda muffled, unless I drive the highs on my amp way up (i.e. past 7 or 8). Also, full-voiced chords with distortion results in a muddy, ugly mess. So, which pickup will give me the best clarity and definition in a medium to high gain scenario in what I believe to be a guitar made from a mahogany substitute?

 

[Brewtone]

Re: Custom or JB?

The above post speaks the truth, but I'd like to add that the JB really can sound great in a good piece of alder as well.

+1 to that, I have it set up in an alder HSS strat with classic stacks in the mid and neck. Thats the only guitar I've ever really loved the JB in.

The JB is really picky about what guitars it's in. I've had it in two strats, it's awesome in one and pure crap in the other (probably not a "good piece" of alder)

 

[saladin]

Re: Custom or JB?

+1 on the Custom 5. I've tried all 3 in my Tele and Strat and the Custom 5 won in both.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Custom or JB?

+1 to that, I have it set up in an alder HSS strat with classic stacks in the mid and neck. Thats the only guitar I've ever really loved the JB in.

The JB is really picky about what guitars it's in. I've had it in two strats, it's awesome in one and pure crap in the other (probably not a "good piece" of alder)

The one that came stock in my (now sold) Jackson DK2M sounded alright in that guitar. I eventually swapped for a DiMarzio TZ which also sounded "alright." It was then that I realized it wasn't the either of pickups' fault. I just didn't like the way the guitar sounded.

I recently replaced the EMG H4 that came stock in my Edwards Alexi Laiho V (maple neck-thru with alder wings) with a JB and it was a MAJOR improvement. It took a guitar that sounded great unplugged but scratchy and weak plugged in and made it sound HUGE.