Down to JB or Custom...help!

B

Buckeyedog

New member
I know this has been hashed a million times, but I'm struggling with the JB or Custom decision for my LP Standard. I keep hearing so many positives about the Custom, but the Tone Wizard recommends the JB for all the stuff I play, from pop to classic to hard rock through Marshall type amps. My LP tends to be a bit bright on the B and E strings as well. Any feedback is appreciated.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

The only guitar I really don't like the JB in is my PRS McCarty. I love it in my strats, never tried it in a Les Paul. My LP has a DD that I've loved for 18 years so it's never comming out. I've never tried a Custom.....not much help then, eh?
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

id go with the custom...the JB has too much high end for me
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

Custom or C5. I have yet to hear anyone not like their Customs in a LP. I would personally go C5 because of the alnico 5 mag and the versatility, but the Custom is a rockin pickup as well. The biggest difference between the Custom and the JB to me is that the Custom has a much tighter low end.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

Thanks so far guys.
Funny the EQ curves are JB 5,6,8 and Custom is 7,6,9 so in actuality SD says the Custom has more "High end"!!

Hey Metl, where in Ohio are you? I'm around the Dayton area.

Looks like Custom is leading so far........keep 'em coming!!

El Dorado, I had a C5 in my LP DC that I had a few years ago and I didn't like the "lack" of mids. That may be different in a regular LP however. I guess I could always fool around with the mags on if I got the Custom.....maybe try and A8 or something.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

Buckeyedog said:
Thanks so far guys.
Funny the EQ curves are JB 5,6,8 and Custom is 7,6,9 so in actuality SD says the Custom has more "High end"!!

Hey Metl, where in Ohio are you? I'm around the Dayton area.

Looks like Custom is leading so far........keep 'em coming!!

El Dorado, I had a C5 in my LP DC that I had a few years ago and I didn't like the "lack" of mids. That may be different in a regular LP however. I guess I could always fool around with the mags on if I got the Custom.....maybe try and A8 or something.
Click to expand...

Custom.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

there are reasons why so many pros use the JB and not the custom
the JB is the go to pup for any style
the custom has too much bass and does not cut like the JB
also the JB just sings for leads man!
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

For a bright guitar, I'd consider the Custom Custom.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

The Custom is really clean even when distorted. The JB tends to get spiky. I disagree that the Custom is muddy. It can be quite trebly at times, but has a smooth bass. It's not going to sound like an alnico pickup. Goes great with a Jazz. I like both of them. It would be a tough choice for me. Why not try both and return the one you don't like for a neck pickup.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

I had a JB for a while before installing the Custom in my LP.

The Custom has both a bigger and better focused bottom end than the JB. The JB has better mid presence than the Custom, as well as a strong upper mid range. Both pickups have good top ends. I disagree with the comment about the Custom having too much bass. Compared to the JB, it's simply bigger and rounder, but at the same time tighter and more focused.

Personally, my ears preferred the Custom in my Studio. The JB was my second favorite in that guitar, though. Both worked quite well, but the Custom has a better EQ for that guitar.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

MikeS said:
I had a JB for a while before installing the Custom in my LP.

The Custom has both a bigger and better focused bottom end than the JB. The JB has better mid presence than the Custom, as well as a strong upper mid range. Both pickups have good top ends. I disagree with the comment about the Custom having too much bass. Compared to the JB, it's simply bigger and rounder, but at the same time tighter and more focused.

Personally, my ears preferred the Custom in my Studio. The JB was my second favorite in that guitar, though. Both worked quite well, but the Custom has a better EQ for that guitar.
Click to expand...


Mike it was probably my amp that made the custom have too much bass
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

Man guys, great replies! Input is really appreciated. Looks like the Custom is winning so far. BRHGM......good suggestion.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

Roadstar are you still for the JB??

Has anyone tried an A8 in a Custom? Or JB? Just for curiousity sake.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

jason becker used a jb, I dont know what the early white zombie guitarist used but i know there were a few different guitarist, and riggs from the rob zombie bad used a fullshred.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

I have a JB in a Kramer Pacer and I dont like it, the sound is too "tight and bright" I have a Dist in my Paul and was thinking of trying the JB in the neck possition. I'll let you know how it goes.
 
Re: Down to JB or Custom...help!

Well, by a narrow margin, the Custom wins! I'll probably go ahead and order one from Lew. He has a Zebra Custom in stock. Thanks all!!
Oh, I have a JB jr. in my Strat and I really like that so I figure I'll change it up a bit and see what the Custom has to offer.
 
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