Duncan Custom vs JB Jr.

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nightwing122087

New member
I've had a JB Jr in the bridge of my Strat for a few years now, and while its not a bad pickup, I feel that I need a change. The JB Jr has very little bass response at all, and I want something that sounds a little more round and full in the bottom end.

I've been trying to decide between several bridge humbuckers to put in my Strat, one of them being the Duncan Custom. I like the fact that it is advertised as a "PAF on steroids" because that is generally the type of tone I like. I'm looking for a versatile high output pickup that still has some kind of warm or PAF vibe about it. Does the Custom really have a PAF vibe even with its ceramic magnet?

Both the Duncan Custom and the JB Jr both have ceramic magnets and are both considered hot pickups. But what are the differences between them tonally? The JB Jr. is one of the few pickups that I have played through extensively, that is why I was wondering if you guys can compare the JB Jr to the Custom.

Thanks a ton
 
Re: Duncan Custom vs JB Jr.

Try the Dimarzio Fastrack II. I have replaced the JB jr on three guitars with the Fastrack II. It is fuller and more balanced.
 
Re: Duncan Custom vs JB Jr.

Presumably, since you're thinking of the Custom, you can go for a full size humbucker.
Maybe try a normal JB?
 
Re: Duncan Custom vs JB Jr.

I actually like the way the Custom sounds in my Norther Ash single-hum Strat; it's a wee bit on the snarly side (the ceramic magnet, I imagine) compared to say, a CC, but tighter bass and also very cool.
 
Re: Duncan Custom vs JB Jr.

I had a JBJr once and found it to be an absolute ripper - way higher output than the full-size JB, pretty close to a Distortion. I don't know if I botched the wiring (since it was paired with a Hot Rails right next to it) or if I had it too close to the strings (probably), but when I received my Custom Shop Distortion Jr, I was underwhelmed. I expected it to be as hot or hotter than the JBJr, but instead it sounds a lot like a Custom.

Oddly, the CustomJr I ordered at the same time sounds like a higher-output Jazz or a 59.


Even more bizarre, the JazzJr I got at the same time sounds like CustomJr :lol:



Anyhoo, I say try a Lil59 or full-size 59. Those have some nice bottom end without getting muddy, and the output's high enough to get some volume, but not so high you'll be pushing the front end too hard. When split, you can get a nice round thickStrat tone (dunno how else to describe it - it's thick yet Stratty at the same time - beefy yet tight - articulate and bassy without being springy like Surf music).
 
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