Duncan JB questions......

N

Nev

New member
Greetings,
So I buy a used TB -4 (JB) to put into one of my guitars. I randomly go to look at what's currently in my Jackson RR1 USA that I was considering replacing and see that the SH-4 is already there.
So now, 2 questions.
1. I know spacing is the only difference, TB is made for Floyds, shouldn't be any tone difference right?
2. The reason I wanted to replace it in the first place is to get more "umph" out the RR1. What will give me more of everything evenly and have more power :argh: ?
Not interested in EMG. Duncan or Dimarzio models preferred.
Thanks to all.
 
Re: Duncan JB questions......

if you want more of everything a JB already has, get a Duncan distortion the eq, responsiveness, and voicing are all really similar to a JB but with more growl more output more scream, tighter and more ballsy.

you could also try a black winter, I hear they are based on a distortion but souped up somehow.

and yeah there is barely any tonal difference between regular and Trembucker spacing
 
Re: Duncan JB questions......

If you're just looking for a bridge pickup, the SH-6/TB-6 Distortion will do you well. Otherwise, as Metalblaze suggested, the Dave Mustaine Livewire set was designed to do just that...provide JB-style tone with more power. Just depends on whether or not you want to go active.
 
Re: Duncan JB questions......

You might also consider a ceramic magnet in the JB, or a PATB-2.

What I've found to be the biggest difference between SH and TB is that the TB version (particularly with the xx-6 Distortion) is more articulate. Individual notes stand out better, double-stop bends don't have that phasing effect, but instead sound clear. Single-string riffs lose the "fuzz" so you can hear the crunch.

However, I do prefer the Parallel Axis Distortion over the TB-6 Distortion. While technically the same pickup, there's something about those little parallel poles that combines the best of both the TB-6 and SH-6.
Or does the PA use a thinner magnet than the xx-6? Anyone know? Whatever the case, the Duncan Distortion has always been my favorite pickup, and the PA version is the top of that range IMO.

IIRC, the Rhoads comes with a Jazz in the neck. Move the bridge JB (SH) to the neck and wire it for parallel-only operation. You'll love the cleans.
 
Re: Duncan JB questions......

If you have a SH-4 in there now, you get the same tone from a TB-4.

If you are able to use a return/exchange policy, you can try a different model. Otherwise, you can drop about $5 on a thin/normal ceramic and put that in either of your JB models.

the DD will give you more drive and more grit. the big ceramic magnet will definitely dirty it up and will lose a lot of the more organic features of the stock Alnico magnet. instead of trying to sell you a pickup after you just bought one, I figure buying a $5 magnet might be a good start at a 1/2-step prior to a going all the way DD. but Inder-Cine_Man and Aceman have good ideas as well.
 
Last edited:
Re: Duncan JB questions......

CTN nailed it, a Duncan Distortion or if you want even more oomph and higher-end saturation, go with the Black Winter.
 
Re: Duncan JB questions......

Distortion....

Though I have always preferred the JB with a single 500K volume, sounds a little less nasal and a bit more lively that way.
 
Re: Duncan JB questions......

Thank goodness I saw this in time!

I don't speak "oomph" although I approve of the concept! Before we recommend the pickup, a few questions:

First - what amp? You said you want more power from the new pickup. JB is not exactly a tame pickup output wise. WHY do you want more power? What do think that will do for you?

Second - what is "oomph?" Is that more bass? Tighter bass AND more bass? If so the Distortion is not "more" bass than the JB, although it it very tight.

Please try and tell us a bit more of what you want out of the JB that you are not getting:
Bass - More/less, tighter/looser
Mids - more/less, and which mids; lower/middle/upper
Highs - More/Less, and the character; cutting/round

Characteristics: Overall thicker or more clarity? Compressed or open? Output: Mild Medium Hot or Stupid

How will you use this pickup: Leads mostly? Rhythm mostly? All around?
 
Re: Duncan JB questions......

Way Back When, the RR typically came with a DD and Jazz combo, or double Distortions. I never understood why they went to the JB for that guitar.

And Ace, he does say he wants "more of everything", so I'm assuming more bass, more mids, and more output in general. Though I do agree the amp may be the problem here.
 
Re: Duncan JB questions......

Aceman said:
Thank goodness I saw this in time!

I don't speak "oomph" although I approve of the concept! Before we recommend the pickup, a few questions:

First - what amp? You said you want more power from the new pickup. JB is not exactly a tame pickup output wise. WHY do you want more power? What do think that will do for you?

Second - what is "oomph?" Is that more bass? Tighter bass AND more bass? If so the Distortion is not "more" bass than the JB, although it it very tight.

Please try and tell us a bit more of what you want out of the JB that you are not getting:
Bass - More/less, tighter/looser
Mids - more/less, and which mids; lower/middle/upper
Highs - More/Less, and the character; cutting/round

Characteristics: Overall thicker or more clarity? Compressed or open? Output: Mild Medium Hot or Stupid

How will you use this pickup: Leads mostly? Rhythm mostly? All around?
Click to expand...

A correction is required. In the USA RR1 was the SH-5 Duncan Custom. So I pulled it and put in the JB last night, changed strings, going to give it a run through tomorrow night at rehearsal.
To answer these other questions:
I use a Splawn Quickrod, or a Marshall JVM or JCM 2000 with my guitars.
The best way to describe what I mean is more punch out of the guitar. My Gibson V really sings when I use them. They have mahogany bodies and a 500T. The clarity, bite and growl are sweet. My RR1 is Alder and now has the JB. If that doesn't do it, I may put the 500T in the RR1. If THAT doesn't do it, I guess it'll be Duncan Distortion. The Custom was ok ya' know? I had good balance of b-m-t with the Duncan Custom. But I wanted it to have more bite and growl. I love my RR1 guitar. If I can get it to sound like my V then I'd be a very happy guy.
 
Re: Duncan JB questions......

I say alternative 8 as a step between the JB and the distortion. the distortion is a bit too gritty for me and the alt8 is about as hot but much more 'moreness' if you will ;) it's got bigger lows, chunkier mids, screaming highs but never gets mushy or honky.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Masta' C
For the "JB" Nerds... (Inductance and DC Resistance values for older JB models)
Replies
11
Views
483
Rex_Rocker
Rex_Rocker
Rex_Rocker
35th Anniversay JB? RCA5? Blackened JB?
2
Replies
27
Views
3K
Coryd
Coryd
moshpit817
FS:: 4 Pickups--4 Seymour Duncans and 1 DiMarzio Bridge Pickup
Replies
0
Views
170
moshpit817
moshpit817
Coma
JB equivalent
2
Replies
31
Views
769
ehdwuld
ehdwuld
Wolfshead
Trembucker covers? NGD Alex Lifeson Epiphone Axcess Custom
Replies
7
Views
190
Wolfshead
Wolfshead
Back
Top