natelc1979
New member
Hey guys, i have an esp ltd ec401 with the jb and 59 pickups. I love the 59, but the jb doesnt have the bottom end im looking for. What would you guys recommend replacing it with for classic rock/blues?
Esp ec401 need advice on replacing the jb
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Zheddar
New member
Re: Esp ec401 need advice on replacing the jb
I put an alnico 8 in a Custom, loaded in a Schecter SVSS, it sounds pretty similar to the JB with a rough cast Alnico 5 in my alder all maple neck strat. The Custom 8 has more and tighter bass, is higher output (only a little higher), but keeps lots of the mids, and between these two the highs are about the same'ish. My wife thought they sounded really close to each other in tone. So, you could try a Custom 8. I'm rolling a dual hex Screamin' Demon rough alnico 4 in the neck, I may change to a polished alnico 4 though.
I put an alnico 8 in a Custom, loaded in a Schecter SVSS, it sounds pretty similar to the JB with a rough cast Alnico 5 in my alder all maple neck strat. The Custom 8 has more and tighter bass, is higher output (only a little higher), but keeps lots of the mids, and between these two the highs are about the same'ish. My wife thought they sounded really close to each other in tone. So, you could try a Custom 8. I'm rolling a dual hex Screamin' Demon rough alnico 4 in the neck, I may change to a polished alnico 4 though.
Re: Esp ec401 need advice on replacing the jb
C8, Custom RUOA5, and '59/C Hybrid could all work, depending on how hot you like it. I also wonder about a '59/C UOA5.
C8 has this great, open roar with a punchy bass. Good for almost anything, unless you are obsessed with vintage-correct signal chains.
Custom RUOA5 is somewhere between the strengths of the Custom 5 and the Custom Custom. Warm, but not as syrupy as the A2, with deeper bass. Doesn't have the often excessive mid-scoop of the Custom 5, though the mids are a bit less prominent than the Custom Custom.
'59/Custom Hybrid is just a great blues to rock pickup.
UOA5 in a '59/C makes it a bit more mid-focused, but it still has the broader frequency response from the different coils.
Half of them are a magnet swap away from the rest, so I'd pick the Custom 8 or the '59/Custom Hybrid to try, and go from there. All of them have deeper bass and sound more like the '59 than the JB. But varying degrees of hotter.
C8, Custom RUOA5, and '59/C Hybrid could all work, depending on how hot you like it. I also wonder about a '59/C UOA5.
C8 has this great, open roar with a punchy bass. Good for almost anything, unless you are obsessed with vintage-correct signal chains.
Custom RUOA5 is somewhere between the strengths of the Custom 5 and the Custom Custom. Warm, but not as syrupy as the A2, with deeper bass. Doesn't have the often excessive mid-scoop of the Custom 5, though the mids are a bit less prominent than the Custom Custom.
'59/Custom Hybrid is just a great blues to rock pickup.
UOA5 in a '59/C makes it a bit more mid-focused, but it still has the broader frequency response from the different coils.
Half of them are a magnet swap away from the rest, so I'd pick the Custom 8 or the '59/Custom Hybrid to try, and go from there. All of them have deeper bass and sound more like the '59 than the JB. But varying degrees of hotter.
natelc1979
New member
Re: Esp ec401 need advice on replacing the jb
Thanks for the help guys!!
Thanks for the help guys!!
Re: Esp ec401 need advice on replacing the jb
The 59/Custom,
It is wound about 11.5K (for a rough idea of resitence) while the JB is 16K. The hybrid does it all, even when I roll it down, like I have said many times, it can go from BB King to the heaviest metal player you can think off.
Steve Buffington.
The 59/Custom,
It is wound about 11.5K (for a rough idea of resitence) while the JB is 16K. The hybrid does it all, even when I roll it down, like I have said many times, it can go from BB King to the heaviest metal player you can think off.
Steve Buffington.
Re: Esp ec401 need advice on replacing the jb
^Steve is right. It isn't so far off of the JB that it sounds weak, and the 59/Custom Hybrid certainly has enough bass. The middle is more scooped than a JB, and it is perfect for classic rock & blues, especially with a vintage output pickup in the neck (something PAF-y).
^Steve is right. It isn't so far off of the JB that it sounds weak, and the 59/Custom Hybrid certainly has enough bass. The middle is more scooped than a JB, and it is perfect for classic rock & blues, especially with a vintage output pickup in the neck (something PAF-y).