Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

^ you're right, ska. I edited my post.

I'm gonna try to write a good review of the JB in a live situation, in a few.
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

The great thing is, if you want some more balls, throw in a ceramic magnet into the custom5, and you got a custom, which is great for heavy stuff like you like.

+1 yesss!
 
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Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

JBs are my favorite (got 18 of em) and customs are pretty cool too. make yourself a custom 8 sometime---they are like a JB but fuller. still like the JB best myself tho.

hahaha! Are you kidding me!!!??? 18?

I luv me a Duncan Custom for a hot, chunky humbucker with clear mids under gain.
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

Yes! Another JB lover! I love mine! ;)
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

I have the JB in three of my guitars, and I love it. My main amp is a Marshall TSL100 that I mostly use on the crunch channel, as I like classic metal. I also like Vinnie Moore's solo tone, and I feel the JB nails it. Sometimes I have to play with the guitar's volume knob a little to get a nice low-gain sound, but the JB is a great, does-it-all humbucker.

(Other humbuckers I really like: Gibson 500T in my Flying V, Custom in my Jackson Dinky.)
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

I've been playing the JB alot lately, and I'm still trying to figure out exactly what makes it feel the way it does. because not only does it sound different than a 59 or Custom 5, it feels different.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of how a pickup can 'compress'.

Lots of people say "this pickup sounds compressed, etc", but I don't know if that's the correct terminology. Compression, to me, means the initial attack is reduced, and there is a swell afterwards.

The Custom 5, in NO way, has this. It's a very direct sounding pickup, and it doesn't really have a post-attack swell. Perhaps the high's are a big muted for some people's tastes, but that doesn't mean its compressed.

Now the JB... this pickup might have some compression going on. There's a definite "Sag" to the feel. Not sloppy, not ridiculously noticeable. but there's a slight sag, and swell. I can see how this pickup would work great for people with a light pick attack, because it responds very well to light touches.

I feel like the C5 gives back what you put in immediately. No compression or lag. The JB gives it back, but not right away, it sags then swells.

Does anyone else feel the same way about this, or am I just crazy? I mean, a week of critical pickup listening CAN drive a person mad. hahaha
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

You are correct, sir.

The JB "breathes" in a very strange way. It has sort of a held back attack, just like what you describe. It's like if it had a tiny OD pedal within itself, but in a good way.
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

In the right guitar, the JB is heaven!

In the wrong guitar, it is freakin horrid!
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

Thanks for digging this up HJB4...

Well, a month later, and here's my thoughts:

• I'm definitely liking the JB a LOT more than I thought I was going to. It has a really fluid, vocal sound that is more modern than the classic PAF - 59-ish buckers that I'm used to. I've found it a great home in my Warmoth Korina Soloist guitar. It sounds ANYTHING but thin... sounds fat, warm, singing, crushing, powerful. It really does make my soloing sing on that guitar.

• I've decided that I can't use the JB as my MAIN pickup in my 2 main gigging guitars. Its' just too modern for me, believe it or not. For my all around guitars, I just wanted something more PAF-like. I had some buckers custom wound from MJ in the custom shop for me, and they're working out great.

• Bottom iine: The JB is a GREAT pickup that, I feel, gets a BAD RAP around these forums. It's very sensitive to height adjustment, and screw adjustments too.

I ruled it out for years and years because of the words "shrill" and "icepicky" and "mushy" just being thrown around left and right here. And I didnt' experience ANY of those symptoms with the JB that I tried.

Its a great, modern flavored, high output PAF pickup that works GREAT for leads, VERY good for rhythms, and not as bad as peple say for cleans.
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

I like your review. I think the JB has more personality but the C5 is versatile and I like the way it sounds when you play full chords with distortion - it is very musical but can also rock. I like the JB in a tele but it's not my favorite pickup in a Les Paul. I had a JB in an strat for a long time - it was perfect for that 80s hard rock tone.

As you stated, 'bedroom volume' does not really compare to a band situation, especially if your drummer is a shaved ape :D
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

Great review. The custom series pickups are just awesome, I have a Custom Custom in my fat strat and like it much. Would be interested to see a review on dimarzio pickups from you.
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

The JB sounds like a$$ in a superstrat, but you won't sound like the 1980's without it. :biggrin:
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

in my strat, band situation, the mid highs were too much forward, slow attack too, didn't match so much with the single coils, fantastic for lead work, so-so for rhythm.
As I said often I put an hybrid cc/59 with uoa5, in that guitar is the best thing I've ever tried.
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

Holy thread necromancy Batman!

Still, this thread is a good one, that's a pretty good review of what a JB is. I love mine!
 
Re: Finally trying out a JB. Detailed, multi-scenario reviews.

the JB isn't for bedroom wanker players.
 
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