Found an old JB D...

[Danjel]

I found an "old" SD Jeff Beck humbucker with four conductor wire laying around my guitar workshop. I know I had it mounted on a guitar my friend built around 1993-94. On the back it says "JB D". The pickup is cream.
Is there any way to guestimate what year it is? Will it sound different than the brand new Zebra JB with four conductor wire, I just bought?
Thanks!

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Found an old JB D...

The JB D means it was wound by Debbie Nyquist. Getting an exact date is impossible but through features we can determine a range.

Will it sound different? Than a JB J? or a new one... Thats opening a whole can of worms. Lets just say SD says the JB hasnt changed during the production run and some people dont agree. For my 2 cents any differences are minor due to age or insignificant changes. For anything that is mass produced there will be some difference from 1 unit to the next.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Found an old JB D...

early early days have "the JB Model" stickered on the back
80s to mid 90s have JB + initial
I think sometime in the 90s Duncan switched to a smaller print sticker with no initials, then finally the number coded stickers that are current.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/faq/frequently-asked/everything-else/labels/labels/

the spec on the JB has stayed pretty much the same, at some point the A5 mag changed from rough to polished finish (maybe makes a minute difference)
being older and naturally reliced could make for a slightly mellower pickup

 

[Danjel]

Re: Found an old JB D...

Thanks for the info guys! When did SD start with the four conductor wire for split capabilities? I would gues the pickup is late 80s- early 90s.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Found an old JB D...

JB 4 conductor started very early on. all "the JB Model" stickered pups I've seen have 4 conductor.

 

[marcello252]

Re: Found an old JB D...

Mine has sticker with "JBJ" on the back and I bought it in 1993

edit ...or 1992?