Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

DI_IORIO

DI_IORIO

New member
Hello folks, finally, i got my guitar back, loaded with the JB bridge and Alnico II Pro neck. And I had a big surprise! I loved this combo! I played for an hour at home.. but had to go to work.. i had to hurry to get here on time.
I got the two pick ups with nickel covers, so I got a more vintage look for my explorer (I will post pics later), and i'm able now to get pretty good vintage hard rock and blues tones. I was a little afraid of the JB bridge, because i played it on a jackson once, and it was too thin and trebly. On my guitar, it sounds fat, full, and with the right amount of gain, I can get sweet rock n roll tones, like Humble Pie, Foghat and old Skynyrd.
The Alnico II Pro.. well.. it's the best neck pick up i ever tried, this thing is sweet, and very bluesy. As Seymour says on the website, it's great for slide guitar work. Just perfect for me.
Thank you all for the help and tips, now my guitar sounds like a Gibson, without the Dimarzios, EMGs and gibson hot pick ups that I tried in the past.
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

I have tis combo in my Carvin DC127c. I love it for that guitar. Very balanced combo. Great for hard rock!
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

They sound great together, like that sweet tone from early zeppelin, allman bros etc.. I play mostly with the bridge and neck separated, but with this new combo, i will check more the middle position
Sounds beautifull on clean channel, great for blues and country, i can get that "twang" thing when using them both together.
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

i have that combo in my #1 guitar ... with a 5 way P-type megaswitch it is incredibly versatile

enjoy
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

At home, a marshall Vs 100 for practice, and at rehearsals, Marshall JCM800. I can't wait to try it on the JCM800!
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

Can you give us sound clips? I have a Alnico II Pro neck I'm trying to pair up with a bridge.
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

Of course Doveman! As soon as i fix my computer at home.. I'll try to record some good clips
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

DI_IORIO said:
Of course Doveman! As soon as i fix my computer at home.. I'll try to record some good clips
Click to expand...

I've just returned a Alnico II Pro (they sent me two necks) and it's actually on it's way back to supplier now. I'll just need to order the replacement for this pickup ... could be PG ... maybe JB ... in next couple of days?

My Ap2(n) is paired up with a Gibson 498T in the bridge right now and I"m liking it more & more. Maybe you could listen to my first clip (see link below) of the AP2(n)/498T(b) set up. How do you think it might compare with the Ap2(n)/JB(b) that you have.
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

Hey doveman, i took a listen to your clips, very nice! I think, if you like this combination for a more bluesy/early rock n roll tone , you will like the Alnico II Pro bridge too. The JB, is more agressive, but still has that vintage vibe in my opinion, if you use the right amount of gain. I like a more agressive (but not so much) pick up for the bridge. It's like comparing The Allman Brothers to Skynyrd. Skynyrd has a more raw and nasty guitar tone, and the Allmans are more pure. But both are blues/rock. I use it more for the riffs, and some rock leads, but for blues, only the neck pick up. If you like this too, take the JB. Are you ordering with nickel covers? They give a little "vintage" vibe in my opinion, but just a little. That's more or less what you have in your hands.
As I listened on your soundclips, the JB have a little more highs and mids, but maybe it's just me? That's a great rock pick up, especially for gibson type of guitar.
If you want a more pure and vintage tone, maybe the alnico II Pro bridge will be better for you. But if you really like the 498 T, but want a Duncan, the JB will suit you better, or maybe the other guys can recommend another pick up
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

Good feedback ... thanks ... I'm not getting the covers. I like mine uncovered and have gold hardware anyway (it wears so quick).

Right now:
- Alnico II Pro is in the neck and staying there
- Gibson 498t is in the bridge (and if I hadn't sunk the $ into a 2nd pickup I might not buy another)

- So this "sunk cost" bridge trade might be:
1) Pearly Gates neck (to try for a warren haynes fibe)
2) JB you suggest
3) Alnico II Pro bridge (this is what I originally ordered but did not receive on 1st purchase)
4) Outside chance I might pickup a Phat Cat neck to play with and leave the 498T
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

As you ordered, gave your money and already got your Alnico II Pro neck installed, get another one for the bridge, or a JB (I would get those if I were you, just a sugestion). Maybe a Pearly Gates bridge?
Keep your Gibson bridge pick up, if you don't like the duncan, you put again the 498 T.
If you're into Warren Haynes, I read somewhere that he has a Les Paul (a '78 or '79, don't remember) with a JB Bridge.
I have this Explorer for two years now, and no pick up combo lasted more than two months. I hope this one will last for years.
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

My concern with the Alnico II Pro bridge is that it's only rated at 7.85k for the bridge and 7.6k on the neck. I think the bridge might be a bit low powered. I measured the two neck pickups and one was .15k higher. So I put the both neck pickups in ... lower power in neck ... higher in bridge. Kind of liked the sound but the bridge just wasn't strong enough. Worried the 7.85k might not be enough at only .25k above neck.

Not totally out of the question though.
 
Re: Got the JB and Alnico II Pro

That's why I didn't put the Alnico II pro set! I always like to have a hotter bridge pickup. The JB is high power, but with low gain from the amp, its very crunchy, open and fat. I almost chose the 59's set, but i don't think I would like very much
 
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