Hmmm... JB it is..

[SFW]

Picked up a new Strat last month and have been swapping pickups in. Started with a Suhr SSV+. Good sounding pickup, but just not enough umps for what I want. Had an Aldrich laying around so I decided to try that. The right output bu too smooth. Hmmm.. Guess it's time to order a JB. It's funny how when I am looking for a hard rock style strat the JB just seems to check all the boxes. It has a grind in the mid that I love and has just the right amount of top end sting to make a strat sing on lead lines. It splits well and when I roll off the volume it cleans up nicely with my Spawn. I know that there are are so many people that don't care for them, but I really do love the JB.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

It was designed for Fender instruments. The oldest ones sound even better, IME.

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

It's my understanding the JB is the single best selling pickup on the market.... For a long time now...

 

[SFW]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

Yes, I know. I've been using them for 25 years now. Whenever I'm not sure what I want... I slap a JB in it. lol!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

I love the JB, I haz 4 in guitars. 80s JBJ, Ant JB, JB/Super D, and JB/Seth.

 

[JWR]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

Yes, agreed, after trying multiple brands, configurations and magnets, for the superstrat you finally give up and slap in a JB and POW. The only thing better is a custom shop version.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

My JB of choice is the Jason Becker model.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

For hard rock, it really is the best. Especially into a Marshall-style amp. It is an iconic sound that has served people well for a generation.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

The JB in a strat is such an archetype hard rock tone it's actually pretty hard to deprive yourself of having one ready to fire. It's the Fender scale (length) that works reliably well for the JB in my view. Yeah, and the screwed-on maple neck might just as well augment essentially the same feature and then the Quickrod's midrange might just highlight it from yet another perspective. I'm hooked too, what can I say...

 

[Blackie13]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

If you want something a bit different try the Thrash factor...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

There are JB variants, like the Antiquity version, or Thrash Factor. For an alternative hard rock sound, look at the Custom, too.

 

[allstarrme]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

You want the best JB, get the fishman fluence classic. Voice 1 is pure paf. Voice 2 is the best JB I’ve ever heard. The real idealized JB. Only Frank could deliver such magic. Take the best versions of the JB ever recorded and mix them together.

 

[David Garner]

Re: Hmmm... JB it is..

I got an older one and I’m completely happy. I have no idea if it’s better than newer ones or the Antiquity or anniversary models. Mine is a JB-L wound by Lidia Daniel. So not the coveted MJ wound model. All I know is it sounds unreal in my 93
Les Paul Standard. I have a newer 59 in the neck.

I went with the older JB and this particular 59 because they did not have the logo printed on the bobbin. I’m vain.