Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

is it just because it is so popular that there are more people that can hate it?

Thats part of it. Also that:
1) JBs are guitar particular. In some guitars they sound PERFECT, in others, not so much.

2) They are particular about the volume pot used with them. More and more, I find they just don't get along with 500k (actual VOM reading) pots; they need a 500k pot that actually reads about 400k on the meter, or a 300KA or 250KA in some guitars, to sound right. But man, you put them with the right guitar and the right value pot, and they sound MAGICAL.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

it has been my experience that the JB want to be at a particular height beneath the strings
a sweet spot
too low and its weak and brittle
too high and its hard and muddy

sweet spot is pure 80's hair

 

[blueman335]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

The wood doesn't matter much when we're talking about electric guitars.

Whoa. Wood and guitar design make a big difference in how PU's sound. Things happen in an LP, that don't in a Strat, an vice versa.

- - - Updated - - -

Thats part of it. Also that:
1) JBs are guitar particular. In some guitars they sound PERFECT, in others, not so much.

2) They are particular about the volume pot used with them. More and more, I find they just don't get along with 500k (actual VOM reading) pots; they need a 500k pot that actually reads about 400k on the meter, or a 300KA or 250KA in some guitars, to sound right. But man, you put them with the right guitar and the right value pot, and they sound MAGICAL.

Agreed. Weren't JB's orginally made for 250K's, and a roughcast magnet? Both of which soften highs.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

But man, you put them with the right guitar and the right value pot, and they sound MAGICAL.

This...

I had a love/hate relationship with the JB for the longest time. Once I figured out what kind of wood I liked with it (maple, ash), wow!

 

[cokekolev]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

Whoa. Wood and guitar design make a big difference in how PU's sound. Things happen in an LP, that don't in a Strat, an vice versa.

- - - Updated - - -

Not exactly. The construction of a strat (tremolo with springs underneath, scale length) matters more than the wood.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

There is a time and a place for every pup

Shredding in an all mahogany guitar in your bedroom - NOT a JB

Shredding in a band with a Superstrat - JB all the way

 

[elelpe]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

Just people's opinion.

^This. The haters are more vocal.

 

[wolfsbane6]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

JB= One of the greatest pick ups ever produced.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

JB= One of the greatest pick ups ever produced.

Big statement there, fella. For what kinds of guitars and genres of music? Not a 'go to' PU in the blues world, which some of us do play. Did you ever wonder why Seymour spent decades and large amounts of money designing and producing dozens of other HB models, if JB's were one of his first and greatest? Wouldn't the others since then just be a let down? You need to give Seymour more credit than that.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

^This. The haters are more vocal.

If life was only so simple. The biggest complainers about JB's (who's colorful descriptions I like to quote) are the guys who love them in some of their guitars, and don't understand why they sound so awful in others. Just read some of the posts in this thread.

 

[Kac]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

 

[mamm]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

JB (...) heavy metal like Megadeth

...you don't say you can play Megadeth with the JB???

Next thing you know, you'll be telling me that you can play Anthrax with one, too!

 

[blueman335]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

View attachment 63911

So, an old thread isn't any good? Have you seen the quality of some of the new ones?

 

[Kac]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

So, an old thread isn't any good?

At what point did I say that? I was just sounding off the alert.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

At what point did I say that? I was just sounding off the alert.

The reason being...can't think of anything better to post?

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

There is a time and a place for every pup

Shredding in an all mahogany guitar in your bedroom - NOT a JB

Shredding in a band with a Superstrat - JB all the way

^^^^ Aceman speaketh the Truth. ^^^^

 

[blueman335]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

^^^^ Aceman speaketh the Truth. ^^^^

Agreed. It's all about the guitar and the kind of music being played. No PU is ideal for everything.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

They claim this to be Seymour's favorite set of humbuckers, but how come i hear so may bad things about the JB? is it just because it is so popular that there are more people that can hate it? I heard this set on a guitar world review video in a parker pm-20 pro and i though they sounded pretty good. Whats up?

Because you read a lot of repeat comments from a few vocal individuals on the internet.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

No pickup or pickup set can be all things to all players. Death metal guys are generally going to avoid seth lovers or antiquities. Funk players are probably not going to like invaders. Rockabilly cats are unlikely to enjoy livewires.
The JB/jazz setup is incredibly versatile and a great pickup set for a lot of styles, but they can't please everybody.
The only reason you read a lot of negative reviews is purely based on the fact that the is an incredible number or people who have tried them out. Basically, there is more information both positive and negative out there on the internet because there are more people out there writing reviews on them. Great pickups in their own right, but like all pickups, they need to be the right pickup for your own individual preference. Square pegs, round holes and all that stuff.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Hot Rodded Humbucker Set?

The JB debate was raging when I joined here in 2006. The strongest criticisms have come from guys who love them...in some of their guitars.