How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Stratfan

New member
Two months ago I ordered a '59 Trembucker for my Strat. I also got a H/S/S pickguard from MF. About 2 weeks ago I realized that the hole in the guard for the middle pick-up was cut too close to the neck pup. So, I sent it back. In the meantime, I decided to just stick with 3 single coils and had MF send me a S/S/S guard in place of the one I returned. I planned on going to the music store today to cancel my order for the '59; there's no way it should take 2 months to ship from SD.

Before I go to the store, I get a call that the '59 Trembucker finally arrived, but not to be worried if it looks "different". I get to the store, and they hand me a JB Trembucker! The salesman said that he called to inquire why I was sent a JB, and was told that there was no difference; both pups have exactly the same specs. (I'm not sure if he called SD or a distributor.) That's news to me...I've spent a lot of time staring at the specs page on this site!

First, I was mad because of the delay. It took so long that I changed my mind on using the '59. Then, I get the wrong pup after a 2 month wait! Rather than lose my deposit (it was a special order; they don't keep Trembuckers in stock), I just paid what I owed and came home. Now I have to figure out what to do with it...keep it, or sell it? So many people rave about the JB in a Strat, but I'm afraid that it might be too hot for a decent clean similar to a "Funky Motown" sound.

So now you've all learned something new today; the '59 and JB Trembuckers are exactly alike!
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Whoever said that was completl full of **** which i'm sure u already now, now as far as the JB in the strat it is absolutly wonderful and my favorite humbucker in the strat and it would do okay for that funky motown town
sound
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

i assure you they are different pickups, but the Jb is great for clean anyway :), The Jb is great for absolutely everything :P
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Thats a darn shame that someone would do business that way. On the bright side, I have both a 59, and a JB, and they're both wonderful pups . . . albiet, completely different pups. ;)

Maybe SD would trade you, if its uninstalled.
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Wow. That's pretty amazing that they have exactly the same specs, yet they sound totally different, and according to the tone chard, have totally different specs... :D
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

I would take it back to the store. No one from Duncan would ever tell a retailer that those pickups were the same. That's dishonest business at it's worst. Rather than own up to the fact that someone screwed up, they deliberately lied to you in the hopes that you wouldn't know the difference. Take it back and demand a refund or an exchange.

Ryan
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

I know that it wasn't the store's fault. Actually, I've been curious about the JB, and often wondered if I should try one. I even posted a thread asking about how some reviews said that the JB is good for lead but lousy for rhythm.

My goal is to have 2 guitars: one with singles (my present Strat), and one with humbuckers. I want a Gibson-type H/H guitar but finding one that's comfortable and in my price range isn't easy; it may take a while. (I might end up spending more than I want...ouch!) The idea of a humbucker in the bridge of a Strat sounds like the best of both worlds, but I can't help thinking that I'll lose that clean bridge sound which I do occasionally use (with the tone turned down a bit, of course). I just can't make up my mind. I've never even heard anyone play a Strat with a JB. And now, I have a JB through a twist of fate. Maybe the tone gods made my decision for me?
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Stratfan said:
....Before I go to the store, I get a call that the '59 Trembucker finally arrived, but not to be worried if it looks "different". I get to the store, and they hand me a JB Trembucker! The salesman said that he called to inquire why I was sent a JB, and was told that there was no difference; both pups have exactly the same specs. (I'm not sure if he called SD or a distributor.) That's news to me...I've spent a lot of time staring at the specs page on this site!.....!

And they expect you to believe that???

I´d Call up Duncan and do the 21-day thing if you´re set on a ´59, or keep the JB and see how it works out for you.

And I´d never, ever even think about entering that store again and actually leaving money there (But there´s nothing to stop me from taking up their time by asking questions and playing axes, they´d just never even see me buy a pick without a gun to my head ;))
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Zerberus said:
And they expect you to believe that???

I´d Call up Duncan and do the 21-day thing if you´re set on a ´59, or keep the JB and see how it works out for you.

And I´d never, ever even think about entering that store again and actually leaving money there (But there´s nothing to stop me from taking up their time by asking questions and playing axes, they´d just never even see me buy a pick without a gun to my head ;))

LOL! Actually, they don't receive as much money from me as they used to... they just never seem to have anything I like. My last major purchase of an Amer. Series Chrome Blue Strat was made at their competitor's store. Chrome Blue has been out for years, and today was the first time I ever saw one in their store. I don't even buy strings there; they carry my brand but not my gauge.

I've decided to stick with my original plan of single coils only on my Strat and sell the JB. (Hopefully I can find some decent noiseless pups - I'm really getting sick of the hum!) I want my Strat to sound like a "Strat", and I'll get another guitar for the humbucker sound.

BTW Zerberus, I was stationed in Aschaffenburg from 1978 to 1980. I loved Germany; I'd love to go back some time.
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Hey Stratfan; I imagine our paths have crossed a couple times too. I was in Germany, around Baumholder and Kaiserslautern around '69-'71. And before that, we used to make the trek, every Sunday, from up around Wilkes-Barre, down to Tower City to see Grandma. We'ld pass right through Allentown. Its was always around lunch time, and we'ld stop at some little diner there for lunch. I imagine its long since gone now. :)
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Screwed/Not Screwed. A JB trembucker is a wonderful thing. But it's hotter than a '59 type. Clean and funky = fat and squawky...not.
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Stratfan said:
I know that it wasn't the store's fault. Actually, I've been curious about the JB, and often wondered if I should try one. I even posted a thread asking about how some reviews said that the JB is good for lead but lousy for rhythm.

My goal is to have 2 guitars: one with singles (my present Strat), and one with humbuckers. I want a Gibson-type H/H guitar but finding one that's comfortable and in my price range isn't easy; it may take a while. (I might end up spending more than I want...ouch!) The idea of a humbucker in the bridge of a Strat sounds like the best of both worlds, but I can't help thinking that I'll lose that clean bridge sound which I do occasionally use (with the tone turned down a bit, of course). I just can't make up my mind. I've never even heard anyone play a Strat with a JB. And now, I have a JB through a twist of fate. Maybe the tone gods made my decision for me?

If it makes you feel any better I love the JB in the bridge of my Highway 1 Strat. For me it does Hard Rock,Classic Rock and like everybody says cleans up really nice! I prefer it much more than the 59 that I used to have in the Strat but that was nice PUP also , just not my style. Hope that helps.
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Don't forget about the 21 day exchange policy. Try the JB, if you don't like it, you can exchange it for a '59.

Ryan
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

that reminds me of something that happened with me. i ordered a JB at the local guitar store. 2 months later get in a JB jr. :smack:
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

In my opinion, the JB, C-5, and 59 trem are the best strat humbuckers. Just try them all, and decide for yourself.
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

The JB will do almost everything; so I'm sure you'll like it.

By the way, what music store was it? That way I know what to avoid. Lol.
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Jag513, it was Dave Phillips in Allentown, but I really don't believe that it was their fault. I still think that it was a case of the wrong pup being sent. I've only ordered 2 things from a music store before, a case of strings and another '59 Trembucker (at another store). That pup took about 3 weeks to arrive. I do know that I will never order a pick-up again...if a store doesn't have it in stock, I'll find another store that does!
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Oh Dave Phillips? Hmm I go there for most of my gear purchases lol. That and West End Music by the Tilghman/Cedar Crest intersection. My experiences with them have been pretty good for the most part. Good luck with the JB though.
 
Re: How about this? JB Trembucker = '59 Trembucker!

Now you people have me thinking that maybe I should keep the JB and give it a try...I can always go back to S/S/S when I get a second guitar.

I'm going to need ANOTHER pickguard now! Oh well.
 
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