How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

[Johtosotku]

Hi guys, I'm looking at getting a new guitar that has a JB in the bridge position and a '59 in the neck. I already have a JB-loaded guitar, so I know what it sounds like, but I wondered how well the '59 goes with it? I currently have classic stacks in with the JB, and I don't like the combo. The JB simply overpowers the others too much. What's the '59 like there? Thanks for your help!

 

[Breogan]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

Balanced. I've used the 59/JB combo a few years and they complement very well each other. They have the same output (in their respective positions) and they balance very well in tone too. Sometimes 59 can be a bit too dark but you can tweak it setting the polepieces a bit higher.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

I have to agree with Breogan. I've had that combo in my HH Tele for a couple of weeks now and really dig the match. They balance very well, but I think that the Jazz would compliment it even more due to the darker nature of the '59.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

Balanced. I've used the 59/JB combo a few years and they complement very well each other. They have the same output (in their respective positions) and they balance very well in tone too. Sometimes 59 can be a bit too dark but you can tweak it setting the polepieces a bit higher.

Great! I really don't like pup combos with too different outputs. I don't mind the '59 being dark, it's nice to have a bit of a difference and I'll have to see if I keep the JB. Thanks for your input!

Btw, what's your ENGL Thunder like?

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

I have to agree with Breogan. I've had that combo in my HH Tele for a couple of weeks now and really dig the match. They balance very well, but I think that the Jazz would compliment it even more due to the darker nature of the '59.

Okay, thanks! If I were to change the JB instead of the '59, which bucker would you recommend? It's going to be quite a bright guitar, so I'd think that the JB would be the first to go.

 

[koolkat]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

If I were to change the JB instead of the '59, which bucker would you recommend? It's going to be quite a bright guitar, so I'd think that the JB would be the first to go.

The Custom Custom is a great choice to fatten up the sound of the bridge and tame the highs. If you're looking for a more aggressive sound, the regular Custom works great. It's got more bass and treble than the Custom Custom and the mids are slightly scooped. It also lacks the upper-mid spike that the JB has, which can be perceived as ice-picky in some guitars. Think of the Custom like a '59 on steroids.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

I've got a JB/'59 in my Les Paul. Yeah, the '59 can be a little dark but that's part of the reason why I had the guitar rewired to Jimmy Page specs. That pickup becomes pretty amazing and versitile after the rewire.

- Keith

 

[Breogan]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

Great! I really don't like pup combos with too different outputs. I don't mind the '59 being dark, it's nice to have a bit of a difference and I'll have to see if I keep the JB. Thanks for your input!

Btw, what's your ENGL Thunder like?

Thanks!!

My Engl It's a great amp for an entry-intermediated level. It has a great clean channel with detailed tones and allways fat trebles. Distortion channels are a bit farty, and they doesn't really cut throught the mix. But it has a bit of everything and I love cleans and semidistorted tones so I use allways the clean channel. I consider it as a single channel amp and I love it . Many other people loves the distorted so check for other reviews!!

 

[pac112]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

i'm using a JB n 59 combo too in a mahog body, LP shaped. IMHO 59 is a very good compliment to the JB. i use Jb mainly for the rhythms and kick the 59 in for solos. the response of both 59 n JB to distortions are very different in their own way, which makes it a very flexible combo.

 

[checo]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

you must be looking at an ESP/LTD EC-400ATS, which is what i have. I have tried so many other pickups on that guitar, and always end up going back to the JB. I also tried the Rio Grande BBQ and Dimarzio Super Distortion. Went back to the JB...just sounded "meatier"....kinda has me dumbfounded. I'm playing through a JCM900 100watt dual reverb head/Vintage 30's 2 x 12.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

The Custom Custom is a great choice to fatten up the sound of the bridge and tame the highs. If you're looking for a more aggressive sound, the regular Custom works great. It's got more bass and treble than the Custom Custom and the mids are slightly scooped. It also lacks the upper-mid spike that the JB has, which can be perceived as ice-picky in some guitars. Think of the Custom like a '59 on steroids.

Thanks for your thoughts! They're just what I was looking for!

I'm quite certain that if I don't like the JB I'll go with the SH-5. I'd like the mids and smooth highs that CC delivers but I'm afraid it'll sound too loose. But then, in a guitar as tight and bright as this, it may not. The regular Custom may just be my ticket, but let's first see how the JB fares! Cheers!

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

I've got a JB/'59 in my Les Paul. Yeah, the '59 can be a little dark but that's part of the reason why I had the guitar rewired to Jimmy Page specs. That pickup becomes pretty amazing and versitile after the rewire.

- Keith

You mean the mod with coil splits, series/parallel -switches and in/out -phase -switches? What do you find the most useful of them? My guitar won't have more than two pots so I don't have so much leverage. Thanks for your help!

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

Thanks!!

My Engl It's a great amp for an entry-intermediated level. It has a great clean channel with detailed tones and allways fat trebles. Distortion channels are a bit farty, and they doesn't really cut throught the mix. But it has a bit of everything and I love cleans and semidistorted tones so I use allways the clean channel. I consider it as a single channel amp and I love it . Many other people loves the distorted so check for other reviews!!

I'll check it out, thanks! I checked out your clips also, they were nice! Sounded quite good. Who needs more than one channel on an amp anyway? I thought that guitars came with volume pots from the factory!

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

i'm using a JB n 59 combo too in a mahog body, LP shaped. IMHO 59 is a very good compliment to the JB. i use Jb mainly for the rhythms and kick the 59 in for solos. the response of both 59 n JB to distortions are very different in their own way, which makes it a very flexible combo.

Thanks man! That's what I'd mostly use it for too. It's a thin line when the hums are different enough but not too different from each other! It's great if these ones stand on that line!

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

you must be looking at an ESP/LTD EC-400ATS, which is what i have. I have tried so many other pickups on that guitar, and always end up going back to the JB. I also tried the Rio Grande BBQ and Dimarzio Super Distortion. Went back to the JB...just sounded "meatier"....kinda has me dumbfounded. I'm playing through a JCM900 100watt dual reverb head/Vintage 30's 2 x 12.

Actually, I'm not! The guitar I'm looking for is a Framus Camarillo Custom. You can check it out at www.framus.de

What is it that makes the JB stand out? It's a great thing if one can find just the right pickup for the right guitar and amp. What style of music do you play?

Thanks for your thoughts, any more from you or someone else?

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

You mean the mod with coil splits, series/parallel -switches and in/out -phase -switches? What do you find the most useful of them? My guitar won't have more than two pots so I don't have so much leverage. Thanks for your help!

Exactly. Each of my four knobs has been made push/pull. What I like best are the single coil taps. It's really interesting getting a single coil sound out of a Les Paul. However, all the different combinations are interesting and useful.

Since you only have two pots you could achieve this by using two mini-toggles in addition to two push/pull pots. That's what sooperunkn (on this forum) has done with his Paul.

- Keith

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

Exactly. Each of my four knobs has been made push/pull. What I like best are the single coil taps. It's really interesting getting a single coil sound out of a Les Paul. However, all the different combinations are interesting and useful.

Since you only have two pots you could achieve this by using two mini-toggles in addition to two push/pull pots. That's what sooperunkn (on this forum) has done with his Paul.

- Keith

Sounds nice, I have a Gibson SG Standard where I've replaced the vol pots with push-pull ones, to be able to split both hums. I haven't explored further yet.

I'll have to think if I'll like the thought of drilling through precious flamed maple to get those two new switches. It could be nice, but I'll have to consider if I really need them.

Thanks for your ideas! Did you have anything else on your mind on the subject?

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

I love that combo in my Jackson. It sounds great and it's very versatile.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

Sounds nice, I have a Gibson SG Standard where I've replaced the vol pots with push-pull ones, to be able to split both hums. I haven't explored further yet.

I'll have to think if I'll like the thought of drilling through precious flamed maple to get those two new switches. It could be nice, but I'll have to consider if I really need them.

Thanks for your ideas! Did you have anything else on your mind on the subject?

Yikes! I wouldn't want to drill holes into flamed maple. Get a different guitar for that.

Other ideas? Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead has a circuit cut button that allows him to stutter notes. Press the button and it's turns off all pickups; release it and they're back on. That would involve drilling, too.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: How well do JB and '59 suit each other?

I love that combo in my Jackson. It sounds great and it's very versatile.

It's the stock combo, isn't it? You haven't had any afterthoughts? I'm quite anxious to hear mine now too, with all the praise!

Thanks! Anything else you can think of them to say?