If you like JB, you'll like...
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beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
I liked a JB with an A2 magnet (darker sound)
and a Distortion (brighter sound)
but that's just me.
I liked a JB with an A2 magnet (darker sound)
and a Distortion (brighter sound)
but that's just me.
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
I have a JB2, while liking it the added darkness bugs me after a while. I'm not a fan of hot a2 pickups, really dislike Custom Custom.
I kept hearing about the Suhr Aldrich, some BKP pickups (Holy Diver/Rebel yell) or even the newer Perpetual Burn are in the same vein as a JB. Anyone has opinions on those?
I have a JB2, while liking it the added darkness bugs me after a while. I'm not a fan of hot a2 pickups, really dislike Custom Custom.
I kept hearing about the Suhr Aldrich, some BKP pickups (Holy Diver/Rebel yell) or even the newer Perpetual Burn are in the same vein as a JB. Anyone has opinions on those?
darthphineas
New member
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
"better" is highly subjective. I can't really say there is anything that is "better" than the JB model, maybe only things that are "similar". some might ask "what version (or era) of the JB?", but let's just consider we're talking about the big-sounding high-output pickup that people generally think of when they think of Seymour's design.
a lot of companies have their submissions as their JB-killer. a few that comes to mind are:
Dean/DMT Baker Act (which I like) and Motor City "Afwayu" are a little more off the beaten path.
when listening to Holy Diver (which wasn't even a JB) and the BKP Holy Diver, I don't get the comparison to the song or to the JB. the HD is softer in the highs and I'm mixed in my opinions on the mids. the Rebel Yell is much closer to a JB, maybe because SS used a JB for a while, but who knows. I think the RY is a little more like the current production model JB with the sharper high end, than the sweeter high end of the JBJ era.
Manlius has the Asphalt and the Modern Vintage, which both fall in the ballpark depending on your goals. I think the Asphalt probably comes closer.
the Suhr Aldrich came off as thicker to me, maybe in the same way the BKP HD does. the Suhr SSH+ might be closer, but probably a little closer to the BKP RY, although all in the same ballpark.
my opinion on the AT-1 is that is gets the association because Timmons liked a variation of the JB - either with an A2 or a 250k pot, can't remember which. I think it also falls in line with the Aldrich and the HD as being a little thicker with refined/softer highs. when I think of DiMarzio, I think the Dominion might be closer to the JB than some may realize.
there is the RTM, which is considered a JB with an A2, which I think is sorta close but no cigar. get a custom shop JB and put an A2 in there and I think you'll hear a difference. another CS option is the Dokkenbucker, which many consider a JB with a regular-sized ceramic magnet... also considered a DD-lite. I think a RTM with a regular-sized ceramic might be fun and will look forward to someone trying that. there is also the Concept JB, which has also been called the TeleGib bridge humbucker. it has an A2, but I think it's livelier than the RTM. or the Super V, which has been said is a variation of a prototype JB. it also has an A2 and is fairly transparent with plenty of bite.
the Perpetul Burn doesn't really fall into the same realm. it's more of a moderate output with a more even EQ (than the JB) and I think might be a little closer than the Demon, by comparison.
"better" is highly subjective. I can't really say there is anything that is "better" than the JB model, maybe only things that are "similar". some might ask "what version (or era) of the JB?", but let's just consider we're talking about the big-sounding high-output pickup that people generally think of when they think of Seymour's design.
a lot of companies have their submissions as their JB-killer. a few that comes to mind are:
Dean/DMT Baker Act (which I like) and Motor City "Afwayu" are a little more off the beaten path.
when listening to Holy Diver (which wasn't even a JB) and the BKP Holy Diver, I don't get the comparison to the song or to the JB. the HD is softer in the highs and I'm mixed in my opinions on the mids. the Rebel Yell is much closer to a JB, maybe because SS used a JB for a while, but who knows. I think the RY is a little more like the current production model JB with the sharper high end, than the sweeter high end of the JBJ era.
Manlius has the Asphalt and the Modern Vintage, which both fall in the ballpark depending on your goals. I think the Asphalt probably comes closer.
the Suhr Aldrich came off as thicker to me, maybe in the same way the BKP HD does. the Suhr SSH+ might be closer, but probably a little closer to the BKP RY, although all in the same ballpark.
my opinion on the AT-1 is that is gets the association because Timmons liked a variation of the JB - either with an A2 or a 250k pot, can't remember which. I think it also falls in line with the Aldrich and the HD as being a little thicker with refined/softer highs. when I think of DiMarzio, I think the Dominion might be closer to the JB than some may realize.
there is the RTM, which is considered a JB with an A2, which I think is sorta close but no cigar. get a custom shop JB and put an A2 in there and I think you'll hear a difference. another CS option is the Dokkenbucker, which many consider a JB with a regular-sized ceramic magnet... also considered a DD-lite. I think a RTM with a regular-sized ceramic might be fun and will look forward to someone trying that. there is also the Concept JB, which has also been called the TeleGib bridge humbucker. it has an A2, but I think it's livelier than the RTM. or the Super V, which has been said is a variation of a prototype JB. it also has an A2 and is fairly transparent with plenty of bite.
the Perpetul Burn doesn't really fall into the same realm. it's more of a moderate output with a more even EQ (than the JB) and I think might be a little closer than the Demon, by comparison.
darthphineas
New member
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
Norton? really? you got me interested.
good call on the RAC5 and the Ant JB.
Norton? really? you got me interested.
good call on the RAC5 and the Ant JB.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
Well it's a Dimarzio, so it sounds like a DiMarzio- but its got alot the high midrange scream/cry like a JB, albeit with more bass and that New York accent..
The air version compresses/is much tamer.
Well it's a Dimarzio, so it sounds like a DiMarzio- but its got alot the high midrange scream/cry like a JB, albeit with more bass and that New York accent..
The air version compresses/is much tamer.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
Exactly. But if I were forced to give an answer, I might say the Slash AII Pro. Same ballpark. Just . . . better.
Exactly. But if I were forced to give an answer, I might say the Slash AII Pro. Same ballpark. Just . . . better.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
I find the Fender Atomic to be very JB-like, only without the upper-mid spike. Fender isn't exactly known for their humbuckers, so this pickup is kind of under-the-radar for most folks. But it's a good one (especially in 25½" scale guitars, imagine that!) and I like it. BTW I have two JBs myself, one recent and an older MJ-wound one that sounds a bit fuller; it's wound a tad more heavily (16.2 K vs 15.75K) and I suspect it may have a roughcast mag.
BKP Rebel Yell seems in the same ballpark as the JB too, though a bit more evenly voiced and slightly more... transparent? Not an airy sounding pickup but less compressed than the JB while in a similar vein output-wise. However mine's in a korina guitar that has a bit of upper-mid hump to it anyway- it's possible that the pickup would feel more scooped in a different guitar. I do like it a lot for a hot pickup, and there aren't many of those that I like as much.
Another one that bears mention would be the Rio Grande BBQ. This one's far more dynamic that the JB yet it exhibits a similar scream when cranked. It's a big sounding humbucker that's quite responsive to variations in picking and cleans up far better than the JB using the guitar's volume control. To me, cleaning up well is where the JB really comes up short.
I find the Fender Atomic to be very JB-like, only without the upper-mid spike. Fender isn't exactly known for their humbuckers, so this pickup is kind of under-the-radar for most folks. But it's a good one (especially in 25½" scale guitars, imagine that!) and I like it. BTW I have two JBs myself, one recent and an older MJ-wound one that sounds a bit fuller; it's wound a tad more heavily (16.2 K vs 15.75K) and I suspect it may have a roughcast mag.
BKP Rebel Yell seems in the same ballpark as the JB too, though a bit more evenly voiced and slightly more... transparent? Not an airy sounding pickup but less compressed than the JB while in a similar vein output-wise. However mine's in a korina guitar that has a bit of upper-mid hump to it anyway- it's possible that the pickup would feel more scooped in a different guitar. I do like it a lot for a hot pickup, and there aren't many of those that I like as much.
Another one that bears mention would be the Rio Grande BBQ. This one's far more dynamic that the JB yet it exhibits a similar scream when cranked. It's a big sounding humbucker that's quite responsive to variations in picking and cleans up far better than the JB using the guitar's volume control. To me, cleaning up well is where the JB really comes up short.
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Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
I tried 3 variations on the JB for my Les Paul. All were great. RTM & Super V, the RTM was smoother and the Super V had more bite, meaner, kind of like a Doberman. Both were exelent but I settled for the Eclair, its clear, mean, JBish, but has a smooth singing soloing voice. There are almost no videos in youtube of this pup so I guess I should post one some day. http://customshop.seymourduncan.com/eclair/
I tried 3 variations on the JB for my Les Paul. All were great. RTM & Super V, the RTM was smoother and the Super V had more bite, meaner, kind of like a Doberman. Both were exelent but I settled for the Eclair, its clear, mean, JBish, but has a smooth singing soloing voice. There are almost no videos in youtube of this pup so I guess I should post one some day. http://customshop.seymourduncan.com/eclair/
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
I checked my notes and actually the older one is wound lighter at 15.75K; it's the newer one that's 16.2K.
I checked my notes and actually the older one is wound lighter at 15.75K; it's the newer one that's 16.2K.
darthphineas
New member
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
yeah, they did seem to sneak in some slightly underwound ones back in the day. my double cream The JB Model is around 15.6 - and also has asymetrical coils. but I also have a JBJ that's over 17k, and still blows away the current production ones being wound on the CNC.
yeah, they did seem to sneak in some slightly underwound ones back in the day. my double cream The JB Model is around 15.6 - and also has asymetrical coils. but I also have a JBJ that's over 17k, and still blows away the current production ones being wound on the CNC.
Diego
New member
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
Yikes. I can't agree any less man, as a long time user and fan of the Screamin' Demon and the JB.
The JB is much more compressed, middy and way hotter.
The Demon sounds more open, crisp and dry with a flatter EQ voicing, and it's much more dynamic.
I don't think they're even remotely similar, to be honest.
The JB is a quintessential 80s pickup while the Demon is a bit of an oddball that doesn't fall in any niche I know of.
Only pickup I've tried that felt JB-esque is the Dimarzio Breed. A bit less peaky, like a JB with the edges rounded off.
The Breed loses a bit of character because of that, but it's easier to dial in as well.
Yikes. I can't agree any less man, as a long time user and fan of the Screamin' Demon and the JB.
The JB is much more compressed, middy and way hotter.
The Demon sounds more open, crisp and dry with a flatter EQ voicing, and it's much more dynamic.
I don't think they're even remotely similar, to be honest.
The JB is a quintessential 80s pickup while the Demon is a bit of an oddball that doesn't fall in any niche I know of.
Only pickup I've tried that felt JB-esque is the Dimarzio Breed. A bit less peaky, like a JB with the edges rounded off.
The Breed loses a bit of character because of that, but it's easier to dial in as well.
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Silence Kid
New member
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
Lol... The mid-spike MAKES a JB what it is, so I wouldn't notice any other characteristic if I were comparing pickups to be "JB-like."
Agreed, the Demon isn't much like the JB at all... More punch, less grind, no mid spike, better clean. The Demon doesn't scream under leads like the JB, but it does have a some-what different, still voice-like characteristic of its own.
Lol... The mid-spike MAKES a JB what it is, so I wouldn't notice any other characteristic if I were comparing pickups to be "JB-like."
Agreed, the Demon isn't much like the JB at all... More punch, less grind, no mid spike, better clean. The Demon doesn't scream under leads like the JB, but it does have a some-what different, still voice-like characteristic of its own.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
I always considered the BKP Nailbomb to be their JB.
I always considered the BKP Nailbomb to be their JB.
darthphineas
New member
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
that's an interesting call. I've considered the (alnico) Nailbomb to be heavier and thicker. but... since the Rebel Yell is so bright and clear, you may very well be on to something.
that's an interesting call. I've considered the (alnico) Nailbomb to be heavier and thicker. but... since the Rebel Yell is so bright and clear, you may very well be on to something.
Re: If you like JB, you'll like...
The Antiquity JB. With a caveat.
If you play at home or through modellers, you'll notice zero difference.
If you play a live amp at volume, you will. I have three guitars with Antiquity JBs and I like them much better than the stock JB. They just sound a little more expressive and the nuances in the midrange just a little more pronounced. Not as high output, I have to notch the gain up just a touch, but it's the better pickup IMO!
The Antiquity JB. With a caveat.
If you play at home or through modellers, you'll notice zero difference.
If you play a live amp at volume, you will. I have three guitars with Antiquity JBs and I like them much better than the stock JB. They just sound a little more expressive and the nuances in the midrange just a little more pronounced. Not as high output, I have to notch the gain up just a touch, but it's the better pickup IMO!
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