I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

[AstroCreep1303]

Hey guys, maybe you all can help me. I'm a little puzzled as to what bridge pickup I should get for my Warmoth Strat. I've done some research and I'm kinda leaning towards the JB. I already have SSL-6's in the neck and middle positions. My strat has an Alder body, a Maple on Maple neck with a Fender American Standard Temolo running into a 3x Recto.

I plan on using this for rock and alternative sounding stuff (influences range from STP to Pink Floyd to Pearl Jam to Coldplay) Would the JB be a good choice? Or will the maple on the neck make this too bright? I've heard a lot of good things about the Custom Custom... would that pickup better compliment the neck? Or perhaps the Custom 5 pickup? Please help me in my quest for tone!

 

[H8Red442]

Re: I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

The JB would probably work for what you want. Either that or the Custom (SH5) will do for you.

 

[bren10]

Re: I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

This is Brendon from Ignitor(www.ignitor.org). I'm a firm believer in the JB. I bought an old Ibanez TC420 off of an internet auction site. It came with a JB in the Bridge position. It literally blows me away every time I play that thing. It actually has some low end unlike some other high output pickups I've tried. I'd say you're on the right track. Granted, my TC420 is different than what you're building. But, again, I think the JB is a good choice.

 

[AstroCreep1303]

Re: I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

Hey, thanks for the advice and keep it comming. But will a maple/maple neck be too bright for the JB? Also, do you know if your using 250K or 500K pots? I think with the maple neck I would have to go with 250K.

Can anybody out there give me some info or a critique on the Custom 5? I'm also looking into this pickup and wanted to get some feedback on it's preformance.

ANYBODY THAT HAS AN ALDER STRAT, WITH A MAPLE/MAPLE NECK... PLEASE POST WITH BRIDGE PICKUP SUGESTIONS!!!

 

[AstroCreep1303]

Re: I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

Hey, thanks for the advice and keep it comming. But will a maple/maple neck be too bright for the JB? Also, do you know if your using 250K or 500K pots? I think with the maple neck I would have to go with 250K.

Can anybody out there give me some info or a critique on the Custom 5? I'm also looking into this pickup and wanted to get some feedback on it's preformance.

ANYBODY THAT HAS AN ALDER STRAT, WITH A MAPLE/MAPLE NECK... PLEASE POST WITH BRIDGE PICKUP SUGESTIONS!!!

 

[fusion101]

Re: I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

for those bands u mentioned the JB IS NOT A GOOD CHOICE, its too high of output and way too bright, i'd go with lil' 59 i think would work great in your bridge

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

I've put a lot of Duncan humbuckers in alder/rosewood and alder/maple.
I like these, in order of hotness. C-5 for it's big tight bass, and ability to sound great on clean, midgain, and highgain. 59B, since it's got a nice tone and matches with medium output singles pretty nicely. If you want a bridge that is tight, glassy, and matches with singles VERY well, get a Jazz Bridge......although it doesn't come in tremspaced I don't think.

The JB is also a good choice, but sounds a bit harsh in the mids when playing cleaner rhythms. Great for soloing and highgain, though. The CC is rich and fat, but will make your singles sound smaller in comparison. The CC doesn't sounds as open and airy on the highend for my taste, but it's a very popular choice for maple or ebony fretboards, since it's a tad creamier on the highs.

Whatever you choose, I'd recommend keeping the stock 250K electronics, and just use your tone control to tame any highs. I usually back my Delta tone control back to 8 and the tone is perfect for whatever humbucker is in the bridge.

 

[redfern_lee]

Re: I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

Hey, thanks for the advice and keep it comming. But will a maple/maple neck be too bright for the JB? Also, do you know if your using 250K or 500K pots? I think with the maple neck I would have to go with 250K.

Can anybody out there give me some info or a critique on the Custom 5? I'm also looking into this pickup and wanted to get some feedback on it's preformance.

ANYBODY THAT HAS AN ALDER STRAT, WITH A MAPLE/MAPLE NECK... PLEASE POST WITH BRIDGE PICKUP SUGESTIONS!!!

well, im not sure why people think the jb is bright, ive just changed my hotrails for a full size tb4 jb, and it sounds great. more bottom, less thrash, just better.
im using a alder usa strat, maple on maple, 500k pots all round with .022 caps. sounds wicked with the tone down (unlike the hotrails did).
i play lots of alternative music, as well as funk, so i fitted a 3 way toggle so i can shut off one coild, or use the coils in parallel. and works great.

hope this helps

ps, this is my personal opinion anyway!

 

[AstroCreep1303]

Re: I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

fusion, joneser, and redfern, thanks for the input. Hey fusion... Zappa is freakin' awesome, I recently discovered this glorious corner of the musical universe. I've got 'apostrophe' and looking to get some more Zappa soon.

Anyways, a '59 in a Strat like mine? Do you think that would work well? I was thinking the Custom 5 with A5 magnets to match with my single coils, but the '59 never crossed my mind. I'm still wondering about the JB, just cause I hear so many good comments. Any players with a '59 in the bridge of a maple-necked Strat?

 

[fusion101]

Re: I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

Hey astro get "just shut up and play guitar" its great

 

[ErikH]

Re: I'm Confused and without a Bridge pup!

Hey, thanks for the advice and keep it comming. But will a maple/maple neck be too bright for the JB? Also, do you know if your using 250K or 500K pots? I think with the maple neck I would have to go with 250K.

Can anybody out there give me some info or a critique on the Custom 5? I'm also looking into this pickup and wanted to get some feedback on it's preformance.

ANYBODY THAT HAS AN ALDER STRAT, WITH A MAPLE/MAPLE NECK... PLEASE POST WITH BRIDGE PICKUP SUGESTIONS!!!

I have a guitar just like you're making with a JB/Jazz combo. The JB is not too bright. It's all in how it's set up (and your amp settings). You may need to adjust the screw poles a little bit and not put it too close the strings but there is a sweet spot for it. The CC is another really good choice for the bridge in an alter body maple/maple neck guitar. Actually, I think any of the Custom models (CC, C5 or Custom) would work great.

Yes, the JB has more high end to it than other models but I wouldn't say it's too bright.