JB and ’59 alternatives?

[Neo Fender]

JB and ’59 alternatives?

Looking for off the shelf pickups for an H/H hardtail Strat build. Nothing against the JB & ‘59 but I already have them in a Charvel San Dimas and a Jackson Dinky, plus a third JB in a Strat Plus. All three JBs are TB4s (Trembuckers).

Nothing boutique and I will stray off path for a non-SD pickup. I fart around with mostly ’70 – 80s rock/metal. Just looking for something physically similar to the JB (trem spaced) and ’59 but wanting to see how far away I can get away from these two tone-wise.

Was thinking about the Jazz for the neck but I think it’s pretty close to the ’59.

Thanks.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Full shred neck, Distortion bridge?

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

You can try a Holdsworth pickup as an alternative for the JB, its similar but different enough that it has its own voice. I've been wanting to try another pickup, so I may get rid of mine. Its an 80's pup, long legs, paper label, wound by MJ. A5 magnet and 16.3k, and long leads.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Is that all you want? A hot 16k pickup like the JB?

Maybe a set of lower output PAF style pickups would be nice for a change.

Maybe Alnico 2 since everything else you have seems to be Alnico 5.

Seth Lovers? Pearly Gates?

Maybe Slash APH-2's?

Or if you have to have a Trembucker, maybe a set of 59's with Roughcast A5?

 

[Mincer]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Jazz neck with a Custom bridge? The Eq is different that what you have now, but the output is close enough, so it hits the amp the same way. This combo also is wonderful for hard rock and metal, too.

 

[gregory]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

I like most of the other recommendations, though if you want something significantly different from a JB then I wouldn't go with pickups that are centered around a pair of 8-9k coils.

Another worthwhile pair that hasn't been mentioned:
Screamin' Demon Bridge
Full Shred Neck

They are significantly different from a JB/59 and have similar voicing so they work extremely well together as a pair.

Why the SD product page would say it is best paired with a 59 is a complete mystery. Unlike the JB, the SD is not a hot pickup by any means. Because of this there is a significant risk that the 59N will have too much bass.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Jazz/59 are pretty different to me, even though they look close on paper

 

[EmiAba]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

If you really want something different the Saturday night special set is my advice.
But if you want hot pickups (like the JB), I'd suggest the black winter set. They have a more modern sound than the pair 59/JB but, at the same time, they are enough versatile to cover different styles.

 

[Emopunk]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

This thread makes me want to try all the couples which have been mentioned! LOL

Inviato dal mio MotoG3 utilizzando Tapatalk

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

59/Custom hybrid.

 

[Sirion]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Stag-mag bridge and Invader neck?

 

[daenius]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Try one of the Custom series! Pair it with a Pearly Gates or A2P in the neck!

 

[elelpe]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

JB with A2 and '59 with A4

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

I agree with something from the Custom family.

 

[Aceman]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Different????

Custom Custom in the bridge
A2P in the neck


And, if that isn't working, you are a couple of mag swaps away from the Custom in the bridge Jazz neck.

Custom A2 => Ceramic = Custom
A2P A2 => A5 = Jazz

 

[Aceman]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

And....from DiMarzio:

Since 70/80 rock/metal, you have to try

Distortion Bridge
PAF Pro neck

(I'd go PAF neck, but PAF is a 59 pretty much)

 

[JimmyO]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Adding to Acemans Alnico ii suggestions, I recently swapped out a JB/59 set for a custom custom bridge and pearly gates in the neck. It's an alder body/maple neck San dimas style partscaster and they are giving up some amazing tones both clean and overdriven. Nice clear and warm cleans from both positions and thick and juicy overdriven tones. I prefer the cleans in the custom custom to the JB as it has a less prominent mid spike. I tend to play various blues, 70s classic rock and 80s like Van Halen, Iron Maiden etc. I would go for something Alnico ii based to complement your existing JB/59 equipped guitars.

 

[Aceman]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

I was going to suggest the PG neck with Custom Custom, but considered it to close to 59.

 

[oilpit]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

IMO the Custom is the best pickup for that genre of music, at least in the Duncan lineup. An SH-5 with a PGn would be an absolute monster.

If you wanna stray from the SD path I highly reccomend the Dimario Norton with a neck pup of your choice to match. That pickup is the best pickup they make imo. So satisfying to play, it has the one of the best "feels" of any pickup I've tried (JB still takes the cake in that category though.)

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

Re: JB and ’59 alternatives?

IMO the Custom is the best pickup for that genre of music, at least in the Duncan lineup. An SH-5 with a PGn would be an absolute monster.

If you wanna stray from the SD path I highly reccomend the Dimario Norton with a neck pup of your choice to match. That pickup is the best pickup they make imo. So satisfying to play, it has the one of the best "feels" of any pickup I've tried (JB still takes the cake in that category though.)

I've noticed that many factory ESPs are now coming with the Custom 5 and '59N. That must be a very nice combo for the Duncan route. As for a different neck, I don't really favor the Jazz much except in LPs. I'd probably do Pearly Gates at the neck if anything.

Personally I've already got both the JB and '59N covered in my arsenal, so I'd try something different for sure. I like the Super Distortion/PAF Pro idea. For a slightly more modern sound with more sharpness and clarity, another is my favorite, the Evo2/Air Norton----pure goodness and not an ounce of mud.

Want something truly rare? Try the Bill Lawrence L500XL and 500R blade pickups. As a bonus, they are quite cheap as well.