JB Fender custom shop question

J

JayD.

New member
Hey guys,

A friend of mine has 2012 Custom shop limited edition 1963 Heavy Relic Strat. It has a JB in it. The JB sounds awesome. Better than I remember it sounding in my Les Paul. Is this likely a stock JB, or like the antiquity that is demagnetized a bit to sound smoother? Any input welcome!

Thanks,
Jay
 
Re: JB Fender custom shop question

It's likely a stock JB. What you are describing is a rather common occurance. People tend to like JBs a whole lot better in longer scale guitars, especially Strats.
 
Re: JB Fender custom shop question

Chistopher said:
It's likely a stock JB. What you are describing is a rather common occurance. People tend to like JBs a whole lot better in longer scale guitars, especially Strats.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was amazed. It was a bit abrasive for me in the Paul. Maybe just too much upper mids in that combo. But in the Strat......I was like “Hello Beautiful!” Ha
 
Re: JB Fender custom shop question

Most people say it can be really hit or miss in mahogany, but I've noticed over the years that it is most temperamental in 24.75" scale guitars. Fender/PRS scale mahogany guitars that I've played with a JB have been fine.

If you still have the JB you should try an A8 magnet in it to see of you can't fix your problem. It will give it a lot more power, just as a warning.
 
Re: JB Fender custom shop question

It sure wouldn't hurt to try the Antiquity JB, but like Chistopher said, the regular JB does well in the strat/super strat platform. Another option is to go on Reverb or eBay and look for a JB from the 80's with the 3 letter sticker on the back, such as JBJ. It will likely be black, but you can still pick them up for $75 or so. There is no need to pay the $125+ some sellers ask. Just watch for one cheaper. The difference, besides the 30 years of age, is the magnet. Back in the 80's, SD used a lot more rough cast magnets. I have a JB from 83' and it's magnet is rough and very black. SD now uses polished magnets for consistency, unless it's a special order or custom shop pickup.

Anyhow, more than you probably wanted to know, but there are lots of options for different JB sounds.
 
Re: JB Fender custom shop question

FYI, swapping in an RCA5 magnet will get a normal JB extremely close to an Antiquity JB.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top