JB, I was wrong

[Hsb]

I have never liked the JB, whenever I think of it, all I hear is that upper mid voice that is nails on a chalk board to me. Could never wrap my head around why anyone would like it. Then I got my LTD M-1000 with a JB/59 set. Holy crap, this is anything but nasally. Its big, fat bordering on fuzzy monster. There is none of what Ive always hated about the JB in this set up.

So in this case, I can admit I was wrong and I dont hate the JB, love it almost as much as the Distrotion.

 

[Masta' C]

It's ok, we forgive you

Glad you're digging the new setup!

 

[Mincer]

I don't hate it when other people make it sound great! But for me, it has never worked. I've tried with 250k pots, or an A2 mag, and the same result. But others make it sing. I'll just enjoy them.

 

[Ascension]

I have never liked the JB, whenever I think of it, all I hear is that upper mid voice that is nails on a chalk board to me. Could never wrap my head around why anyone would like it. Then I got my LTD M-1000 with a JB/59 set. Holy crap, this is anything but nasally. Its big, fat bordering on fuzzy monster. There is none of what Ive always hated about the JB in this set up.

So in this case, I can admit I was wrong and I dont hate the JB, love it almost as much as the Distrotion.

Your not wrong that the JB can be an absolute train wreck in some guitars it's a fact. What is also a fact is the JB can be pure magic in the right guitar. It's the most sensitive pickup I have used to the tone of the actual guitar. I have 3 in play right now 2 in my Washburn USA MG's where they came stock my 102 and my 120 and just dropped one in my Kiesel DC with the AP 11 singles. It kills in all 3.

 

[Aceman]

I fully understand the hit or miss of them. Obviously, in any Floyded Superstrat, they are a win.

In the past 5 years I have had a couple in Dean Mahogany Cadillacs. One I hated, the other I love.

 

[Artie]

Great thread. It just reinforces the idea that not every pup works in every guitar.

 

[ehdwuld]

the JB really wants to be a certain height under the strings
to high = Ice pick brittle
to low = under powered and thin
just right = hair metal all day

 

[Hsb]

The best way I could describe, in mind, what I heard a JB sound like was if you you were using a tubescreamer and an eq pedal and the eq pedal had the mids raised way up.

In this particular guitar, its full and thick. Its the alternative to the Distortion Ive been looking for.

And as a side note, really digging the 59 in this guitar as well. Ive heard it can be boomy, not here. Warm, articulate and running through the Ratsbane, is oure creamy soloing love

 

[Ascension]

I fully understand the hit or miss of them. Obviously, in any Floyded Superstrat, they are a win.

In the past 5 years I have had a couple in Dean Mahogany Cadillacs. One I hated, the other I love.

Yep best tones with a JB for me have been with Alder, Swamp Ash or basswood super Strats with a trem. In some guitars they can be flat and muddy in others harsh and shrill in the mids. It's the same thing I hear running the Hybrid both pickups really amplify the characteristics of the guitar in a way they really work in one but are absolute tonal disasters in another. The JB really worked in my maple neck through Alder body with a Floyd Kiesel DC Super Strat. Its the classic Super Strat tone in spades like you heard back in the "day" with a Jackson Soloist.

 

[ehdwuld]

again the reports of Boomy 59 is probably a pickup height related issue