Hey all, just picked up a one of the newish pro plus Jacksons(excellent btw) and while JB is definitely a go to rock pickup. Hands down #1. But I'm a metal guy. My favorite passive is the distortion. All around perfect for metal. I don't care for youtube comparison videos. It's not realistic when compared to your own gear. But I'm reading mixed opinions on a JB magnet swap that could maybe get me closer to distortion territory? Never put much thought into it yesterday. Anyone ever tried changing maginets in a cheapo pickup? Like the Jackson badcat picksups or some cheapo on Amazon? Like an artec or floer?
JB, magnet swap?
- Thread starter jeffb1979
- Start date
a8 or c8 in a jb will make it more aggressive, but it wont sound like a distortion. a double thick c8 might get ya close.
i have mag swapped cheap buckers before and it changes things, as youd expect. i almost always end up swapping the pup for something better though
i have mag swapped cheap buckers before and it changes things, as youd expect. i almost always end up swapping the pup for something better though
Pretty much that's what I'm looking for. Line i said, it's an excellent pickup and actually amazing for melodic leads. Nice, clear, and defined. But, I've only played a JB in nice guitars. Like pro series. A more aggressive jb might just work for me. For lower tunings? I don't get stupid low. I'm talking no lower than C on a 6 string. Yeah I'm kinda, sure on a cheap guitar go ahead and be kinda cheap and sometimes you find a gem on Amazon, but I'm not putting a $20 pickup on a $1000 guitar.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Yes, a double thick ceramic will get you in the ballpark for sure.
Many argue here wether JB and the Distortion is the same wind just with a different magnet or not. It's never been confirmed or denied by Duncan, but even if they're not, they're super close.
Many argue here wether JB and the Distortion is the same wind just with a different magnet or not. It's never been confirmed or denied by Duncan, but even if they're not, they're super close.
NotDemanic
Active member
I think a single thick C8 in a JB is just about perfect for metal.
Spaghetti Bolo
New member
I tried a single thick ceramic in a JB and honestly it did nothing for me and I like ceramic generally.
A9 and Neo work GREAT in the JB and Custom too.
A9 and Neo work GREAT in the JB and Custom too.
I should probably ask, how are they for lower tunings with an alnico 8?Nothing too crazy. The lowest I go on a 6 is C beyond that is 7 string territory anyway.
I've been interested to hear neodymium for myself... what kind of neo mag did you put in a JB, and where did you find it?
I don't play in lower tunings, nor on thicker strings, so I can't hazard an opinion here.
I actually found some cheapo budget pickups I had lying around had some ceramic. It certainly sounds like what I'm looking for but my friend is sleeping in the room next door so I'll have to see. Weird thing is is the JB in my RR24 sounds more like what I'm looking for and I didn't change anything. Think it's possible this one could be different?
Spaghetti Bolo
New member
It's been a few years since I purchased them but it was probably these:
https://cermagmagnets.co.uk/neodymium-rare-earth-bars-for-hb---62mm-x-32mm-x-125mm-1136-p.asp
Spaghetti Bolo
New member
Can't edit my post but thought I should point out that every magnet I've had from cermag had been slightly narrower than the ones in a Duncan.
Sweet, thank you.
