JB muddy?
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Jackson Distortion
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TeleLubber
New member
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wolf5150
Guest
Re: JB muddy?
What tool do you use to cut the pole screws ?
Just a pair of pliers ?
What tool do you use to cut the pole screws ?
Just a pair of pliers ?
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malymal86
Guest
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wolf5150
Guest
Re: JB muddy?
I've got a JB in my Silhouette Special, with 250k pots.
I set mine, as per a recent pro recommendation...
Press the E strings at the 12th fret and set the pickup height at 3mm measured from the top of the pole pieces, but set the pole piece radii as per the photos below.
I now LOVE my JB and it's not going anywhere. :friday:
I've got a JB in my Silhouette Special, with 250k pots.
I set mine, as per a recent pro recommendation...
Press the E strings at the 12th fret and set the pickup height at 3mm measured from the top of the pole pieces, but set the pole piece radii as per the photos below.
I now LOVE my JB and it's not going anywhere. :friday:
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Varg
Guest
Re: JB muddy?
That Jake E Lee solo sounded scratchy and horrible, doesnt sound like a JB to me.
That Jake E Lee solo sounded scratchy and horrible, doesnt sound like a JB to me.
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wolf5150
Guest
Re: JB muddy?
It's not a JB, it's a Holdsworth.
It's not a JB, it's a Holdsworth.
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Varg
Guest
Re: JB muddy?
Hahaha right, just saw that.
Hahaha right, just saw that.
Re: JB muddy?
I agree with this, though I found the scale length actually made more difference than the wood - ie there is a greater difference between 24.75" mahogany and 25.5" mahogany than between 25.5" mahogany and 25.5" alder.
I agree with this, though I found the scale length actually made more difference than the wood - ie there is a greater difference between 24.75" mahogany and 25.5" mahogany than between 25.5" mahogany and 25.5" alder.
zenmindbeginner
New member
Re: JB muddy?
The JB likes a very strong pick attack. The "mud" is it's compressed timbre. The JB doesn't sing and show it's articulation strongly if the pick attack isn't strong enough. When played softly, it's really a lackluster pickup that sounds weak and lazy... but when the pick attack is emphasized, it comes alive with unbelievable harmonic content, effortless sustain and has a top end that is both aggressive and articulate.
Dig in with that JB and you'll strike gold for sure.
The JB likes a very strong pick attack. The "mud" is it's compressed timbre. The JB doesn't sing and show it's articulation strongly if the pick attack isn't strong enough. When played softly, it's really a lackluster pickup that sounds weak and lazy... but when the pick attack is emphasized, it comes alive with unbelievable harmonic content, effortless sustain and has a top end that is both aggressive and articulate.
Dig in with that JB and you'll strike gold for sure.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: JB muddy?
I'm not sure I'd call it muddy, but I would definitely call it "dark"- and in a warm or tonally dead guitar then it gets too dark, or perhaps "muddy" is the better word then. This is why I really dislike the the JB in a short scale (real)mahogany gibbo style guitar which are generally very warm/full sounding instruments. It usually sounds decent in one of the faux mahogany MIK/MIC imports, as they are usually brighter & lack the low end and mids of real mahogany thanks to the wood, and pot metal bridges. JB helps to beef the amplified tone up.
IMO it's best in Alder and Ash bolt on neck fender scale guitars. I had an old strat with a full size JB I played exclusively for about 3 years that was excellent for anything from classic rock to late 80s shred metal ala Lynch- you just have to learn how to work the volume control on your guitar.
Jake's holdsworth died right before the 1st badlands album, so you can hear some good JB tones on Badlands and Voodoo Highway, though be careful as some of those tunes were done with a real deal late 50s black beauty & a Telecaster.
I'd also agree with the pick attack comment above- the JB is a "lazy" pup, and will "play itself" so to speak, and sound very lame doing so (for a good example see Jannick Gers)- but Jake is an outstanding example of what happens with a JB when you actually have a dynamic playing/picking style. And of course, Jeff Beck. You cannot pussy around with a JB and expect it to sound good.
I'm not sure I'd call it muddy, but I would definitely call it "dark"- and in a warm or tonally dead guitar then it gets too dark, or perhaps "muddy" is the better word then. This is why I really dislike the the JB in a short scale (real)mahogany gibbo style guitar which are generally very warm/full sounding instruments. It usually sounds decent in one of the faux mahogany MIK/MIC imports, as they are usually brighter & lack the low end and mids of real mahogany thanks to the wood, and pot metal bridges. JB helps to beef the amplified tone up.
IMO it's best in Alder and Ash bolt on neck fender scale guitars. I had an old strat with a full size JB I played exclusively for about 3 years that was excellent for anything from classic rock to late 80s shred metal ala Lynch- you just have to learn how to work the volume control on your guitar.
Jake's holdsworth died right before the 1st badlands album, so you can hear some good JB tones on Badlands and Voodoo Highway, though be careful as some of those tunes were done with a real deal late 50s black beauty & a Telecaster.
I'd also agree with the pick attack comment above- the JB is a "lazy" pup, and will "play itself" so to speak, and sound very lame doing so (for a good example see Jannick Gers)- but Jake is an outstanding example of what happens with a JB when you actually have a dynamic playing/picking style. And of course, Jeff Beck. You cannot pussy around with a JB and expect it to sound good.
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daemon barbeque
Zuhahahaologist
Re: JB muddy?
JB is a bit "not well articulated" in cheap basewood guitars with rosewood boards. It also favors longer sclae to be better articulated. It's never very articulate, that's why there is Full Shred. But I can't describe it as muddy. It's perfect with maple neck-thru guitars. It's not very well for down-tuning. It's allright in some LP's, tho it lacks edge.
JB is a bit "not well articulated" in cheap basewood guitars with rosewood boards. It also favors longer sclae to be better articulated. It's never very articulate, that's why there is Full Shred. But I can't describe it as muddy. It's perfect with maple neck-thru guitars. It's not very well for down-tuning. It's allright in some LP's, tho it lacks edge.
TSE
New member
Re: JB muddy?
I voted "average" as in the bridge position. I use mine in the neck and it was muddy and thick until I did the half air mod to it and turned the pup so the poles face the bridge. It's crisp and clear in the neck this way and with power as well, but not so much that it flubs out. It matches volume wise with the 2x thick ceramic mag Custom I have in the bridge.
I voted "average" as in the bridge position. I use mine in the neck and it was muddy and thick until I did the half air mod to it and turned the pup so the poles face the bridge. It's crisp and clear in the neck this way and with power as well, but not so much that it flubs out. It matches volume wise with the 2x thick ceramic mag Custom I have in the bridge.
eschoendorff
New member
Re: JB muddy?
Anyone else notice the lack of any meaningful consensus here? I'm starting to wonder if we're even speaking the same language!
It never occured to me to think of the JB as muddy. Then again, I'm playing through a Marshall.
Anyone else notice the lack of any meaningful consensus here? I'm starting to wonder if we're even speaking the same language!
It never occured to me to think of the JB as muddy. Then again, I'm playing through a Marshall.
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