Re: JB not enough power
I think sometimes people expect too much from a pickup. I've been getting a nice crunch from a PAF for years by setting my amp correctly. I'm wondering if maybe there is a wiring issue with the JB that's causing the problem. Either that, or it's set too far from the strings. It's one of the highest output pickups on the market, so if it isn't powerful enough for you, there isn't too much else to move up to. Before giving up on the JB, I'd make sure it's wired and set up properly. I'd also recommend playing around with different amp settings, just to see if you can find a sweet spot.
Ryan