JB replacement options

HeftyMetalGuitar

HeftyMetalGuitar

New member
I have a few pickups for in mind for replacing the JB bridge of my Carvin. I know the JB exemplifies the Seymour Duncan sound, but it's not working for me. There's nothing wrong with it, but to me is kind of bland. Before that I tried the Whole Lotta but it too seemed to lack character even though it is a very good pickup.

Right now I am considering a Custom Custom, Bare Knuckle Riff Raff or Abraxas, and a Dimarzio Breed. I know the Breed is going to be good, but I already have one in another guitar. I know this is Seymour's forum, but I see a lot of threads about how they compare to other pickups. Can anyone offer a comparison from experience? Please elaborate your suggestions.
 
Re: JB replacement options

What tone are you looking for out of the guitar, what amp, and what music style?
 
Re: JB replacement options

How familiar are you with the pickups I listed? They all kind of have a similar upper midrange emphasis and low end which is moderate. They're all good for 80's rock and metal and have good cleans, also all comparable to what the JB is also good at. It is hard to describe but what I miss from the JB and Whole Lotta is primarily all the things you want to hear behind the notes. I don't know what you call them, undertones, overtones, bloom or whatever descriptive word comes to mind which describes a pickup that doesn't just present you with a straightforward note but also something more to it which makes the tone more interesting. I can't say necessarily what tones I want only what I described and that it fits my style. Think EVH/Slash/Dave Mustaine and some Page mixed in too.
 
Re: JB replacement options

What amp are you using?

What you describe could be even-order harmonics, in which case the amp and its gain stage setup plays a large role.

That said, the Evenly-Voiced-Harmonic pickup could be the right choice for you...
 
Re: JB replacement options

JB is Duncan's highest selling pickup. Maybe you don't like it and think it's not the typical "Seymour Duncan" sound but to the masses it's as synonymous to the Duncan brand as the Super Distortion to DiMarzio. It has a unique sound so yes it sounds different compared to the majority of the SD lineup which is populated by PAF clones but if you tell someone Seymour Duncan they think JB.

I'd suggest you look into the Perpetual Burn as an option as well. It's like a JB but a bit more even across the range. Here's a couple of YouTube vids to watch; the first is a Custom Custom and JB comparison and the second is a Perpetual Burn demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEPtjXLj1G8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAfRXl0lRcA
 
Re: JB replacement options

HeftyMetalGuitar said:
How familiar are you with the pickups I listed? They all kind of have a similar upper midrange emphasis and low end which is moderate. They're all good for 80's rock and metal and have good cleans, also all comparable to what the JB is also good at. It is hard to describe but what I miss from the JB and Whole Lotta is primarily all the things you want to hear behind the notes. I don't know what you call them, undertones, overtones, bloom or whatever descriptive word comes to mind which describes a pickup that doesn't just present you with a straightforward note but also something more to it which makes the tone more interesting. I can't say necessarily what tones I want only what I described and that it fits my style. Think EVH/Slash/Dave Mustaine and some Page mixed in too.
Click to expand...

You might be better off going Vintage Output. What Carvin Guitar are we talking about? I am a huge Carvin fan, I have had their X-100b guitar amp for 35 years, no guitars, but I am very familiar with their guitar lineup.
 
Re: JB replacement options

HeftyMetalGuitar said:
I have a few pickups for in mind for replacing the JB bridge of my Carvin. I know the JB exemplifies the Seymour Duncan sound, but it's not working for me. There's nothing wrong with it, but to me is kind of bland. Before that I tried the Whole Lotta but it too seemed to lack character even though it is a very good pickup.

Right now I am considering a Custom Custom, Bare Knuckle Riff Raff or Abraxas, and a Dimarzio Breed. I know the Breed is going to be good, but I already have one in another guitar. I know this is Seymour's forum, but I see a lot of threads about how they compare to other pickups. Can anyone offer a comparison from experience? Please elaborate your suggestions.
Click to expand...
Riff raff sounds a bit like a T-top. I would say it does not sound like the pickup you want as I swapped it out because it was a bit dry overall. It is a nice pickup, but it isn't what I think of when you say what you are describing. Abraxas has a more rounded top end, lower mid range emphasis and not a real aggressive character. It is essentially an overwound mule. I would not generally think of it as anything remotely akin to a JB. However, it might suit you well.

I am not sure what you mean specifically by character. If I were looking at SD and BKP and were looking for character I might look at some unpotted offerings just based on what you are saying. I think the slight feedback we get can be really interesting and cool if not overpowering. Perhaps that is a part of the feel you are looking for.

Perpetual burn might be a really good choice as well.
 
Re: JB replacement options

I've never been unhappy with the results of replacing a JB with something else. I like the Custom, Distortion and Slash A2P.
 
Re: JB replacement options

After much deliberation, I narrowed it down to a Bare Knuckle VHII or Brobucker. Thanks for your input and suggestions.
 
Re: JB replacement options

Still waiting on the amp, fx, style etc….


And "Fundamental" is the tone word you are looking for.
 
Re: JB replacement options

Im not much for a JB either to be honest. I had both an old MJ wound JB and a 2006 JB in my Charvel, but I ended up going with a Seymour Holdsworth and I was very happy with the results. Im not really a DiMarzio guy either, but Im a huge fan of the Breed pickup like you seem to be, so perhaps you should try to go with what you know and try for another Breed pup for that guitar.
Could always go with an L500L as well...
 
Re: JB replacement options

JB with a RCUOA5. All the extra character that you're looking for.
 
Re: JB replacement options

You might also do well with the IM1. Based off the pup for the Frankenstrat. But seriously, amp, fx, and style is important.
 
Re: JB replacement options

Well he did say "Think EVH/Slash/Dave Mustaine and some Page mixed in too" so we can surmise his general aims but he didn't say what type of amp. It could be a 5150, could be a Fender Deluxe.

I don't think the midscooped C5 would be something he'd like if he's looking for mids. The VHII sounds like a good choice though, better tone than the Riff Raff to my ears.
 
Re: JB replacement options

I was never happy with the humbucker sound from the JB in my Cort G290. Last week I changed the magnet to alnico 2 and it completely revitalised it for me. Kept all the good aspects of the sound and got rid of the aspects I didn't like. Cost me £6 and 5 minutes of my time, which is a lot cheaper than a VHII (and I've got 3 BK pickups).
 
Re: JB replacement options

I bought a 78 LP Standard that had a JB in the bridge and a PAF in the neck. Never liked the combo, yet each had it's advantages. But... the JB requires a whole EQ/distortion path of it's own when it's in the bridge, cause its' so thin and bright. So I put a Pearly Gates in there and it's the best for the ABB style sound I want.

What I did next with the JB is my answer to the general "How to place a JB" question. I have a home made, 3HB strat and I pub the JB in the middle, in that position, it gets a lot more of the meat of the string, and it plays really well with the SH1 in the bridge, and the Schaller in the neck. With a 5-way switch I get some really cool tones. So that's my solution for the JB, it keeps it's tight high end and gets a little more meat on the bone this way.
 
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