JB replacement recommendation?

[Dr Raven]

Hey all,

I have been playing guitar for 25+ years and my main guitar until a few years ago was a homemade strat with a SD '59 in the bridge into an old stock Marshall Super-Bass head with a tube preamp in front of it into a Marshall 4x12" cab. For the past 3+ years though, I have been playing in a cover band that that plays primarily classic hard rock and classic metal (Judas Priest & Iron Maiden), and after trying the stock Duncan Designed pickups in my new Jackson (Dinky strat with Floyd) I swapped them out for an EMG 81/85 set to get a bit more distortion happening. Initially I liked the EMGs because of the smooth rhythm sound, but after a while I started to feel/hear the sterile sound that the EMG 81/85 pickups are often accused of when playing leads. It was suggested to me that I try a Seymour JB in the bridge, and I immediately noticed a change to a more "organic" feel while doing solos and lead work that people describe to passive pickups. However, as my ear got used to the JB over the next few months, I noticed that my rhythm tone sounded a bit raw and rough, like the speaker was breaking up in a bad way just a bit, but the speakers are all solid. So I found myself wanting the smoothness of the EMG rhythm sound combined with the organic feel of the JB when playing leads. Does such a pickup exist in the Duncan catalog? I am currently using a Line 6 Pod Pro preamp into a Marshall Valvestate stereo power amp into a Marshall 4x12" 1960B with the stock G12T-75s. I know the Line 6 is not the best, I am looking for a Marshall JCM 800, but until then the Line 6 has been reliable and I've been able to dial in a pretty decent sound based on the Brit Hi-Gain sound. So, any suggestions for a bridge pickup with a smooth rhythm distortion and more organic lead sound, or is that what we're all chasing?

Thanks!

Dr Raven

 

[CTN]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

WALL OF TEXT!!!! UGH!

ok now that's outta the way, welcome aboard, fellow Ontarian.

ok now that's outta the way, I think you should try a Duncan Custom. It's got enough classic tone and muscle to handle all those genres with ease, is more open sounding/smoother than the JB, and has a very nice singing lead voice. That said, it also doesn't have the mid spike that the JB has which tends to make it cut through the mix, but the Custom can still cut through no problem. It's core tone is based on a PAF, so like I said, it's very open and organic sounding, well balanced EQ. Thumpy lows, crisp mids, and clear highs.

If you're looking for something a bit higher output than the JB, try a Duncan Distortion. It's very similarly voiced to the JB, but the big ceramic magnet gives it more balls and makes it scream a bit more without making the high end too sharp/harsh. Still has a very classic metal kinda sound.

Cheers!

 

[Dr Raven]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

Sorry CTN, guess I'm old-school I'm subbed to a lot of forums and hate seeing posts that lack key information like what amp is being used, so I'll try to break up my paragraphs in future, but I wanted to make sure I included all of the relevant info.

Thanks for the suggestion on the Custom. I actually have an old Custom that I bought used a while back but never installed, so I'll try soldering it in tonight and see how it sounds. If it's based on the PAF but has a bit more output then it may be just want I am looking for. The JB had enough output so I think the Duncan Distortion may be too much, but I've got a starting point anyway so thanks again for your thoughts!

Dr Raven

 

[CTN]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

yeah give it a go. The Custom is a really nice pickup and tremendously versatile.

 

[darthphineas]

JB replacement recommendation?

Before trying another pickup, keep working with the knobs on the front of the amp.


Sent from my armored battle station using Tapatalk

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

As long as all the info is there. Custom 5 will be a little looser than the custom and more scooped, but also a viable option.

Luke

 

[dotsdad]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

When you swapped from the EMG to the JB, did you change the pots too? Your Jackson probably shipped from the factory with 500k pots. Actives work best with 25k pots. 250k volume and tone pots are best for the JB; they work wonders smoothing the shrill out of the JB. I It sounds to me like you enjoy the JB, but just want it a little smoother - 250k pots will get you there, and are much cheaper than another pickup. .

 

[Aceman]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

#1 Reality Check: THis is a classic Rock.Metal cover band. Nobody cares about the tone this much but you. Let it go.

#2 Really learn to work the POD. Should be able to make most any noise you want.

#3 Not really relevant, but WHY TF did you get rid of the Strat/59 Marshal!?!?!?!?!?!

#4 I can't believe I'm saying this, but try a JB8. I did this with a JB and it really turned out awesome. $1.50 for a magnet and some time with a screwdriver.

#5 One of my go-to classic rock.metal pups is definitely the Custom. Think about it.

 

[51501984]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

When you swapped from the EMG to the JB, did you change the pots too? Your Jackson probably shipped from the factory with 500k pots. Actives work best with 25k pots. 250k volume and tone pots are best for the JB; they work wonders smoothing the shrill out of the JB. I It sounds to me like you enjoy the JB, but just want it a little smoother - 250k pots will get you there, and are much cheaper than another pickup. .

For some the JB works best with 250k vol pot. I didn't care it all with a 250k , 500k all the way

 

[darthphineas]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

For some the JB works best with 250k vol pot. I didn't care it all with a 250k , 500k all the way

agreed. if you're playing in a hard rock / metal cover band, you need to go with a 500k on a JB. anything else is just slamming your dong in the toilet seat lid.

 

[SFW]

JB replacement recommendation?

I'll second the Duncan Custom recommendation. I was a JB player for 15 years, and the Custom is just such a killer pickup. I actually believe that it is one of Duncan's best bridge pickups in their line up. It will do everything from classic rock to extreme metal.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

I'll second the Duncan Custom recommendation. It will do everything from classic rock to extreme metal.

+ another for teh Custom(SH/TB-5)...

 

[Dr Raven]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

Before trying another pickup, keep working with the knobs on the front of the amp.
Sent from my armored battle station using Tapatalk

Hey darth, I've spent a LOT of time with my Pod Pro and got the tone I'm looking for pretty close with the Brit High Gain patch. No it's not a Marshall JCM 800, but the JB sounded a bit loose and sloppy. I wanted the same output as the JB but with a tighter, smoother more controlled sound. and as a it turns out the Duncan Custom was the ticket. See below...

 

[Dr Raven]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

When you swapped from the EMG to the JB, did you change the pots too? Your Jackson probably shipped from the factory with 500k pots. Actives work best with 25k pots. 250k volume and tone pots are best for the JB; they work wonders smoothing the shrill out of the JB. I It sounds to me like you enjoy the JB, but just want it a little smoother - 250k pots will get you there, and are much cheaper than another pickup. .

Yep, changed all the electronics out. Used a 500K pot with the JB and I wasn't having a problem with the shrill high frequency spike I've heard others talk about with the JB, but I did find I had to roll the volume almost all the ay down before it finally cleaned up. Maybe just the pot but it works fine with the Duncan Custom I installed.

 

[Dr Raven]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

#1 Reality Check: THis is a classic Rock.Metal cover band. Nobody cares about the tone this much but you. Let it go.
#2 Really learn to work the POD. Should be able to make most any noise you want.
#3 Not really relevant, but WHY TF did you get rid of the Strat/59 Marshal!?!?!?!?!?!
#4 I can't believe I'm saying this, but try a JB8. I did this with a JB and it really turned out awesome. $1.50 for a magnet and some time with a screwdriver.
#5 One of my go-to classic rock.metal pups is definitely the Custom. Think about it.

#1: You're right, no one else cares as much as I do But I'm a tone chaser, and when it sounds the way I like it to sound I enjoy playing more
#2: I have worked with my Pod Pro quite a bit, and I've got a decent emulation of the classic 80's metal Marshall sound. Just needed the right pickup.
#3: Needed money, bad judgement Kicking myself now :guilty:
#4: Hmm, still have one JB pickup, will have to do some research.
#5: I did think about the Custom, and I installed it in my Jackson earlier this week. Used it for a show last night... IT ROCKED! Was the perfect balance between higher output and smooth distortion. Good call!

Dr Raven

 

[Dr Raven]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

yeah give it a go. The Custom is a really nice pickup and tremendously versatile.

Sorry my replies are all out of order

Well, dumped the Custom into my Jackson and used it for a gig last night and it was definitely the ticket. It had the "organic" thing going on that the EMGs lack, but it wasn't as loose and raw as the JB seemed. As the description says at the website, the Custom seemed a bit compressed which to my ears translates as tighter sounding, which is what I was looking for. It certainly had more low-end thump and I had to back the Bass down a bit on my Pod Pro. I like lots of bass, but too much and it just gets mushy and just conflicts with the bass guitar. And with the Presence setting ON on the Pod Pro it cut through perfectly for leads.

Thanks CTN and to everyone else who suggested the Custom. Worked for me! Think the EMJs are going up on Kijiji

Dr Raven

 

[metalmachine]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

I really think the suggestion of the custom is a good one. A ceramic pup will be a great compromise between emg and an alnico passive.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

I'm using a distortion in the bridge of my guitars, and although I do play pretty heavy stuff, Iron Maiden can be done well with them. I did see Aceman suggest a JB8, and from what I;'ve heard it could be good. I've thought about replacing the ceramic magnet in the Distortion with a A8 just to see how it sounds.

 

[jpistolas]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

Yep, changed all the electronics out. Used a 500K pot with the JB and I wasn't having a problem with the shrill high frequency spike I've heard others talk about with the JB, but I did find I had to roll the volume almost all the ay down before it finally cleaned up. Maybe just the pot but it works fine with the Duncan Custom I installed.

For several years I've blamed cheap pots for this problem but finally it seems I'm not the only one who has the "almost off before it cleans up" problem with the JB. I've only used 500k pots with humbuckers and I'm curious has anyone noticed the cleanup issue with a 250k?

I've used SD pickups since I was first able to afford good gear and primarily JB's. Been considering switching to the Custom as well. Glad to see it worked out for you Dr Raven.

 

[CTN]

Re: JB replacement recommendation?

Sorry my replies are all out of order

Well, dumped the Custom into my Jackson and used it for a gig last night and it was definitely the ticket. It had the "organic" thing going on that the EMGs lack, but it wasn't as loose and raw as the JB seemed. As the description says at the website, the Custom seemed a bit compressed which to my ears translates as tighter sounding, which is what I was looking for. It certainly had more low-end thump and I had to back the Bass down a bit on my Pod Pro. I like lots of bass, but too much and it just gets mushy and just conflicts with the bass guitar. And with the Presence setting ON on the Pod Pro it cut through perfectly for leads.

Thanks CTN and to everyone else who suggested the Custom. Worked for me! Think the EMJs are going up on Kijiji

Dr Raven

glad to be of assistance! :friday: