JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

[Birdman642]

I'll give a little background. I've been running a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge of my Agile Harm 1 for years now, and I love the way it sounds (Big, loud, tight). I was fixing up an explorer about a year ago and decided to drop a JB in the bridge of that, because I've heard great things about the JB.
The JB seems quiet in comparison to the Super D. I've checked the wiring on the JB and everything is wired in the right place, with no cold joints.
Does the JB not drive an amp as hard as a Super D? If not, which pickup (or pickups) have a similar kind of drive the Super D has?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

Check the height. Fret you low E at the highest fret and set the pickup about 1/16” from the bottom of the string

 

[Clint 55]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

SD has a higher powered ceramic compared to JB's A5.

 

[Birdman642]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

Check the height. Fret you low E at the highest fret and set the pickup about 1/16” from the bottom of the string

I have adjusted the pickup to about 1/16th". I've also adjusted pole pieces to accommodate

 

[Birdman642]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

SD has a higher powered ceramic compared to JB's A5.

Would another pickup with a ceramic magnet hit the amp harder? Something like a DD or BW?

 

[gregory]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

What is the amp?

 

[Birdman642]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

What is the amp?

Jet City JCA2212C. It's a 20 watt combo. Before everyone says the amp is the problem, I know it's not the highest quality amp, but it has served me well, and a JCM800 is a little out of my price range right now haha

 

[Clint 55]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

Would another pickup with a ceramic magnet hit the amp harder? Something like a DD or BW?

If you're certain there's nothing wrong, you can load up the JB with A8 and/or ceramic to make it hit harder. Of course you could also get another pickup if you want.

 

[dave74]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

SuperD is also voiced to have strong lows in addition to being a typical high-output ceramic-powered pickup.
JB is more medium-high with that upper-midrange emphasis.

I'd suggest the DD if you have a rosewood board, and the BW if you have an ebony board.
Yeah I know that's a blatant generalization, but more often than not it would ring true IMO.

Invaders also might be worth looking into, especially with ebony boards.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

I must have an abnormal JB then. It's a mid 90s zebra and it is HOT! Fat lows, screaming highs and cutting mids. Keeps up level wise with any ceramic I've ever owned. Only reason I don't use it anymore is because I prefer pickups with much more clarity under high gain.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

SH-5/TB-5 Duncan Custom ... /thread.

 

[Birdman642]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

How would a WLH neck pair with a Custom bridge?

 

[jeremy]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

probably pretty well. the wlh neck pup is great!

 

[Birdman642]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

probably pretty well. the wlh neck pup is great!

How does the WLH differ from say a '59 neck?

 

[Mincer]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

How does the WLH differ from say a '59 neck?

The WLH is slightly hotter and not as scooped. It is still scoopy, just not as much.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: JB sounds thin compared to Dimarzio SD

SH-5/TB-5 Duncan Custom ... /thread.

I'm inclined to agree.