JB vs ’59 vs Custom Which One Do You Keep Going Back To
- Thread starter Aldis1ne
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GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
I really like the '59 in the neck position. It requires some careful adjustment, but there are really beautiful singing tones to be had from it. I think of the options, I'd probably lean towards the JB in the bridge. If I back it waaaay off the strings it still has lots of power, and loses some of the higher frequency content I sometimes don't get along with. Also changes the feel to be a bit more dynamic. I think it pairs reasonably well with the '59 like this actually.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I think the 59 in the neck sounds gorgeous clean. Nice, open, sparkly without being too thin.
I think it's a bit problematic distorted. I've recently come to learn it's actually much better than I remember it being before. But I still feel it has a tendency to be either kinda bloated in the low or middle register, or too attacky and plinky high up. It's not the worst, and I'd actually say it's good-sounding for the most part, but it's not perfect either. At least to me.
Then again, I'm that one dude that thinks the 490R that everyone hates is not too bad. I prefer it, personally. At least distorted.
I also think the '59 pairs better with the Custom than with the JB, but it's "generic" enough that I don't mind it with the JB either. And by "generic", I don't really want to come off as negative as it can sound. But I do feel the '59 in the neck is so ubiquitous that it's kind of become an archetypical "generic good neck pickup" to an extent. Kinda like how the JB is the archetypical hotrodded hummie, I guess.
I think it's a bit problematic distorted. I've recently come to learn it's actually much better than I remember it being before. But I still feel it has a tendency to be either kinda bloated in the low or middle register, or too attacky and plinky high up. It's not the worst, and I'd actually say it's good-sounding for the most part, but it's not perfect either. At least to me.
Then again, I'm that one dude that thinks the 490R that everyone hates is not too bad. I prefer it, personally. At least distorted.
I also think the '59 pairs better with the Custom than with the JB, but it's "generic" enough that I don't mind it with the JB either. And by "generic", I don't really want to come off as negative as it can sound. But I do feel the '59 in the neck is so ubiquitous that it's kind of become an archetypical "generic good neck pickup" to an extent. Kinda like how the JB is the archetypical hotrodded hummie, I guess.
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hamerfan
Well-known member
If thats an option, try a Distortion neck as Bridge pickup. Best sounding more-than-vintage pickup with great combo of beef, cleaning up and some compression. I tried JB, JB8, C, CC, C5, C8, Distortion B, Alt8, Full Shred, maybe more and boatloads of PAFs, which give a very own flavor to a LP.
Artie
Peaveyologist
It's interesting how we all hear pups differently. (I know . . . amps, guitar, etc.) I don't think I'd ever use "sparkly" to describe a 59n. But I do love it.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Yeah, I suppose that's in context of what I like in the neck too. Any brighter, and I don't think I'd get along with it as I tend to like smoother, rounder neck pickups. But like you said, we all have different tastes.
