JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

Leather Rebel

New member
What would be the difference in tone be between a standard JB trembucker and one that had it's screw and slug pole pieces replaced with Allen-head pole pieces (a la Full Shred)? Based on several threads I've read here over the last few months, some think that pole pieces have little to do with the tone while others claim that Allen-head poles provide more clarity and better bass response. I'd like to hear any comments you guys have about it. Also, could this pickup be had at regular price ordered as a Shop Floor Custom or would it be strictly custom shop job? Thanks. :fingersx:
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

Leather Rebel said:
What would be the difference in tone be between a standard JB trembucker and one that had it's screw and slug pole pieces replaced with Allen-head pole pieces (a la Full Shred)? Based on several threads I've read here over the last few months, some think that pole pieces have little to do with the tone while others claim that Allen-head poles provide more clarity and better bass response. I'd like to hear any comments you guys have about it. Also, could this pickup be had at regular price ordered as a Shop Floor Custom or would it be strictly custom shop job? Thanks. :fingersx:
it will be tighter,more focused,that actual tone may be a touch brighter as well.
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

Dimarzio does this for most of their pickups as far as I know....
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

WARRENLEELYNCH said:
it will be tighter,more focused,that actual tone may be a touch brighter as well.

i think thats about right, i have a 17k c5 with allen head poles and it has a nice focused bottom end on a pup that has a BIG bottom
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

jeremy said:
i think thats about right, i have a 17k c5 with allen head poles and it has a nice focused bottom end on a pup that has a BIG bottom
That's right , i have a C5 bridge and changing 6 regular screws for 6 allen one from a Humbucker from hell did turn this mellow bucker into a perfect metal machine : tighter basses , perfect midds and screaming treebles , harmonics everwhere and faster pick attack : a dream and the end off an expensive quest .
And for my screaming demon neck i have changed the black screw to the same dimarzio one witch are better , and put regular screws toward the neck , and i get what i wanted : a Jazz neck on steroïds !!!!
Attack , definition and harmonics , sustain off course , the quest is over for me , thanks to Seymour and to all off you tone freaks :fing25:
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

Leather Rebel said:
Also, could this pickup be had at regular price ordered as a Shop Floor Custom or would it be strictly custom shop job?

I'm sure that would be looked at as a shop floor custom ...
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

fab.regnaut said:
That's right , i have a C5 bridge and changing 6 regular screws for 6 allen one from a Humbucker from hell did turn this mellow bucker into a perfect metal machine : tighter basses , perfect midds and screaming treebles , harmonics everwhere and faster pick attack : a dream and the end off an expensive quest .
And for my screaming demon neck i have changed the black screw to the same dimarzio one witch are better , and put regular screws toward the neck , and i get what i wanted : a Jazz neck on steroïds !!!!
Attack , definition and harmonics , sustain off course , the quest is over for me , thanks to Seymour and to all off you tone freaks :fing25:
sounds very interesting... the bass is the rason i wouldn't try a c5.
Jazz on steroiids sounds very kewl. I want this! :D Would this demon neck match to a jb? I think duncan need a hotter bright neck pu! Maybe that is the way.
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

fab.regnaut said:
That's right , i have a C5 bridge and changing 6 regular screws for 6 allen one from a Humbucker from hell did turn this mellow bucker into a perfect metal machine : tighter basses , perfect midds and screaming treebles , harmonics everwhere and faster pick attack : a dream and the end off an expensive quest .
And for my screaming demon neck i have changed the black screw to the same dimarzio one witch are better , and put regular screws toward the neck , and i get what i wanted : a Jazz neck on steroïds !!!!
Attack , definition and harmonics , sustain off course , the quest is over for me , thanks to Seymour and to all off you tone freaks :fing25:

Question. How did you change out the screws in your pup? Did you change all of them or just the ones that can be unscrewed? Sounds kind of neat hehe, I may like to try it some day. =).
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

jeremy said:
i think thats about right, i have a 17k c5 with allen head poles and it has a nice focused bottom end on a pup that has a BIG bottom
Damn, is that a custom wound pup for 17k.
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

Jeff5 said:
Question. How did you change out the screws in your pup? Did you change all of them or just the ones that can be unscrewed? Sounds kind of neat hehe, I may like to try it some day. =).
Just the 6 screw on the C5 and the 6 black screws on the Demon , with a screwdriver !!! It will screw you ...
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

jeremy said:
i think thats about right, i have a 17k c5 with allen head poles and it has a nice focused bottom end on a pup that has a BIG bottom

Thanks to all for the info. I like pickups with A5 magnets and I currently use a Screamin' Demon. I want a pickup that is hotter with deep but tight bass, mids and highs similar to the JB, and rich harmonics. I've tried the Full Shred before and it had rich hamonics, but was too focused or compressed with minimal lows. The JB was almost there but also lacks some in the low-end department. I've tried the Custom, but it just didn't have that A5 "snarl" that I like. I'm considering either a Custom 5, JB, or Distortion (with A5 magnet) with double row Allen-head screws. Any idea which one would get me there?
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

Leather Rebel said:
Thanks to all for the info. I like pickups with A5 magnets and I currently use a Screamin' Demon. I want a pickup that is hotter with deep but tight bass, mids and highs similar to the JB, and rich harmonics. I've tried the Full Shred before and it had rich hamonics, but was too focused or compressed with minimal lows. The JB was almost there but also lacks some in the low-end department. I've tried the Custom, but it just didn't have that A5 "snarl" that I like. I'm considering either a Custom 5, JB, or Distortion (with A5 magnet) with double row Allen-head screws. Any idea which one would get me there?
I tried the Demon in bridge and it needs tremendous gain from the amp to go metal , good but not powerfull enought . Actually what you are describing is my C5 !!! with , as i wrote it ,the change of 6 regular screws for good allen ( choosen carefully) one that turn this cool fat bastard into a screaming metal machine . But if you think you want 12 allen heads , i will say be carefull it could loose all the roundness and becoming fuzzy
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

I was radiusing the screws on all of my pickups and also did that with my C-5, but recently went back to keeping all screws flush and it sounds better to my ears.

I do wonder what people mean when they say to zig zag the poles as I've done....not sure what difference I am supposed to hear.
 
Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

\ / \ / \ /

Meaning the screws slot are in ther direction as shown above. 10 and 2 O'clock on a clock dial to be more specific.

As far as the difference you are supposed to hear, I guess it's subtle but it just creates a stronger magnetic field under the strings as thew slot isnt parallel under the strings. Hope that helps.
 
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Re: JB with double-row Allen-head pole pieces

Man...I think I'm gunna put some allens in my 59n...tighten the bass up a bit!
 
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