JB with hex pole pieces?

[Mikelamury]

I'm going to get the custom shop to make me a JB with an alnico 8 magnet. I'm considering using hex heads for the pole pieces. How is it going to sound different than with regular slug/screw pole pieces? Keep in mind it will have an alnico 8 magnet in it. Thanks

 

[chris effect]

I'm going to get the custom shop to make me a JB with an alnico 8 magnet. I'm considering using hex heads for the pole pieces. How is it going to sound different than with regular slug/screw pole pieces? Keep in mind it will have an alnico 8 magnet in it. Thanks

In my experience, the hex screws tighten the lows, and tame the upper highs. I guess they flatten the EQ some. I've had this done to a couple of SH6 Distortions.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Man, I think there used to be a thread a long time ago about the effect of different pole pieces in humbuckers, and hex screws were discussed too.

One thing that seems to have a palpable effect on the sound is the length of the screw - longer ones (like stock slot heads) spread the magnetic field a bit more, while shorter ones concentrate it. The head sizes are different too - slot screws are usually bigger. Some people on here have even simply trimmed the stock screws so they're flush with the baseplate.

I recall someone saying hex screws in their JB made it sound more articulate with tighter lows, and certainly using screws with smaller heads in an Invader seems to do the same thing, for those who find it a bit dark/muddy sounding, while keeping the smaller rail mags. In a pu like the Invader, the difference would probably be more dramatic.

I guess this is also part of the overall sound recipe for the Screamin' Demon and Full Shred, as well as a host of DiMarzios.

Others who have done this themselves may chime in!

On a related note, for ultimate rationalization of this line of tinkering, Eddie (RIP) experimented even with completely removing the adjustable poles from a hb.

 

[beaubrummels]

I'm wondering if it's worth it to pay the custom shop to make a pickup and tell them what materials and parts to use, but have no idea what the result will sound like? Seems like an expensive risk. For example, I would expect the hex poles to counteract the benefit of trying an A8. Is that the goal? Typically, you get better results if you tell them what you want a pickup to sound like, and they can tell you, from many decades of experience, testing with well-known professionals, what recipe will get you there.

 

[Mincer]

I'm wondering if it's worth it to pay the custom shop to make a pickup and tell them what materials and parts to use, but have no idea what the result will sound like? Seems like an expensive risk. For example, I would expect the hex poles to counteract the benefit of trying an A8. Is that the goal? Typically, you get better results if you tell them what you want a pickup to sound like, and they can tell you, from many decades of experience, testing with well-known professionals, what recipe will get you there.

This right here. It is best to approach the Custom Shop with an idea of how something should sound and let them find the right formula to achieve that.

 

[gsammo79]

I'm wondering if it's worth it to pay the custom shop to make a pickup and tell them what materials and parts to use, but have no idea what the result will sound like? Seems like an expensive risk. For example, I would expect the hex poles to counteract the benefit of trying an A8. Is that the goal? Typically, you get better results if you tell them what you want a pickup to sound like, and they can tell you, from many decades of experience, testing with well-known professionals, what recipe will get you there.

This is what they did when they made my custom shop pup.

Theyll ask for some guidelines with the tone you're wanting to achieve and theyll know what to do from there. The pickup they wound for me exceeded my expectations

 

[alex1fly]

On a related note, for ultimate rationalization of this line of tinkering, Eddie (RIP) experimented even with completely removing the adjustable poles from a hb.

I did this once. The resulting sound was quite hollow in comparison.

 

[devastone]

I did this once. The resulting sound was quite hollow in comparison.

You essentially removed that coil turning it into a single coil. Without pole pieces there is no way for that coil to generate current.

I've used SHC screws (Socket Head Cap, the hex screws) in a JB and I think it tightened it up some. If I was the OP I would pick up a used JB, some magnets, and some different length/head screws and experiment. The screws are 5-40 threads and SS screws won't work very well.

https://www.mcmaster.com/screws/thread-size~5-40/head-type~socket/material~steel/drive-style~hex/

 

[Clint 55]

You could get a shop floor custom double screw JB for a small up charge then swap in your hexz and A8 instead of paying double. Imo the JB would be a good candidate for hexz because it's super hot and probably wouldn't end up getting thinned out too much. I don't like A8, but my guess is that your plan would work. You'd end up with a more aggressive and clicky JB.

 

[Aceman]

Well, I had a JB8 for quite a bit recently.

A8 = More bass, less mids, smoother highs, and power. Best description more of what you don't have, less of what you do. I found it to thicken a JB considerably, even the mids, and take the icepick out of the highs. It seemed to me to become a bit of a cross between a Super Distortion and a Distortion. Kinda halfway in betweenish.

Hex Screws = tighter bottom, and more bite/articulation as mentioned.

I say just get the mag and some screws and try it. Yeah - only half hexed. Still. It's cheap, easy and fairly reversible.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Hex screw are also usually harder steel, so they have higher carbon content. And even though the head is smaller they are the same thickness all the way through. So there’s more steel = higher inductance.

I make pickups wound very similar to a JB but either with dual slugs or hex poles. It’s a tighter more articulate pickup IMO.

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[Mincer]

I've tried a few types of JB mods, and the interesting thing about the JB wind, is that you can still here the JB heritage with pole changes or magnet swaps. It isn't like changing the magnet in a Custom or Jazz, which can completely transform the sound.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

I've tried a few types of JB mods, and the interesting thing about the JB wind, is that you can still here the JB heritage with pole changes or magnet swaps. It isn't like changing the magnet in a Custom or Jazz, which can completely transform the sound.

Well put a ceramic magnet in and you have a Distortion. Then swap the poles for cap head screws and you have an Invader. They don’t sound that much alike.

I’ve done the JB-Distortion switch a few times for clients.


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[devastone]

Hex screw are also usually harder steel, so they have higher carbon content. And even though the head is smaller they are the same thickness all the way through. So there’s more steel = higher inductance.

I make pickups wound very similar to a JB but either with dual slugs or hex poles. It’s a tighter more articulate pickup IMO.

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It looks like you are using set screws, which are different and not a direct retrofit. To just change the screws you have to use 5-40 socket head cap screws. FWIW, they work tighten up a Tone Zone a little too.

 

[Mikelamury]

I'm asking specifically about using two rows of hex pieces with the JB8. Sorry should have specified that before.bi don't know how to take a pickup apart of do magnet swaps so I'm going to have the custom shop make me a JB with the A8 just wandering about adding double rows of hex pieces.

 

[beaubrummels]

IME just one row of hex is significant, a second row starts to split hairs. It's different but not by that much. Testing the direction hexes will take your sound with a pickup in hand would help tell if that option is really worth it for the custom order.

 

[Mikelamury]

Im going with the custom shop order to get the A8 magnet in the JB, I think it's the same price to do hex pieces

 

[Demanic]

Let us know how it turns out.

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[Mikelamury]

What do you think the result would be to put 2 rows of adjustable Pole pieces on the JB8?

 

[jeremy]

normal screws or hex? the double screws is a cool sound, a little softer attack