like JB but 'less'

[Narcosynthesis]

hello, i currently have a jb humbucker in the bridge of one of my guitars, and i like the sound of it, and it does rawk (\m/) pretty damn well, but sometimes can sound a bit too much sometimes, and slightly muffled and high gain (compared to the definition of a singlecoil) so i was thinking of replacing it with something new, the question is what...

before i go on the guitar is a humbucker equipped tele, with a basswood body (if this will affect my choice)

having a quick look at the tone chart, something like the pearly gates looks to have a similar eq, but slightly less output, so hwo well do you think this would suit my needs? or are there any other pickups i should look at, more defnition and clarity than the jb, but still retaining some rawk, and to add a little twist, i need a trem spaced model (for a modern fender tele style bridge)

also, coil tapping, how well does this simulate the sound of a singlecoil, it seems like a cool feature to get to use, and would be exactly what i need (singlecoil when needed, humbucker when needed) but i have heard that a tapped humbucker sounds thin and basically a weedy version of the humbucker, is there any thruth to this? or can it give me an accurate singlecoil sound

sorry for the long post, any help is greatly appreciated

David

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: like JB but 'less'

First off, I love your screen name, if it's in reference to Nevermore.


I'd try out a Custom 5 and see if that's too much for you, and if that is, go for a FullShred or Screamin' Demon.

 

[slash857]

Re: like JB but 'less'

fullshreds and screamin demons are less output than a jb?

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: like JB but 'less'

fullshreds and screamin demons are less output than a jb?

Much. The JB is 16k average, the FS is 14.6k, and the Demon is 10k.

 

[jeremy]

Re: like JB but 'less'

yes the demon is lower output than the jb, the full shred is closer but still not quite as hot as the jb and the eq is much different.

coil tapping is something that is found on single coil pups where there is two hot wires off the coil, one giving full resistance (full output) and the other being maybe 2/3 resistance (brighter cleaner, lower output) to get a different sound from a higher output single coil pup.

you are talking about coil splitting which is turning off one coil of the humbucker essentially giving you a single coil. it doesnt sound like a strat pup but it does have a brighter jangly tone with lower output, it also hums since it is a single coil.
the other option with a humbucker is parallel wiring. it again gives you a lower output brighter tone but its still humcancelling. some people prefer the tone of parallel some prefer split. if you get a on/on/on mini switch you can have all three series/split/parallel options at your finger tips

i think you are on the right track with the pearly gates. it has a similar eq curve to the jb with less output and a more open, more "vintage" tone. one of my favorite bridge pups.

 

[dd12939]

Re: like JB but 'less'

Another thing you can try is to play around with the height of the pickup and of the screw pole pieces. (assuming you haven't already) Where the pickup is in relation to the strings can really change the character of your sound.

 

[theodie]

Re: like JB but 'less'

Much. The JB is 16k average, the FS is 14.6k, and the Demon is 10k.

Bro, thats just DC resistance. Not the output of a pickup!!! The DC resistance is just a part of the equation, not the whole equation!!!

 

[theodie]

Re: like JB but 'less'

I think either the Pearly Gates bridge or the Scremin Demon will give you what you want.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: like JB but 'less'

Bro, thats just DC resistance. Not the output of a pickup!!! The DC resistance is just a part of the equation, not the whole equation!!!

The JB is hotter. Had them both in the same guitar switched to the jb and left it since it was hotter

 

[theodie]

Re: like JB but 'less'

I didnt say it wasnt. I just made the point that DC resistance dosent always mean that a pickup is hotter.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: like JB but 'less'

My bad, I misunderstood.
I like the archie pic. I watch the show quite a bit. My grandmother acts like edith sometimes.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: like JB but 'less'

i think you are on the right track with the pearly gates. it has a similar eq curve to the jb with less output and a more open, more "vintage" tone. one of my favorite bridge pups.

Yep, dead on.

Both the JB and the PG have a spike in the high mids, present highs, and not a ton of bass.

BTW, I like the Pearly a lot more than the JB.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: like JB but 'less'

I didnt say it wasnt. I just made the point that DC resistance dosent always mean that a pickup is hotter.

Most definately. I have a 17.3k TB-4, and it's not nearly as hot as a 15.7 DD I once had.

The magnet plays a huge role, as well as windings.

 

[lordcliffton]

Re: like JB but 'less'

"Another thing you can try is to play around with the height of the pickup and of the screw pole pieces. (assuming you haven't already) Where the pickup is in relation to the strings can really change the character of your sound."


I AGREE COMPLETELY!

a pups HEIGHT can have MANY affects on it. mess around with that & see where it takes you before dropping coin on it. you never know what will happen!


otherwise I'd say that the Scremin Demon is a cool pup,, but doesn't have a very good clean sound to me. I like the Seth Lover for that!.
good luck!
peace

 

[WICKED LESTER]

Re: like JB but 'less'

dimarzio's NORTON fits the bill

 

[theodie]

Re: like JB but 'less'

My bad, I misunderstood.
I like the archie pic. I watch the show quite a bit. My grandmother acts like edith sometimes.

No kidding!!!!!! For years my grandmother has reminded me of Edith also!!!!!

My grandfather reminds me of Archie also!!!!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: like JB but 'less'

I'd try a Custom 5 or 59. They still have the tightness of the JB, just minus some of the upper mids, so they sound more balanced from low to high.

 

[mnbaseball91]

Re: like JB but 'less'

If you don't mind going outside of Duncans, a Swineshead Warthog might do the trick. Here's a link:
http://www.swinesheadpickups.co.uk/warthog.shtml

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: like JB but 'less'

Yeah bro, if you haven't tried it already, play around with pu height and pole height on your JB. That's usually the number one thing that makes people hate them. If they aren't set up right, they sound like dung.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: like JB but 'less'

I can comment on coil splitting a Pearly Gates. As long as you're not expecting a "true" single coil Strat or Tele sound, it is definitely a useful mod. You will get that single coil vibe, and it works well if you're trying to get the mid + bridge tone in a strat, or the middle position in a Tele. In split mode, the PG sounds kind of like a low-output Tele bridge pickup, so I imagine it would work well in your Tele.

With both coils on, the tone is dead on for Billy Gibbons, Duane Allman, or Joe Walsh in The Eagles. It also does a great EVH tone and a pretty good Slash tone too.

Best of luck!