Lil 59 Vs JB Jr differences

[lazyfinger]

Hi,

can anyone elaborate the difference between theses two? It would be really helpful if you used them before, thank you.

It's go on the bridge position of my strat.
I am trying to find out which is brighter/warmer in clean and distortion, clarity (chord definition under gain), single-coilish of the two, or more p90 sound with overdrive than a true full size humbucker?

Thank you for your advice.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Lil 59 Vs JB Jr differences

The Little 59 is the beefier sounding of the two and sounds closer to a full sized 59, than the JB Jr is to the full sized JB. The JB Jr is a good neck pickup, but it is bright, hard and thin sounding in the bridge. If you are looking for something that sounds like a Full sized JB, the Dimarzio Fastrack II is nearly identical and a JB Jr neck is a great match for it.

Little 59
JB Jr

 

[lazyfinger]

Re: Lil 59 Vs JB Jr differences

Thanks for the info. In that case, would you say the JB Jr has more of a potential to behave a bit like single coilish jangly or p90-esque if eq'd right (without coil tapping), because it's brighter and thinner of the two?

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Lil 59 Vs JB Jr differences

Thanks for the info. In that case, would you say the JB Jr has more of a potential to behave a bit like single coilish jangly or p90-esque if eq'd right (without coil tapping), because it's brighter and thinner of the two?

The JB Jr has single coil brightness, but it's dynamics are very different than a single coil. However in the neck the JB Jr can pull off authentic sounding single coil spank and sparkle. The Little 59 doesn't sound much like a single coil in either position, but it has a more balanced sound both clean and distorted. Of the two I like the Little 59 better for the bridge and the JB Jr better for the neck distorted or clean. Neither really have any P90 qualities.

 

[lazyfinger]

Re: Lil 59 Vs JB Jr differences

When you play with distortion, do the leads come out smooth and round/tubular with lil 59 compared to jb jr, which I guess would be more fuzzy or harsh/upper mids/trebly (assuming it's in bridge position)?

 

[Schappy]

Re: Lil 59 Vs JB Jr differences

I had the lil 59 in the bridge of my strat for awhile and just didnt gel with it.


Its a bit bright and compressed.

I much prefer the SSL-3 or SSL-5(or their noiseless counterparts)

The SSL5 is a little less beefy than the lil 59 but is less compressed and much more articulate.

The SSL3 sounds better than both of the above for metal.

Another option would be a full sized humbucker.
I just think the single sized humbucker sound somewhere between a single coil and a humbucker without nailing either tone very well.

 

[TeleLubber]

Re: Lil 59 Vs JB Jr differences

I never liked either one of those pups in the bridge.. IMO they do better in the neck slot coupled with a full size humbucker in the bridge position..

If you're lookin for an agressive sound, try a Hotrail. I put one of those into my first Strat back in 1986, and nothing else has been able to replace it for very long.. If you're looking for more of a strat/sc sound.. try one of the stacked models.. they sound nice, but not TOO nice, and I use them in my other strats..

 

[lazyfinger]

Re: Lil 59 Vs JB Jr differences

Thanks guys.

 

[guitarded]

Re: Lil 59 Vs JB Jr differences

Been through JBjy, Lil59B and Hot Rails in the bridge.... Ended up with the Lil Screamin Demon and that works the best for both cleans and overdrive. I have two Starts with this pup in the bridge and little 59N on the neck. Middle is a Lace sensor gold and I have push pull splits..

 

[icantbuyafender]

Re: Lil 59 Vs JB Jr differences

the 59 sounds more convincing. Its closer to the real deal than a JBjr ever will be.

i have the JBjr and used it to replace a lil 59. Ugh. waste of 70 bucks.

Sure its got output... but it sounds too thin and edgy.

I liked a duckbucker bridge model better than the JBjr and a lil 59 better than the duckbucker. Never tried a hotrail, but have heard great stories. i just dont like the look