looking for something like a jb/ black winter

[omgitsjustme]

Hello, i play modern metal and I'm looking for a new bridge pickup. i need something like the jb but more tight, aggressive, and more cut. something thats great for rhythms and leads/solos. Or something like the black winter, but less clangy and less mids and more open. i play an alder/maple and ebony fretboard guitar through a peavey 6505+ with a mesa cab. all opinions will be appreciated and will go into consideration. thank you

 

[Demanic]

Re: looking for something like a jb/ black winter

Just talking about the Nazgul with someone on another thread. Or maybe even the Perpetual Burn.

 

[stratguy23]

Re: looking for something like a jb/ black winter

Perpetual Burn is the first thing that comes to my mind. It functions like a JB, but with a slightly lower output and flatter EQ - definitely tighter in the response. It's tailor-made for soloing out of the bridge position. There's also a nice clip on some other forum (forget which) where the player does pretty brutal technical death metal with the Perpetual Burn.

PS. Found the review and clip (the player calls it "grind"):
http://www.guitarampboard.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12397
https://soundcloud.com/eric-bauer-power-hour/222bpm-grind-jam-complete

The original Custom (ceramic one) may also be a candidate, at least for "less mids" and "more open". I tend to equate "great for leads/solos" with *more* mids and so view the Custom as more of a rhythm pickup, but because its scoop is not super pronounced, you could solo just fine with it. The Custom might be a tad bright with your setup, so I would start with the Perpetual Burn.

 

[omgitsjustme]

Re: looking for something like a jb/ black winter

thanks guys, ill look more into the perpetual burn as i do like the tone of the pickup. i'm pretty much looking for an almost perfect balance of bass, mids and treble without sounding too bright or too dark with just enough cut. i like the demo i just wish there were more demos on it doing death metal since thats the only one ive seen amd thats primarily what i play, but ill keep searching. my set up is already mid focused which i like its just too middy and bright with the black winters even when i scoop out the mids. any other recommendations? im willing to branch out on other brands as well. very much appreciated.

 

[Mincer]

Re: looking for something like a jb/ black winter

Check out the Pegasus too, as the EQ is flatter than most pickups, and it has a pretty high output. It sounds tight for metal, and still has some dynamics there. It really is a great choice for modern metal if that is your main style, but not all that you play.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: looking for something like a jb/ black winter

I would've thought the other member of the JB family would get more recommendations: Duncan Distortion!

Or maybe the JB plus a regular-sized ceramic magnet.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: looking for something like a jb/ black winter

So, more cut than a JB, tighter than a JB, less mids than a Black Winter and more open than a Black Winter?

First thoughts may seem a bit odd, but you'd probably like the result...either a Screamin' Demon with an Alnico 8 magnet swapped in or put a regular thickness ceramic magnet in your JB.

I'd also second Mincer's Pegasus recommendation for a production model.

Something like a Full Shred might be great for you, as well. If you haven't looked into it, you should.

Outside of SD, I'd probably suggest a DiMarzio Evolution or Evo 2. There's also the Suhr Aldrich if you want a very JB-esque flavor, just hotter and tighter.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: looking for something like a jb/ black winter

^Each to his own, but I recently got to try an Aldrich in a friend's Ibanez, and I wouldn't say it's tighter than the JB. If anything, I'd say it's fatter, throatier, and slightly more compressed. It's a great-sounding pickup, though.

Then again, I don't personally find the JB overly loose, really. I do find it's a tiny bit stuffy in the low mids, I'll give ya that, but if anything, I'd say the Aldrich is even more low-mid heavy.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: looking for something like a jb/ black winter

^Each to his own, but I actually just got to try an Aldrich in a friend's Ibanez, and I wouldn't say it's tighter than the JB. If anything, I'd say it's fatter, throatier, and slightly more compressed. It's a great-sounding pickup, though.

Then again, I don't personally find the JB overly loose, really. I do find it's a tiny bit stuffy in the low mids, I'll give ya that.

The Aldrich was my last recommendation and I suggested it in case the OP doesn't want to stray too far from the feel and character of the JB, which is easy to do (nothing sounds quite like a JB), but wants another option. I'm like you...I've had good luck with the JB and I find it to maintain a nice middle ground between being boomy and tight in most guitars. However, it's well documented throughout the pages of this forum that the JB can be overly "loose" for some players' needs and the OP is requesting something "tighter" in this case.

I think a Pegasus or Full Shred might be right up his alley if he doesn't want to mag-swap a JB or Demon. The Evolution and Evo 2 might really surprise him, also, depending on what style of music he plays.

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: looking for something like a jb/ black winter

I would've thought the other member of the JB family would get more recommendations: Duncan Distortion!

.

I agree!