Matching "single coils" to a JB TB4... any thoughts?

[jmalash]

I have a Zion classic maple, HSS configuration. I replaced the original Zion Humbucker with a Duncan JB TB4 and am wanting to replace the Zion, stacked single coils. There's a night-and-day difference between the JB and Zions in output and tone.
Shopping by sound-bytes on this site, I like the tone of the Alnico 2's. However; to match the tone and impedance of the JB, my repair guy thinks I should go with JB Jrs in the neck and middle. I'm concerned the Jrs will not give me the single coil sound I like. Even the JB TB4 I bought sounds a bit darker in my guitar than I expected.
Any thoughts?

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Matching "single coils" to a JB TB4... any thoughts?

You're right, the JB Jr. will not give you the single coil sound. I would go with one of the hotter STK singles. Vintage Hot Stack Plus (STK-S7) maybe.

 

[Gforce9]

Re: Matching "single coils" to a JB TB4... any thoughts?

Zion nice.

Made in Raleigh NC yay for custom guitar man... I've always wanted one.

+1 on the Zion. Phil Keaggy has a few Zion guitars. I think you are between a rock and a hard place in a sense. If you try to match the power and tone of the JB, you will not get a single coil sound in any position. If you go with vintage Strat sounding pickups up front, the JB will kill them in volume. There are lots of options these days.....1-split the JB and use some good vintage pups up front knowing when you switch the JB to full h/b, smoke and fire will come from your speaker :bigok: ...2- abandon the idea of vintage Strat tones and go with Quarter Pounds up front.....3- Go '59 in the bridge, Classic Stack (or Dimarzio Areas) up front :naughty:..............4- my fingers hurt, but options 'o plenty........

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Matching "single coils" to a JB TB4... any thoughts?

I have a Fender Vintage Noiseless in my RG4
and while it is stratish in sound
its output is far below the humbuckers in the same guitar
some "hot" version may work better

let us know what you find

 

[jmalash]

Re: Matching "single coils" to a JB TB4... any thoughts?

@ grumptruck ... Great guitar and great company to do business with. I bought mine back in '91 when Ken Hoover was "da man". He treated me like a celeb.

 

[jmalash]

Re: Matching "single coils" to a JB TB4... any thoughts?

Thanks for the input everyone.
fyi... My JB *is* split via a push/pull tone knob. My repair man suggested JB Jrs in the neck and mid so every position would be humbucking, and adding a 2nd push/pull pot, volume knob, so that they'd also be split. In essence, I'd have 3 humbuckers and 3 single coils at the flick of a couple knobs.
I'm willing to try his idea. The ONLY issue is money... new house, kid needs braces, self-employment tax, insurance, economy, yadda, yadda, yadda. It's just going to take time. :-/

 

[jonathane40]

Re: Matching "single coils" to a JB TB4... any thoughts?

jmalash, I was in a similar situation several years ago with my Fender Fat Strat (HSS) and Lew advised me to go with a TB4 (Bridge) and two Classic Stack Plus (Middle and Neck). The combination was great. I got classic strat tones without the hum from the neck and middle positions, and an edgier tone from the bridge. The TB4 splits very nicely with the Classic Stack Plus (middle) as well.

I had all of these pickups with 250K pots.

Hope this helps,
Jon

 

[jmalash]

Re: Matching "single coils" to a JB TB4... any thoughts?

Thanks, Jon! I'll definitely investigate your suggestion.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Matching "single coils" to a JB TB4... any thoughts?

But don't forget there are some new Stack Plus pickups out there now, each with higher output than the Classic Stack Plus. If you're asking me, I'd say put a Vintage Hot Stack Plus in the middle, and a Custom Stack Plus in the neck. Great Strat tone with more output and punch but true single coil response and vibe. The tech's recommendation of JB Jr's seems not to take some of your requests into consideration. I would not recommend going with that setup.

 

[jmalash]

Re: Matching "single coils" to a JB TB4... any thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcMo0JW7wI8
Here's a cool demo of a guy with a little '59 in the neck, a duckbucker in the middle, and a JB Jr in the bridge. Sounds pretty sweet to my ears!
I'm still searching...