Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
- Thread starter Tobester
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
Changing the speaker (or the cab itself) makes a much bigger difference than swapping magnets in pickups or pots. By far. IME.
Vintage 30's combined with JB's is fine by me. I use a bright guitar with a JB through a cab with V30's (mixed with Greenbacks), but I can understand it's not everyone's cup of tea. Regardless, I have other pickups which are not as high-middy as the JB, but a V30 sounds like a V30 whatever you run through it.
If you want to fine tune your sound, try the magnet swap or the pot change. If you think your sound is way too over the top and unbearable the way it is right now, I recommend looking into changing the speakers.
Changing the speaker (or the cab itself) makes a much bigger difference than swapping magnets in pickups or pots. By far. IME.
Vintage 30's combined with JB's is fine by me. I use a bright guitar with a JB through a cab with V30's (mixed with Greenbacks), but I can understand it's not everyone's cup of tea. Regardless, I have other pickups which are not as high-middy as the JB, but a V30 sounds like a V30 whatever you run through it.
If you want to fine tune your sound, try the magnet swap or the pot change. If you think your sound is way too over the top and unbearable the way it is right now, I recommend looking into changing the speakers.
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Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
I think I would start with changing out some preamp tubes. JJs will definitely darken your amp.
The next step would be the 250k pot. Then...
A2 mag swap.
Ultra picks with a rounded tip.
Pure Nickel strings.
Cables with higher capacitance rating.
Graphic EQ with cuts at 2k to 4k.
Bill
I think I would start with changing out some preamp tubes. JJs will definitely darken your amp.
The next step would be the 250k pot. Then...
A2 mag swap.
Ultra picks with a rounded tip.
Pure Nickel strings.
Cables with higher capacitance rating.
Graphic EQ with cuts at 2k to 4k.
Bill
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sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
I'm with Aceman. OP's gear choices are exacerbating his problem at every turn. A bright pickup in a bright guitar through bright speakers isn't likely to be tamed by a 250k difference in resistance in the volume pot.
Again I have to go back to the fact that the single biggest determining factor in the tone of any rig is the amp, which in this case the OP has told us next to nothing about.
I'm with Aceman. OP's gear choices are exacerbating his problem at every turn. A bright pickup in a bright guitar through bright speakers isn't likely to be tamed by a 250k difference in resistance in the volume pot.
Again I have to go back to the fact that the single biggest determining factor in the tone of any rig is the amp, which in this case the OP has told us next to nothing about.
Re: Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
My first thoughts too. 250k vol pots for both the JB and the 59.
My first thoughts too. 250k vol pots for both the JB and the 59.
Re: Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
And then you end up with even a brighter pup.
And then you end up with even a brighter pup.
Blackbury
New member
Re: Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
Put an A4 in that JB. Cleaner sound and the nasal mids are over. Also reduces the harshness (although JB has less harshness than I thought) and tightens the bass like hell. Regular JB lacks balls on the bass side... No deffinition in the 6th string palm mutings. With the A4 all of that gets done.
Put an A4 in that JB. Cleaner sound and the nasal mids are over. Also reduces the harshness (although JB has less harshness than I thought) and tightens the bass like hell. Regular JB lacks balls on the bass side... No deffinition in the 6th string palm mutings. With the A4 all of that gets done.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
Going from an A5 to a UOA5 in the JB is too subtle of a difference to help in this situation. 250k vol pots plus A2 mags might be enough. The right speakers will certainly make a big difference, but without "try-before-you-buy" possibility it would be easy to get the not-so-right speaker. Also, the right JJ pre-amp tubes can help a little, but most certainly will not be enough. A different amp could possibly be the bee's knees solution. The amp has the greatest effect on tone than any other single component in the rig. BUT, the amp is also the most expensive part of the rig...and cost certainly has to be factored in. (We don't know what amp you are using, but if it is known to be a notoriously bright amp, this MAY be your best solution). An EQ pedal may also be a great solution and there are many great ones for less than $100.
I would start with the least expensive, quickest, easiest fix first and see...and that is A2 plus 250k vol pots. If that isn't quite enough, then put in a new speaker (WGS has some great choices for only about $75) and/or a good EQ pedal.
Going from an A5 to a UOA5 in the JB is too subtle of a difference to help in this situation. 250k vol pots plus A2 mags might be enough. The right speakers will certainly make a big difference, but without "try-before-you-buy" possibility it would be easy to get the not-so-right speaker. Also, the right JJ pre-amp tubes can help a little, but most certainly will not be enough. A different amp could possibly be the bee's knees solution. The amp has the greatest effect on tone than any other single component in the rig. BUT, the amp is also the most expensive part of the rig...and cost certainly has to be factored in. (We don't know what amp you are using, but if it is known to be a notoriously bright amp, this MAY be your best solution). An EQ pedal may also be a great solution and there are many great ones for less than $100.
I would start with the least expensive, quickest, easiest fix first and see...and that is A2 plus 250k vol pots. If that isn't quite enough, then put in a new speaker (WGS has some great choices for only about $75) and/or a good EQ pedal.
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
Then you haven't been paying attention!
I'm always around...
Then you haven't been paying attention!
I'm always around...
Nightburst
New member
Re: Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
Uhh just get a different pickup, sounds like everything is fine but this pickup doesnt work in that guitar. The thing is, do you know 100% sure that its the JB causing the icepick? You need to determine what sound you want and if your gear is getting you close to this sound then finetune with the details.
There are many more aftermarket pickups than only the JB or Custom or even seymour duncan.
If you change to 250K pots you might not like how it dulls out your sound, I didnt like it at all for the JB. A magnet swap might be too subtle of a change to make you feel it makes a significant difference.
Changing everything else in your rig just for a bridge pickup in one guitar is madness IMO. Go try a few different buckers in the guitar before doing anything radical. Or try to play this guitar over a different amp or speaker to see if the sound changes more to your liking or if the shrillness is still present.
Uhh just get a different pickup, sounds like everything is fine but this pickup doesnt work in that guitar. The thing is, do you know 100% sure that its the JB causing the icepick? You need to determine what sound you want and if your gear is getting you close to this sound then finetune with the details.
There are many more aftermarket pickups than only the JB or Custom or even seymour duncan.
If you change to 250K pots you might not like how it dulls out your sound, I didnt like it at all for the JB. A magnet swap might be too subtle of a change to make you feel it makes a significant difference.
Changing everything else in your rig just for a bridge pickup in one guitar is madness IMO. Go try a few different buckers in the guitar before doing anything radical. Or try to play this guitar over a different amp or speaker to see if the sound changes more to your liking or if the shrillness is still present.
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: Modding a JB Pup for a VERY bright guitar
I feel bad for the OP... hes got guys in here who want him to trash his whole rig and all he wanted was to take some highs off his guitar tone...
To the OP goodluck in mucking through this, there is some good info in here its just going to be a take to separate the diamonds from the mud...
My suggestion would be to use the K.I.S.S method.
I feel bad for the OP... hes got guys in here who want him to trash his whole rig and all he wanted was to take some highs off his guitar tone...
To the OP goodluck in mucking through this, there is some good info in here its just going to be a take to separate the diamonds from the mud...
My suggestion would be to use the K.I.S.S method.
