Need JB advice

[Metaldood30]

Ok, I have an all mahogany neck thru Schecter Blackjack C-1 that has a JB in the bridge, I hate it, it just doesn't do it for me. I want clarity, tight bass response, something that will chug very well and just give me the output and lowend I want. I have looked at tons of pups and wondered if I just change the magnet instead of trying to find the right pup. I'm obviously a metal player, rhythm only, no lead work at all. I play thru a Vox AD50VTXL 2x12. What would you suggest to make my JB into the pup I want. I have mainly been interested in the CS El diablo, C5 and possibly the full shred.

 

[Marshall_Abuser]

Re: Need JB advice

Duncan Distortion? Alternative 8 ? Duncan Custom ?
Those would be my suggestions, with a slight tendency towards the Duncan Custom, since you are only playing rhythm.
The Full Shred IMO is a lead player's wet dream (it is mine anyways!) but it doesn't excel at rhythm playing, although it can be very tight.

 

[jimlp]

Re: Need JB advice

I will suggest a non Duncan, Dimarzio Norton.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Need JB advice

Throw a ceramic mag into the JB, it'll almost turn it into a Duncan Distortion.

 

[CaughtLikeFire]

Re: Need JB advice

Ok, I have an all mahogany neck thru Schecter Blackjack C-1 that has a JB in the bridge, I hate it, it just doesn't do it for me. I want clarity, tight bass response, something that will chug very well and just give me the output and lowend I want. I have looked at tons of pups and wondered if I just change the magnet instead of trying to find the right pup. I'm obviously a metal player, rhythm only, no lead work at all. I play thru a Vox AD50VTXL 2x12. What would you suggest to make my JB into the pup I want. I have mainly been interested in the CS El diablo, C5 and possibly the full shred.

magnet swap first. adding a $5 ceramic mag will make a slightly milder Duncan Distortion (the DD uses the JB coils but has an extra thick ceramic mag instead of a standard thickness A5). An A8 mag would be a great choice as well.

 

[hanumanlangur]

Re: Need JB advice

Try out the A8 JB -- it's a pretty impressive high output, balanced pickup.

 

[ivovasconcelos]

Re: Need JB advice

Hi Metaldood30,

My guitar is almost like yours.
It is made with a mahogany body and neck.

It also came with a JB in bridge position and I felt the same lack of bass that you are felling.

After talk about it with a guitar tech I got a suggestion to change to Duncan Distortion.
I found my tone in it.

It has a great bass and hight tones. It also have good mids making it easy to get distorted. Its harmonics are really great. It also have an incredible clean tone. You can use it even for fingering style.

My suggestion go for Duncan Distortion. I did and I couldn't be more happy.

Keep Rocking,

Ivo

 

[Metaldood30]

Re: Need JB advice

Try out the A8 JB -- it's a pretty impressive high output, balanced pickup.

What would an A8 magnet do for the JB?

 

[CaughtLikeFire]

Re: Need JB advice

What would an A8 magnet do for the JB?

strong, tight bass

more low mids and no high-mid spike

highs are strong but not edgy

less compression than ceramic when you dig into the strings

so, you get a thick JB with relatively flat EQ and plenty of power

I prefer an A2 JB but I don't play metal. The A8 gives it a more hi-fi sound which could really be cool with lots of gain

 

[hanumanlangur]

Re: Need JB advice

The A8 JB isn't really very similar to the stock JB. It's like a smoother, more balanced DD to my ears, and it isn't as punchy and compressed as one.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Need JB advice

The A8 JB isn't really very similar to the stock JB. It's like a smoother, more balanced DD to my ears, and it isn't as punchy and compressed as one.

+1; better in every aspect except the split and parall sound is more stratty

 

[Thunder]

Re: Need JB advice

Go Distortion.

 

[deliriumtrigger]

Re: Need JB advice

I've tried both the A8 JB and Alternative 8, and for high-gain stuff I prefer the Alternative 8. It's very tight and retains its clarity when you throw a ton of gain on it.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Need JB advice

What value volume and tone pots are you using? If you're using 500K you can switch to 250K and the resulting tone from the JB will be smoother and not as bright. Seymour and Jeff Beck use 250K pots in their Teles that use the JB as the bridge pickup. 250K allows some treble to leak to ground and that changes the aural balance of the JB and makes it seem to have more bass and mids - makes the JB sound thicker.

 

[Metaldood30]

Re: Need JB advice

What value volume and tone pots are you using? If you're using 500K you can switch to 250K and the resulting tone from the JB will be smoother and not as bright. Seymour and Jeff Beck use 250K pots in their Teles that use the JB as the bridge pickup. 250K allows some treble to leak to ground and that changes the aural balance of the JB and makes it seem to have more bass and mids - makes the JB sound thicker.

It has whatever the stock pots would be from Schecter, I haven't changed anything! Do you think that would be a good start instead of a new pup, and if I did switch pups what value pots work best with either the A8JB or the Alternative8?

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Need JB advice

It has whatever the stock pots would be from Schecter, I haven't changed anything! Do you think that would be a good start instead of a new pup, and if I did switch pups what value pots work best with either the A8JB or the Alternative8?

well, pots are cheaper than a new pup. I'd go that route first and if you don't like it sell 'em off and get a new pup. just my suggestion.

 

[JB6464]

Re: Need JB advice

+1 , replace the pots with quality cts 500k if needed. Then without a doubt put a Duncan distortion in it and stand back. That guitar will come to life with great chunk,strong mids and top end.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Need JB advice

The A8 JB isn't really very similar to the stock JB. It's like a smoother, more balanced DD to my ears, and it isn't as punchy and compressed as one.

+1. Always work with what you have first. There's plenty of time to buy a new PU if needed, but don't be in a mad rush to do that. Hang on to your cash.