I tried that hybrid several years ago. The funny thing is that it still sounded essentially like a JB. No matter what you do to a JB, it still sounds like a JB (or at least it still retains that defining JB upper mid tone sound).
New JB Modding Experiment
- Thread starter TheCanadianNews
- Start date
I tried that hybrid several years ago. The funny thing is that it still sounded essentially like a JB. No matter what you do to a JB, it still sounds like a JB (or at least it still retains that defining JB upper mid tone sound).
TheCanadianNews
New member
Does anyone know what makes a JB, a JB? Winds, gauge of wire, balanced/imbalanced coils, etc would all enlighten the topic as we consider mod options.
TheCanadianNews
New member
One of the defining things about a JB that is noticeably different is how it handles clean vs. dirty amps. I actually find I use my volume knob on my guitar more with the J8 versus when I have a PAF. With the PAF, it is more organic, but I find the volume knob does cost some power behind the sound. A rolled back JB gets that dialed back thing useful in heavier music that can only happen with a high gain amp and high output pickup. That is unique to these types of designs.
By comparison, I have not been a huge fan of the clean sounds it produces, and brings me to back to why I switched to PAFs. It can only go into high gain territory with drive pedals. For example, running Green on my Ecstasy is either clean or a singing Dumble esque thing. Both are great, but you cannot get a pushed tone.
By comparison, I have not been a huge fan of the clean sounds it produces, and brings me to back to why I switched to PAFs. It can only go into high gain territory with drive pedals. For example, running Green on my Ecstasy is either clean or a singing Dumble esque thing. Both are great, but you cannot get a pushed tone.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Oddly, the import "designed" version strikes me as being slightly smoother, or warmer. It's hard to put adjectives to subtle differences.
16k would suggest #44 wire. balanced coils as most duncan buckers are. wind? youd have to unwind one to find out. not sure how any of that really helps with mag swaps though
Less of the mid Spike and a decent clean tone. Of course you can get this with many other Duncan pups but again I love that JB coil against the middle coil for quack in number two position.
TheCanadianNews
New member
I take somewhat of a scientific approach to swaps. If you can quantify it, you can target characteristics.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Interesting. I'm also one of those for whom the regular JB isn't a thing - bit too hot and the quality of the mid is idiosyncratic. I have 'aired' other hot pups over the years and aside from lowering their output a bit, it also reins in the mid, so might be worth attempting.
But, it must be remembered that the JB had its debut in the later 70s, when amps had less gain and most were still non-mv. I should think plugging a JB loaded guitar into a non-mv Marshall would certainly balance out the qualities of such an amp (same principles behind the DiM Super D). We've got so many amps and pedals with infinite gain these days, and a JB, which remains more or less the same, won't necessarily be to everyone's taste in such a scenario.
But, it must be remembered that the JB had its debut in the later 70s, when amps had less gain and most were still non-mv. I should think plugging a JB loaded guitar into a non-mv Marshall would certainly balance out the qualities of such an amp (same principles behind the DiM Super D). We've got so many amps and pedals with infinite gain these days, and a JB, which remains more or less the same, won't necessarily be to everyone's taste in such a scenario.
