NPD - The JB 8!

RockWithMark

RockWithMark

New member
Hey guys,

I guess it's new pickup day for me! (kind of, lol).
Rick (Blueman335) has been kind enough to send me some magnets for free, so I could finally convert my regular JB to a JB 8.
So I gave my Guitar Guru a visit here at the local guitar shop this week, asking if he could do the conversion and waxpotting for me.
I could have done the conversion myself, but I don't have any knowledge of waxpotting and wiring and so on.
So, he did the conversion and waxpotting yesterday after his work, and put the ''new'' pickup in my guitar today. So I went to ''pick it up'' (pun intended!) later this day.

First impression of the JB 8:

- Much warmer/fuller/thicker sound without being muddy at all.
- Very defined and articulate tone, with lots of sustain (very fluid).
- It still kept that lovely scream it does, with a really nice added midrange growl. (You can definitely tell it has masses more mids).
- It sounds surprisingly open, for a pickup this hot, good note to note separation.
- The ''icepick'' highs, are much less present, but it still has plenty of cut.
- The low end tightness really surprised me. Where the original JB was kind of gravely and loose at the bottom, the JB 8 doesn't sound gravely or loose at all, it has this really nice thumpy, but tight as hell bottom end.

I know it sounds this way in my guitar ofcourse, it could sound somewhat different in other peoples' guitars.
But I can most definitely say, that the JB 8 is a very different pickup compared to the original.
I need to do some more testing though, to make a full review.

For now, I'm really digging the JB 8. Hope this review helps other people as well!

*Guitar used: Mayones Setius GTM6*

Kind regards,

Mark
 
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Re: NPD - The JB 8!

You definitely should try it! It's a much much better pickup than the original.
Maybe you could contact Rick, if you'd like? His name is Blueman335 here on the forum. Very polite and helpful guy! (I think you may have heard about him already though).
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

i love the JB8.

It sounds like a Super Distortion, with more screamy harmonics, more cut, and a more open, uncompressed sound. Really roars in a strat.
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

Blueman is a really nice guy in this forum. He's always ready to help and have a really important role around here. He helped a lot of players to find their tones here and we all should be really thankful, at least I am.

I'm glad you're digging your new pickup, but beware. Mag swapping is really addicting and can turn you into a very indecise person. =P
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

Glad to hear it works for you, Mark. Stock JB's are often a 'love it-hate it' kind of thing, and sound like a very different PU with a mag swap. I was surprised at how good the JB2 sounds for classic rock and blues. Haven't tried a JB8 myself, but CTN's term 'roars' fits in with what other guys here have said about it. Nothing timid about it.

Now, we're going to have to teach you how to swap magnets, Mark...
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

blueman335 said:
Glad to hear it works for you, Mark. Stock JB's are often a 'love it-hate it' kind of thing, and sound like a very different PU with a mag swap. I was surprised at how good the JB2 sounds for classic rock and blues. Haven't tried a JB8 myself, but CTN's term 'roars' fits in with what other guys here have said about it. Nothing timid about it.

Now, we're going to have to teach you how to swap magnets, Mark...
Click to expand...

so if one is indifferent or neutral about the JB due to never having owned one but played here and there, the 8 would be a definitive decision?
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

alteredbeast said:
so if one is indifferent or neutral about the JB due to never having owned one but played here and there, the 8 would be a definitive decision?
Click to expand...

If you want a hard-hitting PU that 'roars', yes. Great for hard rock and metal. If you're into classic rock and blues, an A2 or UOA5 would 'civilize' it for decent company. A3's and A4's would also be options for a tamer JB.
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

blueman335 said:
Glad to hear it works for you, Mark. Stock JB's are often a 'love it-hate it' kind of thing, and sound like a very different PU with a mag swap. I was surprised at how good the JB2 sounds for classic rock and blues. Haven't tried a JB8 myself, but CTN's term 'roars' fits in with what other guys here have said about it. Nothing timid about it.

Now, we're going to have to teach you how to swap magnets, Mark...
Click to expand...
Yeah I am really really happy with it, I know the JB is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of pickup, but to be honest, I can recommend this pickup to anyone wanting a heavy/big tone. It's got all the good qualities of the JB, and none of the bad stuff. I really like that roaring midrange, it just tears your face off! Also the top-end has really improved. No more Mr. Icepick!

Now, I have to learn how to swap mags indeed, and maybe even some coil swaps as well, to make hybrid babies ;p
 
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Re: NPD - The JB 8!

Yeh, it surprised me too when he told me of his passions for the eight legged critters and poisonous snakes.

An interesting guy that Blueman. Deeper than you might think.

We all need to share a little love for our friends on this forum now and then, and Rick has been such to all of us.
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

Spiders creep me out quite a bit ;P I LOVE reptilians though! We've had 2 frill-necked lizards (Chlamydosaurus Kingii) and some ''beardies'' (Bearded Dragons). And I'm always petting the snakes, iguana's and varanids at a friends house. (YES they are cute!)

On topic (sorta):

Hehehe, I'm too much of a ''fresh face'' on this forum though to form a solid opinion yet :P
What I do know is that Rick helped me out big time. As well as some other forum members ofcourse!
I really love to hang around here, very relaxed and friendly community, and there are lots of interesting reads and diy tips.
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

I love JB's where they work. A place it didn't was in my Silverburst Caddy. The JB8, however, is likely a keeper.

Sidebar - as with many JB's, maybe not loved by the bedroom crowd. Got a number of tonal compliments on the Stock JB when playing it out.
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

The Blueman is indeed a major benefit to the forum and cool guy overall. He is somewhat opinionated on certain matters,,,particularly regarding the use of the A2 mag. Also, not really a screaming metal dude. But we all have our pros/cons. You get to know them pretty quick.
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

Aceman said:
I love JB's where they work. A place it didn't was in my Silverburst Caddy. The JB8, however, is likely a keeper.

Sidebar - as with many JB's, maybe not loved by the bedroom crowd. Got a number of tonal compliments on the Stock JB when playing it out.
Click to expand...

The JB has excellent cut, so I can imagine in a live setting that it works really well. It does well here in the mix as well! Now that I've got a JB 8 I couldn't be more happy. Still has plenty of cut, but now I can get the desired tone I want :P
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

Aceman said:
Sidebar - as with many JB's, maybe not loved by the bedroom crowd.
Click to expand...

'Bedroom crowd' as in the guys who get the hot chicks?

Remember Ace baby, Blueman's current favorite PAF's are Seth's, and I'm a big fan of BB's and A2P's, and really like Epi's Probuckers. My initial disappointment with A2's was due to Gibson: '57 Classics and 490's. After I got back on the horse, I found out what A2's have to offer with the right wind. I'm a convert.

There's a fine line between 'opinionated' and 'passionate.'
 
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Re: NPD - The JB 8!

RockWithMark said:
Spiders creep me out quite a bit ;P I LOVE reptilians though! We've had 2 frill-necked lizards (Chlamydosaurus Kingii) and some ''beardies'' (Bearded Dragons). And I'm always petting the snakes, iguana's and varanids at a friends house. (YES they are cute!).
Click to expand...

(drifting off topic again) I'm a lifelong reptile lover too. Had a collection of cobras for years, 150 of them at my peak, representing about 25 species/subspecies.
 
Re: NPD - The JB 8!

blueman335 said:
(drifting off topic again) I'm a lifelong reptile lover too. Had a collection of cobras for years, 150 of them at my peak, representing about 25 species/subspecies.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's absolutely amazing man! I love cobras! Especially King Cobra's. I also have a weakness for Vipers as well, magnificent animals! Although these species discussed are highly toxic, I still think, that snakes and other reptilians are highly underrated creatures.
 
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