PATB-2 or JB

R

r65150

New member
I need a new bridge pickup for my 1989 Charvel with a hot rails in the neck and was thinking one of these two. The Demon doesn't have enough output.

I play mostly 80's cock rock. I want a pickup that sings and is nice and aggressive for solos with lots of harmonics, but can also do rhythms and grind on the lower strings.

What do you guys think?
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

PATB 2. The JB is basically (IMO) only good for solos. The low end is flabby on Rhythm work and the midrange can be nasty in certain woods.
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

I 2nd the PATB-2 - I've owned one myself and they are fantastic. Tone, tone, tone. Although it's a ceramic mag pu, it sings without the highs becoming harsh. SD did a great job designing this one.
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

I've Had PATB1, PATB2 and JB in the bridge with a Hot Rails in the neck in a couple guitars. They were all pretty good, but the PATB1 was the best in on guitar and the JB was the best in another. JB's are so easy to find used, you might as well try one out, but if I was a betting man, I'd bet on the PATB1 (it's the best all-rounder IMO).

-Austin
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

I also (though not intentionally) had a PATB-1n in the bridge of my current guitar for a while. Though it was not what I wanted, it still sounded really good! ;) Great low end definition, highs never harsh, very organic and toneful...
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

PATB-2. Just installed one, first time I've ever used one. WOW. You will like it. It's sort of like taking everything good about the JB and Distortion, leaving behind the bad, and stuffing it into one pickup.
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

So not a lot of love for the JB huh? I always thought everybody raved about it.

On another note, is the PATB-2 bright enough? I don't like warm tones and want something very aggressive. I'll probably shy away from the PATB-1 simply cause it's only moderate output. I like my pickups hot so they sing.

Just checking.

Sam
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

I'm a big fan of the PATB pickups, but in a JB loaded superstrat into a hot Marshall IS 80's cock rock. That (along with women's clothes) is what all those guys used. Why fight it?
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

blueman335 said:
Anything but a JB.
Click to expand...

It seems like you just stop into a thread once in awhile for the sole purpose of criticizing Fenders as wimp guitars, JB's as having "dentist drill" tone*, A2 magnets as being "lifeless", or ceramic magnets as being "sterile" and the worst type of magnet.

Why should people take you seriously, when you don't appreciate or respect any other tones than your own? And when you always steer newcomers towards your small set of preferred PAF-ish Alnico 5 pickups?

* Ridiculous, if you've ever tried one in a maple super strat with 250k pots.
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

r65150 said:
So not a lot of love for the JB huh? I always thought everybody raved about it.

On another note, is the PATB-2 bright enough? I don't like warm tones and want something very aggressive. I'll probably shy away from the PATB-1 simply cause it's only moderate output. I like my pickups hot so they sing.

Just checking.

Sam
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like you'd be more interested in a regular Distortion or Custom. All of the PATB pickups I've tried have a warmer quality to them. I haven't tried the crazy 8, but it's a custom shop pickup.
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

hanumanlangur said:
It seems like you just stop into a thread once in awhile for the sole purpose of criticizing Fenders as wimp guitars, JB's as having "dentist drill" tone*, A2 magnets as being "lifeless", or ceramic magnets as being "sterile" and the worst type of magnet.

Why should people take you seriously, when you don't appreciate or respect any other tones than your own? And when you always steer newcomers towards your small set of preferred PAF-ish Alnico 5 pickups?

* Ridiculous, if you've ever tried one in a maple super strat with 250k pots.
Click to expand...

I think that was directed at bluesman. But I openly admit that I knock the JB every time it comes up. I do agree that it sounds awesome in an all maple body, but I highly doubt this guys 89 charvel is made of maple. Probably alder or ash.
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

r65150 said:
I don't like warm tones and want something very aggressive. I'll probably shy away from the PATB-1 simply cause it's only moderate output. I like my pickups hot so they sing.

Just checking.

Sam
Click to expand...


The PATB-1 is hotter than the specs imply...its a f'en harmonic monster. Sounds like you need a EMG 81
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

The PA design is a superior design. Pick the model for the tone you desire and it will give you exactly what you want. I would use only PA pickups if there were more models. Parallel Axis P 90, anyone??
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

I've never used the neck Hot Rails, but I have used the bridge model, and the PATB1 is not as hot as the bridge HR. It cooks with a lot of gain though. Patb1 or 2 would rock for you, but the PATB1 *may* be a better choice because you can always toss a ceramic mag in, like what Daemon Barbeque did with what he says are spectacular results... I've never heard of anyone putting an A5 in a PATB2. But the PATB1 DEFINITELY sounds like 80s metal to me, its tight and articulate, has a vocal solo tone but throws it down for rhythm and palm mutes. With an EQ pedal somewhere in your chain you can tweak it exactly how you want. Very responsive and present, aggressive, sounds hotter than it really is - but either a PATB1 or 2 would be awesome for you.
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

r65150 said:
On another note, is the PATB-2 bright enough? I don't like warm tones and want something very aggressive. I'll probably shy away from the PATB-1 simply cause it's only moderate output. I like my pickups hot so they sing.

Just checking.

Sam
Click to expand...



I've had a PATB-2 myself, and I can vouch that it definitely will sing for you. It's also a ceramic mag pu, which *only generally speaking* enhances highs, but the PATB-2 does it better than average - the highs aren't shrill with this one, IME. Also, bear in mind the PATB-1 can be adjusted closer to the strings to a degree to fine tune the output. I have learned the hard way myself to not only look at so-called "high output" pickups...
 
Re: PATB-2 or JB

9finger said:
Sounds to me like you'd be more interested in a regular Distortion or Custom. All of the PATB pickups I've tried have a warmer quality to them. I haven't tried the crazy 8, but it's a custom shop pickup.
Click to expand...



I just got a Crazy 8 in the mail this morning, can't wait to get outta work and get it installed tonight! I'll give some 1st impressions after I've had some time to play with it for a while...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
HSS, matching coil-split JB levels?
Replies
14
Views
118
Jermo3178
Jermo3178
M
Screaming Demon vs JB?
2 3
Replies
55
Views
1K
maug2122
maug2122
D
Antiquity vs Concept - which JB variant for a little less flub but same character?
Replies
11
Views
208
ToneFiddler
ToneFiddler
C
Competitors for JB?
2
Replies
21
Views
471
GuitarStv
GuitarStv
weepingminotaur
JB in my Les Paul is the bomb
Replies
16
Views
286
Rex_Rocker
Rex_Rocker
Back
Top