Pickup suggestions needed for my Mahogany tele with humbuckers
- Thread starter Coryd
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Some of the stuff sounds Deftones-y. I know Steph used a JB at some point.
JB could pull it off just fine.
JB could pull it off just fine.
Coryd
New member
Some of the stuff sounds Deftones-y. I know Steph used a JB at some point.
JB could pull it off just fine.
one of my fav albums too!!!!
Ascension
New member
I still thing the tightness clairity and mid character of the Al8 would work better for that stuff than ether the JB or the Distortion. the JB IMO in particular isn't tight enough for that stuff in the bottom and lacks articulation, the Distortion is tight but also can me a little thin and harsh. The Alt 8 is tight and super articulate but also has a warmth that the Distortion lacks. Add that it's mid punch is IMO spot on what I'm hearing in most of those tracks.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Don't mean to disagree with previous statements. I fully understand that "tightness" can be a very subjective thing to discuss. And I understand "tightness" most certainly can be related to the "feel" of a pickup.
But the way *I* have always described "tightness" in a pickup as "objectically" as I can (and I say "objectically" because I admit there is always room for interpretation and/or debate) is the same way you get an idea of how an amp's "tightness" works. If an amp has some low-end filtering going on at the input stage, pre-distortion, the amp reacts faster to palm-mutes and low notes, thus "feeling tighter". An unboosted Recto, for example, has very little filtering in the input stage compared to a 5150III. It doesn't help that a Recto's preamp is voiced super bassy either, but you can also get a 5150III to sound pretty much as big as a Recto in the bass with the Depth control, yet it will always come off as tighter because of the filtering that's going on pre-distortion.
I personally judge a pickup's tightness the same way. A pickup's EQ curve is always pre-distortion.
To me, while a JB is a fat-soundingn pickup, especially in the mids, its low-end is not really deep or resonant. A JB to me can be stuffy-sounding in the low-mids. Especially if you're used to actives. I guess that's what some people describe as "loose". But to me, a JB is not a bassy pickup. Hence, I don't find it particularly loose, personally. Stuffy, yes. Loose... nah. Not to me.
That's exactly why I cannot understand how people would feel the Custom 5, the Blackout AHB-1, or the X2N are tight pickups, when those are the bassiest, boomiest pickups I've tried. And to me, no passive pickup can ever be as tight as an EMG 81 because passive pickups simply do not have the HUGE low-end rolloff of a traditional EMG pickup.
JMO.
But the way *I* have always described "tightness" in a pickup as "objectically" as I can (and I say "objectically" because I admit there is always room for interpretation and/or debate) is the same way you get an idea of how an amp's "tightness" works. If an amp has some low-end filtering going on at the input stage, pre-distortion, the amp reacts faster to palm-mutes and low notes, thus "feeling tighter". An unboosted Recto, for example, has very little filtering in the input stage compared to a 5150III. It doesn't help that a Recto's preamp is voiced super bassy either, but you can also get a 5150III to sound pretty much as big as a Recto in the bass with the Depth control, yet it will always come off as tighter because of the filtering that's going on pre-distortion.
I personally judge a pickup's tightness the same way. A pickup's EQ curve is always pre-distortion.
To me, while a JB is a fat-soundingn pickup, especially in the mids, its low-end is not really deep or resonant. A JB to me can be stuffy-sounding in the low-mids. Especially if you're used to actives. I guess that's what some people describe as "loose". But to me, a JB is not a bassy pickup. Hence, I don't find it particularly loose, personally. Stuffy, yes. Loose... nah. Not to me.
That's exactly why I cannot understand how people would feel the Custom 5, the Blackout AHB-1, or the X2N are tight pickups, when those are the bassiest, boomiest pickups I've tried. And to me, no passive pickup can ever be as tight as an EMG 81 because passive pickups simply do not have the HUGE low-end rolloff of a traditional EMG pickup.
JMO.
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Coryd
New member
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think I am still torn at the moment between the JB and Distortion still. I was looking at the sticky thread in this forum with the outputs for each pickup. If I'm reading it correct below is the JB and Distortion outputs. I checked out the Alt 8, but I think I'd rather go with the JB or Distortion.
TB-4 JB Trembucker 737
TB-6 Duncan Distortion Trmbkr 792
If these are correct it looks like the Distortion isn't too much more than the JB. I think I'm still leaning towards the JB at the moment, but that may change. I only have the PRS Holcomb that has a ceramic pickup in it and I'm not sure that guitar is for me, so I may be parting with that at some point. I'm more of a Fender guy than PRS I think. That being said I'm thinking of keeping at least one ceramic pickup guitar in my stable, so I may settle on the Distortion.
This video has me wondering.
TB-4 JB Trembucker 737
TB-6 Duncan Distortion Trmbkr 792
If these are correct it looks like the Distortion isn't too much more than the JB. I think I'm still leaning towards the JB at the moment, but that may change. I only have the PRS Holcomb that has a ceramic pickup in it and I'm not sure that guitar is for me, so I may be parting with that at some point. I'm more of a Fender guy than PRS I think. That being said I'm thinking of keeping at least one ceramic pickup guitar in my stable, so I may settle on the Distortion.
This video has me wondering.
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
While I do admit those output measurings serve as sort of a guideline, I think those were somewhat off for some pickups. No way the Distortion is hotter than the BW, for example. No way. And I say that from first-hand experience.
Also, the reading for the FS Neck is way off, IMO.
But yeah, if you don't mind the added output or the Ceramic magnet, the Distortion is less stuffy and more modern than the JB. Honestly, the Distortion is a deceptively modern-sounding pickup despite it being tover fourty years old.
Also, the reading for the FS Neck is way off, IMO.
But yeah, if you don't mind the added output or the Ceramic magnet, the Distortion is less stuffy and more modern than the JB. Honestly, the Distortion is a deceptively modern-sounding pickup despite it being tover fourty years old.
Coryd
New member
Alright guys I’m trying to stay with some classic options and this is last option to throw out but anyone have experience with the Super Distortion? Is it a worthy option? I’ve heard a few comparisons with it and the JB and it seems to be maybe a bit warmer even though it has a ceramic mag. Again I just want to make the right choice and all input is really greatly appreciated!
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
The Super D is pretty cool. Kinda fat and yeah, not as upper-middy as the JB.
But hotter than the JB, IME. Not as hot as the Distortion, but hotter than the JB.
Bassier and dirtier too.
I wouldn't say it's *warmer* myself. It's not as cutting/bitey, but it has some ceramic rasp up top.
But to be completely honest, it's been AGES since I had one. It was the first pickup swap I ever did. I wouldn't venture to say it's either darker or brighter than the JB. But it is raspy, fat, and HOT.
But hotter than the JB, IME. Not as hot as the Distortion, but hotter than the JB.
Bassier and dirtier too.
I wouldn't say it's *warmer* myself. It's not as cutting/bitey, but it has some ceramic rasp up top.
But to be completely honest, it's been AGES since I had one. It was the first pickup swap I ever did. I wouldn't venture to say it's either darker or brighter than the JB. But it is raspy, fat, and HOT.
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Coryd
New member
Just wanted to say a big thank you for all the suggestions! I’ve just now had a chance to get these pick ups installed and so far I am loving them! The JB is a bit loose in the low end, but I’m just eq’ if a bit differently to compensate. I’ll try to get some thing recorded soon to share but again big thank you to you guys for the suggestions!
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
That looks killer with the black covers!
Ascension
New member
2 sets I have good luck with in mahogany are.
The Saturday night special set. Would recommend the full set as the A4 mag gives them a rater unique attack and feel. Super versatile set up that can pull off a lot of different styles. Nails those classic rock tones very well. Fantastic cleans. Also is very defined and articulate at high gain. The SNS set is one of my favorites from Duncan.
ALT 8 bridge with a Sentient neck. Surprisingly versatile set that with both split can pull off a shockingly good clean country lead tone. Explosive solo tones that really sing and cut trough. Both are very responsive to touch and expressive through a good real tube high gain amp. IMO this is what the JB Jazz set promised to be but never was. Have run this combo in 2 guitars so far and really liked it.
The Saturday night special set. Would recommend the full set as the A4 mag gives them a rater unique attack and feel. Super versatile set up that can pull off a lot of different styles. Nails those classic rock tones very well. Fantastic cleans. Also is very defined and articulate at high gain. The SNS set is one of my favorites from Duncan.
ALT 8 bridge with a Sentient neck. Surprisingly versatile set that with both split can pull off a shockingly good clean country lead tone. Explosive solo tones that really sing and cut trough. Both are very responsive to touch and expressive through a good real tube high gain amp. IMO this is what the JB Jazz set promised to be but never was. Have run this combo in 2 guitars so far and really liked it.
Ascension
New member
A Alt 8 will tighten than bottom a lot and is also a lot more lively harmonically. Many including myself have called the Al8 a JB on steroids. Also a A 8 mag swap in the JB will tighten that bottom and also knock out that nasal mid honk it has.
Coryd
New member
I may still give the Alt 8 a try. I've been watching some videos on the Alt 8 recently, and it does seem like a great pickup. Currently, I don't have any other guitars to put pickups in, but I'm thinking of getting a cheap baritone soon, so maybe I'll try it in that guitar. The band I'm writing and recording with at the moment mainly plays in drop B and I'm the bass player, but write a lot on guitar as well.
At the moment I am loving the JB in drop B tuning.
