Question on the JB

[Pestilent Sleep]

I've been eyeballing the ESP LTD ec1000 in amber sunburst for a long time, but one thing that kept me away from the guitar is that, for some reason, it has a JB/59 set instead of the standard 81/85 like the rest of the guitars. I've never gotten to try that exact guitar out, nor the JB pickup.

I like the 81, it does what I need well enough, but I'm not in love with it. I'm wondering what the JB sounds like when compared to it? The gear I'd use the guitar with is in my sig.

 

[marcello252]

Re: Question on the JB

A lot of people here complains about the sound of JB on a mahogany body and you rig seems a bit bright sounding too.
Maybe you can just live with the JB swapping the magnet for an A2
Don't expect however the 'wide range' sound of an active pickup, although to my ears passives ALWAYS sounds better than actives.

 

[dlc1953]

Re: Question on the JB

Having just done a JB 2 swap,I can say the 2 gives it a much more rich tone versus cutting trebly tone of the A5.

 

[Pestilent Sleep]

Re: Question on the JB

A lot of people here complains about the sound of JB on a mahogany body and you rig seems a bit bright sounding too.
Maybe you can just live with the JB swapping the magnet for an A2
Don't expect however the 'wide range' sound of an active pickup, although to my ears passives ALWAYS sounds better than actives.

That's what I was afraid of. I'm more a fan of passives as well, but you're right, my rig is fairly bright and I'm trying to actually cut that back. Maybe I'll take a chance and just try cutting back on the highs on my 6505, and if that doesn't work, I'll just take the 81 out of my other guitar. Anyways, thanks for the input guys!

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Question on the JB

The Jb is NOT a bright pickup. Does it have a prominent high-mid spike? Yes, but it's not bright. As far as how it differs from the 81, it's going to be quite a bit looser in the lows than the 81, the 81 has a flatter mid response, and has a more expanded high end than the JB. It's also quite a bit harder hitting than the JB, at least through my rig and to my ears.

 

[wolf5150]

Re: Question on the JB

just swap the volume pot for a 250k . I've done that and it's really perfected the eq curve of the JB.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Question on the JB

My brother's H-400 (mahogany-maple top/maple/rosewood - set through) had the JB/59 set in. The sound reminded me of John Sykes in 1987 Whitesnake album. It was solid. The 81 is tighter clearer and all those stuff, but not as solid sounding.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Question on the JB

You should try the Mustaine Livewire bridge, It's supposed to be like an active JB.