Replacing a JB with something new

[Narcosynthesis]

Hello,
I am wanting to replace a JB humbucker I have in one of my guitars, mostly because I just don't really like the sound of it, compared to my other main guitar, it just sounds a bit muddy and muffled and bleh
This is in a basswood tele with a maple neck btw

The problem is what to replace it with, I want to keep a decent output, but the pickups I like the sound of (from the descriptions on the sd site at least)(like the pearly gates or seth lover) seem to be low output pickups, which I think may be dropping the output a bit too much for what I would ideally have
I guess I would like something classic sounding, a great rock roar, which the older style pickups seem to have

Any ideas what would be a good replacement? I saw the thread on the 10k paf which was just ordered and it looks like it could be perfect, too late to get onboard now though and it cost a bit much for me anyway, so are there any other options I might like?

David

 

[Martian]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

Try the Custom. Remember, you can always exchange it within 21 days if you don't like it.

 

[Narcosynthesis]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

Try the Custom. Remember, you can always exchange it within 21 days if you don't like it.

I must have forgotten to say, I am putting a custom in my other main guitar soon, so just to confuse matters further, I want something slightly different from that...

when you say 21 days return, wheres that from? I am in the uk so buying from the US would probably take close to that long shipping...

anyone able to help withthat?

David

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

I think the CC has a similar vibe only spongier and darker. If you like screamin' mids and want a change from the JB, look into the Custom Custom

 

[sac]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

I would check your wiring and solder joints. The JB aint muddy or blah. It should have great clarity and scream like a banshee!!!

 

[Dying Flesh]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

I would check your wiring and solder joints. The JB aint muddy or blah. It should have great clarity and scream like a banshee!!!

I agree, the JB never sounded "muddy and muffled".
The JB is always too shrill and bright for me.

 

[Maverick018]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

I agree, the JB never sounded "muddy and muffled".
The JB is always too shrill and bright for me.

In my ears in sounds darker than a Custom and a DD?!

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

when you say 21 days return, wheres that from? I am in the uk so buying from the US would probably take close to that long shipping...

I think this policy applies to all official SD dealers around the world... but I'm not sure... anyone here who knows better?

 

[Narcosynthesis]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

I would check your wiring and solder joints. The JB aint muddy or blah. It should have great clarity and scream like a banshee!!!

I did wander if it was the guitar, but I compared it to a friends guitar (basswood body, but a rosewood fretboard) and while there were a few subtle differences, it was very similar

thinking about it, it may be because it has the wrong pots, the origonal owner of the guitar replaced a bridge singlecoil with it, so it will probably still have 250k pots, which could influence it a bit...

I think just the sheer output of it may have something to do with it (running into a JCM2000 DSL401)

David

 

[Soulman]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

I did wander if it was the guitar, but I compared it to a friends guitar (basswood body, but a rosewood fretboard) and while there were a few subtle differences, it was very similar

thinking about it, it may be because it has the wrong pots, the origonal owner of the guitar replaced a bridge singlecoil with it, so it will probably still have 250k pots, which could influence it a bit...

I think just the sheer output of it may have something to do with it (running into a JCM2000 DSL401)

David

Change the pot to 500k. That's your problem. You'll have it with any bucker if you keep the 250K pot.

I happen to like the way a JB sounds witha 250K pot...but that's just me.

 

[Narcosynthesis]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

Change the pot to 500k. That's your problem. You'll have it with any bucker if you keep the 250K pot.

I happen to like the way a JB sounds witha 250K pot...but that's just me.

I will be ordering new pots and switches for the other guitar I am rewiring, I will have to order all the extra bits for the tele too and redo it properly too (I have been meaning to get round to rewiring it anyway)

The volume control also covers the singlecoil in the neck, so will 500k be ok for that too?

David

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

I think this policy applies to all official SD dealers around the world... but I'm not sure... anyone here who knows better?

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/faqdescr.shtml#exchange

Seymour Duncan / Basslines offers our 21 Day Real World Exchange Policy on all new pickups purchased in the U.S. and some other participating countries, which states the following:
If for any reason you're not satisfied with the pickup's sound or construction, return it and your receipt to your dealer, or direct to the factory within 21 days for exchange with another pickups of equal or lesser value.
If you want to exchange the pickups directly with us, please call 805-964-9610 between 8-5 Monday-Friday (Pacific Time) to receive a Return Authorization (R.A.) number.

In other words, check with your dealer first to make sure they honor the policy. Many outside the US don´t (some < All )

 

[Soulman]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

I will be ordering new pots and switches for the other guitar I am rewiring, I will have to order all the extra bits for the tele too and redo it properly too (I have been meaning to get round to rewiring it anyway)

The volume control also covers the singlecoil in the neck, so will 500k be ok for that too?

David

No...it's a trade off. The single coils will sound very trebly.

The only way to get around it is a circuit Tom Anderson and Suhr use on their HSS guitars. Anderson calls it "vintage voicing".: private:

 

[Leather Rebel]

Re: Replacing a JB with something new

Hello,
I am wanting to replace a JB humbucker I have in one of my guitars, mostly because I just don't really like the sound of it, compared to my other main guitar, it just sounds a bit muddy and muffled and bleh
This is in a basswood tele with a maple neck btw

The problem is what to replace it with, I want to keep a decent output, but the pickups I like the sound of (from the descriptions on the sd site at least)(like the pearly gates or seth lover) seem to be low output pickups, which I think may be dropping the output a bit too much for what I would ideally have
I guess I would like something classic sounding, a great rock roar, which the older style pickups seem to have

Any ideas what would be a good replacement? I saw the thread on the 10k paf which was just ordered and it looks like it could be perfect, too late to get onboard now though and it cost a bit much for me anyway, so are there any other options I might like?

David

I had a JB Trembucker in my Ibanez RG550 (basswood body, maple neck/fretboard) and the bass lacked the clarity I wanted. I'm not saying that is was totally muddy, but it didn't have a tight "chug" like I wanted. I did not find it to be "muffled" or "bleh". I replaced it with Screamin' Demon Trembucker and this was much better. It is also in that 10k range you were interested in. I still prefer the mids of the JB over the SD hands-down, but I couldn't deal with the lack of clarity on the low end. It may be possible to adjust JB's height to improve that situation. Good luck! :bigeyes: