SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

Charlie Boo · Mar 22, 2014

OK Seymour Guys - please help out a brotha who is strongly considering "taking the leap" back to passives.

It's been almost 10 years since I have played passives. I currently have EMG 81/60 in 3 of my guitars and the EMG JH Set in the other. Before we go on an anti-EMG rant, I really like these pick-ups for what they are designed to do - they have been an integral part of my sound when I needed I higher output pick-up to drive the slightly lower gain amp I used to primarily use (DC-10). However - I have recently fallen in favor with Diamond Amplification - specifically the Heretic (all of their amps are freaking awesome - give them a try if you get a chance!). The Heretic has a lot more gain than the Mesa and runs a lot hotter (EL34's). The EMG's are almost overkill - specifically on the clean channel, which the EMG's break up before the gain even gets to "2". In addition, Diamond's are known for their responsiveness to pick attack and the volume knobs on a guitar. Since EMG's are so compressed, and rolling back the volume knob doesn't "clean up" the tone as well as passives, I'm thinking about jumping back to the world of Duncans so I can have more tonal versatility at my disposal and better cleans.

My 2 primary guitars right now are both Gibson Explorers. Both are solid-bodied mahogany, one with an ebony neck, and the other with rosewood. One guitar (ebony) is tuned a half-step down and the other (rosewood) a full step - both of which are frequently in "drop tuning" on the top string (C# and C). Although I have a large pedalboard, pretty much everything is bypassed 90% of the time, so it's pretty much guitar to amp.

The "Tone Wizard" suggests either the JB or the Custom for the bridge. As I stated earlier, the Heretic is a "dark" sounding amp, so I'd like a pickup with some "presence". I am leaning towards trying the Custom because the ceramic magnet may make an easier tonal transition for me, coming from EMG's. A strong attack and clarity are both very important to me (which is what originally drew me to EMG's). The only thing pulling me towards the JB is the fact that some guitar players whose tone I really like have used the JB (Adam Jones from Tool comes to mind) - but their rigs are totally different, and the Diamond already has very strong mids.

I'd appreciate advice from anyone who has played both of these and has an opinion on their key differences. Sorry for the long-winded thread-start ... I'm new here - haha. THANKS!

vinta9e · Mar 22, 2014

Re: SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

Hello and welcome aboard, Charlie.

I'd pick the Full Shred, Custom and Distortion for what you want.

surface54 · Mar 22, 2014

Re: SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

if i was going to drop down from EMGs i would go straight for the dimarzio super distortion..raw texture great for power chords and leads

dystrust · Mar 22, 2014

Re: SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

I have an Explorer, and I've used both the JB and Custom in it (the Custom is there now). In terms of brightness and midrange I found both pickups similar, the the Custom is definitely thicker. This made the JB seem more bright, and maybe a bit nasal. My Explorer has an ebony board, so maybe try the JB in your rosewood Explorer and the Custom in your ebony one. I should add that I also used to have EMGs in my Explorer (81/85), but got rid of them due to the lack of dynamic range you cited.

Steve R. · Mar 22, 2014

Re: SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

The Custom works well with Gibsons. I've used it in Flying V's and Les Pauls. JB would be a little more honky in the mids.

Myaccount876 · Mar 22, 2014

Re: SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

Because you mentioned the EMGs breaking up on the clean channel, I'm assuming you want a high output (quite a few low-output pickups work extremely well with high gain amps) pickup based on tossing the selection up between the JB and Custom. If you want a high output pickup that cleans up very well that is very responsive, strong attack/clarity, and balanced mids (for the mid-heavy amp, I'd suggest the Black Winter. Users who have experience with the Black Winter can probably attest to this.

Dahla · Mar 22, 2014

SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

Myaccount876 said:
Because you mentioned the EMGs breaking up on the clean channel, I'm assuming you want a high output (quite a few low-output pickups work extremely well with high gain amps) pickup based on tossing the selection up between the JB and Custom. If you want a high output pickup that cleans up very well that is very responsive, strong attack/clarity, and balanced mids (for the mid-heavy amp, I'd suggest the Black Winter. Users who have experience with the Black Winter can probably attest to this.

If the emg's breaks up his amp, I would not suggest the BW. Too much output.
The cleans sound nice, but they would still break up his amp. The BW's need a high headroom amp.

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elelpe · Mar 22, 2014

Re: SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

Since your amp now very gainy, very hot, dark sounding with a lot of mids, I'd say go with lower output pickups than JB and Custom such as Screamin' Demon. Demon will give you a fine amount of attack, clarity and presence.

Johnny the Kid · Mar 22, 2014

Re: SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

^To elelpe. Or use a setup like mine with a high output pickup in the bridge (where you can get a good attack and the heaviness) with a low output pickup in the neck (where you can get a good thick tone for the cleans).

I'd suggest a DD/59 combo. The Tone Wizard doesn't usually suggest a Distortion, but the only pickup more clearer than the DD is the Screamin Demon. The 59 is a great neck pickup that has a nice thick sound for cleans.

Aceman · Mar 22, 2014

Re: SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

To directly answer the question: JB

To help YOU answer the question: If you want good bass thump, are concerned about the mids, but want screaming highs, get the Custom. If you want less bass, like the mids, presence, and cut and want piercing highs, the JB might be better.

To perhaps add some alternate considerations…

I concur that you may indeed want to think about a non-high output. 59 = Custom except way less power. That might sound VERY good in there. Perhaps a PG neck/59 bridge

Also, as mentioned, a 59/Distortion is not a bad choice either. Again, the Distortion will have more kids than you want with the amp maybe.

Charlie Boo · Mar 22, 2014

Re: SH-4 JB or SH-5 Custom in Gibson Explorers

Thanks for the input, everybody ... I think no matter what I decide, I'm going to have to put the liberator in so I can easily swap out pick-ups because after watching the high gain sample video on the site, I'd like to try out about half a dozen or so - LOL. I have to believe ANY passive is going to have less output than an active EMG or Blackout, so I am open to trying anything. I'm not "unhappy" with my current set up, I just know there is "more" to be had. The Black Winter is definitely intriguing, as well as the Duncan Distortion - and after watching the video, the 59/Custom Hybrid looks promising, as well. My cousin has a Screamin Demon equipped guitar, so maybe I'll give that a try first, use it as a passive "baseline" and go from there.

Regarding the DiMarzio suggestion - I have very little experience with them, so I'd be less inclined to try them - but the D Activators definitely have me intrigued, especially after watching this demo video with John 5 playing all clean. If they sound that good and snappy clean, perhaps they could be an ideal solution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_RZhpxiyxc

El Supremo · Mar 22, 2014