poweredbysoul
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Which one do you prefer, for tone and versatility?
Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
- Thread starter poweredbysoul
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Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
An SH5. I am not a fan of the JB. Too focused, not as versatile. I think that the SH5 allows one to do more things with the amp's tone controls. Lots of people do great things with the JB, and in the right person's hands, they are great. Just not my thing.
An SH5. I am not a fan of the JB. Too focused, not as versatile. I think that the SH5 allows one to do more things with the amp's tone controls. Lots of people do great things with the JB, and in the right person's hands, they are great. Just not my thing.
IanBallard
New member
Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
Either pickup can be EQ-shaped by different magnets. I'd say it's a win/win. Close your eyes, flip a coin and buy a variety of magnets.
Either pickup can be EQ-shaped by different magnets. I'd say it's a win/win. Close your eyes, flip a coin and buy a variety of magnets.
John E Rokker
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Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
Uoa5 jb.
Uoa5 jb.
IanBallard
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whatshisname
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Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
The JB will always be favorite, for Strats.
The JB will always be favorite, for Strats.
51501984
New member
Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
I've got a custom in an alder strat w/maple neck and it sounds great. Fat and balanced and not overly bright thru my rig, the jb was the exact opposite in the same guitar amp setup, overly bright w/no bass couldn't even eq it to get some thump out of it.That said I've had jbs in the past In different guitars and amps that sounded great and the custom sounded harsh so go figure.
I've got a custom in an alder strat w/maple neck and it sounds great. Fat and balanced and not overly bright thru my rig, the jb was the exact opposite in the same guitar amp setup, overly bright w/no bass couldn't even eq it to get some thump out of it.That said I've had jbs in the past In different guitars and amps that sounded great and the custom sounded harsh so go figure.
W
wolf5150
Guest
Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
I've found the magical combination to unlock the JB in my Strat.
250K volume pot, Fender No Load tone pot, .01 tone cap.
Absolutely wonderful tone.
I've found the magical combination to unlock the JB in my Strat.
250K volume pot, Fender No Load tone pot, .01 tone cap.
Absolutely wonderful tone.
M
malymal86
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Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
I love the jb in my squier strat!
I love the jb in my squier strat!
Barron1
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cthroatgtr
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Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
For rhythm Custom for lead the JB. If you don't have a tone control go with a 250k pot. To me the custom is shrill for leads and the JB sings. The custom has a nice scoop to it for chugging. A lot also depends on style of music and amp setup. My setup is very modern sounding so that is why the custom is shrill to my ears (and confirmed by another guitarist/friend/partner who heard the sames things as I). If it was a more vintage setup maybe the custom isn't but I heard the same thing at home with a Rebel 20 as well.
For rhythm Custom for lead the JB. If you don't have a tone control go with a 250k pot. To me the custom is shrill for leads and the JB sings. The custom has a nice scoop to it for chugging. A lot also depends on style of music and amp setup. My setup is very modern sounding so that is why the custom is shrill to my ears (and confirmed by another guitarist/friend/partner who heard the sames things as I). If it was a more vintage setup maybe the custom isn't but I heard the same thing at home with a Rebel 20 as well.
![Elessar [Sly]](/data/avatars/m/33/33526.jpg?1761046931){kind=avatar}
Elessar [Sly]
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zenmindbeginner
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Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
The Custom seems to be more forgiving of mediocre picking techniques while the JB requires some "English" on the pick to bring out the magic.
Light picking just won't cut it with the JB... that's where the harsh and honky tones can come out. The Custom doesn't sound horrible with less aggressive picking styles like the JB can.
And then there's the fact that some woods don't jive with the JB... the Custom isn't as picky about wood combinations.
If you are an aggressive picker with a crisp angled pick attack, then I'd say JB.
The Custom seems to be more forgiving of mediocre picking techniques while the JB requires some "English" on the pick to bring out the magic.
Light picking just won't cut it with the JB... that's where the harsh and honky tones can come out. The Custom doesn't sound horrible with less aggressive picking styles like the JB can.
And then there's the fact that some woods don't jive with the JB... the Custom isn't as picky about wood combinations.
If you are an aggressive picker with a crisp angled pick attack, then I'd say JB.
Elessar [Sly]
New member
Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
But... what if it is made of Ash? surely the SH5 wouldn't sound as good?
But... what if it is made of Ash? surely the SH5 wouldn't sound as good?
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Sh-5 or Jb in strat bridge?
For straight-ahead hard rock/metal tone, and not much else: JB. The pickup cuts through and stays together even at high volumes and high gain, because the bottom end stays tight. It's not the brightest pickup, but it does have a lot of clarity due to that cohesive bottom end at high volume. The 250K pots in most stock Strats will mellow it out a bit on the top end, which you may or may not like. I prefer it with 500K volume pot, personally.
For versatility: SH-5. It covers more bases, though I would say it has a less "flamboyant" personality. Brighter than the JB on the top end, but also looser on the low end. Doesn't hold together as well as the JB at high volumes/high gain. This pickup does fine with the stock 250K Strat volume pot IMO.
I'd probably make my decision based on the amount of volume and gain I was using. If using more gain, or if I used a lot of pedals for dirt, I'd go with the tighter bottom end of the JB. If not playing as distorted, more of a natural "clean crunch" tone, I'd go for the Custom.
I'd also be more tempted to go for the JB in a 2xHB guitar, and the Custom in an HSS guitar. It's nice being able to flip the switch to take a break from the JB, yet still have the humbucker sound. The Custom blends better with Strat singles IMO.
For straight-ahead hard rock/metal tone, and not much else: JB. The pickup cuts through and stays together even at high volumes and high gain, because the bottom end stays tight. It's not the brightest pickup, but it does have a lot of clarity due to that cohesive bottom end at high volume. The 250K pots in most stock Strats will mellow it out a bit on the top end, which you may or may not like. I prefer it with 500K volume pot, personally.
For versatility: SH-5. It covers more bases, though I would say it has a less "flamboyant" personality. Brighter than the JB on the top end, but also looser on the low end. Doesn't hold together as well as the JB at high volumes/high gain. This pickup does fine with the stock 250K Strat volume pot IMO.
I'd probably make my decision based on the amount of volume and gain I was using. If using more gain, or if I used a lot of pedals for dirt, I'd go with the tighter bottom end of the JB. If not playing as distorted, more of a natural "clean crunch" tone, I'd go for the Custom.
I'd also be more tempted to go for the JB in a 2xHB guitar, and the Custom in an HSS guitar. It's nice being able to flip the switch to take a break from the JB, yet still have the humbucker sound. The Custom blends better with Strat singles IMO.
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