Something about the JB...

[Rex_Rocker]

Something about the JB just works for me. I almost always swap it out thinking I found something "better", only to swap it back in out of curiosity and/or nostalgia and have one of those "Aha!" moments. It's happened to me at few times now.

Well, the Suhr SSH+ is sounding incredible in my Les Paul Modern Lite, but it's a bit too lean for my Les Paul Tribute which is more attacky and more "hi-fi" rather than it being a punch in gut because all of the midrange my other LP has. So I got a new JB, took out the SSH+ off my Tribute, and swapped it in. It's just so gooooood! It's not even a "fancy" JB like the CS Long and McQuade Ant JB I had. It's just a regular production JB.

I still like the SSH+ in my Modern Lite, but I promise I'll try to keep the JB in the Tribute for as long as I can now. I just love that pickup. I don't really know exactly what it is about that just seems to work with my playing, the gear I use, how I set it up, and the tone I go for, and I haven't even adjusted anything from how I had it setup with the SSH+.

Anyone have a similar experience with the JB or another pickup?

 

[marcello252]

+1

At home I did often complain about the high end spike of the JB, so I tried a number of other HBs, as soon as I was with the band I immediately felt the urge to go back to the JB , it cuts so well in the mix that is very hard to substitute

(at the moment I'm not using HBs in my guitars, but I'm sure it will happen again in the future and the story will remain the same))

 

[xxxplorer]

If it sounds good it is good as EVH says. I find sometimes chasing over micro differences is futile and takes joy out of playing.

Even on some guitars I have that don't have my 'Ideal pickups', I tend to leave them alone now if their in a ballpark of "it works". Adjust my gain/settings and just go with it.

JB just kinda works for almost anything. I've enjoyed the Motor City Afwayu, but I don't even find that to be all that much more magical than a plain jane off the shelf JB.

About the only pickups I ever swap are if I get something with a PAF style in the bridge. I try and force myself to hear what the internet tells me I should like for a bit lol... then swap it for something with more muscle as that is what I like.

 

[Coryd]

The JB just works! It is pretty much my fav pickup of all time. I have it in a Jim root Tele and it sounds great! I did recently stray a bit and got a Thrashfactor set. The TF is really nice too! A bit more tame in the lows than a JB but very similar. I keep thinking I need to try other pickups but I’m finding myself just sticking to the JB lately and being happy.

 

[Jermo3178]

I venture out from time to time and try something new... I want to like something new... but in the guitars I use in the band I always go back to the JB.

 

[Mincer]

The JB is a legend for a reason. It doesn't work if you are gonna play jazz, but for anyone using any measure of gain, it is about the perfect pickup for that.

 

[Chistopher]

I don't know man. Some days I like the JB on It's own some days I don't. Somedays I like it in a band, some days I don't

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

So I recorded this quick clip with the SSH+ and the JB. The JB is second. Honestly, I find it fits my playing and the tone I go for better. It sounds so much more aggressive and focused. I still like the SSH+, but I feel like the JB is more "me".

 

[Rex_Rocker]

About the only pickups I ever swap are if I get something with a PAF style in the bridge. I try and force myself to hear what the internet tells me I should like for a bit lol... then swap it for something with more muscle as that is what I like.

Yeah, been there, done that. I like the Duncan '59 in the bridge for what it is... but yeah, I usually end up preferring "something with more muscle", as you put it.

 

[Coryd]

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

So I recorded this quick clip with the SSH+ and the JB. The JB is second. Honestly, I find it fits my playing and the tone I go for better. It sounds so much more aggressive and focused. I still like the SSH+, but I feel like the JB is more "me".

Yeah they both sound good man!
What amp?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah they both sound good man!
What amp?

Thank you! It's the 5150III model in my HX Stomp.

 

[AdrianSD]

JB fan here, especially JB8! However: just installed the stock ceramic Custom in my Charvel and boy, immediate chug fest right there! It was that "Ah, that tone!" immediate reaction that I had. Meaner than the Distortion or the BW for some reason, biting and super aggressive, it's something about this combination that makes it sound so special.
Check Keith Merrow's expression around 4min mark in this video, that's exactly how I feel when riffing on this guitar now

 

[Rex_Rocker]

JB fan here, especially JB8! However: just installed the stock ceramic Custom in my Charvel and boy, immediate chug fest right there! It was that "Ah, that tone!" immediate reaction that I had. Meaner than the Distortion or the BW for some reason, biting and super aggressive, it's something about this combination that makes it sound so special.
Check Keith Merrow's expression around 4min mark in this video, that's exactly how I feel when riffing on this guitar now

I like the Custom too! I just don't love it as much as the JB. I had one a few months ago, and I kept moving it within my guitars. I really liked the open detailed top end that could get nice and aggressive if you needed to. That was the standout for me. I didn't mind the scoopy mids. I just found the low-end a bit problematic through my setup and/or for my playing. A bit thuddy. I tried a swapping couple of magnets (A5 and oversized Ceramic), but I liked the stock Ceramic a lot better.

 

[Masta' C]

Custom is the one wind in SD's arsenal that could probably suit EVERY player reasonably well with a simple magnet swap.

How cool would it be if SD designed a "quick change" magnet system and sold the Custom "coil pack" as a set along with a selection of bar mags ranging from A3, A4, and degaussed A2 all the way to A8 and Ceramic? Charge $129 for the kit and assure everyone that they will find a tone they like!

 

[Mincer]

Custom is the one wind in SD's arsenal that could probably suit EVERY player reasonably well with a simple magnet swap.

How cool would it be if SD designed a "quick change" magnet system and sold the Custom "coil pack" as a set along with a selection of bar mags ranging from A3, A4, and degaussed A2 all the way to A8 and Ceramic? Charge $129 for the kit and assure everyone that they will find a tone they like!

You'd most likely have to re-design how a pickup is built so people could have quick access to the magnet. And only the coils would be potted. It might be possible but business-wise, it makes more sense for people to buy several pickups instead.