Something to replace a JB

Re: Something to replace a JB

Maybe try recording or playing it in a band situation before changing anything? That way you hear it mixed with the 2nd guitar, drums, and the bass, which is where Megadeth and everyone else gets the heaviness in their sound.

If you change the pickup and get the crushing tone you want when playing alone, then take it into a band situation, you're going to get lost in the mix when the drums and bass kick in, and you're going to sound like a bee in a bottle.

+1
 
Re: Something to replace a JB

Hello,
I've just bought a new guitar set with passive Duncans (JB-b and Jazz-n). The guitar is a Jackson with a mapple neck through alder body with rosewood fingerboard and it has a floyd rose.

For such a bright guitar, I would recommend a DiMarzio Tone Zone or Air Zone in the bridge.
 
Re: Something to replace a JB

Alternative 8

Not "too much" treble which you're worried about, great balance between lows and highs. Get the Jazz very close to the strings, then adjust the height of the Alt8 to balance between volume and crunch. It should do the trick nicely and be responsive dynamically in the neck through, where some pickups can sound "flat".
 
Re: Something to replace a JB

:thanks:
:1:

For all those answers, most of them really help. I realised that the TB 5,11 and 14 were the same p-u (didn't know yet) with different magnet. May be not the best way to test it but the tonechart and the audio samples already gave me an idea of the role of the magnet in the p-u.

When I said not more treeble, I didn't mean "less", just not more than what I have. With what you described, I though first by testing the Distortion TB6, cause it seemed to be what I was looking for rhythm sections. But I forgot to say that I play mainly solos (and oftenly on high frets). So it's probably not what I need

Thus I didn't know either there were this one: PATB-2 Parallel Axis Distortion. I'm surprised to see that this one has indeed less treeble but a harshier sound than the JB. Seems interesting to look further.

Thus you hold a point I didn't try: put the pickup higher. That's true that the guitar came with the JB placed in a "middle position".

I'll give a try to this option first
 
Re: Something to replace a JB

You need a Distortion. It's just fine for solos.
 
Re: Something to replace a JB

Suggestion 1:
Replace the 250K Tone pot with a 500k pot. Enjoy

Suggestion 2:
Buy a 59b and an overdrive pedal. Set the overdrive so that the level is at 3:00 and the gain is at 9:00 (a good starting point). Enjoy
 
Re: Something to replace a JB

The Distortion being "fine for solos" depends on how harsh you like your leads. TB-6 definitely doesn't match up with all of what was asked for, though it definitely crunches more. Thrash it up didn't want any more treble; the TB-6 not only has more of that, but a lot more presence and ceramic bite.

The PATB-2 has a bit more treble than the JB, but also more mids and low end beef to balance it out. And with the harsh presence of the Distortion reduced just enough that it's within reach for rhythms without being difficult for leads. Definitely fits the bill for higher output and more crunch. In a bright, tight wood combo like most Jacksons, it should be a great match, without getting excessively thick.

For some samples of the Parallel Axis Distortion, check out daemon barbeque's stuff: www.myspace.com/daemonbarbeque -- recorded through a POD, but still impressive. IIRC that was in a fixed bridge mahogany guitar, so it's thicker and growlier than it'd be in yours.

The Alternative 8 is another interesting option. A bit less all out metal than the PATB-2, but still hotter than the JB. I'm much less familiar with it than the JB, Distortion, JB8 and PATB-2, though, so can't really contrast it for tone/feel.
 
Re: Something to replace a JB

Alt8 does NOT have a happy balance for lows and highs in my experience. though it seems like it should with the eq chart. the highs were flat but full imo, i had to cut out all of the low end to bring out more range for the lead tones to use and focus better. i could not find a happy rhythm and lead tone with the pickup at the time. JB8 will scream thunderous palm mute metal tones.
and i found the clean tones really good too!
 
Re: Something to replace a JB

Try an A8 magnet in your JB, and it will change it's EQ, give it more body. The JB8 is popular here with metal guys.

+1. I've got that in practically the same guitar. It helps with the clean tone, driven tone, and split tone of that pickup.
 
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