Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

Marcel

Marcel

New member
I really like the JB in the axe. But i want it a bit fatter and more compressed tighter sounding pub coz I'm now playing hardcore/metal stuff.

I think of Custom, Invader, Super Distortion, Distortion, EMGs...
I played the Custom in the axe and liked it but maybe there is something better? If I remember the bass get a bit boomy...
I really liked the invader in a epi sg of my bandmate but that's totally a different guitar.
I'm not sure if I would ike the distortion... and I am not sure if the Invader would be too much?
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

i'd recommend the Parallel Axis trembucker for a good bass response, but not Invader-like + a good drive tone.
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

PATB-1. Great, great pickup....just what you described. Invader is a bit much IMO.
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

Cheaper mod is to change the Alnico 5 in the JB to a Ceramic. You get something in the direction of a Duncan Distortion depends on the thickness of the ceramic you use!
With a Alnico 8 you get something in the aera the Custom and the Distortion: a kind of Alnico Distortion light.
Its cheap and fun to do some swapping around. Look for threads on these topics.
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

I think ceramic magnets not avaible in germany...

I could test the bar magnet of the ibanez stock pubs, I think they're ceramic

PATB-1 hm no I think ceramic magnet is the right way to go ?!?
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

Hi Marcel i'm from Germany too. Thats right - no one sells them because every one has one lying around. No big deal. Last night i changed out the A5 of my JB and i want to put in a A8. Tell you guys about my JB8 next week.
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

air zone:)

it is tighter and has a better bass than the JB but both sing and have a great lead voice and the AZ has great chunk for rhythms
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

hamerfan said:
Hi Marcel i'm from Germany too. Thats right - no one sells them because every one has one lying around. No big deal. Last night i changed out the A5 of my JB and i want to put in a A8. Tell you guys about my JB8 next week.
Click to expand...
Where do you have thhe A8 from?
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

roadstar II said:
air zone:)

it is tighter and has a better bass than the JB but both sing and have a great lead voice and the AZ has great chunk for rhythms
Click to expand...
The words vintage and medium output keep me away from this...
I'm more looking for a high output humbucker with a compressed sound...
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

The Dimarzio ToneZone might just do it for you. VERY hot sounding, absolutely balls to the wall. And it sounds much better in a band setting than the Invader, which can disappear. And it's cheap! :fingersx:

Good luck. :)
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

ChileanGuy said:
The Dimarzio ToneZone might just do it for you. VERY hot sounding, absolutely balls to the wall. And it sounds much better in a band setting than the Invader, which can disappear. And it's cheap! :fingersx:

Good luck. :)
Click to expand...
Hm I thinking a ceramic bucker is just better fitting my needs...

thx so far guys, any other opinions?
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

BTW. I'm playing drop C.. and more rythm than lead at the moment. Much palm muting and single note stuff ...
 
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Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

Marcel said:
Hm I thinking a ceramic bucker is just better fitting my needs...

thx so far guys, any other opinions?
Click to expand...

If you don't mind me saying, I don't think that taking all the non-ceramic pickups away from your posibilities is the way to go. The Tonezone is a very very fat and chunky sounding pickup that gets even meanier when downtuning. Even the high E string sounds fat! Just give it a shot, it might surprise you. :beerchug:

Cheers.
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

ChileanGuy said:
If you don't mind me saying, I don't think that taking all the non-ceramic pickups away from your posibilities is the way to go. The Tonezone is a very very fat and chunky sounding pickup that gets even meanier when downtuning. Even the high E string sounds fat! Just give it a shot, it might surprise you. :beerchug:

Cheers.
Click to expand...
Do you have them in you're RG1550?
BTW my guitar is basswood body rosewood fretboard
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

No I don't. But I tested them in one of Paul Gilbert's signature Ibanez, which had a maple fretboard and a basswood body too. It sounded huge, but it was very balanced too. It adds a pair of balls to floating trem guitars, which seem to be missing most of the time... in fact, I'm torn between the JB and the Tonezone for my Ibanez. Cool pickups, but different flavors. :smokin:
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

I think the ToneZone is a very dark pickup and wouldn''t help me to get tight sound!

I have just listened to the SD clips:
JB sound s just fine
Distortion fatter but reminds me a bit too much of hard rock
Custom lowend different mids but reminds me too much f ACDC
Invader sounds fine

The invader and jb seems to have this "modern" sound
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

Tonezone dark? Yeah, that's a complain I've read here and there. IT's very focused on the mids and lows. The Tonezone and the Airzone won't do it for you, then.

The JB will probably suit you. :) It's a damn fine pickup! :fingersx:

Also... it isn't one of my favorites, but maybe the Dimarzio Evolution would do what you're after... it's chunky and anything but dark.

:smokin:
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

ChileanGuy said:
Tonezone dark? Yeah, that's a complain I've read here and there. IT's very focused on the mids and lows. The Tonezone and the Airzone won't do it for you, then.

The JB will probably suit you. :) It's a damn fine pickup! :fingersx:

Also... it isn't one of my favorites, but maybe the Dimarzio Evolution would do what you're after... it's chunky and anything but dark.

:smokin:
Click to expand...
The JB is great but too allround .. I want it more cutting edge coz I'm playing extreme metal at the moment
 
Re: Thinking of replacing the JB in my RG 550

It's no ceramic magnet in the stock pubs I think...

But I played with the pole pieces of the and it sounds even better...

Has anyone an idea how too add some low mids?
JB8, JB ceramic??
 
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