Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

[benjaminc]

Well JB's seem too bright for me or something don't know how to say really but It's just missing something by the way I'm a lead guitar player! I have an ESP guiatar and ehm I would describe JB's (bridge) the lead sound similar like the sound I'd get if I'd play really close to the bridge on the classical guitar instead of somewhere in the middle. So That's what I'm somewhat missing on the JB's. I have a Marshall DSL40C tried everything and just doesn't seem good. I mostly play things like A7X or Slash however I'm feeling at the moment so that's who I like the best now I would like a magnet with treble gain but with a great tone for leads! People say that JB is the one but can't seem to like it. Any recommendations, was thinking about custom. Please help me! This is harder than choosing what house you'll buy! :crazy:

P.S. I'm happy with my neck Jazz pickup.

 

[gsammo79]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Welcome to the forum, Benjaminc

I had a JB in a Les Paul of mine years ago, and I liked it better than the stock 'pups, but wasn't blown away by it. Honestly, I would say the Custom is a great replacement. You can always return it if it doesn't quite suit you. Another one you should consider is the Jason Becker Perpetual Burn humbucker, or the '59/Custom hybrid.

 

[gregory]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

...Duncan Distortion, Alternative 8, Pegasus, three flavors of PATB.

A DiMarzio Super-D, Tone Zone, AT-1 and many others.

You can try an A2 magnet in the JB.

We have no idea what is desired in terms of output, feel, bass response or high end among other characteristics.

 

[benjaminc]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Alternative 8, Pegasus, three flavors of PATB.

A DiMarzio Super-D, Tone Zone, AT-1 and many others.

You can try an A2 magnet in the JB.

We have no idea what is desired in terms of output, feel, bass response or high end among other characteristics.

HMm man like as I said I either play metal like avenged sevenfold or slash guns n roses. honestly I like this genres but just want a better warmer tone than JB but still high gain treble!

 

[gregory]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Then I'll take away the PATB-3 and add the Invader, Black Winter and APH-2B as well as an EMG 81/60 set.

I added the Duncan Distortion to the above list you quoted as well.

The Screamin Demon is one of my favorite Duncan pickups. You might not like the dynamics and high treble bite, but then again you did say you wanted treble. It is not a favorite among bedroom players.

High gain treble is derived more from the amp than the pickups, but some people like added fizz while others like it smooth.

...but since we're speaking of treble, it's quite different depending on whether you're using ceramic or alnico. I personally don't like the treble from the Custom (ice pick) or the Distortion (fizz). I find the treble from the PATB-2 pretty agreeable, however.

DiMarzio Super-D and Evo 2 also provide a good push in the treble but are still smooth.

I'd still stuff an A2 magnet in that JB of yours. Well under $10 shipped, and you might as well get a few others like an A8, rough A5 and a rough unoriented A5. A standard-thickness ceramic in a JB can also be a good thing, as can a double-thick ceramic (giving you a Duncan Distortion, or at least very close, depending on who you ask).

For me the Custom is lacking a good lead voice, unless you have the right technique or guitar. I love what Michael Schenker can do with one, though.

Crap, I've forgotten the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '78 and IM1.

 

[benjaminc]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Then I'll take away the PATB-3 and add the Invader, Black Winter and APH-2B as well as an EMG 81/60 set.

I added the Duncan Distortion to the above list you quoted as well.

High gain treble is derived more from the amp than the pickups.

I am very sorry I'm a total noob with magnets been playing for a loong time but never got into this... it's my first time. So what you mean now is that I should try the invaders? I've read the reviews and people said that it's not for lead playing and I'm a lead player and that it can get very muddy also that it's a very loud pickup with too much middles.. got any other recommendations that could suit me ? Something warmer than JB's and high gain? Look if I take for an example this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfFHBwn5Ig4 I know it's a total slash sound but my JB's are not this warm they are really crinky or something like I described and this sound seems really cool if you ask me warm and you can have this much of distortion. But I do not want the same sound but just so you know where I'm aiming from? LEAD, WARMER than JB, DISTORTION huh?
Again I appreciate your recent replies!

 

[gregory]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Please re-read my post since you quoted it.

The APH-2B will give you Slash's tone, provided you stick it in your average Les Paul.

There are good videos and tutorials about how to change a magnet. It's quite easy. Going to a double-thick ceramic can be a bit more challenging, however.

After all my bloviation, you'll probably want to discard everything I've said because I think the Jazz is a horrible pickup for high-gain soloing. Stick an A2 in it and you have an APH-1N, which is what Slash used, except that his Les Paul copy was not your average Les Paul (for an average Les Paul, use an APH-2N). Over a Jazz, an Alnico II Pro neck humbucker has a much sweeter sound, though lacking in bite for my tastes.

 

[benjaminc]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Please re-read my post since you quoted it.

The APH-2B will give you Slash's tone, provided you stick it in your average Les Paul.

There are good videos and tutorials about how to change a magnet. It's quite easy. Going to a double-thick ceramic can be a bit more challenging, however.

After all my bloviation, you'll probably want to discard everything I've said because I think the Jazz is a horrible pickup for high-gain soloing. Stick an A2 in it and you have an APH-1N, which is what Slash used, except that his Les Paul copy was not your average Les Paul (for an average Les Paul, use an APH-2N). Over a Jazz, an Alnico II Pro neck humbucker has a much sweeter sound, though lacking in bite for my tastes.

I only have an ESP guitar and well... I only use Jazz pick up for clean. So my bridge pickup would be only for distortion soloing

 

[gregory]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Gotcha! I think it's a great pickup for playing clean as well as crunchy rhythm.

 

[benjaminc]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Gotcha! I think it's a great pickup for playing clean as well as crunchy rhythm.

So well The APH-2B even though I have an ESP guitar and not les paul Gibson?

 

[gregory]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

I know nothing about your guitar other than it being an ESP, so I really can't say.

Wood, scale length, body shape, construction, bridge and pickup location all play a pivotal role in how a guitar will sound.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

I like the Custom better than the JB. The JB just has a peak or something that I find irritating. Like something hard hitting my ears.

How about that Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid? I haven't tried it yet but lot of guys are loving it.

If I were looking for a new bridge pickup I'd try that one next.

 

[gregory]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

What kind of music do you play, Lew?

 

[Dahla]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Switch to a pot with lower value, around 270-300k. It suits the JB better IMO. [emoji106]


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[gregory]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

...also consider 250k for the tone as well, though rolling a 500k audio taper tone pot down to somewhere between 7 and 8 is the the same as a 250k tone pot at 10.

Yes, that can tame excess glass/shrillness. However swapping the A5 for an A2 is a better solution, IMO as it moves the resonant peak down farther into the midrange. It will also lower the Q factor, if I'm not mistaken (as does loading the pickup down with lower value pots).

The JB was designed to go with 250k volume and tone pots, BTW.

 

[benjaminc]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

...also consider 250k for the tone as well, though rolling a 500k audio taper tone pot down to somewhere between 7 and 8 is the the same as a 250k tone pot at 10.

Yes, that can tame excess glass/shrillness. However swapping the A5 for an A2 is a better solution, IMO as it moves the resonant peak down farther into the midrange. It will also lower the Q factor, if I'm not mistaken (as does loading the pickup down with lower value pots).

The JB was designed to go with 250k volume and tone pots, BTW.

it is really weird I'm looking at demos for the JB and it actually sounds nice right I don't know where I'm going wrong! My DSL40C : Treble: 5 Middle: 6 Bass: 6,5 Presence:4 Resonance: 6 And I also use a tubescreamer that has all buttons set to the middle somewhere. Really don't know where I'm going wrong with this just want a more warmer sound but at the same time gainy nice distortion for solos.

 

[gregory]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Well, changing a magnet (or pickup) is a lot less expensive than changing an amp.

What speaker are you using in your DSL40C? There are also mods you can do to the preamp section to smooth it out. I assume you've tried running it in triode mode?

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

I switched out the 500K pots and installed 250K in my Les Paul and I love the change. It tamed some high end that I wasn’t liking. (I have a Super Distortion/PAF 36th Anny set)

 

[gregory]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Now if the neck and bridge share the same pots in the ESP, lowering their value will also affect the tone of the neck pickup. Another solution, if going that route is to simply load the JB with a resistor: anywhere from 180k to 510k depending on how close you want to get to making it behave as if it were connected to a 250k volume and 250k tone pot, though the bass will be a bit lower because the load from a real 250k tone pot is different because it's after a cap.

But again, I recommend an A2 magnet swap as a first tweak before doing anything else.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Thinking of switching from JB to Custom? (ESP Guitars, Bridge, Lead tone)

Warmer but still high gain. Wouldn't that be the Alt 8?

Lol "crinky" great description of the JB.

I agree, A2 JB is a good first move.