Two JB's (and two guitars) compared: Production JB vs. Antiquity JB

[Rex_Rocker]

Not really scientific because they're not on the same guitar, but I've had the Ant JB in the Gibson and now the regular Plain Jane JB, and I can tell you, the differences that you hear in this clip do carry over.

But anyways, thought it would be fun to hear a clip of them doing t3h chuggz. Please excuse the flops. I just wanted to hear them side by side down and dirty.

Thoughts? Which one do you like best?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

PS. Try to listen on headphones or good speakers, please. Keep in mind it's very similar pickups on similar-ish guitars, so don't expect them to sound like a '59 and an Invader compared.

 

[Mincer]

Well, they do sound slightly different, but that could be any number of things. Why do you think someone might choose one over the other?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Well, they do sound slightly different, but that could be any number of things. Why do you think someone might choose one over the other?

I like that the production one seems to have more of an open broad tone without going all scoopy like a Custom. The production one seems more aggressive up top as well. More "Metal".

The Antiquity seems to have more of a softer "vintage-y" sound. Very usable for Metal too, but I'd think more people would prefer the production one for that. That being said, though, for me, the Antiquity does sound a bit more controlled and mix-ready.

Slight difference, TBH. I could be happy with either.

I also really want to try the Thrash Factor.

 

[AdrianSD]

They do sound different, yes, but still JBs. Can they be made to sound the same with an EQ pedal, or by playing with the tone control of the OD pedal, or with the microphone placement?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

They do sound different, yes, but still JBs. Can they be made to sound the same with an EQ pedal, or by playing with the tone control of the OD pedal, or with the microphone placement?

EQ pedal, yes, maybe. Tone control of the OD, I doubt it, since the difference is not only on the top-end. Mic Placement will probably alter the whole tone making it more different. And since pickups are more or less a pre-distortion EQ thing, I don't think so.

That being said, yes. I 100% agree. They both sound like JB's.

 

[Oldmiserablebastard]

Only one problem. How is anybody suppose to tell which one is which?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Only one problem. How is anybody suppose to tell which one is which?

First half is one, second is the other

Which one do you think is which? I think guessing is fun.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Also, for the record, the production JB is in a Gibson Les Paul Tribute. The Antiquity JB is in an LTD EC-400VF.

 

[beaubrummels]

I liked the first half. Second half was more fizzy sounding.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I liked the first half. Second half was more fizzy sounding.

You think so? I thought the top end on the first one was more sizzly. But maybe the second one has more high mids by comparison.

 

[AdrianSD]

Only one problem. How is anybody suppose to tell which one is which?

I hear more highs on the first one, but apart from that they're very, very close. With a bass & drums, or even with multi tracking, I couldn't tell which one is which. With a new set of strings in the 2nd guitar they'll probably sound identical

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I hear more highs on the first one, but apart from that they're very, very close. With a bass & drums, or even with multi tracking, I couldn't tell which one is which. With a new set of strings in the 2nd guitar they'll probably sound identical

I changed both strings yesterday, LOL. Both are D'Addario 11-56. I actually kinda wanted to make the comparison as scientific as I could without actually wanting to go through the hassle of soldering and unsoldering both JB's onto a single guitar, especially when I LOVE the way the Ant JB sounds in the LTD, and it was already there. And this is quad-tracked.

But I fully agree with your assesment. I do hear more highs on the first one as well, and I kinda like that. The pick attack feels more aggressive and defined on the fast staccato part near the beginning.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

FWIW, I think the second half of the clip has an almost EMG 85 kinda vibe with the smooth laid-back attack, and the rolled off top-end.

 

[Aceman]

They do sound different, yes, but still JBs. Can they be made to sound the same with an EQ pedal, or by playing with the tone control of the OD pedal, or with the microphone placement?

Shhh!!!! Don't ask that!!!!!

They are trying to sell pickups here!!!

 

[Aceman]

To my ears - which are shaky on a good day:

1st one: A little tighter, a little brighter, a little more crisp

2nd one: A little squishier (relatively speaking), a little warmer, a little smoother

But - both were definitely metal. I'd like either one if I heard them alone. I think I like the first. I assume the 2nd is the Antiquity and that squishy/smooth comes from the slightly degaussed or whatever they do to the magnet. It is an A5 I believe, and not an A2, which would be one more step in the softer, smoother direction.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

To my ears - which are shaky on a good day:

1st one: A little tighter, a little brighter, a little more crisp

2nd one: A little squishier (relatively speaking), a little warmer, a little smoother

But - both were definitely metal. I'd like either one if I heard them alone. I think I like the first. I assume the 2nd is the Antiquity and that squishy/smooth comes from the slightly degaussed or whatever they do to the magnet. It is an A5 I believe, and not an A2, which would be one more step in the softer, smoother direction.

Yes, you are right on the guess, and yes, I totally agree with the evaluation.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

OK... nerdy stuff. This are DI's of the same riff recorded with each guitar. Obviously, this is very hard to quantify since the pickups are not on the same guitar, but my point is whatever they do to age the magnet on the Antiquity doesn't realy take a hard toll on the output of the pickup. The louder of the two, the second one, is the Antiquity, LOL. I asked the CS, and they told me they "slightly age the magnet only". So "slightly" indeed, it seems.

Aaaaaand for anyone curious, the standard JB measures 16.19K and the Ant is 16.28K.

 

[Mincer]

I think we have to compare these in the same guitar to really get any sense of what is going on.

 

[esandes]

The most effective comparison is using the same guitar in my opinion.