What's good in the neck with the JB?

[joewherefast]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I'm going to be putting together a strat from parts. I know I want the JB humbucker in the bridge. I want a single coil size pickup in the neck, doesn't have to be a single though, could be a rail or something. These will be the only pickups in the guitar and it will have a 3 way switch. What is a good match for the JB? Will be playing Nirvana type music for the most part. Thanks.
Joe

 

[joewherefast]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

After further reading online, some people seem to say the JB is too thin or on the high side. Does anyone here find this to be true? The guitar will be made of alder and played through my Zoom fuzz, a Big Muff or a DS1 into my Fender M80 and a 4X12 cab. I'll admit I'm trying to get as close to Cobain's guitar sound as possible. I know he used a lot of "junk" from time to time but read somewhere he would often replace his bridge pup with the JB. Would the Invader be better for what I want? Tad/Nirvana type sounds?
Thanks again.
Joe

 

[StrangeSound]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

I quote Theodie "The JB is a very picky pup"

It's hard to tell if it will rock in your setup or suck. There are only 2 chances..godly good or ****. Nothing in between.

I'd check the SH-5 -> Custom out!

 

[sufferinrewind]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

I agree with Strangesound. Try something from the Custom line. If you're looking for a PAF-like pickup with a little bit more, go with the Custom 5. If you like warm tone with thick mids and a good bit of versatility, go with the Custom Custom. If you like hard edged aggression and a big, fat tone, but still like a pickup that'll be good for classic rock, blues, and even clean up fairly well, go with the Custom.

Just about any Duncan neck pickup would be a good match with them, as well. However, most seem to like a Pearly Gates in the neck spot.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

I have a JB in one of my strat's bridge (coil tapped) with two single coils out of an older american strat. Sounds great. I would not say the JB is thin. It is such a versatile pickup, can do almost anything pretty well.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

I would not say a JB is thin leave alone TOO thin... Infact I think it is very Balanced... It is very versatile..I probably think a lil59 will match well..

 

[hacker]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

The 59 always works nicely with the JB. I've had that combo in several Hamer guitars and in my '65 Melody Maker. I also have a phat cat in one guitar that really does balance well with the JB.

 

[ErikH]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

Wire the JB up with 250k pots in a Strat and it's fine. The perfect neck pickup for it is the Jazz neck, and Seymour thinks so too.

 

[tudor]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

Hi all,

I'm also a newbie here ...

I have an Edwards E-LP-90LTS - came with stock SDs ... JB on the bridge and the SH-1n on the neck.

This set is very good - not outstanding - but good. I think the SH-1n is one of the best sounding pups ...

You should consider it ... :scratchch

Roger

 

[generalandromache]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

JB in bridge, JAZZ in the neck. Seymour's fav. Its a great combo!

 

[marshallartist]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

The JB isn't a bad pickup in a Strat but it is very sensative to height adjustment. I have used it in a number of guitars including Strats and has sounded thin in all of them until you find that sweet-spot where it's not too close to the strings, but it isn't too far away either. Currently my favorite is the Custom Custom, just the right balance of power and smoothness.

 

[MikeS]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

The Jazz is a great match for the JB, but won't work if you want a single coil sized pickup. The lil 59 should be a good match (though I'm not familiar with it in the neck position). Another viable option is the Cool Rails. IMO, it's the most under-rated neck single coil sized pickup in the Duncan line. I paired one with a Screamin Demon for several years with great results. I hear similarities between the JB and the Demon, so the CR may be a good match to the JB as well.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What's good in the neck with the JB?

I'd go for a Duncan Classic Stack Plus neck pickup with the JB. I've used that combo several times now and, IMO, it's a great combo. I like it with 250K pots and a .02 tone cap and the 50's mod: connect a master tone control to the output jack or middle terminal of the volume pot. Lew