Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

lazyfinger

lazyfinger

Member
Hi, please bear in mind that I only mentioned JB in frame of reference. I like JB, and its upper mids and mids spike, good raw, 80s distortion with not a lot of bass, but defined nonetheless. So I need something with upper mids and singing quality, but much lower in output. Because it will be going in bridge of a fat strat, with Duncan Classic Stack Plus on the neck, so the neck stack single coil has to be close in output to the bridge. If the bridge has slightly higher output, not a problem, but not considerably so. Thank you for your suggestion.
 
Last edited:
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

I've found the Demon to be very even across the spectrum and works great with a 500k pot. Of course, if it sounds a bit toppy to you, IIRC your guitar comes with a tone control.

It's a very good sounding pup.
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

I like the JB with an A2 magnet, smooths it out quite a bit.

*EDIT* Never mind, need more coffee, it will still probably have too much output for you. Maybe a Pearly Gates? Or one of the Pearly Gates Plus with the A5 magnet (these were made exclusively for Fender IIRC).
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

devastone said:
I like the JB with an A2 magnet, smooths it out quite a bit.

*EDIT* Never mind, need more coffee, it will still probably have too much output for you. Maybe a Pearly Gates? Or one of the Pearly Gates Plus with the A5 magnet (these were made exclusively for Fender IIRC).
Click to expand...

between the demon and pg i would choose the pg, that is a great pup
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

I've just never been thrilled with the Scremon Demon,but thats just me..I like the Dimarzio Fred in it's place actually...Similar dc resistances but totally different pickups...I prefer the PG over the SD also.
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

STRATDELUXER97 said:
I've just never been thrilled with the Scremon Demon,but thats just me..I like the Dimarzio Fred in it's place actually...Similar dc resistances but totally different pickups...I prefer the PG over the SD also.
Click to expand...

the fred rocks right john?:dance: i love it. it is the only humbucker that has single coil like traits and the harmonics are just sick:smokin:
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

The Full Shred is a tad lower in output and gets close to the lead sound of a JB. Less and tighter bass response though.
The Screaming Demon doesn't sound anything like the JB imo. Less mids, tighter bass, the highs are highs (instead of high mids) and output is considerably lower. It's probably my favorite Duncan though. Especially when using stompboxes for distortion.
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

Ed Hunter said:
the fred rocks right john?:dance: i love it. it is the only humbucker that has single coil like traits and the harmonics are just sick:smokin:
Click to expand...

I Love the Fred and have been using it in this one strat of mine since it's inception...Great harmonics,cleans up nicely and is articulate...Bright in a nice single coil way in the bridge spot,but not harsh or too bright..Nice plug for Dimarzio,though I'm primarily a SD user..
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

Thanks guys, wow so many pups to choose from. I would consider Screamin demon, but the price range is little steep, I'd like to have it under the normal range. There is also the question of A5 vs A2, which would suit my guitar more. I's a strat, so I think it would react differently than LP or SG, also keeping the neck pup in mind as the volume should be close.

I know I said I wanted upper mids/JB like, but to make matter worse, I'm also liking this sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgbgUMqUMns

Skip to 2:50, it's Larry's '59 Paul, and man that sounds good. I just wanna get close to that now with a strat. Then I hear the 36th, and to me, it sounds nothing like original '59.

Dammit, it's hard, because it's my #1 guitar, and I want it to sound like one. I've got a SG with JB, and it sounds way better, but that's not numero uno. I've got issues with two girls who are jealous of each other.

*EDIT*
That old '59 Paul sounds so good, it makes me wanna cry.
 
Last edited:
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

Well there are the usual PAF suspects.....PG, '59, seth, Antiquity HB. These will all come (very) close in a gibson, but may well be a bit thin in a bolt-on guitar even with the trem blocked.

For mine, if you want to try and make a strat sound as close as you'll get, then the Brobucker, perhaps the '78....or

PATB 3.

Unconventional looks, but really open PAF tones, especially if you back it off the strings a bit. It also has the balls to accept heavier gain than most PAF's too
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

lazyfinger said:
Thanks guys, wow so many pups to choose from. I would consider Screamin demon, but the price range is little steep, I'd like to have it under the normal range. There is also the question of A5 vs A2, which would suit my guitar more. I's a strat, so I think it would react differently than LP or SG, also keeping the neck pup in mind as the volume should be close.

I know I said I wanted upper mids/JB like, but to make matter worse, I'm also liking this sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgbgUMqUMns

Skip to 2:50, it's Larry's '59 Paul, and man that sounds good. I just wanna get close to that now with a strat. Then I hear the 36th, and to me, it sounds nothing like original '59.

Dammit, it's hard, because it's my #1 guitar, and I want it to sound like one. I've got a SG with JB, and it sounds way better, but that's not numero uno. I've got issues with two girls who are jealous of each other.

*EDIT*
That old '59 sounds so good, it makes me wanna cry.
Click to expand...

no problem here ya go,

http://cgi.ebay.com/vintage-GIbson-..._Accessories&hash=item4aa8f45fe0#ht_500wt_949
 
Last edited:
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

on a serious note,if you want to get at least close to the tone of that 59er
in a strat get a breed neck pup from dimarzio's. it is designed for strat players that want a les paul type tone. it is a killer sounding pup and dont let the "neck model" throw you off,it sounds incredible in the bridge spot :smokin:
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

If that paf actually works, may be he gave it a relic treatment.

The breed looks good, but the output won't agree with the neck single coil, it's twice as hot.

Anyway thanks, :usa2:
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

You need your bridge pickup to be hotter because the strings vibrate less at the bridge, you just don't want to go to extremes. Try a PAF Pro, they balance well with single coils.
 
Re: Which Duncan pickup is like JB, but nicer?

devastone said:
You need your bridge pickup to be hotter because the strings vibrate less at the bridge, you just don't want to go to extremes. Try a PAF Pro, they balance well with single coils.
Click to expand...

Great pup but if you want more of the jb type tone and harmonics get the fred though. the fred is the SAME as the paf pro only it has more mids and harmonics but it is still a low output paf type:smokin:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
HSS, matching coil-split JB levels?
Replies
14
Views
297
Jermo3178
Jermo3178
Mincer
Seymour Duncan Announces The JB Jr. for Tele
Replies
12
Views
290
Masta' C
Masta' C
IMENATOR
JB with Alnico ii Pro
Replies
11
Views
268
orpheo
O
J
New Seymour Duncans
Replies
15
Views
562
jeremy
jeremy
D
Antiquity vs Concept - which JB variant for a little less flub but same character?
Replies
11
Views
234
ToneFiddler
ToneFiddler
Back
Top