Why does everyone hate the JB ?
- Thread starter Bombay
- Start date
RGN
New member
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
I played a lot of gigs with a JB and Lew is right... they sound great in a band environment. For recording, I prefer the CC or C5 but for playing a show I'd take the CC, C5 or JB with no hesitation. :wave: There is a midrange spike but I can walk up to my amplifier, mess with the knobs and get a very nasty rock tone. No hate here for the JB, not my favorite but I like it.
I played a lot of gigs with a JB and Lew is right... they sound great in a band environment. For recording, I prefer the CC or C5 but for playing a show I'd take the CC, C5 or JB with no hesitation. :wave: There is a midrange spike but I can walk up to my amplifier, mess with the knobs and get a very nasty rock tone. No hate here for the JB, not my favorite but I like it.
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
All I ever buy is quality. Nothing off the rack, all made to order stuff. Again, its about personal taste, the player, and the guitar. This is why Seymour kicked ass in the business. He made a pickup to suit everyone because no one pickup would satisfy everyone.
All I ever buy is quality. Nothing off the rack, all made to order stuff. Again, its about personal taste, the player, and the guitar. This is why Seymour kicked ass in the business. He made a pickup to suit everyone because no one pickup would satisfy everyone.
Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
I'm not a JB lover. It's not so much that I don't like my pickups to have a good midspike, I just like it to be alot smoother than a JB. I also don't like the bass side of the pickup. It's not tight or responive enuff for me. I've also found that in my particular setup, the JB will get extremely flabby.
It's just not for me.
I'm not a JB lover. It's not so much that I don't like my pickups to have a good midspike, I just like it to be alot smoother than a JB. I also don't like the bass side of the pickup. It's not tight or responive enuff for me. I've also found that in my particular setup, the JB will get extremely flabby.
It's just not for me.
Stevo
Tonus Maximus Pacificas
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
I am partial to vintage sounding pickups but the JB is fun too.
When I was a serious player, the JB was the main pickup in my hot-rodded strat. I had a JCM800, a Carvin X-amp, a Fender Twin.. and a few more amps. The JB served me well with all of those amps in a live situation.
Recently I have rediscovered the JB. I have owned a Bug-Sey, an a2 and a regular JB. I like them all
I am partial to vintage sounding pickups but the JB is fun too.
When I was a serious player, the JB was the main pickup in my hot-rodded strat. I had a JCM800, a Carvin X-amp, a Fender Twin.. and a few more amps. The JB served me well with all of those amps in a live situation.
Recently I have rediscovered the JB. I have owned a Bug-Sey, an a2 and a regular JB. I like them all
SpiderVenom
New member
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
Dave Mustaine certainly likes his JB, at any rate.
Dave Mustaine certainly likes his JB, at any rate.
T
theodie
Guest
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
Thats more or less my opinion!!!!! I also see threads where people are asking for a pickup that a JB is TOTALLY not and you get the same handful of people saying "JB" will be best for them! It is an OK pickup in my opinion but, personally I think there are alot better pickups in the Duncan line for "most" styles and also versatility! Yea it might be good for some folks but, I still think there is too much JB hype around here!
Bombay, if a mid-high spike and flabby bottom is what you are looking for, get the JB!
9finger said:
Thats more or less my opinion!!!!! I also see threads where people are asking for a pickup that a JB is TOTALLY not and you get the same handful of people saying "JB" will be best for them! It is an OK pickup in my opinion but, personally I think there are alot better pickups in the Duncan line for "most" styles and also versatility! Yea it might be good for some folks but, I still think there is too much JB hype around here!
Bombay, if a mid-high spike and flabby bottom is what you are looking for, get the JB!
Last edited:
Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
Bro, I'm tellin ya!!!! We've got to be related somehow!!
Oh ****e that's a scary thought!!!!!:laugh2:
theodie said:
Bro, I'm tellin ya!!!! We've got to be related somehow!!
Oh ****e that's a scary thought!!!!!:laugh2:
T
theodie
Guest
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
I will say though, I could handle the high-mid spike but, its the super flabby bottom that makes me really not like this pickup!!!
If I could get the tightness of another pickup on the 3 bottom strings and the sound of a JB on the 3 top strings, I would love it!
9, dosent that sort of describe the XL500 in a way? Very tight bottom and a sweet singing high 3 strings with tons of clarity?
I will say though, I could handle the high-mid spike but, its the super flabby bottom that makes me really not like this pickup!!!
If I could get the tightness of another pickup on the 3 bottom strings and the sound of a JB on the 3 top strings, I would love it!
9, dosent that sort of describe the XL500 in a way? Very tight bottom and a sweet singing high 3 strings with tons of clarity?
Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
That's the way I hear it. But nothing not even a modded JB will probably ever top a 500XL in my book.
Bills pickups just have alot more feel and are alot more Hi Fi sounding. Not just you're *cough* average *cough* PAF spinoff.
That's the way I hear it. But nothing not even a modded JB will probably ever top a 500XL in my book.
Bills pickups just have alot more feel and are alot more Hi Fi sounding. Not just you're *cough* average *cough* PAF spinoff.
D
DeadSkinSlayer3
Guest
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
Actually, he's been developing custom Duncans for quite some time... and it's not at all like a JB.
SpiderVenom said:
Actually, he's been developing custom Duncans for quite some time... and it's not at all like a JB.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
If you think more people dislike the jb than like it you are grossly mistaken. People have high expectations from the jb and if those expectations aren't realized EVERY time people start to say its hype. It doesn't matter if it hits the mark 9/10 of the time. Yes a loty of cheesy 80's metal bands used the pickup. But the reason they sound similar is because of the same crappy producers not the pickup.
Snowdog
If you think more people dislike the jb than like it you are grossly mistaken. People have high expectations from the jb and if those expectations aren't realized EVERY time people start to say its hype. It doesn't matter if it hits the mark 9/10 of the time. Yes a loty of cheesy 80's metal bands used the pickup. But the reason they sound similar is because of the same crappy producers not the pickup.
Snowdog
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
Guess I opened up a can of worms here. I've owned the JB on many occassions and sometimes the "high mid spike" helps a guitar and sometimes it doesn't compliment the guitar at all.
In my 80's V the JB sounded incredible. In my 86 335 Studio (No f holes - think a stripped down Lucille) it sounded like crap. With the JB , the guitar didn't sit with the band. It felt like the guitar was on top of the band and the pickup was overpowering the guitar. I currently have a C5 in the 335 and the guitar is sweeter sounding and a bit more present. Not as "boxy" as it sounded with the JB and a bit livelier it's than it's stock Gibson PU's.
I just recently picked up another 80's reissue V and currently have a Alnico II in the bridge. Can't say that I'm thrilled with the results. Any suggestions on this one - Other than a JB ? I want something that's not going to mask the sound of the guitar and that cleans up when I roll back my volume knob.
By the way, the only way I could use a JB was with a 250k pot. Other wise my fillings would be popping out.
Guess I opened up a can of worms here. I've owned the JB on many occassions and sometimes the "high mid spike" helps a guitar and sometimes it doesn't compliment the guitar at all.
In my 80's V the JB sounded incredible. In my 86 335 Studio (No f holes - think a stripped down Lucille) it sounded like crap. With the JB , the guitar didn't sit with the band. It felt like the guitar was on top of the band and the pickup was overpowering the guitar. I currently have a C5 in the 335 and the guitar is sweeter sounding and a bit more present. Not as "boxy" as it sounded with the JB and a bit livelier it's than it's stock Gibson PU's.
I just recently picked up another 80's reissue V and currently have a Alnico II in the bridge. Can't say that I'm thrilled with the results. Any suggestions on this one - Other than a JB ? I want something that's not going to mask the sound of the guitar and that cleans up when I roll back my volume knob.
By the way, the only way I could use a JB was with a 250k pot. Other wise my fillings would be popping out.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
Always used JB's with a band.
Going from pop to fusion like stuff.
Like an old Marshall it just sits right in the mix.
And I like it, no need to cry, choose something else if you don't like it, lots of options.
Always used JB's with a band.
Going from pop to fusion like stuff.
Like an old Marshall it just sits right in the mix.
And I like it, no need to cry, choose something else if you don't like it, lots of options.
Pecan
New member
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
JB is just a little hotter and more agressive then a custom custom in my opinion, I like both, JB Is about as agressive i can accept for a pickup. I prefer using a custom custom/jazz combo in my guitars mainly for the reason they play basicly everything so well except metal
JB is just a little hotter and more agressive then a custom custom in my opinion, I like both, JB Is about as agressive i can accept for a pickup. I prefer using a custom custom/jazz combo in my guitars mainly for the reason they play basicly everything so well except metal
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
Lew I do both and I still just don't care for the JB...
Lewguitar said:
Lew I do both and I still just don't care for the JB...
koolkat
New member
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
I used a JB in my guitar for years and for me it's really a mixed bag.
For leads, the JB is (mostly) great as it has this singing quality to it and easily cuts through the mix. However, that same upper-mids spike that helps it cut through the mix can make it sound kind of harsh as well. The spike is right at the frequency where it's kind of overbearing and piercing and you can't really dial it out on the amp.
For rhythm playing, I've never been a big fan of the JB. It's lacking in lower-mids and bass and tends to sound kind of thin. On the plus side, it does clean up pretty well when backing off the volume, especially for a higher output pickup.
I used a JB in my guitar for years and for me it's really a mixed bag.
For leads, the JB is (mostly) great as it has this singing quality to it and easily cuts through the mix. However, that same upper-mids spike that helps it cut through the mix can make it sound kind of harsh as well. The spike is right at the frequency where it's kind of overbearing and piercing and you can't really dial it out on the amp.
For rhythm playing, I've never been a big fan of the JB. It's lacking in lower-mids and bass and tends to sound kind of thin. On the plus side, it does clean up pretty well when backing off the volume, especially for a higher output pickup.
Archer_of_Fish
New member
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?
I saw Gigantour twice and his tone now is pretty much identical to his older JB tone. He has been using a Custom off and on for a while now but has always gone back to a JB.
Saying his new pickups are nothing like the JB is something you could not possibly know because Duncan has released exactly NO specs about Daves new pickups.
DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
I saw Gigantour twice and his tone now is pretty much identical to his older JB tone. He has been using a Custom off and on for a while now but has always gone back to a JB.
Saying his new pickups are nothing like the JB is something you could not possibly know because Duncan has released exactly NO specs about Daves new pickups.
Similar threads
