Why does everyone hate the JB ?

Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

I'll echo Benjy...In anything resembling a Gibson, especially a paula...blech..too much frequency overlap. In a V/Explorer without a maple cap, they are not *too* bad.

In a Strat (alder) I really like them.

They do cut through though, and I suspect that's where the appeal is...also they do nothing excpetionally, but do alot of things decent...in that way they are versatile.
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

i agree with much of the sentiments expressed here, especially about the JB in a band setting ...

the only thing i have to add that i havent seen expressed is how cool the JB sounds clean ... i get a sound very suitable for 'new country' when playing my JB clean, rolled off to about 8 on the volume pot, tone pot dimed ... i usually go for a split sound when trying for any kind of 'twang' or 'honk', but last week, my band was re-learning 'round of blues' (shawn colvin?) ... i was about to take the solo break when 'missed' my notch position and accidently went to the JB-full humbucker ... the solo sounded better than ever and was loud enough to cut through the mix ...

very cool pickup indeed - not for every purpose, but certainly has a lotta tone to be discovered in it

t4d
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

I love the JB... at the Neck position.

Searing, smooth tone, sustain for decades, and when you split the sucker nobody will ever notice it´s not a single coil ;)
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

The JB is great for band situations ,not so great if you stick it in a mim strat and plug it through a ds-1 into a super reverb. OUCH
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

STRATDELUXER97 said:
Lew I do both and I still just don't care for the JB...
Click to expand...

Lew, there are very few people on this forum whose opinion I respect more than yours, but I think you're being a little unfair. There are a lot of variables to consider -- amp, settings, guitar wood, and the musician themselves! So many here believe that the tone is in the fingers, and if that's true not everyone will like the same pickups.

I've never used the JB personally, but the JB seems to be extra sensitive to those sorts of factors more than other pickups. I played in a band this spring with a guy who used a JB, and it sounded great! I was always amazed at the tone he got. There are so many '80's recordings that I cringe when hearing, and its the JB that they are using. Go figure!
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

I love the JB. I think some people want to avoid it because EVERYONE uses it and they want their own sound. Personally, I think it's great.
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

I love my JB... I think it is versatile. Of course tone is very subjective and every one has diff tastes. I love to do things diff..and use things diff from what is normaly used...to be diff I guess.So if I am using a JB I like it....Is it overrated MAYBE. But I guess what happens is that....Is over expectations.
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

tone4days said:
the only thing i have to add that i havent seen expressed is how cool the JB sounds clean ... i get a sound very suitable for 'new country' when playing my JB clean, rolled off to about 8 on the volume pot, tone pot dimed ... i usually go for a split sound when trying for any kind of 'twang' or 'honk', but last week, my band was re-learning 'round of blues' (shawn colvin?) ... i was about to take the solo break when 'missed' my notch position and accidently went to the JB-full humbucker ... the solo sounded better than ever and was loud enough to cut through the mix ...
Click to expand...
I can certainly back you up on that, though it's almost sacreligous for it to be coming from a Jackson. I can't say anything bad about it.

I doubt many people on this forum are guilty of it, but I think a lot of people fail to properly adjust their JBs and that can lead to their dislike of it. It can sound like dung if it's too close to or too far from the strings.
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

Originally Posted by STRATDELUXER97:
"Lew I do both and I still just don't care for the JB..."

gripweed said:
Lew, there are very few people on this forum whose opinion I respect more than yours, but I think you're being a little unfair. There are a lot of variables to consider -- amp, settings, guitar wood, and the musician themselves! So many here believe that the tone is in the fingers, and if that's true not everyone will like the same pickups.

I've never used the JB personally, but the JB seems to be extra sensitive to those sorts of factors more than other pickups. I played in a band this spring with a guy who used a JB, and it sounded great! I was always amazed at the tone he got. There are so many '80's recordings that I cringe when hearing, and its the JB that they are using. Go figure!
Click to expand...

Thanks...but that was John's comment...not mine! :laugh2: What I said was that alot of great guitarists (Jeff Beck, Robben Ford, Seymour, George Lynch, etc.) have used it and made some great recordings with it and that I like it...especially in a band setting, but that when I'm playing alone, at home, it's a little agressive and I can see where the people who don't care for it are coming from because when I'm playing alone and standing close to my speakers I can't get completely comfortable with the tone of the JB. It's just a little to penetrating...but that penetrating quality quality works beautifully in a band situation. Also, the JB has the best split coil tone of any humbucker I've ever used...very good single coil tone. Lew
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

I'm another who actually likes, and has used a JB for a long time. Having said that, my big problem is that it sounds a little compressed. I want to hear my amps compressing (Glowing EL34's), not my pickups. (it also seems easier to rip out a solo using a JB, kind of letting the pickup make up for my sloppy technique. LOL. A Seth or a '59 is not going to let you hide behind high output with added compression).
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

Bombay said:
So after going through the Duncan forum I've noticed that people have a hatred for the JB. What's the story ? I know that in certain guitars the PU works and in some it sounds like ****.

What's the overall take on the JB ? Why do guys hate it so much ? Also, what guitars have you put it in ? And let me ask this - what is the alternative ?

Personally, I'm looking for something with some decent output, that is evenly balanced EQ wise and that is toneful - not just brash and loud or scooped sounding.
Click to expand...



In ever clip I've ever heard of it, it makes a les paul sound like a telecaster. I will never buy one.
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

If you can't get excellent sound out of JB, it's your fault, not JB's.
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

Lewguitar said:
Originally Posted by STRATDELUXER97:
"Lew I do both and I still just don't care for the JB..."



Thanks...but that was John's comment...not mine! :laugh2: What I said was that alot of great guitarists (Jeff Beck, Robben Ford, Seymour, George Lynch, etc.) have used it and made some great recordings with it and that I like it...especially in a band setting, but that when I'm playing alone, at home, it's a little agressive and I can see where the people who don't care for it are coming from because when I'm playing alone and standing close to my speakers I can't get completely comfortable with the tone of the JB. It's just a little to penetrating...but that penetrating quality quality works beautifully in a band situation. Also, the JB has the best split coil tone of any humbucker I've ever used...very good single coil tone. Lew
Click to expand...


I have to agree with Lew on this one. The JB was the first Duncan pickup I tried and I fell in love with it at first. Then the mid spike got to me and then I noticed that everyone and their mothers were playing a JB. Not being one for "mainstream" (I affectionately call my area JB Hell as everyone seems to have one), I started looking at other pups and ended up liking the 59. I MAY get another JB in the future you never can tell as it seems to have a "haunting" effect with me. Some of my best moments giging out were with the JB.
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

I have one in the bridge position of an old SG Special with an ebony board. You remember the old white (now, kinda yellow) ones with the gold hardware, I'm sure. It's the ONLY guitar I like the JB at all in for all the good and bad aforementioned reasons. FWIW, I have it teamed up with a PG bridge model in the neck. Both pickups also have gold covers on them. This SG has balls and bells and I have no intentions of changing either pickup out!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that given the right circumstances, every quality pickup has it's place.
 
Re: Why does everyone hate the JB ?

Lewguitar said:
Originally Posted by STRATDELUXER97:
"Lew I do both and I still just don't care for the JB..."



Thanks...but that was John's comment...not mine! :laugh2: What I said was that alot of great guitarists (Jeff Beck, Robben Ford, Seymour, George Lynch, etc.) have used it and made some great recordings with it and that I like it...especially in a band setting, but that when I'm playing alone, at home, it's a little agressive and I can see where the people who don't care for it are coming from because when I'm playing alone and standing close to my speakers I can't get completely comfortable with the tone of the JB. It's just a little to penetrating...but that penetrating quality quality works beautifully in a band situation. Also, the JB has the best split coil tone of any humbucker I've ever used...very good single coil tone. Lew
Click to expand...

I know that was John's comment, I was in agreement with his sentiment. That was why I quoted him. I guess I should have made that clear :laugh2:

I guess I thought your original quote came across as bashing those who play at home. I'm sorry if I misunderstood!
 
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