Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

[Stratfan]

I'm curious about the JB in an alder Strat, but I keep reading that it's better for lead than rhythm. If this is correct, can someone explain why? Thanks!

(I know that a lot of folks here have a JB in their Strat, but they probably play a lot of lead. I'm not much of a soloist; I play about 95% rhythm/riffs, and 5% lead.)

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

Not only have I never heard that before, I don't find it to be true!
In my Wayne Rock Legend, which is alder, I have a JB in the bridge, and it works great for both. If anything, I prefer the JB for riffing, and the Screamin Demon for lead work.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

Hey, Stratfan, I just noticed that you're from Allentown! My favourite CD shop, Vyagra Music, is in Allentown; I know all the guys that work there and HIGHLY recommend it for the rock/metal fan! If you've never been there, you should go ... just tell 'em that you know Ben from Twilight Oydssey! I've also played at Croc Rock a couple of times, which is a pretty cool venue (tho I didn't like the security guards at all).

 

[Stratfan]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

Vyagra Music? Nice name...I bet they sell a lot of "HARD" rock!

I've read reviews that describe the JB as "mushy" sounding when playing rhythm. I like the '59 Trembucker I had in another Strat, but it could've used a bit more output and more mids. I keep hearing how the JB can really cut through the mix. How is it clean, or is it too hot to be clean? Would it be too hot for the stock middle and neck single coils?

 

[Davey]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

mushy??? the JB? ROFL

if it's anything it's tight as ****. i like it for both, lead and rythm, but it shines at rythm work

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

I think an overwound pickup like the JB has to much bass and to much midrange to get the type of clarity I'd need for chords and rythym. Also, most guys like to have a hotter pickup in the bridge position and a clearer pickup in the neck position...where you going to find a bridge pickup to balance with the huge volume a neck JB would have?

 

[Stratfan]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

I didn't mean I'd put a JB in the neck, lewguitar! I need a new bridge pup, and I just can't make up my mind what to get. I have a '59 Trembucker on order, but it was ordered over a month ago and still hasn't arrived.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

I didn't mean I'd put a JB in the neck, lewguitar! I need a new bridge pup, and I just can't make up my mind what to get. I have a '59 Trembucker on order, but it was ordered over a month ago and still hasn't arrived.

That's a long time to wait, but the holidays have really messed with mail delivery. Still....that's to long.

In any case, the 59 TB is my favorite bridge humbucker in a Strat...not the JB. I think you'll like it.

Lew

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

I'm one of those people who think the JB is a little 'mushy' or 'murky' for rythem under high gain. It IS great for rythem, but not as good as the C5 which is more 'balanced'. But then the C5 is not as good as the JB when it comes to leads.

It's just a mids thing. For rythem: Scoop your mids and your sound gets bassier, treblier and tighter. Crank the mids and your sound will get warmer, fuller but loses some definition. It's all about finding the right balance.

For Leads: Mids are a must if you want a fat, warm, round tone, that's why the JB exels in this. It has that upper mid character whcih makes leads sound very good!

I find it quite hard to find a good balance in the JB's sound though it does sound wicked for about anything.

 

[ranalli]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

I'm one of those people who think the JB is a little 'mushy' or 'murky' for rythem under high gain. It IS great for rythem, but not as good as the C5 which is more 'balanced'. But then the C5 is not as good as the JB when it comes to leads.

It's just a mids thing. For rythem: Scoop your mids and your sound gets bassier, treblier and tighter. Crank the mids and your sound will get warmer, fuller but loses some definition. It's all about finding the right balance.

For Leads: Mids are a must if you want a fat, warm, round tone, that's why the JB exels in this. It has that upper mid character whcih makes leads sound very good!

I find it quite hard to find a good balance in the JB's sound though it does sound wicked for about anything.

I have to disagree.


The C5 is NOT well balanced....it's scooped...bigtime.


I've never heard of mids killing definition in regards to tone....and bassier tones are generally looser...not tighter.

 

[Jag513]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

Hey, Stratfan, I just noticed that you're from Allentown! My favourite CD shop, Vyagra Music, is in Allentown; I know all the guys that work there and HIGHLY recommend it for the rock/metal fan! If you've never been there, you should go ... just tell 'em that you know Ben from Twilight Oydssey! I've also played at Croc Rock a couple of times, which is a pretty cool venue (tho I didn't like the security guards at all).

I live right next to Allentown too. Where is Vyagra Music? I've never heard of it before.

Next time to play at Croc Rock, let me know, I'd love to come.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

The C5 is NOT well balanced....it's scooped...bigtime.

No it is not...it very much depends on amp and your guitar!
I turned my CC into a C5 today on my Kramer, which by it is own has plenty of mids and fatness, the whole turned more even with the A5 magnet, very clear not scooped, still plenty of mids, just less creamy and more open.
I tried it through 4 different amps and speaker configurations, no scoop.
Anyways it had a great crunch, very VH like.

 

[shred-dog]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

the JB does it all in almost every kinda wood . riffing soloing it's all good with the JB .

 

[aestus]

Re: Why is JB better for lead than rhythm?

I too found the JB "dull" for rhythm in my mahogany strat. I yanked it out and put my custom custom back in. The JB just didn't seem to stick out for me. For the longest time, I thought the C5 was very dull sounding, but now I find it more musical and articulate than the JB. The C5 is actually very balanced if you asked me, it just has less of a mid spike thats typical with SD pickups. It's a very high-fi sounding pickup. Reminds me of a hotter version of the Schaller golden 50 humbucker. The JB seemed to have a really dull sounding mid EQ. I'm used to SD pickups each having their own unique "Mid Spike" The Jb seemed like it's EQ was a linear increasing slant from the middle mid frequencies up to the upper mids, with the high treble rolled off. I'm more accustomed to the custom series of pickups where the eq immediately spikes at a certain mid frequency.

I will say that for leads, the JB screams like a wailing banshee and I can see why 80's metal guitarists swear by them. The rhythm sound is gritty, but not too chunky, and the lead tone is searing hot and cuts through anything. I personally like a throatier rhythm crunch and more violin like lead tone so the custom series pickups seem to do it better for me.