Why is the JB so awesome?
- Thread starter Austy009
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KeeperOS
New member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
Every Duncan I tried sounds different, quite different actually and JB is rarely my go-to choice, mainly because I mostly play Metal and usually there are other pickups more suited to the specific job I want them for.
However nothing beats the JB for that classic rock tone and I can't imagine ever taking it out from my MG-122 I have it in.
A Strat-like axe with a Mahogany body, maple top and neck, rosewood fingerboard and a Wilky VS-100.
A classic rock pickup for one of the most classic wood combos...
Every Duncan I tried sounds different, quite different actually and JB is rarely my go-to choice, mainly because I mostly play Metal and usually there are other pickups more suited to the specific job I want them for.
However nothing beats the JB for that classic rock tone and I can't imagine ever taking it out from my MG-122 I have it in.
A Strat-like axe with a Mahogany body, maple top and neck, rosewood fingerboard and a Wilky VS-100.
A classic rock pickup for one of the most classic wood combos...
Laughing Kookaburra
New member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
While a JB is not a go-to pup for me, I have used them in a hog body/maple top Hamer, and plugged straight into a 70s Hiwatt. It truly was a great old school hot rodded sound!
While a JB is not a go-to pup for me, I have used them in a hog body/maple top Hamer, and plugged straight into a 70s Hiwatt. It truly was a great old school hot rodded sound!
metalmachine
New member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
there is little rock and roll tone gnomes that makes them. they just let seymour take the credit to keep their identity secret..................... oh crap i said too much
there is little rock and roll tone gnomes that makes them. they just let seymour take the credit to keep their identity secret..................... oh crap i said too much
Mr. B
New member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
You know, I've disliked the stock JB in ALMOST every guitar I've put it in. I do have the JB & Jazz combo in my jackson Dinky though and I've never found anything I liked better in that guitar's bridge.
I do have the JB in 2 other guitars, but it has an A2 magnet in it in those.
You know, I've disliked the stock JB in ALMOST every guitar I've put it in. I do have the JB & Jazz combo in my jackson Dinky though and I've never found anything I liked better in that guitar's bridge.
I do have the JB in 2 other guitars, but it has an A2 magnet in it in those.
lazyfinger
Member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
JB is awesome. And I tried something today that I never thought would make much of a difference. For whatever reason some of the JB had degaussed A5 in it, whether it is variation in mag quality, or the the magnets get degaussed over time, I am not sure.
Like a JB I had before, the new JB is similar in tone, except it is trem spaced. I popped in a new A5 I received from Jeremy, and instantly it seemed boost the output a bit, but more importantly there is a significant amount of bass on the low end and nice crunchy mids. The low end is very similar to custom 5, with the singing midrange still intact.
Just to see I wasn't sniffing hot solder, I popped in the original A5 I took out from a JB and put in a 59 to test, and the "degaussed" A5 was right in between the A2 and A5 in terms of tone. I tested this theory in both 59 and JB I have installed in the same guitar, with A2 and new A5 to compare back to back. The degaussed A5 was similar to UOA5, but a little more bass and top end, but not as bass heavy or as the full charged A5.
The NEW JB crunches like Custom 5, and stings like a hot paf, but sings as a JB should when picked softer. I've tried the JB with A2, ceramic, A8, UOA5, A4, and by far this is best discovery. I also had the low strings changed to hexes, and it tightens it up even more. When I palm mute, I can actually hear the thump. Before it was an indistinct thud.
JB is awesome. And I tried something today that I never thought would make much of a difference. For whatever reason some of the JB had degaussed A5 in it, whether it is variation in mag quality, or the the magnets get degaussed over time, I am not sure.
Like a JB I had before, the new JB is similar in tone, except it is trem spaced. I popped in a new A5 I received from Jeremy, and instantly it seemed boost the output a bit, but more importantly there is a significant amount of bass on the low end and nice crunchy mids. The low end is very similar to custom 5, with the singing midrange still intact.
Just to see I wasn't sniffing hot solder, I popped in the original A5 I took out from a JB and put in a 59 to test, and the "degaussed" A5 was right in between the A2 and A5 in terms of tone. I tested this theory in both 59 and JB I have installed in the same guitar, with A2 and new A5 to compare back to back. The degaussed A5 was similar to UOA5, but a little more bass and top end, but not as bass heavy or as the full charged A5.
The NEW JB crunches like Custom 5, and stings like a hot paf, but sings as a JB should when picked softer. I've tried the JB with A2, ceramic, A8, UOA5, A4, and by far this is best discovery. I also had the low strings changed to hexes, and it tightens it up even more. When I palm mute, I can actually hear the thump. Before it was an indistinct thud.
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SAVAGE DISTORTION
New member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
what i love about the JB is that it is a hot pickup but covers so many styles and has that unique singin tone for leads and crazy good harmonix!
There is a reason that hundreds of pros have used one over the years especially in the 80's:fing2: nothing says CRUNCH like a JB and marshall jcm! pure 80's:smokin: i am too young to have seen any of the bands like ratt dokken VH ozzy in the 80's but it is my fav style
what i love about the JB is that it is a hot pickup but covers so many styles and has that unique singin tone for leads and crazy good harmonix!
There is a reason that hundreds of pros have used one over the years especially in the 80's:fing2: nothing says CRUNCH like a JB and marshall jcm! pure 80's:smokin: i am too young to have seen any of the bands like ratt dokken VH ozzy in the 80's but it is my fav style
Laughing Kookaburra
New member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
If you are unsure of keeping/having a JB in a LP/SG guitar because of heavy mids and lows, here's a trick I used for my SG:
Take 3 US nickles.
Stick all 3 under the High E string and adjust the height until they slide in and out with no problem.
Then, Do the same for the low E side, but instead of using 3 nickles, only use 2 this time. I found myself lowering the bridge PU a ton, thus removing the excessive Mids and Lows, rendering the guitar rather balanced.
who ever was wondering, I have a 1pc body 1 pc neck (hound. Mahog) and a rosewood fret-board (ind)
If you are unsure of keeping/having a JB in a LP/SG guitar because of heavy mids and lows, here's a trick I used for my SG:
Take 3 US nickles.
Stick all 3 under the High E string and adjust the height until they slide in and out with no problem.
Then, Do the same for the low E side, but instead of using 3 nickles, only use 2 this time. I found myself lowering the bridge PU a ton, thus removing the excessive Mids and Lows, rendering the guitar rather balanced.
who ever was wondering, I have a 1pc body 1 pc neck (hound. Mahog) and a rosewood fret-board (ind)
darthphineas
New member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
that stock JB has worked great in every guitar I've put one in.
that stock JB has worked great in every guitar I've put one in.
Dark Order Lord
New member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
The latest Anthrax album, Scott Ian has gone back to his all mahogany Gibson V with JB's in the bridge straight into a TC electronic boost pedal straight into a Marshall JCM800 !!!!
The latest Anthrax album, Scott Ian has gone back to his all mahogany Gibson V with JB's in the bridge straight into a TC electronic boost pedal straight into a Marshall JCM800 !!!!
jacksontrader
New member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
It's the pickup I have in most of my guitars. I love the tone I get from them. Granted I only use it in standard and drop D tunings. All of my down tuned guitars get either actives or an Alt8 in the bridge. They have a good balance to my ear.
It's the pickup I have in most of my guitars. I love the tone I get from them. Granted I only use it in standard and drop D tunings. All of my down tuned guitars get either actives or an Alt8 in the bridge. They have a good balance to my ear.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
All depends on the wood it's in and the style of music you play. For blues and classic rock in Gibson style guitars, stock JB's can leave a lot to be desired. To my ears, there's certainly no 'magic dust' involved. Tried several JB's in several guitars and it was unimpressive to say the least (I'm being polite). Mahogany can bring out the infamous 'ice pick spike' and flabby low end. The only JB I have now is a JB2, which is a much better PU for my uses.
All depends on the wood it's in and the style of music you play. For blues and classic rock in Gibson style guitars, stock JB's can leave a lot to be desired. To my ears, there's certainly no 'magic dust' involved. Tried several JB's in several guitars and it was unimpressive to say the least (I'm being polite). Mahogany can bring out the infamous 'ice pick spike' and flabby low end. The only JB I have now is a JB2, which is a much better PU for my uses.
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
JB in a Korina-bodied Hamer Std = nasty, spikey, strident, ice-pick - YOUCH!!
Same JB moved to maple capped over mahogany Hamer Special = nasty, spikey, strident, not quite so ice-picky - STILL YOUCH!!
FWIW, both those guitars f'n rocked with A2's and other A5's pu's - PG, AII Pro, Dimarzio Virtual PAF, JS Moore Tres Hombres, etc., '59 wasn't too shabby either.
Beauty is in the eye (and ear!) of the beholder...
JB in a Korina-bodied Hamer Std = nasty, spikey, strident, ice-pick - YOUCH!!
Same JB moved to maple capped over mahogany Hamer Special = nasty, spikey, strident, not quite so ice-picky - STILL YOUCH!!
FWIW, both those guitars f'n rocked with A2's and other A5's pu's - PG, AII Pro, Dimarzio Virtual PAF, JS Moore Tres Hombres, etc., '59 wasn't too shabby either.
Beauty is in the eye (and ear!) of the beholder...
dvanburen
New member
Re: Why is the JB so awesome?
Jb in an alder jackson neck through is really cool. never liked it in mohogany or any gibson guitar ive tried it in. I prefer the custom pickup. Now, the custom/jb hybrid is really cool. thats the only way i was really impressed with it. I use custom screw/jb slug. Tried it the other way around and did not like it as much. It sounded too much like the JB itself. Some swear by the stock JB, some really hate it... dunno
Jb in an alder jackson neck through is really cool. never liked it in mohogany or any gibson guitar ive tried it in. I prefer the custom pickup. Now, the custom/jb hybrid is really cool. thats the only way i was really impressed with it. I use custom screw/jb slug. Tried it the other way around and did not like it as much. It sounded too much like the JB itself. Some swear by the stock JB, some really hate it... dunno
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