JB alternatives

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rokker

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After switching a pickup in one of my guitars to the new F spaced WCR Murkat (a JB variation) I am thinking of doing something similar in my PRSSC245
Current pu is a WCR darkburst....finding it too bright but a killer PAF type pu.

What other JB variants are out there that I should consider for a fat warm tone that is not too bright. I have tried a MCP Black Iron which I also found to be bright. I also have never liked DiMarzios so I probably won't consider them.
I like the slightly higher output and tamed top end...don't want anything too hot.

The choices seem to be
Duncan Custom
BKP Holy Diver
WCR Godwood
Anderson H2+

Anyone have suggestions
 
rokker":e9a8xhrz said:
After switching a pickup in one of my guitars to the new F spaced WCR Murkat (a JB variation) I am thinking of doing something similar in my PRSSC245
Current pu is a WCR darkburst....finding it too bright but a killer PAF type pu.

What other JB variants are out there that I should consider for a fat warm tone that is not too bright. I have tried a MCP Black Iron which I also found to be bright. I also have never liked DiMarzios so I probably won't consider them.
I like the slightly higher output and tamed top end...don't want anything too hot.

The choices seem to be
Duncan Custom
BKP Holy Diver
WCR Godwood
Anderson H2+

Anyone have suggestions
Click to expand...
The H2+ is my favorite humbucker in most situations, but its not very JB-like...much more even sounding across all frequencies with more bottom end and high end sparkle/shimmer. Some call it "hi-fi" sounding but I wouldn't go qyite that far.

The regular Duncan Custom is fairly bright...I think the Custom Custom may be exactly what you're looking for.
 
The JB was designed to be used with 250k pots.
The reason most people dislike them is because they use 500k.
This brings out the nasal tone most dislike.

I absolutely love the JB with the correct pots, I now have it in most of my guitars ( even re-wired my Anderson to accomodate it )
 
rokker":3b4hwly1 said:
After switching a pickup in one of my guitars to the new F spaced WCR Murkat (a JB variation) I am thinking of doing something similar in my PRSSC245
Current pu is a WCR darkburst....finding it too bright but a killer PAF type pu.

What other JB variants are out there that I should consider for a fat warm tone that is not too bright. I have tried a MCP Black Iron which I also found to be bright. I also have never liked DiMarzios so I probably won't consider them.
I like the slightly higher output and tamed top end...don't want anything too hot.

The choices seem to be
Duncan Custom
BKP Holy Diver
WCR Godwood
Anderson H2+

Anyone have suggestions
Click to expand...

MCP Garuda - this gets my #1 vote and is the closest I have heard to a JB without the annoying mid-spike or the loose bottom end
MCP Angel Dust - similar to a JB with lower output, huge low mids, slight upper mid boost, tamed top end, but sounding pissed off
BKP Rebel Yell - Excellent pickup also!! I have had and played a few guitars with this pickup, but it tends to favor Les Paul or Mahogany set-neck guitars. The top end can get bright or bitting due to the upper mids in other types of guitars like Alder or Ash bolt-ons. Very tight pickup though.

I did not like the Holy Diver though. Not a bad pickup at all, it just was not for me.
 
I had not heard of the MCP Garuda?
The Rebel Yells seem to have a pronounced upper bite like the Aldrich's...I didn't like those either.

I wish MCP would update their website with some sound clips and better descriptions as well as full list of pickups offered.

Holy Divers seem to get polarized/mixed reviews so I'll probably steer clear of those...the description of them makes them sound appealing but many people don't gel with them.

I am amazed at the difference the WCR Murkat made in a alder strat....very full sounding without being too bright, had always been thin and bright before. Had Aldrichs, SSV+, Godwood and Darkburst...all were too bright but the new Murkat is really good is is like a greatly improved JB, not spikey, just hot enough with tight low end!
 
The BKP Holy Diver is a better version of the JB. I had a JB in my LP for a few years. Switched to Holy Diver and it's awesome. Everything people like about the JB, but none of the harshness.
 
Too bad you say no to Dimarzios.............both the AT-1 and Norton (not the "Air" Norton) are exactly what you describe. The Norton is similar to the AT-1 in EQ but with a slightly more open sound. The Norton is one of my favorite pickups and I have used many of the boutique models listed so far in this thread.
 
I have heard great things about the new MCP Garuda, and have one ordered, but have not received it yet. Also, you might try swapping an A2 magnet into the JB........favorite pickup in my ESP's.
 
The Godwood does not sound like a JB variation/alternate to me. The two are just in different league output-wise. The Godwood I found to have a creamy high end.
 
Ok, so I know you said you wouldnt consider Dimarzio but I'll be a wise guy and ask this anyway. Have you tried the Breed? I heard it was suposed to be their version of a JB-ish pickup. Also I have heard good things about their new Dominion pickup. The WCR Icebucker is very nice too. But VERY pricey :aww:
 
I have the Warren DeMartini signature pickup in my Warren DeMartini Charvel and I believe it is similar to a JB. Definitely is not as harsh.
 
rokker":1oho8a1c said:
I had not heard of the MCP Garuda?
The Rebel Yells seem to have a pronounced upper bite like the Aldrich's...I didn't like those either.

I wish MCP would update their website with some sound clips and better descriptions as well as full list of pickups offered.

Holy Divers seem to get polarized/mixed reviews so I'll probably steer clear of those...the description of them makes them sound appealing but many people don't gel with them.

I am amazed at the difference the WCR Murkat made in a alder strat....very full sounding without being too bright, had always been thin and bright before. Had Aldrichs, SSV+, Godwood and Darkburst...all were too bright but the new Murkat is really good is is like a greatly improved JB, not spikey, just hot enough with tight low end!
Click to expand...

I know Wade is working on a new website design, He is a one man operation so it is probably why it has not been updated lately.

The Garuda does not have that upper mid pronounced spike like the Aldrich's and I have had the JB, Aldrich's, and now the Garuda's in one of my guitars. My fav pickup is the Angel Dust though. It is thicker sounding than the Garuda. I currently have a stock wound AD and will have an overwound and an underwound one coming soon.

Here is a clip of Mark Day with the Hot Heads and the Garuda is similar from what Wade told me, but slightly hotter with a narrower tonal spectrum than the Hot Heads. Wade also provides a nice description on the post.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=121150
 
OUTLAW1969":2lad7wjy said:
I have heard great things about the new MCP Garuda, and have one ordered, but have not received it yet. Also, you might try swapping an A2 magnet into the JB........favorite pickup in my ESP's.
Click to expand...


The Garuda's are awesome. :rock: :rock: :rock: I will also have the Hot Heads loaded into my Luxxtone build when it is finished.
 
If u don't want a pickup that's too bright then try the Seymour custom custom.
S
 
OUTLAW1969":2dk71qo9 said:
Also, you might try swapping an A2 magnet into the JB........favorite pickup in my ESP's.
Click to expand...


romanianreaper":2dk71qo9 said:
I have the Warren DeMartini signature pickup in my Warren DeMartini Charvel and I believe it is similar to a JB. Definitely is not as harsh.
Click to expand...


Basically a JB with an A2, from what i have read
 
duncan custom wont get you there tonally if you're comparing the two.

dimarzio norton

or just run the jb with 500k pots as mentioned.
 
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