Seymour Duncan JB (TB-4) Pick-ups

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eddyrox

eddyrox

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OK, I've recently landed an axe with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge. Playing Diezel amps through EVH5150's (basically T75's), 5153's (basically 20W greenback), and Mojo BV30's (vintage 30's). Gawd-damn those pick-ups are bright. :thumbsdown:

Now I gotta say that the speaker makes a shitload of difference (no duh) - and not suprisingly, the V30's work best with this JB pickup - IMHO

Also, the Eminence Super V's (Fane/Hiwatt knockoffs) seem to mate well with the SD JB's as well - especially given that the Eminence SV's are not bright and big-bottomed (almost loose).

What's everyone's experience? I am thinking about swapping this bridge pick up for an EVH Frankenstein or a Tom Anderson H2+ (which is really an even tone).
 
Ive had a JB come stock in 2 guitars in the past, and it got replaced pretty much immediately each time. They arent bad, but there are WAY better options out there. I imagine both that you listed sound better.
 
rbasaria":21zyff5j said:
Ive had a JB come stock in 2 guitars in the past, and it got replaced pretty much immediately each time. They arent bad, but there are WAY better options out there. I imagine both that you listed sound better.
Click to expand...

thanks RB! which pickups did you opt for?
:thumbsup:
 
eddyrox":2dsywe4g said:
rbasaria":2dsywe4g said:
Ive had a JB come stock in 2 guitars in the past, and it got replaced pretty much immediately each time. They arent bad, but there are WAY better options out there. I imagine both that you listed sound better.
Click to expand...

thanks RB! which pickups did you opt for?
:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Ive gone through a few. I tried the duncan invader, which didnt last long, the dave mustaine livewire set, which I had for a LONG time, until I discovered bareknuckle. I had painkillers for a while, and now Im hooked on motor city hellbabys, which are now, apparently, discontinued. I had a BG hellarail as well, but have a hellbaby replacing it. Honestly, I dont know what I would go for now. If you want boutique quality and clarity for duncan prices, definitely go with BG. Plus, my understanding is that he can custom wind something for you as well. From here on out, though, Im sticking with Motor City...

Also had some EMGs at some point, and some blackouts, but I much preferred the dave mustaine livewires over either of those.
 
I love the JB (SH-4) in my Les Paul thru a VH4. Sounds great. Not bright or harsh at all, although I do have lower valued pots in my LP.
 
FourT6and2":36n0ip87 said:
I love the JB (SH-4) in my Les Paul thru a VH4. Sounds great. Not bright or harsh at all, although I do have lower valued pots in my LP.
Click to expand...
hmm - Im thinking that the thick mids and the mahogany of the LP would mate well with the "harsh" top end I'm hearing from the JB.

Incidentally, the guitars that are 'suffering' from the JB's ice-pick top end are all bolt-on necks and alder bodies - so much less of a mid-range focus when compared to a Gibson LP.

thanks! I'm gonna try my LPC/JB's with the VH4 :rock:
 
rbasaria":uuand9iw said:
eddyrox":uuand9iw said:
rbasaria":uuand9iw said:
Ive had a JB come stock in 2 guitars in the past, and it got replaced pretty much immediately each time. They arent bad, but there are WAY better options out there. I imagine both that you listed sound better.
Click to expand...

thanks RB! which pickups did you opt for?
:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Ive gone through a few. I tried the duncan invader, which didnt last long, the dave mustaine livewire set, which I had for a LONG time, until I discovered bareknuckle. I had painkillers for a while, and now Im hooked on motor city hellbabys, which are now, apparently, discontinued. I had a BG hellarail as well, but have a hellbaby replacing it. Honestly, I dont know what I would go for now. If you want boutique quality and clarity for duncan prices, definitely go with BG. Plus, my understanding is that he can custom wind something for you as well. From here on out, though, Im sticking with Motor City...

Also had some EMGs at some point, and some blackouts, but I much preferred the dave mustaine livewires over either of those.
Click to expand...

WOW quite a history! :lol: :LOL: :thumbsup: OK, I'm gonna take your advise and swap out the JB's, and try the bareknuckles! :yes: :rock: thankyou!
 
A 333K resistor from the hot output of the bridge to ground will get you there without a new pot. ;)

This means you can keep the highs on the neck too.
 
bare knuckle holy diver and motor city afwayu are the best JB replacements I've heard, the holy diver being warmer, fatter, more fluid and open, and the afwayu being hotter, punchier, tighter and more aggressive
both are extremely articulated and balanced pickups
 
Nigel":4cfuqb8l said:
A 333K resistor from the hot output of the bridge to ground will get you there without a new pot. ;)
Click to expand...

that will eat a lot of output along with the high end
 
ericsabbath":3s66fjzv said:
bare knuckle holy diver and motor city afwayu are the best JB replacements I've heard, the holy diver being warmer, fatter, more fluid and open, and the afwayu being hotter, punchier, tighter and more aggressive
both are extremely articulated and balanced pickups
Click to expand...

Ive actually been looking at the afwayus for my next guitar...whenever that may be...
 
Try the Suhr Aldrich, it reminds me a little bit of the JB but improved allround!
 
IMO the JB is one of the better sounding SD pickups for lead playing.
for rhythm chunk...unless its in a nice thick slab of mahagony...there are alternatives.

i really like the Custom5 as a compromise between the 2.
 
eddyrox":2aia8x93 said:
FourT6and2":2aia8x93 said:
I love the JB (SH-4) in my Les Paul thru a VH4. Sounds great. Not bright or harsh at all, although I do have lower valued pots in my LP.
Click to expand...
hmm - Im thinking that the thick mids and the mahogany of the LP would mate well with the "harsh" top end I'm hearing from the JB.

Incidentally, the guitars that are 'suffering' from the JB's ice-pick top end are all bolt-on necks and alder bodies - so much less of a mid-range focus when compared to a Gibson LP.

thanks! I'm gonna try my LPC/JB's with the VH4 :rock:
Click to expand...

I basically max out the mids on my VH4 as well...
 
i'd say you're right on track with you choices of the Andy H2+ or the Frankie! :rock:


throw in the Suhr Aldrich as your third, and screw the rest of them.


what's the guitar, Charvel?
 
Capulin Overdrive":35t22qfn said:
i'd say you're right on track with you choices of the Andy H2+ or the Frankie! :rock:


throw in the Suhr Aldrich as your third, and screw the rest of them.


what's the guitar, Charvel?
Click to expand...

Charvel San Dimas! :thumbsup:
 
The JB is my favorite pickup. I tried a lot of the ones people say are better .... in my ears they are not.
 
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