Whoa, the JB/Jazz set is superb!

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Spaceboy

Spaceboy

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I have been going through DiMarzios/Duncans lately, probably about 10 sets over the past couple weeks, trying to find the right match for a PRS Mike Mushok. I got fed up with the search and ordered a JB/Jazz set, telling myself that if I can't make a classic setup sound good, then I'm just plain doing something wrong. Got 'em yesterday and today had the chance to crank the 5150 III 50w/Orange 212 rig I've been working with, and DAMN this guitar has finally come to life. I never had the JB/Jazz set before, probably because it's so common and standard, and I've always been the dude who wants to stand out, but boy was I missing out. I don't think I've heard been so floored with pickups, and yes I've owned BKPs (Warpig and Painkiller).

What's the magic in this set? I'm going to have to try them in some other bodies now!
 
Literally been my go to set for as long as I can remember...
 
Tried and true. I always keep a JB in the stable somewhere.
 
fek":diba7pdv said:
Tried and true. I always keep a JB in the stable somewhere.
Click to expand...
Yeah thats about as classic a combo as youcan get but I grew out of the JB awhile ago...
 
I've never owned them. :no:

I should qualify that I did use a Duncan Distortion for years but have never cared much for Duncans. Had some in my newer Charvel Socal and didn't like that guitar much at all and sold it.

I'm a Dimarzio guy. Suhr's as well.

I'd like to try the MCP's and BKP's.
 
I've been a JB/59 user for decades. Right now I flip back and forth between EMGs and Blackouts. But for anything other than metal... that Duncan set has always been my bread and butter.
 
As long as you stick with the regular spaced JB you are good. I like the Jazz too. I had this set in my Fender MIJ contemporary tele, it did me well. I still prefer the Anderson H1- and H2+ I have in there now though. :)
 
I haven't tried any Anderson pickups, heard good things though. This JB is a trembucker and I'm lovin' it. I was actually considering selling the guitar earlier this week because it wasn't clicking for me, and the JB/Jazz set was basically the last chance, hah. It's a keeper now!
 
I never clicked with Duncans except for my Phat Cat P - 90's in my Epiphone LP. Just lifeless to me. The JB/Jazz combo was underwhelming, the Invader was only good for massive bass or drop-tuning (which I don't frequently do), Duncan Distortion was too fizzy, Custom Custom was flat... Just never found "My Duncan."
 
I use the JB for high mid based heavy metal tones. Combined with a OD pedal, it is pretty awesome. My other favorite was the Distortion.
 
An old JB can be a thing of beauty in the right guitar, but I haven't cared for them as much since the 80's...they definitely changed something about them at some point. They seem to have an upper-mid harshness/rattiness that I don't like.
I also love the Jazz...I have one that I pulled out of an '84 Jackson Rhoads in my LP Custom going on 21 years now. Just a great neck pickup.
 
Welcome to the party. The JB is an amazing pickup for just straight ahead, grinding classic rock tones. Some use for metal as well. The only drawback I find is they don't clean up too well with the guitar's volume knob. Even run as split coils, they tend to break up lightly. No matter. You don't really use the JB for super cleans anyways - that's what the Jazz in the neck is for.
 
While I love the JB, I didn't like how it sounded with my 5153. So I'm currently using a Duncan Custom in my Les Paul, and couldn't be happier. Up until around 99 or so I was a die hard DiMarzio user. I've been trying to find a set of DiMarzios that I could live with for my Ibanez RG. Still looking.
 
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