JB in a strat?

[clutch71]

Last year my V fell on my 86 Squire Strat striking the pup, stripping the bolt that adjusts the pup heighth on the SD Hot Rails in the bridge position. I "reengineered" it to maintain the heighth that I like but now can't adjust it. The guitar is my favorite, but the Hotrails have slowly became my least favorite.

I'd like to try a JB but wonder if it will sound thin in an alder body? I plan on having the guitar set up in Drop D. Keep in mind I do not want to route the body.

For reference, In my other guitars I run and like the following...

LTD Truckster EMG 81/60 set tuned to DGCFAD
Flying V - 500t/498r standard tuning
Epiphone - "Ugly hEad" SD Distortion half step down

Any other pup suggestions welcome.

Thanks!

 

[mikey383]

I have a Schecter Classic that has the JB in the bridge, and I love the sound of that guitar. Very balanced IMO. I don't think you could go wrong with it in any guitar, if you like a hot pickup.

 

[Rocky]

JB's can be a little shrill in bolt on Alder or Ash bodied guitars.

I have done it in the past but have ALWAYS gone with a 250K pot (which is how the JB was designed to be used anyway)

 

[Rocky]

JB's can be a little shrill in bolt on Alder or Ash bodied guitars.

I have done it in the past but have ALWAYS gone with a 250K pot (which is how the JB was designed to be used anyway)

 

[cvansickle]

I hated the JB in my alder body, bolt maple necked Jackson. Like the others have said, very shrill - ice pick in the ears shrill.

I swapped it with a Duncan Crazy 8. Better.

 

[fuzzjunkie]

I have a JB in a SG. Not the same wood of course, but very light. I'm kind of disappointed in the bass response. It definitely has the output though. It's about as powerful as most active pickups I've used. I have a buddy that has a Pearly Gates in his Strat, and it sounds a little weak too, for your reference.

 

[Rocky]

JB's don't have much low end..they are great if you have a dark sounding rig.

Lots of people that crave a Duncan vibe with more low end like the Custom a lot. A pickup I suggest to those that want a hotter pickup with great midrange cut AND nice lows is the Anderson H2+.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I've got a JB in my custom Peavey and it's very bright and expressive. Not much low end punch like Rocky said. I think it sounds really good though. It gives me a very open Satriani tone. It's not super hot so it's not harsh but it is a bright pickup...

 

[take5]

I tried a JB in the bridge of my LP with 500k pots....ice pick in the forehead...couldn't stand it. Yanked it and tried it in the bridge of my tele with a 250k pot....love it....that's where it is staying! Smooth & crunchie!

 

[kylek]

not to hijack, but I thought Gibson used 333k pots in the LP

 

[clutch71]

Hey thanks for the suggestions guys. I did a string swap and cranked the Marshall and some of the mud went away from this pick up, but I really prefer the other pick ups in my other guitars where this one used to be my "go to" guitar.

The Hot Rail has been in there for over 10 years and I think I would like a pick up with adjustible pole pieces and one that wasn't stripped by the flying V falling into it! Remember I need a slim pick up as I will not route the body,

From Duncan's Web site I'm down to the JB or the Little 59'. I'll way it out, talk to the guys where I take my guitars for set ups and see what they say.

 

[Elpelotero]

Dave, for reference, my guitar has a JB "clone" if you will. I don't know if it's the maple neck, or the pickup, but I got pretty tired of this guitar's sound after getting over the honeymoon with my boogies. (Honeymoon in the sense that I no longer idolize every single sound coming out of it like when you get your first real amp). The 339 and C+ are bright amps, and this guitar does not complement them. A darker pickup is necessary in order to get a nice fat tone out of these things...Or, simply a huge fat les paul that will sound thick no matter what pickup is in it.

So, my recommendation is go for the duncan custom line. They are rounder and creamier. If you get a JB, make sure to get pots that will kill some of the highs. With the new bright marshall, you may tread into overly bright territory. Just my .02. You know I like a slightly darker sound.

BTW, I was really impressed by the sound of that guitar when you played it. It sounded like an animal...I personally loved it and would put that pickup in if I was ever searching for a hot single coil pickup. I understand though that you've had it for years and are ready to move on.

 

[clutch71]

I will definitely bring up the questions of caps, no clue what's in there. I aggree with you, this is a great pick up and it's a keeper. I'll throw it in something else down the road.


Not coming to GVLLE BTW. Set is back about another month.