software

My new guitar I got a couple of weeks ago came stock with a JB/59 set. I've never used SD's before, only EMG's. I play mostly thrash kinda music, lot's of downpicking and triplets, all rhythm. I really liked the JB at first but now I'm realizing it doesn't have what I'm looking for. Which is less bass, more crunch. I've tried this thing on ever amp I own and it doesn't sound great on any. I want to stick with SD's, not switch to EMG's. So I've read a bunch of opinions on here but still can't figure out what kind of pickup I need. Seems like the two most popular with users are the Custom and Distortion. Could use some help deciding.

It might be useful to specify what sort of guitar it is that you have.

I haven't tried the Custom, although I was in a similar situation to yours where I was torn between it and the DD. From what I hear the Custom has more bass and is a little less thrashy than the DD, so it might not be up your alley. There's no shortage of crunch on the DD; I have it in a trem-equipped poplar strat body and it still gives out a pretty bone-shattering mute. One thing's for certain: make sure you have 500k pots if you decide to go with the DD, (I imagine this probably goes for the Custom as well) since with the 250's that come stock on most guitars (and may well be the stock pots in an axe with a JB/59 combo) the DD will be stripped of all of its highs and come out sounding compressed, gritty and harsh. And not in a good, heavy metal way, believe me.

Sorry, I have an ESP Eclipse II, Les Paul shaped guitar, mahogany body, rosewood board. Not sure what kind of pots it has though. Anyway to find out?

The Distortion has a strong bass because of the large ceramic magnet in it...

If you put the smaller ceramic magnet from a Custom in your JB it probably will nail the tone you are looking for...


Originally Posted by BachToRockThe Distortion has a strong bass because of the large ceramic magnet in it...

If you put the smaller ceramic magnet from a Custom in your JB it probably will nail the tone you are looking for...

I agree with BTR put a small ceramic in the JB
these sound great and are not as pushy as a DD but have that type of tone

Really? Is there a write-up somewhere that explains how to do that?


Originally Posted by KgryReally? Is there a write-up somewhere that explains how to do that? from : localhost/

I think the Custom sounds better and does more styles, but I don't like thrash tone, so maybe a DD is for you.

Wow, that seems above my technical skill to change out the magnet. I guess I'll switch to the DD.

It's a very, very easy process. Just screw out the polepieces and the bottom 4 screws and separate the metal bottom from the pickup and you'll see the magnet. The worst part is putting it back together.

Oh, that's it? I thought there was some soldering needed? But don't I have to buy the new pickup anyway to get the magnet?

Somebody here would probably trade you magnets... I will check and see if I have a Custom that I could make a Custom 5 with your magnet!
also... I might have a JB and could do the mod for you and send it your way for the going rate.