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I've got a (rosewood fretboard) strat with texas specials in neck and middle position. I currently have a Duncan Distortion in the bridge, which is an obvious mismatch, but thats all I had to put in at that time.

Its time for me to get rid of the distortion and put something else in. I play mostly rock and blues, and I've got my eyes on the JB and C5.

Which do you think would be a better match for the texas specials... and my playing style?

From time to time, I hear that the JB is overly bright and shrill. And then I hear that the C5 seems a little lacking in mids. Without the chance to actually try them, its kinda hard to make my choice.

Thanks!

Well, the good thing is that if you buy a new Duncan, you can always utilize the 21 day exchange policy. The JB is a great pickup (IMHO), BUT, it's gotta be in the right guitar. I had one for a short time in my LP Standard, and with the Maple cap, it was way too bright. However, the JB seems to work well with Alder body guitars, so I think it would be fine for your Strat. I've never tried a C5 in a Strat, but that's whats currently in the bridge position in my Standard. Again, a great pickup, but also seems a bit bright to my ears (but not nearly as much as the JB). Maybe a 59 Trembucker would be a consideration as well???

I like the C-5 and 59B in a strat. The 59 is a better match with your Texas Specials, but the C-5 has a little more bass. Don't worry about the word 'scooped', because that's just the A5 sound, which is the same as most strat singles, which are also 'scooped.'
If you have a humbucker that's rich in mids like a CC or JB, there's a bigger percieved jump in output between your singles and bridge humbucker.

Thanks for your help guys.
How exactly does the exchange policy work? I don't live in the US (I live in Australia... but in Singapore for a year). Am I eligible for it?

The 21 Day Exchange is only good for U.S. Buyers.

Thanks for your help guys...
Would you say that the JB is more bright than the distortion?

Talking on the same lines... would the JB JAZZ combo sound ggod in an Alder body maple neck rosewood fret boaed.. or would it be to bright? One imp factor is that I would like to split the pups too...


Originally Posted by JocelynTalking on the same lines... would the JB JAZZ combo sound ggod in an Alder body maple neck rosewood fret boaed.. or would it be to bright? One imp factor is that I would like to split the pups too...

I think if your amp is EQ'd nicely, the JB/Jazz shouldn't be bright. It sounds more smooth than a Distortion. In a strat, I like to keep the stock 250K pots with humbuckers, since it keeps them warm sounding.


Originally Posted by spudsThanks for your help guys...
Would you say that the JB is more bright than the distortion?

The ceramic magnet Distortion and the alnico 5 JB are the same pickup with differant magnets. Generally, ceramic has more mids and a certain sizzle to the highs.

But I'd go for a 59 Trembucker over any of the pickups mentioned in this thread, especially with the Texas Special neck and middle pickups you have in your guitar.

The 59 TB will balance better in terms of volume/output with your single coils and although you'll get a volume jump when you switch to the 59 TB you'll not get the even bigger volume jump you'll get with the JB or Distortion.

Just my opinion...

That said, when split or in parallel, the JB gets the best single coil tones from a humbucker that I've ever heard!

Lew


Originally Posted by LewguitarThe ceramic magnet Distortion and the alnico 5 JB are the same pickup with differant magnets. Generally, ceramic has more mids and a certain sizzle to the highs.

But I'd go for a 59 Trembucker over any of the pickups mentioned in this thread, especially with the Texas Special neck and middle pickups you have in your guitar.

The 59 TB will balance better in terms of volume/output with your single coils and although you'll get a volume jump when you switch to the 59 TB you'll not get the even bigger volume jump you'll get with the JB or Distortion.

Just my opinion...

That said, when split or in parallel, the JB gets the best single coil tones from a humbucker that I've ever heard!

Lew

Thanks for your advice Lew... I'll seriously consider the '59. Martin6 suggested the same thing too. Now I've got more options! AARGH. =)

You're saying that the Distortion and JB are identical pickups? So if I put a A5 magnet into the Distortion, it becomes a JB???


Originally Posted by spudsYou're saying that the Distortion and JB are identical pickups? So if I put a A5 magnet into the Distortion, it becomes a JB???

That is my understanding. They are both the same 16.6K coils with ceramic for the Distortion and alnico 5 for the JB.

Lew


Originally Posted by LewguitarThat is my understanding. They are both the same 16.6K coils with ceramic for the Distortion and alnico 5 for the JB.

Lew

Wow thats great...
Do you know any websites that give instructions on swapping magnets? I think I have an A5 lying around and I wanna give it a shot.

Then if I don't like the sound of that, I'd know that I'd need a C5 or a 59...

Search the forum. I think there was a few threads about swapping magnets.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserI think if your amp is EQ'd nicely, the JB/Jazz shouldn't be bright. It sounds more smooth than a Distortion. In a strat, I like to keep the stock 250K pots with humbuckers, since it keeps them warm sounding.

Originally Posted by Lewguitar

That said, when split or in parallel, the JB gets the best single coil tones from a humbucker that I've ever heard!

Thanks Lew Thanks Gearjoneser..... That really helps... I like the 59 and it is one of my All time favs.... I have guitar project on hand with my Luither somewhere early next year...
I want humbuckers in it. But I would also like it to do nice single coil tones when split or parallel...I had heard the JB splits well...But was a bit worried about the alder body.... I would have loved Mahogany.. But I got a slight Back problem so I have ruled it out because of the weight factor....My Amp has a nice base response when compared to other amps...May be thats another reason why the JB sound good on my flying V clone..( i dont know what wood it is made off .It is very light I can acually lift it with three fingers.It is also abit soft and has got dents on it Maybe it is base wood but it doesnot sound all that warm when I strum it unplugged)

Any way thanks again, I will also be going in for the 59 later


Originally Posted by Gearjoneser

In a strat, I like to keep the stock 250K pots with humbuckers, since it keeps them warm sounding.That is so true. I prefer the JB with 250K pots even when in a single humbucking guitar. Some folks will take issue with that and complain about the tone being muffled. But like most everything, tone is subjective. I think the tone is fatter, which can be cool.

If I were you, I'd decide what I wanted my 'heat' level to be...if you wanna go hotter, I think some HR's in the neck and/or would probably match up nicely with a distortion in the bridge. For the more moderate output, if you want to keep the Texas Specials, I'd probably go with Lew's suggestion. Or if you wanna go with the more moderate output, you could always order a Pearly Gates Plus for the bridge, with TS neck and middle, and have the setup Fender was (is? I'm not sure what HB they're using now) using stock for the American S/S/H setup, which is pretty good IMO.

Mark

I've tried both pickups on my strat and i liked much more the JB. I would not recommend a C5 on a strat....i think it is better suited to les pauls.........the C5 has more bass than the JB (which already has a good amount of bass frequencies) but it also has more treble than the JB. On the other hand it definately has a lack of mid frequencies and that is not good with a strat and it is even worse when you play with a drummer and bass player...........you need mids to be heard. The JB is to my ears warmer than the C5 and has that upper mid spike (........ many confuse it as treble frequencies) that helps you be heard even in the bussiest band mix..........My vote goes to the JB.