software

Hey guys,

I just purchased an Ibanez SZ 520 QM that's got a mahogany body and neck with a maple cap.

I'm actually an EMG guy and have an 81/60 combo in another guitar that I love but I also like the openness of passives.

I've actually never played a quality passive pickup other than a JB in an ESP LTD 400 which actually sounded really good. I'm looking for a pickup that is warm and open but that is tight and extremely clear under high gain.

I don't want any muddiness at all. I need it to be as close in clarity and articulation as my EMG 81.

I'm running a Peavey XXX w/EL34's through a 5150 4x12.

So far I'm considering a JB or the SH-5 Custom.

All info and help is apprecitated.

EDIT: I play metal in the vain of Killswitch Engage, Darkest Hour, Unearth, LOG etc...

Scott.

Hey man, i am also considering a jb for metal, but have never played one, how good does it distort?

Well, Killswitch uses emg's, but both mark and willie from lamb of god has invaders in there main guitars, and willie has a jb in the jackup guitar. I think a jb, custom, distortion, or dimebucker would work for you very well. And if you get a pickup and don't like it you can always use that 21 day swap thing.

Is it a 21 exchange policy or return policy with Seymour?


Originally Posted by killswitch_19Is it a 21 exchange policy or return policy with Seymour?

IIRC it is a 21 day exchange policy.

The JB is great for metal. You also listed the custom-5, I'd say a regular custom would probably get you there as well. The distortion can be good too. Its all a matter of taste. Can't go wrong with a JB/Distortion/Custom for metal imo.

Willie Adler (Lamb of God) uses JBs exclusively; Mark does use the Invader, though.

I'm gonna recommend either a Distortion or Dimebucker. They're quickly becoming my two favorite pickups. Both are extremely versatile, as well.

However... it's REALLY hard to go wrong with a JB.

I've got the same guitar and I always thought a set of DD's would sound cool in it. I play classic rock and have a PG bridge and a Gibson 490 in the neck. Changing over to an A2P neck and a C5 bridge this week. Killer axe but shhh...don't tell anybpdy


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellWillie Adler (Lamb of God) uses JBs exclusively

thats not what this months issue of guitar world said(they did vuglar display of power on him this month). i guess......................GUITAR WORLD LIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or is just misinformed.

Sh*t... you're right. I've always seen him pictured with a JB, and I just skimmed through it before.

Thanks for the correction


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellSh*t... you're right. I've always seen him pictured with a JB, and I just skimmed through it before.

Thanks for the correction

does that mean im right?


Originally Posted by Nite_Maresz_25does that mean im right?

Refer to where it says quot;you're rightquot; for the answer


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellRefer to where it says quot;you're rightquot; for the answer

o ooops lol. sorry about that, i guess i missed that part. I think he used a jb to record the new cd and then switched to invaders.

Duncan Distortion or a Bill Lawrence 500xl are the closest ur going to get to the sound of emg's with passives.


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellWillie Adler (Lamb of God) uses JBs exclusively; Mark does use the Invader, though.
However... it's REALLY hard to go wrong with a JB.

JB from hell willies MAIN axe has a INVADER in it it is his BACKUP axe that has a JB.

having said that the JB is a asskicker, has more clarity and bite than the invader
and if you set it close to the strings it gets a emg 81 type tone
I have the 81's in two other guitars and i would recomend the JB for ANYONE that wants a 81 style tone in a passive.
the JB is my personal favorite passive high output bucker


Originally Posted by DodgerDuncan Distortion or a Bill Lawrence 500xl are the closest ur going to get to the sound of emg's with passives.

I have to disagree.
the distortion does not sound like a 81 it is too boxy and has too many mids going on.
the 500XL is a great pup in its own right but also does not sound anything like a 81.
of all the passives i tried the JB has the closest tone curve overall to a 81(not a boat load of bass,great treble bite and crunch,and just enough mids to give the tone body)
I set the JB real close to the strings and it sound damn METAL for a so called vintage hot pup

the tone curve for a 81 is something like 5 bass,5 mids,and 8 treble and the JB is listed at 5/6/8
the JB has more upper mids but is still real close to the 81 overall

Does the JB have a flabby low end or a tight low end?

It could stand to be tighter, but it's far from flabby.


Originally Posted by killswitch_19Does the JB have a flabby low end or a tight low end?

IMO the jb has a tight low end, but you might not think that it does. Tightness of low end is an opinional thing.EDIT: JB from hell beat me to it......by a long shot cause i was eating my ice cream.......

I guess my biggest fear is getting it and it sounding no better than the stock pickups that are in it.

I'm an EMG guy so when I switch to an axe loaded with EMG's I can tell a huge difference in clarity and articulation.