DiMarzio equivalent of Seymour Duncan JB/59

[InversePolarity]

Interested in trying out DiMarzios in a 2020 LP Tribute. Absolutely adore the JB/59 combo in my LTD EC1000. Wondering what DiMarzio pickups might be considered closest in signature tones to the JB/59. If you've gone down this road, please sound off here. Thanks!

Edit: I realize the LP Tribute is a slightly different beast than the LTD in several ways, most notably the fret count and fretboard wood, also maple vs mahogany neck/top, and that has some impact on the natural EQ of the pickups. Regardless, feel free to theorize!

 

[Kelly]

At-1/36th would be the closest, but the norton might be a better fit for a les paul. The at1 may be too bassy.

 

[wox]

There's not really a DiMarzio that sounds like the JB imo.

PAF Pro, Fred, Air Zone, or Breed may be close. The Evolution may be of interest too, tho it's a hotter ceramic magnet. The Super D is in the ballpark, but substantially brighter than a JB.

For the 59 in the neck, the 36th PAF or Air Classic.

 

[InversePolarity]

At-1/36th would be the closest, but the norton might be a better fit for a les paul. The at1 may be too bassy.

Any experience with the Super Distortion in bridge? My understanding is that's bass-heavy too.

 

[Noise Under The Floor]

Any experience with the Super Distortion in bridge? My understanding is that's bass-heavy too.

I’ve never found the Super Distortion bass heavy. It has solid lows but its a ceramic magnet and has plenty of cut. The lows are tighter than the JB’s. Its a classic go to bridge pickup in a Les Paul if you like 70s and 80s rock, but Ive always found it pretty versatile.

 

[wox]

The Super is more of scooped tone profile, more treble and bass compared to the JB, which is a pickup with a ton of thick mid harmonics.

The Super is a bit more aggressive and brash sounding, it makes for very defined leads and riffs.

Both great pickups imo.

 

[InversePolarity]

There's not really a DiMarzio that sounds like the JB imo.

PAF Pro, Fred, Air Zone, or Breed may be close. The Evolution may be of interest too, tho it's a hotter ceramic magnet. The Super D is in the ballpark, but substantially brighter than a JB.

For the 59 in the neck, the 36th PAF or Air Classic.

Thanks! I was wondering about that Super Distortion too. Seems to have a lot of supporters and detractors, maybe just due to the platforms it's been installed into. I suppose brighter might pair well with a rosewood board.

The 36th seems to be a favorite in this forum, even against other brands' PAFs, and not just the 59. That's reassuring.

 

[wox]

Thanks! I was wondering about that Super Distortion too. Seems to have a lot of supporters and detractors, maybe just due to the platforms it's been installed into. I suppose brighter might pair well with a rosewood board.

The 36th seems to be a favorite in this forum, even against other brands' PAFs, and not just the 59. That's reassuring.

Rosewood board won't make an audible difference but using a lower value (like 300k) volume pot may help you.

 

[InversePolarity]

Rosewood board won't make an audible difference but using a lower value (like 300k) volume pot may help you.

Very good point. IIRC the 2020 Tribute has 300k pots, but could be mistaken.

 

[Silverback]

I wonder why you want to stray from the Duncan combo you like so much?

It will be in a different guitar so even if you stayed with the JB/59, it will sound different.

But, if you just want to try Dimarzio for a different sound, I get that.

The allure of Dimarzio - if it was me, and I've thought about it plenty, there's no question I would go with a Super Distortion and a 36th Ann. PAF in the neck. Can't go wrong with that combo either IMO.

Good luck to you whatever you choose.

 

[InversePolarity]

I wonder why you want to stray from the Duncan combo you like so much?

It will be in a different guitar so even if you stayed with the JB/59, it will sound different.

But, if you just want to try Dimarzio for a different sound, I get that.

The allure of Dimarzio - if it was me, and I've thought about it plenty, there's no question I would go with a Super Distortion and a 36th Ann. PAF in the neck. Can't go wrong with that combo either IMO.

Good luck to you whatever you choose.

Thank you! Yeah, different guitar, so I figured I'd try something that's new to me but with similar characteristics as what I'm drawn to. Haven't ruled out the JB/59 just yet though.

 

[BigDoug1053]

Let us know the DiMarzios you pick and how they work in the guitar. I go with Duncan pickups in general and have JB/Jazz sets in several 6 and 7 strings. However, my EBMM Majesty 7 and a couple of my Ibanez shredders have really nice sounding Dimarzios. I now see them as great sounding pickups. A lot depends on your pots and how the guitar interacts with the pickups.

Good Luck!

 

[storm319]

Closest would be the AT-1 / Air Classic, although the AT-1 will have noticeably more low end.

 

[supersoldier71]

Super Distortion and Bluesbucker. Everyone knows—or has heard of—the SD, but the BB is under appreciated and under utilized.

 

[Silverback]

Super Distortion and Bluesbucker. Everyone knows—or has heard of—the SD, but the BB is under appreciated and under utilized.

Now that would make for a very versatile guitar for sure.

@ChieFender you might really like that combo, look into the Bluesbucker in the neck too. supersoldier71 is right that it is an often overlooked Dimarzio.

 

[supersoldier71]

Now that would make for a very versatile guitar for sure.

@ChieFender you might really like that combo, look into the Bluesbucker in the neck too. supersoldier71 is right that it is an often overlooked Dimarzio.

On a whim I went with this pairing in my PRS. I’d only used Duncans in the past, but I decided to try something new.

In a S2 S24, they scream, sing, grind, chime or sear, depending. The middle position even “quacks” a bit.

 

[gunslinger]

Just get a Duncan JB. Nothing really sounds like it.

 

[PalmBeachRockShop]

I just put BluesBuckers into a Washburn idol (with the Dinarzio-spec treble-bleed plus coil-split and “Dual-Sound” aka series/parallel) and both hot coils towards the neck. Sounds terrific in any position but middle is amazing.

 

[Ndaxe]

Interested in trying out DiMarzios in a 2020 LP Tribute. Absolutely adore the JB/59 combo in my LTD EC1000. Wondering what DiMarzio pickups might be considered closest in signature tones to the JB/59. If you've gone down this road, please sound off here. Thanks!

Edit: I realize the LP Tribute is a slightly different beast than the LTD in several ways, most notably the fret count and fretboard wood, also maple vs mahogany neck/top, and that has some impact on the natural EQ of the pickups. Regardless, feel free to theorize!

Air Norton and Tone Zone are a great combination.

 

[David Garner]

Super Distortion and 36th replaced the JB/59 in one of my Les Pauls. It’s not really like the JB/59 set, but to me, in that particular guitar, it was an improvement.