Just Bought a JB SH-4

[Deadpan]

The JB is great but there are three slightly different models of it over the years. Hard to tell them apart though just by tone. I the the original with "the JB model" sticker on the bottom.

The version I have has the nickel cover. That may balance the tone some.

 

[Rocco Crocco]

I used to be a JB guy but I really like DiMarzio Transitions.

 

[0XI0]

EMG85 for Low Gain/Bluesrock

(Honestly, it sounds so fat)

+1 to EMG alnico

don't overlook the importance of pickup height with EMGs, you can sit there with a screwdriver and move it up and down by the tiniest little amounts and get completely different response, helps to have a little crunch going to hear. EMGs are not dull and lifeless, they just don't have the prominent high resonance peak of regular humbuckers

 

[la szum]

Some of the most iconic tones of the 80s and 90s were JBs in Superstrats and non Les Paul style guitars.

Warren Demartini---Ratt
Jerry Cantrell---Alice in Chains
Marty Friedman---Megadeth
Jake E. Lee---Ozzy Osbourne/Badlands
Steve Stevens ----Billy Idol

 

[2dor]

Late to the party but I've been going round the pickup block for the past 4 years and tried a sh!t ton of them.

Passives are my all-round favorites and the top 3 ones I'd recommend people try (not just for hi-gain stuff) are:

1. SD Black Winter
2. SD SH-5
3. Suhr Aldrich

As far as actives are concerned, I really like the Keith Merrow Fishman set (voiced very low-gain compared to what Keith's famous for) followed very closely by the Fishman Open Core Classic.
Had a couple of EMGs (classic 81/60, 85/60, Jim Root set) but the Fishmans are better.

The BKP stuff is alright too - way too much hype on that train to be honest. I still have their Rebel Yell, Alnico Nailbomb, Miracle Man, Brute Force and True Gritt pickups. Out of the bunch, the Rebel Yell is probably the one I enjoy the most - still like the other passives I listed better though.

 

[Deadpan]

The BKP stuff is alright too - way too much hype on that train to be honest. I still have their Rebel Yell, Alnico Nailbomb, Miracle Man, Brute Force and True Gritt pickups. Out of the bunch, the Rebel Yell is probably the one I enjoy the most - still like the other passives I listed better though.

I have a Cold Sweat in a guitar for reference. It's decent. I prefer it over the SH-4.