Seymour Duncan JB

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: http://www.seymourduncan.com/humbuckersdescr.html#JB153Model

Model of guitar or bass: Yamaha Pacifica 112M
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Dimarzio Humbucker from Hell
Other pickups on guitar: two Fender Texas Specials
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): from light rock to grindcore and everything inbetween
Reason for pickup change: I enjoyed the H from H in the bridge, but I found out that when the JB is run in parallel, it sounds very much the same, so now I do series/parallel and get "the best of both worlds" with this pickup. (I also reviewed the H from H on this site.)

Perceived output level: A little more than a PAF Pro
Tone: Balanced with warm bass and good crunchy presence, but not "trebly" as some others may complain...
Sonic evaluation: I use this pickup in an alder bodied Yamaha Pacifica 112M through a Line 6 AX2. I have also tried it through a couple Boogie Rectifier heads.
I just had to do this review since I noticed a lot of people trying to compare this to an EMG 81. How can you do that? The two pickups are so different. Years ago I switched back from EMG's to passives, and I think that's the way it will stay with me (except for my bass guitar. I think active is the only way to go with bass.) Don't get me wrong, EMG's are really cool for a certain sound, and if I could have that sound AND good powerful hard rock sounds (Green Day, Van Halen, Queensryche, Foo Fighters, etc.) then I would have kept using them. I just think that with EMG's I kept getting a "clock, clock, clock" sound as I picked the notes--you know, not enough dynamic variance from pick attack to sustain of the note. I like pickups that really respond to touch, which the JB does well. Even the EMG 85 (and 89) didn't do it for me. I find their resonant frequencies a little too low for the midrange kick that I like in hard-driving guitar sounds.
Overall, the JB sounds a lot like the Duncan Custom. It has the same output level, but more bass and crisper presence. The Custom actually has a more powerful "howl" in the midrange which works very well for me too, but the JB is a nice contrast with more bass and better harmonics. Squeeze away; those pinch-harmonics just fly out at you. Lots of character to speak of for a "high-gain" pickup too; it doesn't coat the sound of the guitar like a stock Ibanez pickup if you know what I mean. I like this pickup a lot in high gain situations since the clarity of the pickup remains with a very strong attack, warm bass, and good "crunch". It also, by the way, works very well with "death/grindcore". If you find it isn't bassy enough for you, then either you don't know how to work a mix, don't have a bassy enough amp, or otherwise expect the sound of a bass guitar to somehow magically appear piggybacked to the sound of your guitar.
Also, as with the Custom, if you have the room for another switch, or can change one of your pots, then do a series/parallel switch. You will be pleasantly surprised at how well it sounds "single-coily" yet very strong in parallel, and that especially works well for some Van Halen sounds, and also for some really nice cleans. I would also argue with anyone who said this pickup is always dirty sounding without overdrive. It is thick and warm with a fair amount of midrange--just what you would expect from a good strong pickup in the bridge. If that isn't good enough, then why don't they install a switch to get the parallel option? It's not rocket science, folks. Get a $2 switch from Radio Shack and follow the instructions that come in the box with the pickup.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Suits pretty much anything I play and is quite versatile if you take the trouble to do a series/parallel switch. I haven't tried it in the neck, but because of the good parallel sound, it may work well there too.

Comments: I would replace it and/or may buy another for another guitar I plan to buy. This pickup is as close to "the" sound as it gets, for me. Out of some 30 different pickups I have tried, I think so far this suits me best "all around". I also do like the Custom, but for more "Satriani" type sounds.
Don't forget, no pickup alone is responsible for your sound. Use a good amp that doesn't need an external distortion pedal to get a good sound (Boogie Rectifier series and Line 6 AX2 and Flextone 2X12), and don't use too many effects.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Matthias Jabs Ltd Ed Stratocaster
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: n/a
Other pickups on guitar: Fender Custon Shop 59's Strat Single Coils
Artists using this pickup: lots
You musical style(s): rock blues
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: High output, louder than a standard Gibson PAF
Tone: this pickup has a strong treble response without being tinny. Mids and Bass are balanced nicely.
Sonic evaluation: Amps are a Peavey Classic 30 and a Boogie .50 Caliber. Effects chain is--Dunlop Volume pedal>Vox wah>Ibanez TS-9>Marshall Drivemaster>Dunlop a/b switch>amps.
The pickup is great for all out metal type lead tones as well as a nice brown sound (which is what I want anyway) I am not a big fan of clean humbucker tones and prefer the single coils for cleans. The Jabs Strat has a coil splitter installed and I do use it occasionally. I find split humbuckers sound ok when they are breaking up but they don't cut it for glassy Fender type tones. I like this pickup for it's power and clarity. The JB really does a great job of pushing both amps into overdrive when I pick hard...the drive pedals are set mainly to add color not overdrive.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play blues and hard rock and GOBS of Zappa. I did start playing in the 80's so the JB also satisfies my need to blast out Satriani, Vai and Rhoads stuff. I think this pickup would be to hot for the neck position in any guitar that I own.

Comments: I used to use Dimarzio Tone zones in my old Ibanez guitars, they sound muddy to my ears. I like the JB a lot and am going to replace the Stock Gibson PAF in my 70 Les Paul to a JB. I love the articulation that the JB gives me. Great pickup.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Jag-Stang
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock bridge pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Stock Fender neck pickup
Artists using this pickup: not sure
You musical style(s): Rock,punk,alternative.
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickup sucked balls

Perceived output level: Way hotter than stock
Tone: Balanced.
Sonic evaluation: i use a digitech RP-7 effects processor and a carvin SX-100
100 watt,2 12" combo amp.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It is a bridge pickup.It works good for any style of music that requires distortion.

Comments: I will definetly buy this pickup for my other guitars.I have been playing for about 11 years and this is the best sounding pickup i've ever used.sounds great with distortion.doesn't sound very good clean though.

Pickup features: Humbucking/Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Almost every guitar I own (ESP, Hamer, Peavey, Valley Arts)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Anything stock in the bridge
Other pickups on guitar: Stock
Artists using this pickup: Everyone
You musical style(s): Rock, Alternative, Metal
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Hot enough. Ask Megadeth
Tone: Very balanced and chunky
Sonic evaluation: I play through an extensive rack system consisting of Rocktron, VHT, H&K, BBE, Marshall...

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup is perfect for any music that requires any distortion. But it also cleans up well.

Comments: For the last two years, I have put JB's in all my guitars that I play out with regularly. I have heard my fair share of pickups and really haven't heard two that sound alike. However, remember that this pickup was the one that got Duncan up and rolling. Look at alot of today's major guitar manufacturers: Hamer, Jackson, Dean, Fender, ESP etc. JB's are standard on all of their upper end models. And, whenever you see "Duncan Designed" pickups on imports from the above, or Schecter, the bridge pickup is designed after the JB. I'm not trying to preach; everyone should seek their own sound and the same pickup will sound different depending on the guitar its in. After all the pickups I've played, if you're playing Rock, the JB has all the tone and punch you'll need. For me, playing a big, fat open G chord and hearing that great growl and singing makes me feel right at home. I wouldn't play out with anything else.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Heritage Firebird style
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock Schaller
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates
Artists using this pickup: too many to mention
You musical style(s): a full string quartet?
Reason for pickup change: Stock p.ups were simply bad.

Perceived output level: remarkable
Tone: mid-high tone, but with a low end kick. Not too balanced.
Sonic evaluation: I play my guitars thru' a Peavey Blues Classic (15" speaker)with a SPX90 II, a jamman and a Microverb II.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: well: styles are really personal. To me the p.up sounds better on the neck.

Comments: You never know how pickups will match guitars.
The JB seemes too loud for bridge: I think it covers the sound of the guitar.
You know: if you want to use bridge pickup with clean sounds the JB is too loud and full of harmonics, it's too "invasive".
But it's only a personal feeling; other people will find this quite appreciable.
On neck it sounds much better. Its natural lack on the mid-lows is well compensated by the construction of my Firebird, so that it reaches more definition even with shredding.

Pickup features: this is an update of my previous submission...
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: ESP M-II
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: ESP stock
Other pickups on guitar: ESP stock
Artists using this pickup: .......
You musical style(s): Shred
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: perfect for me. I don't need more. More than a Demon and stock Ibanez V8...
Tone: This pickup is HORRIBLY trebly in an alder-bodied guitar....it's nearly painful for some of my friends!!....lots of higher midrange too...let's say it's BRIGHT.
Sonic evaluation: This pickup has a GREAT high-frequency response that increases depending on your gain. It IS a bit muddy under lots of gain, because it sings too much, the notes seems to bond together as they're being played. Don't get shot...try it in a guitar similar as yours before. I can get great Megadeth sounds with it...I just can't get the John Petrucci sound...I guess I need a Tone-Zone or a Steve's special for that. I can have a GREAT sound for me, but I can't copy Petrucci's sound and it pisses me a little bit....

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It renders George Lynch's pre-demon tone very well, has bite. Doesn't do the petrucci thing. Will do the Megadeth, but no Metallica here (EMGs!!)

Comments: I'm restating it's a great pickup for a good lead sound. However, you simply can't sound like anyone else...because the JB isn't anyone else's pickup...it has it's own character and you must like it (as most Duncan pickups...). It is good, but I have to try a Tone-zone and an EMG-81 in my guitar again. I simply wrote another review to warn you that if you don't want too much treble and want a more balanced sound for your alder body guitar...don't buy this one, buy a Tone-Zone. I love a trebly tone, but it gets annoying after a while.I still like it...for it's harmonics and it's singing character, but I wouldn't rely on it for the rest of my life, I'm an eternal perfectionnist...and it shows...

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Synsonics Pro Series Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Single coil bridge
Other pickups on guitar: Single coil
Artists using this pickup: Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)
You musical style(s): Punk, Grunge, Surf
Reason for pickup change: The guitar I have sounded like crap, I had the humbucker installed for a better sound

Perceived output level: It's louder and more distorted.............
Tone: More treble
Sonic evaluation: I use a Synsonics strat and play out of a Peavy 65 watt and the distortion is killer man

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: In the bridge position this pickup is great for punk/grunge, you don't even need a pedal if you have a fairly good amp

Comments: If I ever get another guitar I am going to have this humbucker re-installed

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: www.seymourduncan.com

Model of guitar or bass: ESP M-II Deluxe (body wood: ALDER)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: ESP LH-200
Other pickups on guitar: ESP LH-200 neck
Artists using this pickup: All of them should :)
You musical style(s): SHRED!!!, Metal, Power Rock
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to get more....uhmmm....more "something" you know...ESP sounded flat after 8 months.....after a nearly one year search......I decided to go with the JB

Perceived output level: Hummmm...more than the ESP, They say it's a "high output humbucker" and I agree...the output level is perfect....couldn't be better
Tone: BOOM! The tone on that thing is Balanced...but a little on the trebly side...VERY GOOD FOR the 80's SHRED thing
Sonic evaluation: I use a Marshall JMP-1 straight into my Crate Half-stack...
I also use a Peavey special 112...sounds fuckin' great with both!
If you want my appreciation...I'd say the JB has a tone of it's own....whenever you hear it...you know it's a JB...it's a little bit compressed and SQUASHED like a Single coil....but it sounds huge!!
To get a good exemple of that metal tone....listen to the tone Marty Friedman got on "countdown to extinction" and hear how the JB sings...
BTW: the harmonics are DEVASTATING!! it shreds and pumps!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I tried blues with it and was stunned....this thing is good for everything except VERY chunky and palm muted barre chords (go with a EMG-81 for these)

Comments: I'd buy it again for sure!!
The best bridge (soloing)pickup I've ever tried!! I think it says it all!!
For that "powerful and Pantera"ish" sound...go with an EMG-81 or Lawrence XL-500......the JB will give you POWER in leads...not in rythm
Also, this pickup is NOT muddy!!
Email if you need some info....

Pickup features: passive humbucking
Impedence or other specs: 16k

Model of guitar or bass: E.S.P. mkII
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio fasttrack rail
Artists using this pickup: Jeff Beck; Megadeth
You musical style(s): Neoclassical
Reason for pickup change: Too trebly and one dimensional. absolutely no tone or character.

Perceived output level: overwound and not player friendly
Tone: trebly!
Sonic evaluation: Marshall JCM 900 SLX
Fender twin
Various rack gear
traditional stomp boxes

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: neoclassical/ unsuitable for every application that requires gain

Comments: I actually had to give this pick-up away! No kidding. I told the now current owner that it was good for any serious stundent of the skin flute or fan of Korn.Needless to say, he took it up the a**, and he
it left very little differentiation between the front and rear settings. Needless to say the Fasttrack is getting ripped out, too.I think it best to go with a low output pick-ups set-up because it leaves more room for tone, and then more expression.

Pickup features: Humbucker (passive)
Impedence or other specs: See below :

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Bridge
Other pickups on guitar: stock
Artists using this pickup: Jeff Beck, Dave Mustaine none of my 'heroes'.
You musical style(s): alternative, art-rock
Reason for pickup change: Epiphone appear to use deaf chimps to make, design and evaluate their pickups. Stock pickups lacked clarity and Quality.

Perceived output level: Stock (Standard PAF level). Its not as hot as some people seem to think ???
Tone: Well balanced, possibly a bit trebly, but ideal for combination with the neck pickup.
Sonic evaluation: Its going into a Trace-elliot 100w amp via a danecho, boss tremolo, Rat, boss fuzz and boss ac2.
It sounds surprisingly good, especially considering that my amp is really designed for use with fender style guitars. Slightly trebly, but with warm undertones. An OK split coil sound, nothing special.
Comes into its own when overdriven. !!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Bridge only. A good all rounder.

Comments: If it were stolen I would replace it. Excellent. It really outshines my neck pickup, which now obviously needs replacing