Seymour Duncan JB

Passive humbucker. For any technical stuff look up seymour duncan's website. originally in hammer guitar

Fender Stratocaster copy S-S-H. JB in bridge position, replaced stock pickups. I bought this one because I was looking for kind of Adam Jones' (TOOL) sound. And, have to say, I'm not disappointed.

Pretty hot output. I play it through Boss PH-3->Morley Bad Horsie Wah->Ashdown Fallen Angel 60H->4x12 eminence cabinet.
Quite balanced pickup with a bit flat mid. I play hard&progressive rock and metal. Pretty good pickup for this style but I can't wait for my brand new guitar w/ emg ZW set :>

If I ever have two guitars, one of them will definitely contain of JB pickup. I've been playing for 5 yrs, use gear mention above. When I was to replace stock pickups I hesitated between sh-4 and sh-5. I chose sh-4 and that was a good decision :) sound is much clearer! it came with hammer guitar and has no seymour duncan's logos so I bought it for ridiculous price - 200PLN ~ 35GBP ~ $70. To sum up: pretty hot pickup but extremely versatile.

Passive humbucking.

1982 Dean V Baby. I replaced a DiMarzio X2N because the X2N lacked bass. The JB has more bass with more dynamics. It sounds great through my Marshall tube amps.

Nice, round, and fat sounding. Sweet warm leads. Nice crunchy rhythms. I reviewed this pickup earlier. I have since added a tone control and it sounds even better. The JB is one of the best rock pickups ever made.

I love this pickup. It's one of my all time favorites. I prefer to use GHS boomers and super steels with it. Personally I think it sounds best with a heavy guitar.

humbucking open coil

Ibanez RG with basswood body, full scalloped rosewood neck, locking tremolo with trem setter.

Medium hot output
tube overdrive stomp box
Line6 PodXT Pro
transistor power into 2*12 line6 cabinet
ice picking treble, flat mid and punchy overall
Jazz, blues, pop, rock, Metal
bridge position, neck for hot solo
I'm having some weird squeal at hi volume, Alnico magnets perhaps, very balance sounding pickup, some might dont like it's ear bleeding treble.

Well, there were many great pickups to be tried, I'd like to keep this for future reference due to it's balance tone, I'm kinda tired with hi output pickups I've tried out, now it's time for that "Classic" tone.

Pickup features: Humbucker Passive with pole pieces
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Gothic V
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Alnico
Other pickups on guitar: Just put in a Seymour Duncan Jazz in the neck
Artists using this pickup: Good ol Dave Mustaine
You musical style(s): Metal mainly Thrash Speed Power Metal
Reason for pickup change: Wanted a better pickup, the stock was a little too muddy for me.

Perceived output level: About the same as a Duncan Distortion Less than an EMG-81
Tone: Upper midrange crunch with no muddyness what so ever. More highs than bass. Very punchy and articulate. Bright and Clean. Very harmonic.
Sonic evaluation: In the Epiphone Gothic V into my marshall 8200 head with a 1960 lead cab. The guitar is a screaming metal machine now with the harmonics jumping out just like the EMG-81 like in my other guitars. The output is just right and it works perfectly for me. Its very touch sensitive. Every note will come out and does with clarity and punch. Does great for down picking and alternate picking, solos are great also.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Works for alot of styles but I think at its core its a metal pickup. Best passive Ive played.

Comments: I would buy this pickup for future guitars. Great for metal, I dont know why people bitch about the output of this pickup. Ok its not the hottest but its defanetly hot. Plus the harmonics are outstanding. I know this pickup does and will sound different in other guitars but the first time I played one was in a jackson kelly and it was really good. C'mon Im an EMG-81 guy and I approve this pickup in output that should say something lol. Anyways for the 11 years I've been playing and going through alot of pickups, the JB is the most pro sounding passive humbucker. I feel when you get pickups with alot of distortion or too much bass it tends to muddy things up. If your amp rig has plenty of gain go for the JB.

Pickup features: passive humbucking
Impedence or other specs: high impedance

Model of guitar or bass: 1982 Dean V Baby
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: DiMarzio X2N
Other pickups on guitar: none at the moment
Artists using this pickup: A lot of them
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: The X2N seemed to lack bass and dynamics. I wanted something with a little more articulation, a little less compression, and, a lot more bass.

Perceived output level: This pickup has a medium hot tone. It's not as hot as an EMG-81 or a DiMarzio X2N. And I don't think it's as hot as a DiMarzio super distortion.
Tone: It has a nice warm tone. It's also crunchy. But not muddy. It's balanced sounding. It sounds prettier than the X2N. It also has more warmth than the X2N. The lead tones are rounder but not as loud as the X2N's. And they don't sustain as long. And this is what I miss. The JB isn't scratchy sounding.
Sonic evaluation: I'm playing it through a Marshall TSL602 with Wolverine speakers and EL34 power tubes and a 1960A cab with four Celestion G12T-75w speakers. It has a warm crunchy sound. I really like it. It just doesn't sustain as long as I would like. But this may be the guitar's fault. But then again the pickup may not be putting enough volts into the front of my amp as I like. I notice it doesn't sound very good with distortion or overdrive pedals either.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It's a good match for rock. However on this guitar there isn't as much sustain as I'd like. The tone seems to die away too soon for my tastes. But this may be the guitar's fault. As it's very light weight. It's a mini V with wood removed around the neck juncture for the rhythm humbucker. On a Les Paul or Explorer these pickups may probably shine. The tone is there. It just doesn't last as long as I would like. I think I'll try a DiMarzio super distortion next. If that doesn't do it I'll go with an EMG-81. Or put the X2N back in.

Comments: I wouldn't buy it again. I'll just hold on to this one. If I ever get a heavier guitar I may try this pickup on it. It's pretty sounding. It just doesn't sustain long enough for me. I'm not sure why. Maybe the output isn't high enough.

Pickup features: humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: jackson kv2
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: JB
Artists using this pickup: myself, satriani's pickup is based off of this with more mids, can't think of any good ones
You musical style(s): metal, jazz
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: medium hot, not as hot as an EMG 81
Tone: well balanced
Sonic evaluation: I running my kv2 through a tubescreamer into my marshall dsl w/ reverb.Thats it! This pickup needs to be played with a TUBE amp! I've a guitar teacher aswell as a student of the legendary jim robitaille at Dartmouth. The people that had said this pickup was bad are people that haven't developed an ear for a great guitar tone. the clean tones are glassly and extremely clear. When driven lightly it keeps the same definition and clearity. When overdriven to rock or metal the attack its quick and precise. I will admit its not as hot as an EMG 81 but since this is the most versitle pickup i've ever heard it has the EMG 81 beat. Where this pickup shines is in the upper registers. The notes are quick and precise without any extra gain.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: If you don't play anything but power chords and palm mute the E string go with the EMG 81. If you actually want to be a musician this is your first step. I recommend this in the bridge but still works well in the neck.

Comments: If destroyed or stolen, i would buy two its a bargin. this is the best pickup for the money. i had a EMG 81-89 set put in my other guitar. The emg 81 doesn't mix well with the marshalls mids. the emg 89 is actually a great neck pickup. I've been playing for 4 years and i'm a jazz performance major at Dartmouth. I love the clarity of the JB. the only thing i hate is when ppl badmouth this pickup. BEWARE this pickup will be so clear if you make a mistake you'll hear it theres no extra muddish distortion. It will improve your playing this way. AGAIN use this with a TUBE amp. Most solid states sound like crap.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker with Alnico V magnets
Impedence or other specs: 16k

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Classic
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Rio Grande BBQ
Other pickups on guitar: 59
Artists using this pickup: don't care as long as I'm happy with it
You musical style(s): alternative rock
Reason for pickup change: The Rio BBq just didn't have that bite I was looking for. It's got great clarity and definitiion I love the distorted sounds of the Rio but the cleans were subpar and thin. It seems that the BBQ has a scooped mid sound which is a bad thing especially for chords and cutting through the mix with authority...you need them especially for guitar!

Perceived output level: medium hot! perfect for my needs!
Tone: very balance with tight bass.......has a bite fo treble and upper mids ...great for harmonics like the others have said but this pickup has presence and can do whatever it's called upon to do!
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a Laney VH100r and LH50R head with Marshall and crate cab
The JB sounds fantastic with Gibsons! There's a reason why they are the prefer choice of so many professionals. They are affordable and sound great! My cleans are warm and chimey and not to mention rich sounding as well as the distortion. YOu can't go wrong with JB. I've tried the custom 5, Custom Custom and some other pickups. I just prefer the JB!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is definitely a rock style pickup! But great for cleans...best of both worlds!! hard distorted sounds and sweet cleans!

Comments: I would certainly get another one but always curious to hear what's out there. Playing for 10 years. I love that you can get the best of both world without paying a hefty price for those pickups. They're better pickups out there but for the price it's not worth it to me. Very satisfied with the sound. It's a classic!

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 16+ k

Model of guitar or bass: charvette
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock charvel humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: 2 dimarzio F7 single coils
Artists using this pickup: many
You musical style(s): hard rock and heavy metal
Reason for pickup change: charvel was microphonic

Perceived output level: hot and ballsy
Tone: not too bassy, not too trebly...just right
Sonic evaluation: charvette, line 6 POD 2.0, marshall MG 50 DMX

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: i really like this pickup... good for lead, great harmonics. good for most types of music. i'd buy another in a minute if it were destroyed.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 16.25, i think?

Model of guitar or bass: Schecter C1 Classic
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Jazz
Artists using this pickup: Wow...Micheal Amott, Dave Mustaine, and thats all that matters
You musical style(s): from ballads to fuckin metal!!
Reason for pickup change: It was already in the guitar

Perceived output level: Surprisingly hot, for a versatile pickup
Tone: Just enough bass to give it chunk, and lotsa highs. Some mids in there too
Sonic evaluation: Schecter to a Boss MT-2 to a Roland Cube 15. My halfstack tone sux, so I cant say much about loud volumes. This pickup sounds great for cleans and metal! Some might notice that this pickup, when overdriven, has this funny yet good characteristic. It has this 'greasy' or 'sticky' feel to it. It feels so good! I wish my Hot Rails had this feel to it. Pinch harmonics come out nicely and loud, and the thickness of the distortion sure is satisfying thanks to the sticky feel. Chugging and drop tunings are fun and clear with high-gain, and the cleans are pristine, especially with the split-coil. Some say its too trebly or it has a weird mid-spike, but I had nothing but good results with it. Try it out!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: You can do clean/dirty chord progressions, or shred, or extreme metal. Pick one.

Comments: If it was stolen, then that would suck ass. I would shoot the guy with my laser-shooting guitar! I really liked everything about this pickup, but I replaced it with a Duncan Distortion cuz it basically the same but it has more bass/balls(not that the JB doesnt have them). If I had another guitar with a humbucker bridge position, I would drop this in, indubitably! I really really enjoyed that sticky feel, cuz it makes the distortion feel so much thicker and full. For some odd reason both my pickups have this buzz when the distortion is on but that might just be the wiring, although I didnt see anything wrong with it. I really enjoyed everything about this pickup; Its cleans are great for many people's needs, and the distortion can chunk and scream with the best of them. If it had more significantly more bass, this pickup would freakin rock! Although this pickup is great for what I do, I switched it with the Distortion model. As a metal head, the Distortion was a wise replacement as it has more bass and that same 'sticky' feel to it. But as a versatile metal head, my words say ALOT for the JB. Its a great pickup!! Try it out!

Pickup features: passive humbucking
Impedence or other specs: 2+5 Maybe.

Model of guitar or bass: PRS Custom 22
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan '59
Artists using this pickup: Don't know the specifics
You musical style(s): Hard rock, metal
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: not the hottest pickup I've played, but it's up hot. Pinch harmonics jump off my guitar..
Tone: Treble, upper mids.. very trebly!
Sonic evaluation: My guitar is a mahogany body, maple top; fairly heavy. I run into a Line 6 Spider 2 amplifier.
This pickup is trebly, and it's not that good sort of trebly. The tone is somewhat scratchy to me.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup's treble nature steers me wrong. I find it unsuitable for the style of music I play. But I would say it is great for rock'n'roll and jazz.

Comments: I wouldn't buy this pickup again. I actually wanted a Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates instead of this, but it wasn't available. So I settled for this. I'm now switching out for EMG Actives.