Seymour Duncan JB

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: D.C. Resistance16.4 k

Model of guitar or bass: PRS Custom 22
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Duncan Custom
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan Jazz neck
Artists using this pickup: Dave Mustaine, Michael Amott (Arch Enemy), Marty Friedman, Michael Angelo Batio, Jeff Beck, Robben Ford
You musical style(s): Metal, Blues, Jazz, Ska, Raggae
Reason for pickup change: the Duncan Custom had too much definition and was very hard to control. it was too tight for expressive solo's. very boring, and lifeless. it was too bassy for my taste.

Perceived output level: between Medium and Hot
Tone: Very balanced, a bit trebly and has a very pleasant middy undertone
Sonic evaluation: I am using a Crate BV-120 stack and a Traynor YCV80 combo. the effects i run my guitar through is a noise suppressor, a wah, a chorus and a reverb (all BOSS). the JB sounds full on leads and solos. it has really good cut, great amount of mids and treble with a fair amount of bass. in solo's, the harmonics jump out of my guitar. the harmonics are very tight, like that of the EMG 81. the JB has a great amount of crunch that doesnt sound too compressed and buzzy. it has that "awoooaahh" vowel quality to it... almost like a tone zone. i have an Ibanez RG with a Tone Zone in the bridge and compared to the JB, it is a lot more bassy and the harmonics are almost "airy" sounding. the TZ also has a lot more crunch and more modern sounding. the JB is a very versatile pickup, have very decent cleans, unlike the TZ which is very muddy on clean. it also matches VERY WELL with the Jazz in the neck. although the Jazz is wired differently in my PRS, when the tone pot is pushed down, the JB is on humbucker mode and the Jazz is on single coil, and when pushed up, the JB is in single-coil mode and the Jazz is in humbucker mode. the Jazz matches better split with the JB in humbucker mode.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Modern Metal, Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock, Country... almost anything this pickup covers.

Comments: I cant say enough good things about this pickup, i should've gotten this pickup earlier. ive been playing for almost 8 yearsm played in different bands with different styles of music, i've gone through EMG's, Dimarzios, Fenders, Gibsons, Duncan Custom, Distortion and the JB is as close to that "tone-in-my-head" as its ever gonna get. although the Dimarzio TZ comes close to the JB, but the cleans on the TZ are horrible. the JB is not gonna be the most popular pickup in the world for nothing. if it gets stolen(?)... i would definitely replace it again. im very satisfied with this one. Although nothing is perfect i will give it a 9.

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: don't know

Model of guitar or bass: Edwards SG Custom
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: JB in middle postion and 59 in neck
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Hard rock
Reason for pickup change: N/A

Perceived output level: Loud
Tone: Present
Sonic evaluation: I just got an SG copy, a new Japanese Edwards copy of a Gibson three pickup SG custom. It has two JBs, one in the bridge and one in the middle, and a 59 in the neck. I also have a PRS CE-22, a Dillion LP copy, and a Danelectro DC-59. Playing into a Traynor YCV-40. I bought a filtertron and put it in the bridge of the Dillion but I think I get a better rockabilly sound with the JB clean on the bridge position. So it can definitely do vintage.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Hard rock, vintage rock.

Comments: The pickups are one of the best attributes of this guitar. I haven't tried doing metal or anything with it so can't comment. In the bridge it is very bright, but I like bright. if you don't like bright then you won't like this i don't think.

Pickup features: Humbucking bridge pickup.
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Flying V
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Stock, soon to be Duncan Jazz
Artists using this pickup: A lot of people use this.
You musical style(s): Metal
Reason for pickup change: Stock Gibson pickups sound like butt.

Perceived output level: Hot enough for the heaviest metal, but not to hot for blues, jazz, country.
Tone: Good low end and tight highs. Not brittle like stock pickups. Awesome mids.
Sonic evaluation: Peavey 6505+ and matching 4x12. Mostly the lead and crunch channels. This pickup makes a Gibson sound like a Gibson. Its just a perfect match in a mahogany guitar, really makes you cut through well.
On this guitar ive went through a few pickups trying to get the right tone. Dimarzio X2N, Dimarzio SD, the stock 500T. They all were pretty good pickups as far as tone went, but they were all way to hot for modern amps. The high output turns your sound to mush in a high gain amp. The JB is hot enough for metal, but retains clarity and punch.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Big ol' 600lb gorilla metal. Mastodon meets Neurosis meets Fu Manchu meets Dying Fetus.

Comments: The JB was the first pickup i ever bought, then for an Ibanez Artist. They just sound right to me. I play better with a JB, i sound better with a JB. I dont sound like me without one. I've tried many other pickups on many guitars and i keep coming back to this one. EMG 81, Dimarzio X2N, Super Distortion, Virtual PAF, Paf Pro, Duncan Dimebucker ect. The JB rules over all, no contest the best humbucking pickup out on the market period.

Pickup features: humbucking
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson ds20
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock bridge humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: Humbucker from hell
Artists using this pickup: 10,000,000
You musical style(s): Rock,fuck,jazz,fusion and much more
Reason for pickup change: the stock humbucker was muddy. had no defenition what so ever and it was a all round piece of crap.

Perceived output level: t a high output humbucker thats not to hot. around the same as an Evo.
Tone: it has a fag tone.
Sonic evaluation: I am using a matamp C7 seven, rocktron hush, two delay pedals, morley wah,digitech wammy and a lexicon hybrid preamp.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: this humbucker is good for a wide range of styles

Comments: if it was destroyed or stolen, i would claim insurance and get a new one(seems the obvious thing to do).
ive been playing for 4 years and own a custom strat,les paul and the jackon. i also own a spider two amp and a fender twin reverb. I like this humbucker.

Pickup features: Humbucking; passive
Impedence or other specs: Ressonant peak: 5.5kHz; Imp = 16,4kOhm; Output = hi; B=med, M=lo, T=hi

Model of guitar or bass: Wesley Jasper-10
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock unbranded
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Metal; Rock
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickup was really crappy.
Since this is an acrylic guitar, it needs a hotter pickup. The shape is very similar to a Steinberger guitar. Also, the aestetics have improved with a nickel covererd pickup.

Perceived output level: Very high! Very similar to DiMarzio's Evo 2 bridge.
Tone: Mid-scoop. Ideal for my guitar. Lots of harmonics!
Sonic evaluation: Rocktron Chameleon OnLine => Rocktron Intellifex => Behringer Virtualizer PRO => Marshall V-8240
The Chameleon is a great digital preamp, better than 90% of the valve preamps I have tried out. (you may find my presets at www.rocktron.com)
The Intellifex and Virtualizer PRO are just effect processors.
The Marshall is a hybrid combo, featuring one Sovtek 12AX7 in the preamp circuitery and a solid-state power stage. It also has two Celestion G12-T speakres.
I use the Rocktron preamp with the Marshall effect loop return for most of the time. Sometimes I like to use the Marshall's preamp also.
In either case, the pickup really compensates the "lack of body" of the guitar and gives the extra highs and lows the acrylic body lacks.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: IMHO, this pickup is a very good option for Rockers/Metalheads. I bet it will sound VERY good on a Les Paul.

Comments: Not my favourite pickup, but I would still recomend it.
I would like to have had the possibility of comparing it to a DiMarzio Steve's Special.

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: ESP George Lynch Baritone
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: A twin-bladed Single coil size humbucker (unknown, ESP?)
Artists using this pickup: Michael Amott (Arch Enemy)
You musical style(s): Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Quite hot, not overly extreme but pushes amp nicely into overdrive
Tone: A very nice top end, fat midrange, smooth bass
Sonic evaluation: This pickup is a CLASSIC! Been around for a long time. It has a very nice top end with great harmonics that make is great for soloing; leads through a tube amp just rip out with a big, full sound, not too compressed. The mid range gives you a good distortion for most musical styles. The clarity on distortion is noteworthy, it's what sets this pickup apart from many other high-output pickups. The bass is surprisingly well defined (my guitar w/ the JB is a baritone tuned to B), I was expecting less. The sound is very full and dark on the baritone. I admit there might be a more precise and harder attacking pickup, but I like the warmth the J has.
Cleans are ok, if you don't have it set too high in your guitar they'll sound better, but don't expect single.coil like sounds from it. It sounds warm and mid-rangy.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Everything which uses some distortion, from classic rock to heavy metal.

Comments: I actually have a DiMarzio D-Sonic lying around at home which I might use on the baritone sometime. At the moment I like the sounds I get from the JB which are a bit more Hard Rock/Classic Metal than modern stuff. If it broke well I'd use the D-sonic for a while.
This pickup is the best all-around pickup you can buy in my opinion, which is why it is so popular.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: medium output

Model of guitar or bass: epiphone les paul goth
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: bridge stock
Other pickups on guitar: neck stock
Artists using this pickup: lots
You musical style(s): pop punk to death metal
Reason for pickup change: stock was very piercing with no bass

Perceived output level: a good bit more than the stock,i had the stock close to the strings but now iv the jb nearly even with the caseing and its bout 2times louder
Tone: the bass is where its needed and the treble isnt piercing either. a little bit like the stock so if u like the tone of the stock but want a better pickup get the jb
Sonic evaluation: epiphone les paul -> metal zone pedal -> marshall 30mgdfx
its a bit noisy depending on the pedal setting. i can get a real light distortion or absolutly crazy stuff. playing solos really makes it sound like uv turned up the amp volume without being harsh.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: everything from blink 182 to slayer.its recommended for the bridge

Comments: id get it again definatly but its a bit pricy. now im saving up for a super distortion for my yamaha rgx 420s so im gona have a really heavy guitar and then a nice normal sounding one (if there is such a thing)

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Mahogany American Deluxe Fender HSS Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fender DH-1
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio Virtual Vintage Pickups
Artists using this pickup: Jeff Beck and now ME!
You musical style(s): Alternative, Rock, Hard Rock, Classic Rock, Gospel, etc.
Reason for pickup change: The Fender DH-1 didn't cut it for me soun-wise

Perceived output level:
Tone: Balanced Mids and lots of treble not alot of bass though
Sonic evaluation: Using my Fender Strat with my Carvin...this pickup really sings!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It's a great match for the rock and gospel styles I play

Comments: If this guitar ever got ruined/stolen-I would have to cry because that would've meant they took my guitar and my other 2 valuable Dimarzio pickups (the best hum-free single coils!) and the JB...I would have to hunt them down and possibly beat them to a pole! I won't even think to look at another pickkup. By the way, those of you who say this is a piece of s@#$ are crazy-no excuses or apologies! You need your ears checked! This pup is awesome and really sings in lead tones!

Pickup features: Humbucker bridge
Impedence or other specs: 16.4K

Model of guitar or bass: Double Fat Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Another attempt in replacing a JB.
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan Stag-Mag (neck)
Artists using this pickup: Jake E Lee, others
You musical style(s): Metal and Power Blues
Reason for pickup change: Need a reliable and familiar PU.

Perceived output level: Hot, not ultra hot just hot.
Tone: A bit bright but the mids are there for a reason.
Sonic evaluation: A solid Maple Double Fat Strat into a)JCM 600 B)JCM 800 C) Laney Gh100TI. For the past 15+ years I've used a JB loaded guitar to setup my rig. It's a benchmark for which all other PUs are judged against. Why? In the Marshalls it's articulate and the harmonics simply screamed out! Palm mutes could be better but the lead tone makes up for it. Besides if you're playing palm mutes with A5 type chords you can't get a PU that's too overwhelmingly middy since your higher strings won't ring out. Through my Laney the JB helps to brighten things up. Is it too bright? It really depends on your rig. If you find it's too bright put in a TBX tone pot. For what's it's worth : Maple Strat with a JB into a decent size pedal line into a Marshall and I think it sounds great for what I play.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I know alot of players that like the fact that it cleans up pretty well for a hot bridge PU. I don't use it clean much but I guess it's good to know that it's there. I play Old School Metal - which means pinch harmonics are very common.

Comments: The JB is just over 30 years old and should be in the Hall of Fame of PUs. I have picked up several JBs over the years so if someone would steal it I'd say "They just stole one heck of a PU!". A friend needs a PU swap I'll toss them a JB. The JB is no longer a source of tone it's part of my equipment. Doesn't mean I only play JB's but for a PU to go into another one of my guitars and stay there it has to 1st be compared to the JB and fill a niche that the JB doesn't cover. I'm still searching for a better alnico 5 PU that will beat the JB. Some have come close and some have taken the JB onto another plane but they also cost over 2 times the price. JB = Fantastic Value for sure.

Pickup features: HB Passive
Impedence or other specs: www.seymourduncan.com

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Standard
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: plenty of them...
You musical style(s): everything but country... mostly alt. rock, nu metal, hard rock, classic rock... rock
Reason for pickup change: Gibson pickups become mud in any high gain scenario.

Perceived output level: About the same as stock, maybe slightly more
Tone: Slightly trebly and tight, but yet full.
Sonic evaluation: I normally use a Vetta with the Mesa'esc models at full throttle. I've had this in two Les Pauls, a '04 Standard, and a '00 Double-cut Standard. Initially it replaced the Burstbucker V in the Standard. The BBV had a lot of output, but was too vintage sounding and of course became pure mud with some gain. In with the JB... The Standards are considered dark in general, but the JB made it quite a bit darker. It was a nice tight sound, full, but with slightly more treble than bass. It made the Standard a bit too dark for my taste. It wasn't a perfect match with the SD Alnico II Pro at the neck, but it wasn't a horrible match either. The DC Standard (arch top) is quite a bit lighter with, I assume, larger sound chambers, therefore quite a bit brighter and more open sounding. The JB matched with the DC nicely, unlike the stock which was quite muddy in this environment. The guitar is still bright sounding, but quite a bit tighter while still retaining a full sound (fuller than in the Standard, with more bass). It played well with the SD '59 at the neck.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Suitable for rock, rock, and um, rock.

Comments: Overall it has a versatile rock sound. Clean with a tone that has bite, but can be smoothed out without much effort. If your guitar is dark sounding, it will continue to be that way with the JB. It can tame a guitar that is too open/bright. I have 12 years under my belt and am always looking for new sounds. I've decide I don't want "my" sound, I want to be able to have any sound I happen to feel like at that particular moment... I'll be keeping the JB around for sure, better than any Gibson stocks. Too bad Gibson can't give us more options... The JB gets an 8, because perfection is impossible.