Seymour Duncan JB

Pickup features: Humbucker passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: B.C.Rich Warlock
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock p.o.s.
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Dave Mustain
You musical style(s): Metal, Rock, Classic Rock, Classical.
Reason for pickup change: Stock pick-ups were horrible.

Perceived output level: Sounded good on clean, but distortion wasn't great...Too much twang for my taste.
Tone: Bassy
Sonic evaluation: B.C.Rich Warlock guiter, Fender Princeston Chorus 120w amp, Digitech RP300 effects processor..

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Again...Metal, Rock, Classic Rock, Classical.

Comments: If it were destroyed or stolen it wouldn't be my problem, I've already traded it in on a Carvin M22T which kicks ass, might I add.
I've been playing for 3+ years...
I liked how the pick-up sounded on clean, or clean with effects such as chorus...etc...
I wish it had a better sound on distortion, was too bassy and
didn't give much feeling...
If you like Seymour Duncans, and this type of sound
go ahead and get it, but it just didn't suit me.
I wanted a more metal crunch, with great sustain on all the notes.
And good harmonics. The JB didn't have any of those except
the good harmonics, but not good enough.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Hamer Studio and Mirage
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan 59
Artists using this pickup: Too many too list
You musical style(s): Heavy rock and metal
Reason for pickup change: Duncans were stock on guitar.

Perceived output level: Hot - above average output and volume but easily controllable.
Tone: Balanced and beautiful.
Sonic evaluation: I am using this bridge bucker in a Hamer Mirage and a Hamer Studio. I am running through a VHT Valvulator into a Line 6 Vetta and this pickup is heaven. Ther bottom is thick and chunky...nice and tight. The mids are perfect and thick, plus the highs are sweet and warm. This pickup sounds great clean and heavy. I have no complaints at this point and hopefully do not see any in the future. I can't get over the thickness of the Duncan JB......beautiful and rich tone. Our detuned heavy songs now sound so much more defined and thick....even over the Rio grande BBQ which I was using in another guitar. I also tried the Duncan C-5 inthe Hamer but it sounded thin next to the thick balls of the JB. Great pup!!!! I tried EMGs and hated them.....but I didn't spend time with them.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Heavy metal/heavy rock/rock

Comments: A+...good job, Duncan!

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Epiphone
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan SH-1 ('59)
Artists using this pickup: Jeff Beck?
You musical style(s): Blues, Country, British
Reason for pickup change: Wanted something hotter, livelier than the stock Epi Pups.

Perceived output level: About the same as stock, very generic.
Tone: Lots of mids and high, light on the bass.
Sonic evaluation: I bought this pickup based on the reviews here, as well as my satisfaction with the Duncan '59 that I was already using in the neck. I play through a SF Super Reverb. I have to tell you though, that I am a little disappointed in this pickup. The JB to me sounds very generic and bland. It is average in output, and seems to lack the "sparkle" of the '59. There may be a reason, however.
I have come to realize that Epi LP Standards have maple necks. It is obvious if you look at one with paint you can see through, not ebony, or the like. The neck's wood is clearly lighter than the body, and has a different grain than mahagony. Also, you can look at the used ones on ebay, and any dents,chips on the necks will reveal the unmistakable evidence of Maple. I just looked at some new 2003 EPI LPs, at Sam Ash, and guess what? They have maple necks; three piece, like the old Gibson LP Deluxe's.
Is that a bad thing? Not according to a Luthier I just spoke to. The Maple neck can withstand falls "FAR" better than Mahogony. It also gives the guitar a brighter sound, not as dark as it's Gibson counterpart. I just wish Epiphone would be honest, and admit that their LPs have maple necks.
Whats the point of all this? An earlier reviewer stated that the JB would not be a good choice for a maple necked guitar, and perhaps he's right. I wounder what my JB would sound like in a Gibson.
In any case, I don't thind the JB is right for me, and so the search goes on.

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

Comments: I play mostly Fender Guitars, with single coils and wanted an LP as an alternative. I'm starting to believe, that I will never get the classic "Les Paul" sound out of my epi, since the neck material has such a large contribution to the overall sound. To tell you the truth, with the JB in the bridge, it sounds like a set-neck, FAT Strat. I really love the sound, but it doesn't sound like a Les Paul.
For now, I going back to the Bill Lawrence (OBL) twin blade Humbucker that I bought off ebay for $5.00; Hot and Ballsy....what I thought the JB would deliver..............Very happy with sound of the '59 in the neck, however.

Pickup features: Humbucker, Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson USA Kelly
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan Jazz
Artists using this pickup: Megadeth, lots of others
You musical style(s): Melodic Death/Black Metal-heavy rock in general
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: A bit above average
Tone: fairly balanced with a lean to the treble side, has a high mid spike
Sonic evaluation: In my alder Kelly, it is thin, weak and has NO low end chunk. In a guitar made of a more bassy wood..this pickup would ROCK.

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

Comments: This pickup came stock in the bridge of my USA Kelly, I thought it sounded kinda thin from day one. Now that I have been playing with it for about a year, I really don't like it in my Kelly.
In alder guitars, the JB is too thin, and has the "icepick to the forehead" high attack; A Korina or Mahogany guitar would be sound great with it.
Barring that observation, this is a GREAT all around rock pickup really. Balanced pretty well with a slight mid high spike-which would give you great lead tone.
I will be replacing it, and if the wood did not give it the tone it has, I would leave it in place.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Mine tested a whopping 18.6k!!

Model of guitar or bass: '97 Hamer USA Standard
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: SH-1N '59 Model
Artists using this pickup: Too many (IMO)
You musical style(s): Blues/Blues Rock
Reason for pickup change: Haven't yet.

Perceived output level: High output 18.6k worth!
Tone: Lacks a warm bottom, middy and fairly trebbly too.
Sonic evaluation: '97 USA Hamer Standard- Mesa Rect-O-Verb Combo- Fender Super Champ- Randall RG150 Combo. This is a very popular PUP eventhough I don't really care for it. On the Good side: You can get pinch harmonics without even trying (But I guess that's not all good). And if you play alot of solos it works very well. You can also get some good heavy metal "chunk" out of it. On the Bad side: You get pinch harmonics way too easily, and it's not a very "warm" sound. I really don't believe this PUP works for the blues or bluesy rock. It'll work well if you play harder styles of music. Just not for me.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: (Again) Blues&Blues Rock ,and I guess moderately hard rock We'll call it "Firm Rock".

Comments: Over my 13 years of playing, I have tried this PUP in many different variations of guitars and amps; many of these guitars came stock (or had been retrofitted) with this PUP. I can honestly say that I don't care for it, it just isn't the sound for me. I believe that the higher output and lack of bass make it a fairly "edgy" PUP. This one came stock in a USA Hamer guitar and has a bit more output than the normal ones. Hamer used to have all of their Duncan PUPS made specifically for them. All the Duncan equipped USA Hamer guitars that I've owned have had PUPS that seem to have been given a few more winds than their store bought conterparts (is this an accident?). I think I'm going to try a Custom 5, I've had good results with that one. A "6" because of the "edgy" character associated with it. But it would be good for aggressive rock styles.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker (Bridge)
Impedence or other specs: Website has chart listing specs and comparisons to other Seymour Duncan pickups

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Gothic Explorer
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 500T
Other pickups on guitar: Gibson 496
Artists using this pickup: Megadeth, Scott Ian (Anthrax) and several others (listed on website)
You musical style(s): Hard Rock and Metal
Reason for pickup change: The 500T came stock in the bridge and although I liked it, I heard some strange noises and thought it might be the pickup. I figured since I was getting it looked at anyway, that I might want to replace the pickup and try something different for curiosity's sake.

Perceived output level: About the same as most stock pickups. Although it lists the output as about the same as the Seymour Duncan Distortion (SH-6), it is definitely not as "metal" as the SH-6. The 500T even seemed to have more output than the JB.
Tone: Has a trebly, middy type sound that I would not catagorize as "warm". Not bad, but not the warmth and distortion I expected. I thought the tone would resemble that of the SH-6, but it doesn't
Sonic evaluation: I have this put in my Gibson Gothic Explorer and run it through a LANEY GH100TI TONY IOMMI HEAD. I also throw a BOSS SD-1 in front to "slam" the tubes. This pickup sounded ok to me, but it didn't blow me away like I thought it would. It has a very basic sound that didn't really impress me.

Single notes seemed to sound good and sustain for what seemed like forever, but when hitting chords I get this slightly processed type sound. It is hard to describe but it just sounds kind of "fake".

When I first got my guitar back from the store, the pickup was very close to the strings because the guy lowered my action. At this setting, the pickup sounded like an icepick and I was immediately let down. I lowered the pickup and was able to get a very usable sound, but like I said, it was nothing to write home about.
I also noticed that this pickup was very noisy. Even playing through a POD with the noise gate on, I was getting these irritating noises.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I like playing hard rock and metal. Although this pickup can do metal and hard rock, I think you have to have a certain setup to achieve this. It just feels like you have to work so hard to get a great metal sound out of it. The Seymour Duncan Distortion, and EMG-81 that I previously owned could do metal and hard rock without much prodding.

Comments: I am getting this pickup out of my guitar as soon as possible. I won't buy it again. I have been playing for almost 20 years. I tried to like this pickup, but I was forcing it. The pickup is just average. Nothing special. I would pick a Gibson 496 pickup over this. It is just not me. I think I'll throw a SH-6 in there.

Pickup features: Zebra-coiled passive humbucker.
Impedence or other specs: C. 15 k ohm (7.5 k ohm tapped) with AlNiCo magnet.

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Gold Top Deluxe
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson mini humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: Neck pickup is a Kent Armstrong PAF
Artists using this pickup: El Becko and a multitude of others who recognise a great sounding pickup.
You musical style(s): Blues/Rock : out of the British 60s/70s school
Reason for pickup change: The original minihumbucker lacked clout. Great for clean parts but needed external help to overdrive my Hiwatt DR103. The JB had a great reputation for power and clarity and to optimise its versatility I wired it to a pair of Yamahan push/push tone pots to coil tap and/or reverse its pahse with the neck p/u. Results include greater all out gain, excellent interaction with the neck Armstrong both in- and out-of-phase. The tapped mode is brighter than the mini h/b that the SD replaced. It's a corking pickup. Now over fifteen years old it still delivers the goods. I have never ever considered replacing it. It is THAT good!

Perceived output level: More output than a PAF but with a strong mid-range and great clarity. Vastly superior to a Di Marzio Super II in terms of power and versatility.
Tone: Solid, tight bottom end; mid, mid and more mids; crisp treble which becomes searing in tapped mode. Roll off the volume and the tapped mode becomes very glassy. Try and convince some folk that they are hearing a Les Paul in this set up and disbelief sets in very quickly.
Sonic evaluation: Gibson Les Paul with SD JB into either Hiwatt DR103 and 4x12 OR Marshall MG30DFX (depending on venue). The Hiwatt and JB were made for one another. Wind up the gain and the master volume and listen to the Seymour sing. Harmonics slice the top of your head off. Simply an awesome combination. Roll back the guitar volume and the clean tones never disappoint. With the Marshall 30 watt combo, the JB makes a nonsense of the overdrive channel, it simply overwhelms it and all subtlety is lost in an overdriven mush. Stick to the clean channel and use a ProCo RAT (uh huh, another JB influence!) to graduate levels of overdrive and distortion. The Jeff Beck, into a Marshall (clean) via a RAT makes one of the best guitar sounds in our little musical circus. The tapped mode offers up all manner of possibilities, which is compounded by the phase reversal options. Probably the most versatile sounding guitar I have - although it won't take on a Strat on its own territory. If I can only take one guitar to a gig or jam, it is almost always the JB armoured Gold Top. Draw your own conclusions.....

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues/Rock. By definition this is Les Paul and British valve [tube] amps blasting it out. The JB has added extra dimensions to my sound and was worth every penny. In conjunction with a PAF it appears to achieve a very even balance across the sound spectrum. I wouldn't be inclined to use the JB in any other than the bridge position. It is simply a high class act.

Comments: No doubt. If my JB died or was otherwise ruined I'd have another without a moment's hesitation. I have tried Di Marzio, Kent Armstrong, Bill Lawrence and Schaller pickups. Only the Jeff Beck pickup has remained in place since it was fitted.
It is a glorious piece of hardware that not only works brilliantly on its own, it interacts with the neckpick up for thick in-phase sounds and classic Peter Green out-of-phase sounds. I opted for the JB because it offered coil tapping and phasing options and the promise of Alnico magnets. I have not been disapointed.

Pickup features: passice
Impedence or other specs: no idea

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Studio
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 498T
Other pickups on guitar: Gibson 490R
Artists using this pickup: no idea, my assumption would be Jeff Beck, but i don't care. I use it.
You musical style(s): rock
Reason for pickup change: The stock 498T wasn't my cup of tea. It wasn't clear enough.

Perceived output level: Around the same as the stock pickup, maybe a tad less
Tone: It has excellent tone, excellent clarity, although, a little less bass than the stock pickup, but i still love it.
Sonic evaluation: I play through a Fender Deluxe 90 (haha, yes that's right) it's one of the better solid states out there, believe me, but i have played it through a Marshall dsl50 at the music store, and it sounds even more awesome through that. If you buy a gibson, make sure it doesn't have the 490/498 combination because they suck. Get a les paul with burstbuckers or something. But the JB is excellent, perfect harmonics and sustain, perfect feedback control. I love it.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Seymour duncan recommends this for the bridge, they don't even make a neck version so.... go figure.

Comments: If it were stolen? I'd like to meet the person who successfully steals a pickup out of a guitar without ruining it. I'll be putting this pickup in my other guitars when i get the money! Been playing 8 years...I haven't found 'the sound' yet....hopefully I will someday, maybe if i get the right amp i will. I didn't really try any other pickups, i saw this one in the store, and said...hmm...seymour duncan....it's pretty cheap, free installation, yea...i'll get it. And I must say i'm satisfied and happy! Buy it if your a rocker. Get an Invader if your a metal freak.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: fernandes native x
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: some stock piece of poo
Other pickups on guitar: some other stock piece of poo
Artists using this pickup: terry corso(alien ant farm), stephen carpenter(deftones), tommy lee(solo project)
You musical style(s): rock, punk, emo, heavy
Reason for pickup change: stock pu was not hot and started to rust

Perceived output level: pretty hot, but not super hot
Tone: trebley, yet balanced well
Sonic evaluation: i put it into an alder body fernandes. it sounds so sweet, very much like the deftones sound. im using a marshall g100rcd half stack, and it sounds really good threw it and my mxr phase 90.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: heavy rock, punk, and emo, good match

Comments: i would definately buy this again. im thinking about buying another one and putting it in my brand new esp which had duncan design pus.

Pickup features: passive ,humbucking
Impedence or other specs: 16.40K

Model of guitar or bass: EBMM axis
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: dimarzio
Other pickups on guitar: duncan alnico II pro neck
Artists using this pickup: way too many to list! seriously!
You musical style(s): classic rock to metaL
Reason for pickup change: Wanted duncans in my guitar,because the duncans allow the natural tone of the instrument to come through better. they also sound more organic and real.

Perceived output level: medium hot
Tone: present,with crunch and a lot of harmonics,singing lead tone
Sonic evaluation: marshall plexi re-issue(1959 slp) half stack with a G major prosessor.

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

Comments: I like the JB a lot,i do however use mine with a 250K volume pot,to tame some highs. i can see why it is so popular!