Seymour Duncan JB

Humbucking Passive pickup

Installed in an Agile AL 3100.

Bridge position.

Replacing stock pickup.

Other pickup stock.

I was curious what JB sounded like, it's so famous.

Output very hot. I used it with a Peavey Classic 20, and a Fender Deluxe Reverb. Overall I thought the tone was a little too compressed and midrange???y. It drives the amp hard. I had to lower the pickup alot and even then it was still wasn't quite enough to offset the output. Distorted leads are the only thing I think you could use this pickup for... The cleans were unattractive???harsh, strident mid to upper mid range tone.

Been playing 30 years. Got into changing pickups recently... enjoying the learning process and experimentation. I have a bunch of guitars, Gibsons, Fenders, Univox, Agile, etc...
I got the Agile AL 3100 to experiment with pickups. Have tried the SD A2pro and the SD Jazz and the JB so far.
In my opinion, the JB doesn't sound good in a LP guitar. It emphasizes the wrong frequencies. It would sound better in a bright, thin guitar. I'm going to replace it with something else...

If you don't know what this is, why are you even bothering to read this?

Ibanez Prestige S 1625 FB (figured Bubinga). Mahogany body with Bubinga top. Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. Bridge position. I'm replacing the stock QM 2 humbucker. I also replaced the stock QM 1 neck humbucker with a Duncan '59 four conductor. I changed them after being the original owner for about five years (purchased in either late '04 or early '05) because although I mostly play heavier rock and love high gain distortion, and the QM's are actually pretty good at that, I was ready for something with more versatility. The QM's sounded pretty decent for stock pickups, but they were both a bit on the muddy side, due in part to their high output, and the neck pickup was terrible for rhythm work when distorted.

As I mentioned, the stock QM 2 was pretty high output. I scoured the Ibanez forum and other forums as well as emailing Ibanez themselves, and could not get any specs on the QM's as far as DC resistance, or anything else for that matter (DC resistance is NOT the only thing that determines output). I do know that the QM 2 bridge pickup is a ceramic magnet pickup. In any event, it's pretty hot. The JB is not super hot, but I'm finding that if you have the right amp, the JB is plenty hot enough. Super hot pickups aren't as articulate. The tone of the JB, to my ears, definitely cuts through a mix well, because of it's midrange. I agree with other reviews stating that it has a spike somewhere in the midrange. To me it sounds good because it CUTS through a live mix. I'm also a recording engineer and operate a home project studio, and when recording I do find myself EQ'ing some of that out for rhythm work, but for leads it's perfect. Tone: Bass is accounted for, and you get a decent 'chug, chug, chug', when palm muting, but it doesn't sound 'woofy', as a pickup often does that is thick in the bass. The mids have been covered. The highs - I had a little trouble with the highs at first, but I learned to dial my tone stack on my amps in to accomodate the new p'ups, and they are very present and articulate, yet not piercing. It should be noted that my Ibanez's stock electronics come equipped with the treble bleed cap on the volume control. I found when I rolled the volume off on the JB with that cap in place, it sounded weak and thin, and not very warm. So, I took the treble bleed cap out (which, by the way, sounded GREAT with the QM's), and that warmed it up quite nicely when the volume is rolled off. I would not recommend a treble bleed cap if you're using a JB. If you only have one volume and you are installing or already have a '59 in the neck, I haven't found this to be much of a problem. The '59 isn't has hot as the JB, and I don't have to roll my volume back as far to get the '59 to clean up, so it hasn't been a problem for me. Also, I do play clean sometimes, and the circuitry in my Ibanez is a bit strange. Although it splits the coil in one position, it also splits the neck - it splits both of them and one coil from each is turned on. I am getting some nice, spanky, nasally sounds in that position, and when in full humbucker while playing clean, it has a lot of bite to it. For certain styles, you're probably going to need to roll the tone knob down a bit. I give this an 8 only because it is a refreshing change of tone from the QM's, and I'm very happy with it, but it isn't as hot as I was expecting, which is due largely to the fact that I didn't realize how hot my QM was (which in turn is due largely to the fact that I couldn't find any specs on it).

If it was destroyed or stolen, that would most likely mean that they have the rest of my guitar with it. Before I thought about replacing pickups, I would be asking everyone who I knew may have been in the vicinity of where I last left my guitar if they had seen anything. If I found the culprit, I would be notifying the authorities BEFORE I confronted the culprit, bust them, and either get my guitar back, or get some money for not the street value of it, but for the intrinsic value, which is A LOT. If they didn't want to pony up the dough, I would then pursue other alternatives. As far as the pickup goes, this is a tricky question. Here's the deal: the JB is a screamer - it sounds great dirty, and sounds pretty good clean, and I would probably buy it again - only because I don't have a ton of money to go out and try many different pickups and re-sell the one's I didn't like. Sort of like, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." So, yeah, rather than experiment, I would probably stick with this. What do I love about it? I love it for distorted soloing, as well as rhythm work - I'm talking about stuff that's influenced by the likes of Ratt, Steve Vai, Motley Crue, Joe Satriani, Poison, Van Halen, Skid Row, White Lion, etc. That sort of stuff - it excels at that, and that's what I play a lot of. What I DON'T like about it, is it 'sounds' really hot when it's clean - it isn't "shrill" exactly, but it definitely cuts a bit much for my taste when clean, hence why you will probably be rolling down the tone control (or the volume for that matter, that cuts some of the treble too unless you have that treble bleed cap). It's a pretty cool pickup. Yes, I did compare this to other products. I work at a famous music store, which shall remain nameless at this time, but I will tell you that it isn't Guitar Center, Sam Ash, or Musicians Friend. We only have one location, but we are pretty well known. That being said, I have access to many different guitars, with many different pickups. I did actually drop in a John Suhr DSV Plus in the bridge to try out, and I 'almost' left it in - it sounded REALLY good. It just wasn't quite hot enough for me. It's DC resistance was a little over 10Kohms I believe. I realize that different body woods and neck woods affect the tone. Getting that out of the way, I tried a bunch of different guitars with different Dimarzio's, Duncan's, and Gibson pickups. The Charvel San Dimas comes available with the same pickups I bought - the JB and the '59. I tried many guitars through many amps, and that Charvel with these pickups in it sounded the best to my ears. My Ibanez IS Mahogany, but it's an S, so it's very thin. Although it's Mahogany, it isn't quite as thick sounding as a Les Paul. Basically, some of my associates agreed that they sounded better in my S than it did in the Charvels - more articulate, more attack, 'sharper', whatever you want to call it. More top end/treble response too, which accounts for some of the articulation. So is this 'that sound' that I was looking for? Yes. I play weekly at my church - and the sound engineers mentioned how they always had to boost my mids in the mix to get me to punch through. Now they don't have to, the pickup punches through the mix by itself. We mix at about 90dB or so, so pretty loud, and we mic the amp with an AKG C414. I love my new sound.

Standard JB features, you all know what they are.

It is installed in a Schecter C-1 Plus in the bridge position. I am replacing the stock SD Designed pickups. The other pickup on the guitar is a slightly overwound BG Bucker neck pickup. I changed the pickups because I was not satisfied with the stock pickups.

PLEASE READ...I always liked the tone of the JB, but to my ears neither the Jazz nor the '59 was mated properly to the JB's tone, so I never used it. I had a JB I had taken out of a Schecter Blackjack and I had a set of slightly overwound set BG Buckers so I decided to try the BG Bucker neck with the JB.....BOY AM I GLAD I DID! The slightly over wound BG Bucker's neck tone mated perfectly to the JB delivering one awesome set of hard rockin' pickups capable of delivering a wide range of really great tones. The Bucker neck was only $70.00 to boot for a really nice hand wound pickup.

With the slightly overwound BG Bucker in the neck, the JB becomes that much more wonderful in the bridge. Been playin' for 20 years. I own some of the best gear in the world. This set, in the Schecter Plus delivers hard! Way drool worthy!

I more than likely don't have to expound on what the JB is; if you don't know, just read the 270-some reviews previous to this. It's a humbucker!

Installed this in an Agile LP-2500 Les Paul copy in the bridge position to replace the original no-name 'bucker, which was okay sounding, but lacked low end, and lacked definition. The neck pickup is still the original installed by Agile, which sounds okay, also. Soon to be replaced by a PAF in the neck.

As for the sound of the JB, I think it's safe to say that the JB is basically a hotter-wound PAF with a bit more high-end. Output is medium-hot, enough to mildly distort any tube amp I put it through when hit hard. Emphasis is on the upper mids and highs, but these frequencies are smooth and sweet, not harsh and icy. The first time I used a JB in a guitar was 1987, and I really don't notice any difference in a modern version with, of course, taking into account the type of guitar and wood. I play classic rock and the JB is great for that type of music. I wouldn't play country or jazz with this pickup, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone was able to do so wonderfully. I will definately stick with this pickup until I get a wild hair, then who knows?

Call me an old fart, but the Triple Rectifier/Krank undefined wall of mush fuzz doesn't do much for me, all you hear is characterless distortion. I like smooth distortion that allows you to hear the amp, the guitar, the pickup, the strings. Ten tons of gain and mud don't express your playing as much as muddy it up; but, to each his own. If that's your idea of sonic nirvana, have at it. If your ideal tone sounds similar to a bulldozer running over an amp that is shorting out, I'm guessing the JB ain't your pickup. For me, it works very well.

I have this pickup in the bridge of my schecter c-1+ and in the bridge of my epiphone flying v; both are mahogany bodied guitars

What type of music you play will determine how you perceive it's output level. If you play cleaner stuff like blues and jazz then this is a scorcher! if you play rock/hardrock/fusion you will find it pretty hot but tame-able. If you play metal you will find it warm but well punctuated. Iam a 14 year veteran to electric guitar. I have tried almost everything (That I could get my hands on!)Let me tell you: I absolutely LOVE this pickup! I've played active EMG's, Evolutions, Breeds, PAF's, Bill Lawrence L500XL's, you name it, All of which are great great pickups. The only problem they csn present is that they are more specialized for certain genres of music. The JB may not be able to cover all the bases, but it will cover most!! No kidding, I am not even hyping this up! At the moment I play in a band that covers stuff ranging from pop-rock to metal and this pickup nails it all no sweat. It has a nice vocal midrange but the vocal-like quality is more subtle than the dimarzio pickups tend to be. I don't know what else to tell you....this is a versatile little screamer and unless you need something more specialized, this IS the pickup for you that want the broadest and best spectrum of great tone.

Passive Humbucker. Black. Adjustable poles and 4 conductor wire.

2003 Schecter C1+
I installed it in the bridge position.
I replaced the original Duncan Designed H103B or H102B.
The guitar has a SD Jazz in the neck.
I wanted a high-output pickup that would match the Duncan Designed's output,but give me much better clarity and punch.

The output was lower than the Duncan Designed. All of a sudden I had to crank the distortion up on all my settings and pedals. The tone was very mid-rangey, not at all balanced. If you were to go "awwwww", that is it. Its a horible mid range sqwak to it. Its not pleasant. I play rock, hard rock, metal and some blues. I don't know what position is suitable for, but SD should get rid of it from their lineup.

I will never buy this pickup again or recommend it. Its just not what people want from a humbucker. You want a humbucker to be warm, punchy, powerful and clear. You get punchy and powerful, but not warm and clear. The mid frequencies that have been accentuated by this pickup are really harsh. The low notes get all muddy and the treble is very harsh and brittle. Seriously I was disappointed from the minute I put it in and tried it out. Just stuck it out because I was too lazy to change back.

Folks, there are PLENTY of other options from SD and DiMarzio, etc...that will hit the mark. The JB is way off, probably no matter WHAT music you play. I now have a DiMarzio Super Distortion and its everything I want in a bridge pickup. Powerful... drives my amp easily. Clear..I can actually play a open G chord with the distortion up all the way and hear every note clearly.

passive uncovered humbucker, four cables so can coil tap/parrallel

its rated high output

Alnico 5 bar, wax potted

Gibson Les paul, swamp ash body, ebony fret board (so a fairly bright set of woods), plus its got that warm les paul sounds.

I have the JB in the bridge and a custom wound p-90 to balance with it in the neck.

I upgraded from the stock pickups a couple of years ago becuase they were fairly generic sounding and very middy. I would reccomend an alnico V pickup over an alnico II in a les paul as I think you need the brightness.

Reasonable output. I wouldn't say high but more than a PAF. (this is in relation to how it sounds not its specs).

I use it through a number of effects, either a turbo rat or a compressor into blues driver for my main drive tones. This is pushing a fender hot rod with a celestion speaker.

The tone is nice and crunchy. Theres alot of treble and mid tones but its not unbalanced. I couldn't see this working in a neck position but as a lead pickup its perfect.

I use this guitar for heavy blues, some jazz, heavy country, and of course abit of rock. I think it could cope with metal if I wanted it too (I have the occassional muse/ratm moment but thats as far as I dip into metal). I wouldn't reccomend this pup to a metal purist but it'l cope if you want to go that way occasionally.

This is a lead pickup, I wouldn't recommend it for most rythm styles. It would cope but other pups would be better.

THIS IS THE IMPORTANT BIT. THIS PUP IS VERY DEPENDANT ON HEIGHT. TOO HIGH AND IT GETS MUDDY AND HARSH. BACK IT OFF, SET IT QUITE LOW AND THEN RAISE THE POLE PIECES.

I set the bass side slightly lower. Then raise the pole pieces about 5mm and then adjust with the guitar plugged in to get good string balance and definition. I find that the high E needs the most help, the G the least and I like to raise the low E and A to give my chords some oomph. I think you need to experiment though. I was given this pickup from a mate who hated it, once I'de set it up properly he wanted it back but I wasn't budging!

It really makes a hige difference. On all pickups its important but the JB seems more sensitive than most.

Passive, 4 conductor humbucker. Zebra cream.

I installed this JB in the bridge position of a mahogany Ibanez RG with a maple top and maple/rosewood neck and a matching SD Jazz in the neck position.

These replaced the stock Ibanez pickups.

The JB, to my ears, has a medium-high output level, good for overdriven sounds. I've used it with my Marshall DSL100, Peavey 5150 and ADA MP-1 all going into a 2x12 cab with G12H30's or a 4x12 cab with the same.

I play main rock/hard rock and metal. The JB is definitely a good match for any of these types of music. Not too bassy or trebly with a nice little midrange bump that works for that style of music. Though I always felt that the JB had a fuzziness to it that I didn't really get into.

Though I would recommend this pickup for anyone into the same kind of music, it was not for me. I wanted something a little more percussive and transparent, with less of a voicing.

I would not buy it again, but that is only because I never bonded with the tone much. It is a good pickup, just not for me.

I've been playing professionally and semi-professionally for over twenty years. I've probably owned something from almost every pickup company going. I mainly play an Ibanez for its versatility and flat neck, but I also own a Strat and Ernie Ball/Musicman Axis.

I loved the JB's midrange drive and it's rock tone, but didn't like the fuzziness. I found it a little too vocal and voiced. I prefer something more transparent. It should be noted that I did keep the Jazz in the neck position. I do like that pickup for that position and my style.

I've tried another brand I've been neglecting for years, and am so glad I did. It is the pickup for me, but I'm not saying what it is, I'd like to keep it to myself. ;) The Duncan JB is a good pickup regardless of my personal preference. It is kind of generic sounding though, which is another reason I didn't keep it in.

hot humbucking pick up. passive.

installed in the bridge position of a 92 gibson les paul customer 57 reissue. the jb is the new standard in hard rock humbucking pick ups unless you prefer the generic tone of an emg.

amazing! i can how some of the uneducated beginer players on here can make negative comments about it so lets address these.

#1- too much treble- nah, it has more presence. it sounds very alive and loud. like an amp through a bbe.

#2- not enough bass- nah, it has bass, it just doesnt have the mud that other high gain pick ups have so it can confuse and idiot really quickly. adjust your amps treble kid! bass isnt the farting noise your cheap amp makes due to muddy tone.

the truth- this pick up is for real players that have a clue. it isnt generic and should not be played by generic beginers that are using entry level jap guitars made of plywood. this pick up will make your tone come alive. there is a reason why this is the most popular humbucking pick up made today. pleanty of gain, smooth even tone with just the right growl and bite. bright alive sound, love it!

one word...duncan!

JB SH-4 Humbucker

Standard equip in the bridge position of my Schecter C-1 classic. The SH-2n Jazz model is standard in the neck.

First thing I noticed was the harmonics that seem to jump off the strings. The pickups look tight with their covers. Am running the Schecter into a Mesa Studio Pre, which runs into an older model Mesa 50/50. Using a Roadster 1X12 cab right now. Metal is my music of choice, but I fool around with Rock, Blues, and some Funk. This pickup works quite well for any of those applications. The output is not super hot, but it's what I'd call very alive!

There's nothing that I hate about them, and there's nothing I'd change about them. With the right equipment, I really believe you can get damn near any genre you want with them - including metal.

4 conductor passive humbucker pickup

Lately, I have used the JB in the bridge position of a Jackson Dinky DK2 (came stock) and of an Ibanez Paul Gilbert model PGM500. But a few years back, I have used the JB in a plethora of other guitars. I've been playing the JB for 10 years now.

The output level is high. I'd say maybe a touch less than a Dimarzio Tone-Zone, a tiny bit more than a Duncan Full Shred, about the same as a Duncan Custom. If I were to put a Dimarzio output mV number on it, I'd say around 360 mV. However, the pickup doesn't "feel" high output, as its mids are recessed and most of the power is concentrated in the treble and bass ends.

The tone of the JB is very particular for a humbucking pickup.
It has sucked out mids, flabby thick bass and searing treble, with some nice presence. The absence of mids make it hard to cut through many dense mixes. Most of the time, the attack will cut through, but not the note itself. The attack of this pickup is very special and sounds really "quacky", "squashy" or "underwatery" as I like to call it. The attack sounds just like Marty Friedman's lead tone on Rust In Peace. Indeed, I think this pickup sounds just like Marty's lead tone on RIP and most of Warren DeMartini's lead tones on just about any 80's RATT albums.

For rhythm playing this pickup is totally untight under heavy gain and is flabby. In my opinion, this pickup is a lead player's wet dream and a rhythm player's nightmare. I wouldn't record a tight rhythm guitar with this pickup unless I have no choice. Of course, the argument here is Dave Mustaine and many other players that used the JB. So yeah, it can be worked out, but it wouldn't be my first choice for tight rhythm (I recommend the Duncan Distortion for that!)

I play instrumental high-gain shred guitar (80's like), mostly leads and few rhythms.

I have used the JB in the neck some years ago and found it much too muddy to be useable. I recommend it in the bridge position.

The JB sounds good for leads, it has a nice searing tone. It feels really "elastic" when playing fast intricate line. The attack is immediate, but the note take a while to bloom. Consequently, the notes tend to "Burn" and change into an harmonic galore. The Dimarzio Tone-Zone also makes the notes "burn" but they just don't feel as elastic as with the JB. The JB is really thick and "slow" on the notes and really swift on the initial attack. This is mainly a result of having the mids really recessed.

The JB is a very good lead pickup for when I need that "elastic" feel. It has a particular tone that cannot satisfy everyone, but once in a while it's really pleasing to play such a "rubbery" pickup.
The JB is definitely at its best when playing high-gain 80's style shreddy leads in the studio, where the "lack of cut through" can be taken care of.

Overall, the JB is a good pickup, has a unique tone and feels like no other pickup that I know of.

AS everyone already said, specs are well known. I'm only into this one year, so I don't have a lot of knowledge

I bought a PRS Santana SE last year. It's one of their Korean made models. Mahogany body; rosewood fretboard, set in neck. I put the JB in the bridge, and the Jazz in the neck (apparently Seymours favorite combo). Again, I am new , and this was (is) the only guitar I ever played. Picked up and started playing 14 months ago. I use a little Roland Microcube practice amp. Didn't take too long to figure out that when on the distortion setting, the tone got real muddy real quick. Also, although the soloing was crisp and clear ( the guitar actually does reproduce the Santana sound pretty good). Something was definitely lacking, especially on the very high notes. I use 9 guage for easier to play, but have been putting a 10 on the high E to try and get more beef.

I immediately noticed a much stronger output. The technician also lowered the action on the SE. The combination of the pickups and lowered action allow for MUCH LESS effort to get more sound. Also very interesting, I can get more subtle shadings with the pickups. Pardon my lack of experience/perspective here, but without a doubt, the sound is much richer and fuller than with the stock pickups. Power chords on Rolling stones stuff are fuller, and on AC/DC with some distortion, everything is several notches clearer. Santana solo's sing now.

Pretty much said, this is the only guitar I've ever played. Would certainly buy the SD's again.

Everyone pretty much knows all the specs.

OLP MM1 and B. C. Rich Avenge guitars. Bridge positions. Swapped the stock pickups cause I wanted the best.

I have JB's installed into my OLP MM1 and also in a BC Rich Avenge SOB all in the bridge position. I also have another OLP MM1 with a Tonezone and a Peavey Wolfgang with Eddie's Pickups. The JB's sound is very clear and have lots of punch, midrange and fullness. I tested my JBs out in comparison to my other guitars. The JB and the Tonezone are very similar but the JB had more clarity while doing my a/b comparison. The JB was nearly identical to the pickup in my EVH Wolfgang. I've been using Duncan JB's since 1989 and I love 'em. My favorite sounding pickup of all time. I was on an EMG kick for a while but always end up going back to the JB. These are moderate to high output and remain clear and punchy. High output stuff tends to muddy my signal as I'm using high gain 5150 III heads.

The best pickup ever made!

Mine reads 16K3
Its not a present JB, but an 80??s JB, labeled JBJ. Ive had it in my SG for four months now.

What model guitar or bass did you install this in? Gibson Sg Special Faded 2006

What position is it in? Bridge.

What pickup are you replacing? Stock 490T.

Other pickups installed on the instrument? 490R.

Reason for changing the pickup? The 490T was too bluesy and funky for me, too trebly also, I needed more bass and mids.

What's the output level like? Its stronger than a tradicional PAF but not too much. Its not a metalhead pickup as I feared. Dont be impressed about the 16K resistance, it doesnt mean output. Its really sweet and not at all an agressive pick.

What amps and effects are you using it with? 50w Brazilian 60s and 70s 6L6 Fender based tube amps (Palmer and Giannini) and trash Meteoro and Marshall solid satate amps. + Yamaha Over Drive OD10 (80s OD) and Plan-9 68 Classic Fuzz Si (BC108 Fuzz Face clone).

Tone: very well defined and balanced, now my guitar shines in band contexts. Its not trebly at all, and souns fantastic in my Special Faded. The 490T lacked bass, and the first thing I realized was the beautiful mid and bass blends offered by this JBJ. The 490T was microfonic and kinda thin, while the JBJ is fat and strong. Even with crap amps it does the job but with good tube amps it really shines. I am impressed with the beautiful feedbacks it creates. I??ve only heard these kind of feedbacks with P-90s before.

What style of music do you play? I play since 1984. Now I??m in an Indy-punk-psycho Brazilian band named Gooks. I also like to play jazz & blues.

For which positions is this pickup (un)suitable? The best thing about this pickup is that its higher output doesnt mean DEBAR, i.e. distorting everything beyound all recognition. The sound is really well defined, beutifull and harmonically rich. Its an extremelly versatile pickup. I recommend it to every kind of music, except for mad Invader metal maniacs.

For which positions is this pickup unsuitable? Neck.

If it was destroyed or stolen, would you buy it again or get something else? Yes, I??m buying another JBJ as a backup right now. Maybe I??ll be forced to buy a Flying V for it if the pickup feels too lonely.

Are you satisfied with this pickup or still searching for that sound?
It??s the best pickup I??ve ever played with, it made me rediscover humbuckers after some years playing mainly with P90s. I only would like to know if the present JB is so good as this damn good 80s JBJ.

Passive Humbucker.

right now I have this pickup in my favourite guitar - Ibanez S470. First I replaced the stock Infinity pickup with a Dimarzio from Ibanez prestige (they're made as IBZ/Dimarzio pickups. This one was made just like the Tone Zone), but then I replaced it with this Duncan JB.

Before I got it in one of my Les Pauls.

I must say that since I installed this pickup in my Ibanez it doesn't sound like an Ibanez at all (you can't expect VAI's or Satriani's tone from it - Dimarzios are made for that reason :D).

The output is Hot! The tone is balanced, but the first impression can be not as good as the pickup actually is, because I had a feeling that it lacks bass. I have tried a lot of the greatest bridge pickups for distortion and heavy music styles - I have to say that this one is definitely for you, If you're looking for a really heavy tone.

I Play a lot of different styles, but mostly something heavy, so I know what I need to play metal.

If it was stolen or lost I would definitely buy it again.

When I first got the JB, I thought that it is not as heavy as I want, so I traded it to the SD Invader (sh-8), because I thought if Lamb Of God are playing with these, They can't be bad pickups. But I mistaken- the sh-8 was the worst pickup for distortion I have ever played. It was so muddy - unplayable!

I have tried a lot of pickups (I make guitars myself, so I have to try a lot of gear to find the best combination for every instrument) so far, I also have emg's in 2 of my guitars (one is Les Paul and the other one is custom made ESP ex series style guitar) And I can say that the JB is the greatest pickup for bridge position I've ever played. It produces nice clear tone comparing to Duncan Sh-6 (distortion) which also is too muddy for playing metal. The Emg 81 is a good pickup too, but it gives a LOT of extra noise while playing guitar. Bill Lawrence 500 (Dimebag used to use this before switching to Seymour duncan) is also great, but the JB still is the best one for me.

It is very good for power chords and also for solos. The pinched-harmonics are great on it.

But remember - there is always a risk that you wouldn't like it, so try to test it for a while, before buying one.

Medium-high output HB

What model guitar or bass did you install this in?

Stratocaster, Alder body, rosewood fingerboard, Fender original vintage tremolo bridge, 250K pots, HSS-TB4 (JB Trembucker)

SOUND: Organic. JB is not the hottest HB, but hot enough. More importantly, it has the Tone. Very transparent and eq balanced. Tight bass, sweet but sharp mids, glassy highs. It sings in lead work. Nice mid-honk.
Great for open cords, palm muting, riffs, harmonics and solos. Cuts through the mix very good. Works great in medium to high gain applications. It stays transparent and clear even in the highest gain settings and fastest soloing. Noise free in high gain.
I don???t play clean on the bridge position, but sounds ok splited with the middle strat pickup.

What style of music do you play? Is this a good match?
If you like Steve Stevens, EVH, Marty Friedman, Dave Mustaine, Steve Lukather and their guitar tones, you won???t go wrong with JB. It sounds just like a guitar should sound.
Just remember to make the right choice between SH4 and TB4 concerning string spacing and bridge dimensions. SD:??? TB4 is designed for wider string spacing in the bridge position: 2.070?????? or 52,6mm???

My gear: Alder Strat (250k pots), George L???s cables, MXR ZW44 OD, Customized Fender 2 channel 50watts Head, Engl VG412 cabinet with Vintage30 speakers.
I play Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Southern Rock, live with the band.

This pickup is great for everything with electric guitar- from Pop, Country, Rock to Metal. It is not muddy enough for dead nu-metal, but maybe it works there too???

Passive Humbucker

I installed this piece of beauty in the bridge position of my Ibanez RG2EX1, basswood body with a fixed bridge, very simple and to the point. Some say that this pup sounds like trash in a basswood axe, personally I think thats bull****. I am replacing a number of pups, I tried a Bill Lawrence L500L, a Dimarzio Air Norton and a Dimarzio Drop Sonic before I found the all singing, all dancing crap of the world with the JB, this is hands down the best pickup I have found, but JB's are a love or hate pup, I happen to love it, sweet harmonics and just enough growl to suit my style, absolutely awesome.
I originally hated Duncans as I had tried an Invader a long time ago and it was a piece of ****. But Stephen Carpenter of the Deftones used a JB until after White Pony so I decided to give one a shot, damn am I happy I did! I found all the others to be good in their own way, the Lawrence was balls out insane, but too much for my humble hands, I'll let the Gods like Dime and Nuno handle those. The Norton was nice but lacked a certain..... I don't know what, and the Drop Sonic, despite being marketed as a new age bad mofo was rather flat and dull....maybe I just don't get it, anyway this is only my opinion and I think everyone needs to just find the pup that fufills their needs. The stock pups on any cheap guitar are just **** and should be replaced ASAP, they really dont let your guitar shine like it should.

I would say that this is a medium to hot 'bucker, for sure not as hot as a Lawrence, but hotter than the Norton.
I am using a Crate V 18 112, a CMATMODs DS 1, MXR 6 Band, and a Small Clone Chorus, not too many effects (yet) but this is mainly my pup for distorted sounds so it goes through the EQ and DS 1. It is stunning for ripping distortion, nice chunky rhythm and it screams on the high strings so lead sounds fantastic. I don't use it for cleans, I have a Dimarzio Humbucker From Hell in the neck for that. Don't be misguided by the name of that pup it is stellar in the neck for some almost single coil clean sounds. Truly unique. I play experimental sort of music, I like to get nice and heavy from time to time, but I also like to back it off a bit and go clean. I guess a band like Alice In Chains would be a big influence on my playing. But I also love Pantera, Tool, Helmet, Korn(the earlier stuff) Nirvana, Pink Floyd... there is a large list and I hate to limit what I do so a little bit of alot I guess.
I would say that this pup might lean on the trebly side, but has enough bass and balls to roll.
I would not use this in the neck, I had a douche from a music store install one of these in the neck positon of a 7 string that I used to have and it was wayyyy to much, hot pups in the neck position sound like ***.
This is a versatile pup good for almost any kind of music you'd like to make.

If stolen [. . .] I would then replace it as soon as I could, this is the only bridge pup I'll ever need again.
I have been playing off and on for about 10 years and I am by no means a pro, but I do have an ear for what sounds good and this sum***** sounds like god down from the heavens. If you want an extremely versatile bridge pup that has some balls, pick up a JB, again, it's a love/hate thing, but if you like it you'll love it.

ash bodied strat, maple neck Fender custom shop deal. Came stock.

Hot output, very, very boxy, mids and flubby on the lows. Good for singing solos where the note starts to turn into feedback. Very vocal and cool for that. No crunch tones ala ACDC or VH stuff. You want a more balanced pickup like the 59, or a Gibson PAF type. Too much mids/honk in this JB.

I'm going to switch it out for something more balanced. The JB is a total one trick pony if there ever was one.

Nickel Covered passive Humbucker.

Purchased as a replacement for the stock bridge pickup (500T) of a faded Gibson flying V. The 500T was just way too hot. Tried a Gibson Dirty Fingers and that only made it worse.

It has a slightly hotter output than the Burstbucker Pro's in my les Paul. At first I didn't like it too much. But the more I play it, the more I LOVE this pickup. It's got authority and balls. Very dynamic to pick attack and playing style. I have had it in the guitar for a few months now, and am very glad I dropped it in there. I play Hard Rock, Blues, and Metal through a Marshall TSL100 head into a Mesa 4x12 cab.

For leads this thing ROCKS. Higher up on the neck the tone seems to get compressed and starts singing, like a neck pickup would..way cool. It's quite the change from the Burstbucker in my Les Paul. I am seriously considering putting one of these in my Les Paul, as it is my main guitar.

I have tried the Duncan Distortion, Custom Custom, Custom, EMG's and various Gibson humbuckers. This and the Burstbucker Pro are my favorite. It just has BALLS.

just like any other passive humbucker

I put this pickup in the bridge position of my 96' MIJ Ibanez Artist series, kinda like Ibanez version of Gibson Les Paul, mahogany body, really thick mid-lows.
pickup i replaced: duncan designed HB102 bridge, it's like cheaper version of the JB
other pickups on the instrument: duncan 59' neck
reasons for changing the pickup: the duncan designed lacks definition, a bit muddy

medium to high output, more output than dimarzio PAF pro in my other guitar, but not too much, it's perfect..
im using it with a POD XT live, running straight to the PC, i'm focusing on alternative rock, hardrock, fusion rock, but i like to play just everything from acoustic instrumental to death metal :p

OVERALL: i think it's geared towards the higher mids, it's bright, and lots but not too much of mids, lows are kinda loose.
the clean tone is honky, this pickup wont give you that crispy clean tone, so you need good neck pickup for all the clean jobs..

LEAD TONE: i think it's the best duncan for lead playing, you know it when you do some long sustained bends, the highs become more present, then it began to sing, it's like having a slight chorus on your tone, then slowly it turns to sweet harmonics before it fades away, very good tone..

RHYTM TONE: mmm.. you can smell the 80s, bright distortion with depth, and just the right amount of mids to balance with the highs, lows are kinda loose, really good for heavy chords, let me say it again, HEAVY!!! playing the low E chord gives you nothing less than brutality, very very solid and thick sound.. it screams metal!!
playing the higher chords really give you that EVH style of tone, bright with juicy mids..

you gotta be careful with the lows tho, don't put this pickup too close to the strings, or it will turn out muddy, VERY MUDDY!!! back it off, until you find the lows not overwhelming, this pickup is very height sensitive..
you can also do yourself a favor and install a push-pull pot aka. koil tap, this will give you VERY TIGHT lows, but with lower output..

For which positions is this pickup (un)suitable?
suitable for blues, all kinds of rock, metal, non suitable for strict fast palm muting (Master of Puppits is the borderline IMO)

If it was destroyed or stolen, would you buy it again or get something else?
yes, i would buy nother JB and mod it,change its polepieces, magnet swaps, to tighten the lows.. i tried nother duncans but nothing has that singing highs and sweet crunch the JB famous for..

How long have you been playing? What other gear do you own?
i've been playing for 3 years, since in my 10th grade, now im in the university. i have no other gear, but im still saving for my first tube amp - hughes kettner siwtchblade..

Anything you wish it had?
tighter lows

Are you satisfied with this pickup or still searching for <b>that</b> sound?
satisfied, but still need something like EQ to tighten the lows and reach for "THAT" sound

Passive humbucker. yeah

Installed in a Gibson Sonex Deluxe 180 in the Neck position. I have no idea what pickup I was replacing. The originals are long gone. The bridge pickup is a Seymour Duncan SH6 Distortion. I replaced the pickups because the old ones were weak and muddy. The original pickups (dirty fingers?) were hot and muddy. I wanted hot and defined.

Seems like it's got pretty high output. With the volume on 4 or 5, it sounds about as loud as the previous pickups which were pretty weak. The JB makes my Fender Deluxe compress easily, drives my marshall really hard.

The tone is hot and clear. The guitar is naturally bassy and sustains a lot on its own. Every other pickup has been dark and muddy in this guitar. The JB isn't dark. Seems to compensate well for this guitar. Nice warm clean, suitable for jazz. With the volume full up, it's hot enough for pretty much whatever.

Been playing 13 years. That also how long I've had this guitar. This is definitely the best this guitar has ever sounded. I own a variety of guitars with lots of different pickups. SC, p90, vintage-style Humbuckers and now this with hotter humbuckers. It rounds out my collection nicely. I love how this pickup give a really good clean sound as well as overdriven. I wasn't looking for 'that sound', I just knew I wanted something on the hot side. I got it. I'm really happy with it, and the nice clean sound is a pleasant extra.

Hot Humbucker

'62 Reissue Strat, replacing bridge pickup.

Peavey Classic 50, Vox Buckingham.
Excellent hard rock growler. Nice sustain, even in a Strat.
Not much on the clean side, so it's not versatile. It's just one particular tone I was looking for. The JB was the best match. Good for blues, AC/DC crunch, and 70's hard rock.

Been playing 35 years. Have a dozen or so guitars so I seek out different tones. I want a hard Gibson sound from my Strat--the JB comes very close. Would not be a good stage choice if you play a wide variety of styles. For a good warm, crunchy pickup, you can't go wrong. I would replace it if lost or stolen.

Double Coil High Output Pickup.
Bought as Hot Rod set - with Duncan Jazz.

for the Neck. Installed in Bridge of Epiphone Les Paul Classic with the Jazz pickup in the Neck to upgrade this guitar as replacement to the stock pickups. It also has a Fisher Piazo Bridge Pickup for acoustic sound that can be mixed with the magnetics.

The output is great. Not too much to handle, doesn't squell at loud volume. Running through Boss GT-7 into Traynor YVC-30 (30 watt tube) AMPI. Tone is great. When mixed with the Jazz on the clean sound, it is very versatile for different tones based on the volumes of each pickup. I play Classic Rock. I'm surprised at the very negative reviews on this pickup. But then again I play Classic Rock and perhaps this wouldn't be the best pickup for modern Rock.

I would replace this if it were destroyed or stolen. I've been playing guitar for over 25 years. My other guitars are a 2006 Gibson Les Paul Standard (stock) and a Ibanez RG350 (Seymour Duncan int the Bridge position). I like the JB for the Mohogany body guitar because I think the Dunan Distortion may have been a little too much and may have turned muddy. The JB has a good high end blend to bring out the nice Mohogany tone. Great Pickup, make sure the poles are adjusted properly.

Its a 16k passive humbucker.

I put this in my Orville Les Paul Custom, I just didn't like the pickups in it. I put this one in at the bridge position because I thought I would like a high impedance pickup at the bridge. I put a Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates in at the neck.

I really hated this pickup. Turns out I don't like high impedance pickups at all. They are just all really distorted mids with no highs and a bottom end that is all mud. I hate that sound. You can't get any rock and roll (as opposed to rock) sounds out of this thing at all. I changed it to a Pearly Gates bridge pickup and now I am happy. Again, this pickup is for Eddie Van Halen types who just want to make a bunch of noise. Yuck.

Anybody want to buy a pickup? Just kidding really but its just gathering dust in a drawer, wouldn't use it in anything I own. Its well made and all but not the sound for me. I have eight guitars that I play and I like low impedance pickups so I get my distortion from the power tubes and nowhere else and its got to be clean and clear when I want it. Just not for me. I do like the Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates or '59 humbuckers, the T.V. Jones classics I have in my Gretsch White Falcon, and the Gibson Classic 57's I have in my Riviera elite. Those pickups have sweetness, soul, and bottom end growl. The JB is just all noise.

Dual coil humbucker, 16k resistance, Gibson spaced

I bought this to replace the 490T bridge pickup in my SG Special. I wanted similar tone to the stock pickup with a little more output. The reviews here indicated this would be the case, along with the folks at Duncan. Sadly, this was *NOT* the case.

The output level is less than the stock pickup was. The neck pickup now has more output than the bridge. Highs? non-existant. All mids. Really lousy blanket-over-the-amp mids. I raised the pickup as high as it would go, still too low. Raised the polepieces until the stick out of the pickup 3/8 inch. Looks like crap, but now is almost as loud as the stock pickup. The neck pickup, lowered all the way down, is *Still* louder! In another guitar I have mighty mite motherbuckers. I really didn't care for the bridge tone in it, but it SMOKES this thing. If I switch my Heartbreaker Head to the high gain mode, it sounds pretty decent, but then about ANY pickup will at this gain level. I think I will yank it out and go with a Dimarzio Super Distortion, or just put the stock pickup back in. It can't get much worse. After all the hype, I'm really disappointed. Sounds no better than many no-name pickups I've used in the last 35 years...

If lost or stolen, I would miss the instrument, not the pickup. I like nothing about it. Alnico V my butt. All-no-tone is more appropriate. I wish it had more higs. I wish it had comparable output to the stocker. After all, I was looking for a little *MORE* output. I wish somebody would take the blanket off of my amp when I switch to this pickup in low gain mode.