Seymour Duncan JB

Passive Humbucker
16.4k and versatile

Jay Turser: JT200PRO; JT200QMTVINE; JT-55FB; JT-55BLK
Replaced stock Bridge pickups
Understand many artists use this pickup
Read many positive reviews and wanted a hotter and more versatile Bridge pickup.

The output is relatively hot but not to the point it cannot be controlled by height and amp adjustments. The sustain and tone is superb and again is very controllable with guitar and amp settings. I play mostly southern-fried, classic and heavy rock. The JB is so versatile you can play most anything, jazz, rock, gospel even metal with the right amp settings. I use a Fender Cyber Twin SE so good multi effects are at my disposal and the JB sounds great through them and did I mention its is very versatile?

Ok here is the bottom line opinion from a old "fat cat w/a strat":
In other reviews posted I like to collect Jay Turser guitars mainly the JT-55 series just for the rip of it. The stock neck pickups were ok but I wanted to experiment with the bridge and purchased a Burst Bucker Pro--aaarrrrgggg! Was ok at first-no soul and was out mega bucks. I then chose the JB because Seymour himself liked it and that was good enough for me. Picked up a gold covered JB put it in the bridge of a JT-55 and it transformed this cheap import clone into a (you know who) slayer. Then I purchased another to test in each Turser and the rest is history. Most have covered pickups but the JT200 Pro was open coiled, and yes there is a slight tone difference between the 2 but not worth converting both pickups just to have a match. If lost or stolen would I purchase again-well if the fool got passed the dogs he would have to carry out a fire proof vault. I have 6 Tursers 4 of which JB's were added and 1 with a SD Custom and 2 more guitars coming-so yes. If you look up the word versatile in your Funk & Wagnals, a picture of a SH4-JB will be beside the definition. Customer service with Seymour Duncan is awesome-these folks do givarip about your satifaction.

Passive humbucking pickup. Not much else to say.

I installed this pickup into an Epiphone Firebird Studio. Bridge position. It replaced the stock Epiphone Alnico pickup.

The output level on this pickup is very hot. My guitar setup is the guitar straight into the amp, no effects or coloring of any kind. I like to get my distortion from the pickup, and this pickup can deliver in spades. I play blues/rock/hard rock styles.

I didn't think that the pickup cleaned up particularly well, and I thought it was a bit muddy, but it is very strong pickup and the lead tone was smoldering.

I've been playing for about 8 years and I've used a number of Seymour Duncans (SH-5 Custom, SH-6 Distortion, SH-1 '59) and this one was good I thought. I didn't like it as much as the Custom, but it was a good strong pickup and I liked it. I ended up selling the guitar that I put it into, the guitar wasn't for me, but the pickup was good. Not sure if I'd want to buy another one. I like the Custom too much.

Well, the features should be clear by now. Mine is not different to the other reviewed Pick Ups.

The JB is the stock PU in my Schecter??s Bridge Position. On the neck i have an ??59 which matches wonderful with the JB.
I don??t see any reason why i should change one of them.

Sonic Evaluation:
Schecter C-1 Blackjack Baritone>>>Engl E530 Preamp>>>Digitech GSP2101>>>Rocktron Velocity 120>>>Self-made 4x12 with Celestion Speakers
Output:
Since the Engl and the Digitech GSP have tons of gain i am very glad that the JB has a decent output, but not as hot as a SH-8 or Emg 81.
I??d say medium output.
Tone:
This PU has balls and cuts through the mix at the same time. I play my Baritone very low tuned (A)and therefore need lots of highs and especially mids since i can??t stand midscoop. The JB gives me all that and still does not sound muddy this low tuned.
I also use i quite often for clean sounds when splitted to a single coil. Together with ??59 it sounds awesome.
Style of music:
I play Death Metal and it suits me and my gear very well. But actually i can??t see any musical style this PU couldn??t handle with a bit fiddling on an amps EQ.

If it was stolen obviously my whole guitar was stolen. And yes i??d buy the guitar including the pick ups again.
My other guitars (2 Jacksons) have different pick ups, one has an Emg 81, the other a SH-6 Duncan Distortion. I also tried the Sh-8 Invader (sucked all the sustain+muddy)but the JB is the best so far.

I didn??t have to pay extra for it since it is the stock PU in my guitar, but the price here (Germany) for the JB is surprisingly low. It is cheaper than all Emgs, Di Marzios and even the other Duncans.
So it is definately value for money.

humbucker
16.4k

Epiphone Firebird LE
Bridge
Stock
Gibson 57 classic
The stock pickups were garbage.

The output is nice and hot. I was expecting much more, which I didn't really want. This is a good middle ground pickup. I play it through a Zvex Super Hard On then a BYOC delay and then a modded crybaby into a Sovtek Mig 60 and then finally into an Emperor cabinet w/ G12H-30's. It has a nice classic tone, that could get pretty metal if needed. I play rock 'n roll like Sabbath, Captain Beyond, Hawkwind etc... I would not use this for a neck pickup for any circumstance.

I would buy another if it were destroyed or stolen. I have a Les Paul with burstbuckers that I would change if it didn't effect the value of the guitar. I chose this pickup because I don't play metal and I didn't want to get the 59 because I was worried it would be too weak. I really dig this pickup and will probably hang on to it for a long time.

Passive humbucker. 4 conductor wiring. Med-High output.

This is a bridge pickup all the way. I originally had it in an Epiphone G-400 and hated it, then I dropped it into a Fernandes Dragonfly Strat-type guitar and fell in love. It sounds so much different in the Fernandes!

Lots of hard rock/metal artists have used it. Just off the top of my head... Jerry Cantrell, Kurt Cobain, Greg Ginn, Billy Joe Armstrong, etc. Maybe everyone except for Jeff Beck himself-- it's worth noting that Beck himself never actually used the "J.B." A young Seymour Duncan merely built a high gain pickup after working on Beck's favorite Les Paul and discovering the bridge pickup had come very hot from the factory. He started selling his custom overwound pickups as "the J.B. mod" soon after to guitarists wanting a piece of Beck's tone.

This pickup is the classic one-trick pony, as I was very disappointed to find originally. I was looking for the sound of 80s hardcore and 90s grunge/alternative, when damn near everyone was using this pickup.

In the Epiphone G400 I originally installed it in, it was terrible. Just a shrill, thin mess that sounded like crap unless I cranked the gain way up, and even then it didn't sound like it was worth $70. I didn't hear much in the way of mids, and no bass at all. Just pure icepick treble. The clean sound was so bad it was totally unusable. The mushy stock pickup had been better!

However, after being disgusted with the even thinner, nothing-but-treble bridge pickup in my Fernandes Firefly (a really nice Japanese model I picked up for $125), I decided to try it in the Fernandes. WHAT A HUGE DIFFERENCE! In the Fernandes, which has a basswood body, strat-style bridge, and a slightly dark, "rounded" acoustic sound, the JB came alive. Now that I have two other pickups to use for clean, I can use the JB for what it was designed for: distortion! The distorted sound is now full, with a noticable midrange hump that jumps out without sounding harsh, and it just sounds great as I feed it more and more gain. Even on milder settings it sounds full, with just the right amount of grit. Still not very usable for clean, but who uses the bridge on a strat for clean sounds anyway?

Because of the wide difference, worthless clean tones, and the bad experience with the G-400, I give it a 7.

This pickup was simply meant for the Fernandes, and I can't imagine any other working any better. If you're looking for a hard-rockin' bridge pickup for a Strat, I recommend it whole heartedly, but in a Gibson-style guitar I have to urge caution. If you expect to ever use your bridge pickup for playing clean, you will NOT be happy. Also, while I did get finally get just the sound I was looking for, I have to admit it does sound kind of "generic" after a while because so many people use it.

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.

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.