cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

A

appar111

New member
Alright, these two pickups have withstood the test of time both have been used by countless bands (Kiss, Iron Maiden, Megadeth just to name a few) to deliver hard rock and heavy metal to us all for the last 25-30 years (longer for the Super Distortion).

So which one is the “better pickup”, if there is such a thing, for the hard rock/heavy metal genre?

What’s your choice and why?
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

There is no way to compare without knowing the guitar you want to put them in. They sound drastically different in different woods.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

2nd round win via knockout by JB, brought about by repeated mid-range jabs after a failed low double-leg by Super Distortion!
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

JB wins but limps out of the ring. Ater being treated with an A8 magnet makes a full recovery and defends his title successfully.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

Really depends on amp and speakers. Oh yeah its not easy to say which is better. Since I own and very pleased with both SD and Dimarzio its tough to make a solid answer. The JB was designed to give a HOT paf sound. The Super Distortion was designed to push the amps for rockstars of the '70s and early '80s. So I would go with the Dimarzio Super Distortion if you have "low gain" all tube amp stack. If you have a Marshall DSL series or Engl, go with SD JB.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

Since I play American Fat Strats mostly. For my strats either have SD '59 model or Pearly Gates with SD Classic Stack plus and just bought another, but using PAF Pro with Texas specials. But I also play through either my FJA modded Marshall 1959 SLP or Mesa Boogie Mark IV. Which have very good bottom end to begin with. An to rant some more. Jake E Lee put SD Sh-6 in his hardtail strats. Adrain Smith put Super Distortion in his Fat Strats and then again in his Jackson guitars. Clear enough for you, lol. Bottom line, fat sounding amps with plenty of gain don't really need 425 output with lots of lower mid range and tons of bass.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

I've had both these pickups in the same guitar (Les Paul) at various times-
.....sorry, but the JB loses.
The Super D is smoother sounding to me, it is a bit more compressed , but I like that.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

marvar said:
I've had both these pickups in the same guitar (Les Paul) at various times-
.....sorry, but the JB loses.
The Super D is smoother sounding to me, it is a bit more compressed , but I like that.
Click to expand...

Would agree in that case but I think the earlier post mentions fixed bridge alder.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

fender scale instruments & woods- JB


everything else-Super Distortion.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

Probably the closest I've had was in a G&L Invader with an ash body/maple top/maple board/FR, and ewww. Ironically, I put in a Super Distortion and was way happier with it, so that's my suggestion.

I've still never ran across a stock JB that I liked. Probably the best I've ever heard one was in my baritone, mahogany neck/body, but I still liked it better with other mags.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

Originally Posted by brunogio
jb wins but limps out of the ring. Ater being treated with an a8 magnet makes a full recovery and defends his title successfully.

blueman335 said:
+1.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes:

can't have a thread without someone mentioning an A8 magnet

:banghead:
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

You're asking the Seymour Duncan forum whether his prized pickup is a winner compared with a Dimarzio. :smack:
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

I own three JBs and have played many more; however, I've never tried the DiMarzio. I'd really like to try one, though, mostly out of curiosity. Les Paul through a Plexi reissue with Greenbacks.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

korovamilkdud said:
You're asking the Seymour Duncan forum whether his prized pickup is a winner compared with a Dimarzio. :smack:
Click to expand...

What difference does that make? :eyecrazy: The Duncan forum has always been great about talking about pickups in general, regardless of who makes them.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

appar111 said:
What difference does that make? :eyecrazy: The Duncan forum has always been great about talking about pickups in general, regardless of who makes them.
Click to expand...

I think milkdud is making a joke. Most of us here have a great deal of respect for DiMarzio and other reputable manufacturers. The joke here is exactly that. You're a lot more likely to get carefully considered responses based on what we think of the actual pickups in question, as opposed to a fanboy flame war based on brand loyalties.
 
Re: cage fight - JB vs. Super Distortion?

Stock, out of the box, the Super D wins. Make mods, and all assumptions are out the window.
 
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