Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

[Stratcat]

Can somebody explain the actual difference in tone between these two pups? I am using a CC in the bridge of a Strat right now, but am looking for a pup with a little more high end bite. Thanks for any info.

 

[Jag513]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

The JB has an Alnico 5 magnet, while the Distortion has a Ceramic. The Distortion has more output, and generally sounds worse clean, but it's a beast under distortion. It's also a little more balanced EQ-wise. The JB tends to favor the high mids/treble range more than the Distortion does. The JB is more for modern rock and old metal, while the Distortion is more for hard rock and modern metal (at least to me, that's how it seems). What guitar will you be putting it in, and what music'll you be playing?

 

[Stratcat]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

The JB has an Alnico 5 magnet, while the Distortion has a Ceramic. The Distortion has more output, and generally sounds worse clean, but it's a beast under distortion. It's also a little more balanced EQ-wise. The JB tends to favor the high mids/treble range more than the Distortion does. The JB is more for modern rock and old metal, while the Distortion is more for hard rock and modern metal (at least to me, that's how it seems). What guitar will you be putting it in, and what music'll you be playing?

The guitar is a 2002 Fender American Deluxe Strat/Rosewood fingerboard. The style of music is, Led Zep, ZZ Top, Cream, Hendrix, and will be using it mostlyfor high gain distortion.

 

[Jag513]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

The guitar is a 2002 Fender American Deluxe Strat/Rosewood fingerboard. The style of music is, Led Zep, ZZ Top, Cream, Hendrix, and will be using it mostlyfor high gain distortion.

Hmm, actually for those I'd suggest a Custom Custom. From what I've heard (I haven't heard it under extremely high gain though) it sounds great clean or distorted. Especially for the Cream music. Also, Strats are pretty bright, and the other pickups I suggested might get a bit icepicky in an ash or alder guitar. The CC uses an Alnico 2, so that should compensate for the body's brightness. Since you're going to be playing with some clean stuff, I'd say rule out the Distortion, unless you like the clean sound. I'd suggest looking into the JB and CC.

Better get some gainiacs in here to help you out, other than that, since I don't know how much help I am. :smack:

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

The guitar is a 2002 Fender American Deluxe Strat/Rosewood fingerboard. The style of music is, Led Zep, ZZ Top, Cream, Hendrix, and will be using it mostlyfor high gain distortion.

This part confused me a bit, as I don't consider those examples of high gain distortion. I have both, but currently like the JB better in a alder-body Jackson w/Ebony. I think it has a more pleasing tone, while the Distortion is definitely more aggressive... more kachunk kachunk, and a tad harsher due to the ceramic magnet probably. I think the JB has a nicer clean tone and is more versatile. Plus, if you don't like it, it should be a breeze to unload.

Either way, you probably can't go wrong for high gain pickups.

 

[pac112]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

good choice stratcat... :headbang:

 

[Travis]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

Everyone knows I'm a big supporter of the Distortion and can't stand the JB. Read any one of my numerous posts if you want more of my opinion on the two. If you've already decided on the JB I won't try to change your mind. Just know that everytime someone chooses a JB over a Distortion, a little part of me dies.

 

[ranalli]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

Everyone knows I'm a big supporter of the Distortion and can't stand the JB. Read any one of my numerous posts if you want more of my opinion on the two. If you've already decided on the JB I won't try to change your mind. Just know that everytime someone chooses a JB over a Distortion, a little part of me dies.

Good thing people aren't getting a biased opinion when you come along for advice...

 

[SABOTAGE]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

both are the same pup with a different magnet.
the distortion is a JB with a large ceramic magnet to give it more output, a tighter tone overall and more aggression.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

both are the same pup with a different magnet.

For some reason I doubt that is the case. There's more to a pickup than the magnet, so I'd think that if the windings, etc. were the same that the Distortion would then be named the JBC or something :laugh2:.

 

[SABOTAGE]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

For some reason I doubt that is the case. There's more to a pickup than the magnet, so I'd think that if the windings, etc. were the same that the Distortion would then be named the JBC or something :laugh2:.

believe or do not believe, but both use the same wire,same amount of windings,
have approx the same resistance?
take a JB and put in a large ceramic and then A/B it with a stock sh-6
then see what you think :laugh2:

 

[FretFire]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

I assume you've pulled apart both pickups and inspected them? Most people here say DC resistance isn't always the best thing to judge pickups by, so that didn't convince me haha. Especially since the output level and resistance aren't that different between the A5 mag and the large ceramic mag.

 

[rocker_71]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

Everyone knows I'm a big supporter of the Distortion and can't stand the JB. Read any one of my numerous posts if you want more of my opinion on the two. If you've already decided on the JB I won't try to change your mind. Just know that everytime someone chooses a JB over a Distortion, a little part of me dies.

I'm in doubt between the JB and DD.
Could you be more specific, cos there 14 pages of your posts. :dance:
Tanx.

_

 

[SABOTAGE]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

I assume you've pulled apart both pickups and inspected them? Most people here say DC resistance isn't always the best thing to judge pickups by, so that didn't convince me haha. Especially since the output level and resistance aren't that different between the A5 mag and the large ceramic mag.

you tell me? both use 44 gauge wire,both have the same number of winds.
and BTW resistance is not a varible with a magnet swap, just cuase you swap out a magnet for another type the resistance does not change just the tone and output and the resonant peak :dance:

 

[SABOTAGE]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

I'm in doubt between the JB and DD.
Could you be more specific, cos there 14 pages of your posts. :dance:
Tanx.

_

sarcasm aint pretty :yell:

 

[FretFire]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

you tell me? both use 44 gauge wire,both have the same number of winds.
and BTW resistance is not a varible with a magnet swap, just cuase you swap out a magnet for another type the resistance does not change just the tone and output and the resonant peak :dance:

Ok, that's the info I was wondering about. Much more concrete than what you said at first, thanks . I stand corrected.

 

[SABOTAGE]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

I have always heard that the alnico magnets are more musical sounding than ceramic. It is also a fact that the JB is Seymour Duncans favorite bridge humbucker.

I dont buy into the ceramic is not as musical as alnico thing.
i think it is the player that makes it musical not the magnet :smack:

 

[Travis]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

Good thing people aren't getting a biased opinion when you come along for advice...

Is there such a thing as an UNbiased opinon? Seriously, everyone thinks that their opinion is the right one. So technically, one would be biased toward their own opinion, regardless of subject.

 

[ranalli]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

Is there such a thing as an UNbiased opinon? Seriously, everyone thinks that their opinion is the right one. So technically, one would be biased toward their own opinion, regardless of subject.

The way you wrote your initial post leads us all to believe that you would not recommended the JB even if the original poster had wanted the characteristics of that pickup...what good is that??

To be biased towards your favorite pickup(s) is one thing, to completely steer someone in the wrong direction is another.

I would like to think that most people here are mature enough to put their biases aside for the most part and recommend the pickups that they think people are asking for based on characteristics.....not just their favorites...otherwise what good is this board to people seeking information??

 

[FretFire]

Re: Duncan JB vs Distortion bridge

I would like to think that most people here are mature enough to put their biases aside for the most part and recommend the pickups that they think people are asking for based on characteristics.....not just their favorites...otherwise what good is this board to people seeking information??

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