Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

[theycallmegio]

I'm about to order a new pickup for my guitar (LP standard). I see that the custom (sh-5) is listed on SD's website under both medium and high output pickups. The JB is only listed under high output pickups.

I believe I have a duncan custom in my les paul at the moment. Sounds great but I can't get a good metal sound out of it (which is strange considering the artists that use customs).

Before this I had a les paul custom with the stuck 498t in the bridge and it was hot enough for me and I could get metal sounds out of it. I've had a JB in a USA jackson years ago in college and I remember loving it and not having any difficulty getting metal sounds from it.

I'm kinda hesitant about the JB bc every review online says it's NOT suited for metal, so I'm really confused as to whether or not the JB is hotter than the custom.

can anyone make any suggestions? I don't want to order the JB and not like it

 

[CTN]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

It is hotter than the custom, and yes, it can do metal quite well, but more in the 80's/classic metal vein. You could go with a Duncan Distortion which will have plenty of output, certainly enough for classic and modern metal. Distortions also sound great in beefy sounding guitars like LPs. IMO, JBs don't sound quite as good in LPs, but there are many who disagree with that opinion...Alex Skolnick for one.

 

[theycallmegio]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

It is hotter than the custom, and yes, it can do metal quite well, but more in the 80's/classic metal vein. You could go with a Duncan Distortion which will have plenty of output, certainly enough for classic and modern metal. Distortions also sound great in beefy sounding guitars like LPs. IMO, JBs don't sound quite as good in LPs, but there are many who disagree with that opinion...Alex Skolnick for one.

I don't need it to be crazy high output. My guitar previous to getting an LP again had EMGs in it. They're nice but I'd never want one in a les paul. As long as the JB is hotter than the custom It think it will do. I like the versatility of the JB that everyone raves about. It's a shame bc the custom has such a gorgeous rock tone, it just can't cut it when it comes to the heavier stuff.

 

[saladin]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

If you don't like the Custom, I would avoid the JB at all costs.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

Welcome! Before we go throwing all sorts of random suggestions based on Hotness alone....


What amp?
Please specify what kind of Metal.

I could do most things with EITHER a JB or a Custom, and the output would NOT be the main thing making me choose one or the other.

Great Duncan Metal Pickups: JB, Custom, Distortion, Invader. Those are all high output.

Now - my choice of a pickup based on style/sound
JB - 80's metal with a floyd - Ratt for example
Distortion - Anything where crunch was the word. Such as Priest
Custom - When I need a good tight Thud from the bass
Invader - your more overall dark/heavy 90's sounds.

But with a particulalr amp/fx setup - medium output might do better: 59, PG, or A2P

 

[theycallmegio]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

Welcome! Before we go throwing all sorts of random suggestions based on Hotness alone....


What amp?
Please specify what kind of Metal.

I could do most things with EITHER a JB or a Custom, and the output would NOT be the main thing making me choose one or the other.

Great Duncan Metal Pickups: JB, Custom, Distortion, Invader. Those are all high output.

Now - my choice of a pickup based on style/sound
JB - 80's metal with a floyd - Ratt for example
Distortion - Anything where crunch was the word. Such as Priest
Custom - When I need a good tight Thud from the bass
Invader - your more overall dark/heavy 90's sounds.

But with a particulalr amp/fx setup - medium output might do better: 59, PG, or A2P

I have a mesa rectoverb. I like to play that fast metal like old(er) metallica when they still had those fast/tight galloping rhythms. Stuff like 'battery'. The custom doesn't seem to want to do that. Stock Gibson 498ts could do it no problem.

If you don't like the Custom, I would avoid the JB at all costs.

why is that? Can you elaborate?

 

[Soulcrusher_X]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

Metallica......Kirk used the Distortion then EMGs. James.....used the Gibson Dirty Fingers, the Distortion for a spell, the Invader for a bit and then EMGs. JB can do metal, and not just the '80s hair metal. Yes it can do Ratt, like Ace said, but Megadeth (both Dave and Marty Friedman) and Anthrax (Scott Ian) used it. Funny you can't get metal from the Custom, Gary Holt from Exodus used it for a while before EMGs.

LP standard? Rosewood board? I would almost say Distortion. It's not super-kill-everything-high-output like it seems. It's got some soul, too. The clean tones will suprise you. I used one in my SG for a while and with the 'verb on my MKIII, cleans would still shimmer. With a chewier amp like ANY kind of Recto, the Distortion keep things nice and tight for you. I didn't like it as much with my LP Custom, though. I think the ebony fretboard and extra-thick maple cap make it too bright. The JB was perfect for that guitar. Both JB and Distortion have mids that will slice a mix with ease.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

Hotter is really a relative term,

The JB has more of a high mid spike which makes it more present and makes it seem louder. That characteristic also gives it a great singing lead tone. The Custom is more balanced across it's EQ range, is tighter and has more aggressive lows.

In my experience, the Custom can do any form of metal imaginable although it is not a "modern" voiced pick up so to speak. Meaning it will still retail that PAFish or old school vibe. Personally, I like that. You may not.

If you can't get a good metal sound out of the Custom I'd look at your pick up height and possibly amp settings or pedals. With a Rectoverb and a Custom I can't imagine not getting a tone that you can play Metallica with. It may not nail their tone. But you should be able to match output/aggressiveness, etc. easily. (With room to spare)

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

Alex Skolnick uses a JB to make some pretty tasty thrash sounds lately and he does it with a Les Paul. OH THE HORROR!

Thats the wonderful thing about pickups now there are so many flavors if one doesnt do it for you your not stuck. Theres no crime in not getting along with a Custom. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

I believe I have a duncan custom in my les paul at the moment. Sounds great but I can't get a good metal sound out of it

You can't get a good metal sound out of the DC, because? Please explain the problem.

I'm kinda hesitant about the JB bc every review online says it's NOT suited for metal

Not suited for metal. LOL.





....

I have a mesa rectoverb. I like to play that fast metal like old(er) metallica when they still had those fast/tight galloping rhythms. Stuff like 'battery'. The custom doesn't seem to want to do that. Stock Gibson 498ts could do it no problem.

Oh wait. Maybe your amp is too slow, too loose, too wooly... you know what I mean?
Boost it.

 

[theycallmegio]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

You can't get a good metal sound out of the DC, because? Please explain the problem.



Not suited for metal. LOL.





....

Oh wait. Maybe your amp is too slow, too loose, too wooly... you know what I mean?
Boost it.

I understand about it being better with a boosted amp, but my feelings are that if I could get what I needed from stock gibson pickups, I shouldn't have to boost my amp to get a desired sound from my duncans.

The custom gets as dirty as I need it to for the most part, but when it comes to trills on the low E string I feel like it just doesn't cut through


Like the verse on this song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ7Aif5aXlQ

that fast galloping rhythm doesn't cut through on the duncan custom, it gets kinda flubby. Everything else is great on it. Can anyone tell me what about the JB makes it less than desired on a les paul?

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

Can anyone tell me what about the JB makes it less than desired on a les paul?

Some feel that the mid spike doesnt agree with mahogany. They cite anecdotal evidence as backing this up. Despite there being evidence that there are many people who enjoy it in mahogany and Les Pauls. The argument that is put forth is that it has a higher than average failure rate. In my opinion this is overstated and gets blown out of proportion. Like ANY pickup the JB works for some and doesnt work for others but the JB can do metal well.

I will say this though Ive never owned exactly your amp but my expierence with my own Dual Rec and MKIV is that Mesas can be very finicky to the pickups they respond to and can be very touchy about how you set the controls. If you havent tried it and likely you have start from scratch on your EQ settings dont go off what used to work for your old pickups. Pay particular attention to the amount of bass and treble. My gut feeling from my recto would be bass in the 0-2.5 range and treble around 7'ish with mids around 6 or so.

 

[theycallmegio]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

Some feel that the mid spike doesnt agree with mahogany. They cite anecdotal evidence as backing this up. Despite there being evidence that there are many people who enjoy it in mahogany and Les Pauls. The argument that is put forth is that it has a higher than average failure rate. In my opinion this is overstated and gets blown out of proportion. Like ANY pickup the JB works for some and doesnt work for others but the JB can do metal well.

I will say this though Ive never owned exactly your amp but my expierence with my own Dual Rec and MKIV is that Mesas can be very finicky to the pickups they respond to and can be very touchy about how you set the controls. If you havent tried it and likely you have start from scratch on your EQ settings dont go off what used to work for your old pickups. Pay particular attention to the amount of bass and treble. My gut feeling from my recto would be bass in the 0-2.5 range and treble around 7'ish with mids around 6 or so.

yeah my bass is very low, mids are set at about noon, and the treble is a little less than that. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try the JB. I just need it to be ever so slightly hotter than the custom. I like how versatile that pickup is.

 

[Grindspine]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

If you can't get a good metal sound out of the Custom I'd look at your pick up height and possibly amp settings or pedals. With a Rectoverb and a Custom I can't imagine not getting a tone that you can play Metallica with. It may not nail their tone. But you should be able to match output/aggressiveness, etc. easily. (With room to spare)

Mesa Recto amps can be difficult to dial in a great tone. I still have a hard time dialing tones for the Recto circuit in my Triaxis without a boost of some type in front of the amp, that is even with using Duncan Distortion, JB, or EMG-81 (18 volt) pickups.

Speakers also play a huge role. What speakers and cabinet(s) are you using?

The Custom is very capable of getting a good metal sound, I would suggest looking into a decent boost or overdrive pedal just to push the front end of the amp a little harder instead of changing pickups.

 

[Grindspine]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

I understand about it being better with a boosted amp, but my feelings are that if I could get what I needed from stock gibson pickups, I shouldn't have to boost my amp to get a desired sound from my duncans.

The custom gets as dirty as I need it to for the most part, but when it comes to trills on the low E string I feel like it just doesn't cut through


Like the verse on this song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ7Aif5aXlQ

that fast galloping rhythm doesn't cut through on the duncan custom, it gets kinda flubby. Everything else is great on it. Can anyone tell me what about the JB makes it less than desired on a les paul?

The flubbiness is more than likely coming from the response of your rectoverb and speakers rather than the pickup. Edgecrusher giving advice on reducing the bass on the recto is a good place to start. It is pretty easy to make a non-boosted recto sound flubby if you crank the bass in my experience.

 

[theycallmegio]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

yeah, my base is near zero, man.

I know rectos are tricky to dial in, but like I said before I've had no problems dialing in great sounds with other pickups, including the stock gibson pickups which are usually not well liked.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

yeah my bass is very low, mids are set at about noon, and the treble is a little less than that. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try the JB. I just need it to be ever so slightly hotter than the custom. I like how versatile that pickup is.

The JB is a bit hotter.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

I have to concur with the gallery on this one, I can get either pickup to make a totally acceptable sound for that style. The Custom is one of the better pickups for tighter staccato riffage and chugga-chugga junn-junn-wee. Any type of metal actually. I think you might not have a Custom at all... maybe a Custom Custom, but for you to be having so much trouble I'm thinking you've got an APII or a PG or something like that. If you're positive it's a SH-5 Custom and you don't like it you won't like the JB either, the JB is looser and can be a little sloppy for that type of metal unless you're running a tight amp. With a recto, no, I wouldn't recommend it.

For an LP I say Distortion and get a TS9/SD1 or a clone. I've said it before, LP + DD = big fat titties.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

I believe I have a duncan custom in my les paul at the moment.

Yeah,I'd start there.

Confirmation would help considerably.

 

[theycallmegio]

Re: Is the duncan custom hotter than the JB?

I can pull the pickup out of the top without actually disconnecting or pulling anything loose, right?