JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
- Thread starter Rainmaker
- Start date
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
Very similar, and in fact it has been found out that a JB and a Distortion use th4e same coils...they just have differet magnets. I wold say this...the Distortion is a tad more aggressive, has a tighter bottom, and a bit more top end...but they are both good pickups and pretty close to each other...think of a Distortion as the younger snot nose punk little brother to the JB!
Very similar, and in fact it has been found out that a JB and a Distortion use th4e same coils...they just have differet magnets. I wold say this...the Distortion is a tad more aggressive, has a tighter bottom, and a bit more top end...but they are both good pickups and pretty close to each other...think of a Distortion as the younger snot nose punk little brother to the JB!
JammerMatt
New member
Re: JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
I feel the JB has more natural harmonics, is a little sweeter sounding. The Distortion is more chunky and aggressive, kachunk, kachunk, kachunk - it's pure Metal baby. The Distortion seems to have a tendency to have a compressed attack when overdriven IMO. In other words, the front end of the note seems a bit rounder or something or rolled under. This is either good or not so good depending on your taste - I kinda like it though. I like them both, but prefer the JB over the Distortion, but I'm in an 80's hair metal mode now. I have them both and swap them when the feeling hits. I would take either on a desert island.
I feel the JB has more natural harmonics, is a little sweeter sounding. The Distortion is more chunky and aggressive, kachunk, kachunk, kachunk - it's pure Metal baby. The Distortion seems to have a tendency to have a compressed attack when overdriven IMO. In other words, the front end of the note seems a bit rounder or something or rolled under. This is either good or not so good depending on your taste - I kinda like it though. I like them both, but prefer the JB over the Distortion, but I'm in an 80's hair metal mode now. I have them both and swap them when the feeling hits. I would take either on a desert island.
Travis
New member
Re: JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
You see, now I would describe the Distortion as the bigger, stronger, more badass brother to the JB. I would agree that it does have tighter bottoms, a more compressed character and is more aggressive. It is perfect for metal. Now I found the top end to be more pleasing than on the JB (which was always shrill to me). It seems to have more lower mids whereas the JB has a ton of upper mids. The Distortion has much more natural harmonics than the JB in my experience. Plus, it cleans up just as well as the JB and sounds great when split.
To me, the JB has less of a bottom end thump, is thinner sounding and has less sustain. Brighter than it is smooth. Harmonics were o.k. but nothing compared to the Distortion. I had a pair of JBs in a guitar which now has a pair of Distortions. There was no contest between the two setups. The dual Distortions with a 5-way switch is among my most versatile of guitars. It is now one of my best sounding. Before, with the JB, it was my least played because of its displeasing tonal character.
You see, now I would describe the Distortion as the bigger, stronger, more badass brother to the JB. I would agree that it does have tighter bottoms, a more compressed character and is more aggressive. It is perfect for metal. Now I found the top end to be more pleasing than on the JB (which was always shrill to me). It seems to have more lower mids whereas the JB has a ton of upper mids. The Distortion has much more natural harmonics than the JB in my experience. Plus, it cleans up just as well as the JB and sounds great when split.
To me, the JB has less of a bottom end thump, is thinner sounding and has less sustain. Brighter than it is smooth. Harmonics were o.k. but nothing compared to the Distortion. I had a pair of JBs in a guitar which now has a pair of Distortions. There was no contest between the two setups. The dual Distortions with a 5-way switch is among my most versatile of guitars. It is now one of my best sounding. Before, with the JB, it was my least played because of its displeasing tonal character.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
I can see that...the Distortions sound very good when split...keep this in mind though...a JB was intended for use with 250k pots...this will change the shrillness you hear...the Distortion was intended for use with 500k pots...this would make a comparison a bit difficult sometimes.
Travis said:
I can see that...the Distortions sound very good when split...keep this in mind though...a JB was intended for use with 250k pots...this will change the shrillness you hear...the Distortion was intended for use with 500k pots...this would make a comparison a bit difficult sometimes.
Travis
New member
Re: JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
I never knew that. You learn something new every day. Perhaps that is why I've never found a JB I've liked.
But here's a thought, do all the guitar makers that supply the JB as a stock pickup (Jackson, Hamer, ESP, etc.) use 500k or 250k pots, then?
I never knew that. You learn something new every day. Perhaps that is why I've never found a JB I've liked.
But here's a thought, do all the guitar makers that supply the JB as a stock pickup (Jackson, Hamer, ESP, etc.) use 500k or 250k pots, then?
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
I know of a few makers that used JB as stock pups, and they uses 300k pots...I have played a few ESp's with stock JB's and they use 250k. My dad has an old Jackson that came stock with 2 APS-2's and a JB...you guessed it, 250k pots all around! Remember your history lesson...The very first JB/Jazz set was wound for Jeff Beck...and they went into a Telecaster...Seymour did NOT change the post to 500k...and it does make a difference.
Travis said:
I know of a few makers that used JB as stock pups, and they uses 300k pots...I have played a few ESp's with stock JB's and they use 250k. My dad has an old Jackson that came stock with 2 APS-2's and a JB...you guessed it, 250k pots all around! Remember your history lesson...The very first JB/Jazz set was wound for Jeff Beck...and they went into a Telecaster...Seymour did NOT change the post to 500k...and it does make a difference.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
I can't say "better" but I do know that is was desighned with a 250k pot in mind...
Travis said:
I can't say "better" but I do know that is was desighned with a 250k pot in mind...
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
Has this ever been confirmed?
the guy who invented said:
Has this ever been confirmed?
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
This has been confirmed in a few places that are being discussed right now on the board...
JB_From_Hell said:
This has been confirmed in a few places that are being discussed right now on the board...
Last edited:
rinse_master
New member
Re: JB vs. Distortion [direct comparison]
Hmmm, I just got a set of 500k pots for my LP with JB & Jazz...
Hope it turns out OK, mind you, as they're in a LP instead of a Tele should help out the bass issue (I hope)
Hmmm, I just got a set of 500k pots for my LP with JB & Jazz...
Hope it turns out OK, mind you, as they're in a LP instead of a Tele should help out the bass issue (I hope)
Similar threads
