Jb vs distortion vs Frankenstein

[uzeurillus1on]

Let me start with I typically swap pickups in most of my guitars eventually. It’s an OCD thing and I’m constantly tinkering. I’ll be the first to admit that typically all the iterations sound good and usually it’s just a change that makes it sound better, sometimes I’ll even go back to stock once I get tired of whatever I had in there.

I just got a Dean usa custom V that came loaded with a jazz/jb set. I REALLY dig the bridge pickup. The neck is fine, nothing to call home about but I don’t usually spend nearly as much time with the neck pickup.

how does the jb compare to a sd distortion or a Frankenstein? I’m looking for the most searing melt your face off bridge pickup that an alinco pickup can offer (no ceramic). Is the jb it for that? I gotta be honest I was shocked at how hot it is, the one I have measured at 17.2 IN THE GUITAR! I have a Duncan distortion in Dean ML and the jb seems to be a little more mid foreward, although that could just be the 100% mahogany of the V vs the maple top in the ML. I’ve got a USA Wolfgang and I love that tone but it’s VERY bright so I probably won’t want to go for the evh Wolfgang pickups

anyone have any suggestions for pickups to consider? I was thinking of maybe trying the warren demartini bridge pickup?

 

[Hsb]

I have a JB and a Distortion, to me, the Distortion is a little hotter and brighter, probably the difference the ceramic in the Distortion and the A5 in the JB.

Ive never played a Frankenstein nor the RTM, so cant comment on that one.

 

[uzeurillus1on]

I’m sure the guitars play a difference but to my ears it’s the exact opposite. The Dean ml with the distortion still rocks but the jb in the Flying V seems to have so much more mids and feels hotter. Weird thing is the resistance in my distortion is much lower. I’ll have to measure again but I think it’s 14 and the jb is coming in at. 17.2- maybe I just got a hotter one!

 

[beaubrummels]

Welcome to the forum

If ceramic is out, the Distortion is out. It's ceramic.

The JB is more mid-forward than a Distortion, partly because of the delta between ceramic and alnico, and partly due to the coil design. Some people think it's ice-picky, depends on the guitar it's in. It was originally designed to be in an Ash Tele body, but it works in a number of other bodies. JBs can measure from low 16k to over 17k, and be within tolerance. Doesn't mean it's hotter, just means there's more wire on the bobbin resulting in higher resistance (e.g. could be just thicker wire stock at the time). Distortion resistance should measure about the same. Resistance doesn't ensure output level, however.

Searing melt your face alnico - my first thought is Dimebucker or Screamin' Demon or Full Shred, or maybe '78 Model or Black Winter (depends on the guitar it's going in); but there are others I haven't heard or tried (like Pegasus, Sentient, El Diablo, Hunter, Frankenstein, etc.)

Discussing the Frankenstein is a can of worms. Probably best to refer to previous threads where that subject was covered.

EVH Frankenstein humbucker (only the first 3 pages are valuable)
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/forum/the-pickup-lounge/160979-evh-frankenstein-humbucker

Comparison of Frankenstein, IM1 and Custom Custom
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/for...e-the-evh-frankenstein-with-the-custom-custom

IM1 vs 78 (has some useful references about the Frankenstein pickup, because people confused the IM1 with the Frankie, but they are different)
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/forum/the-pickup-lounge/168695-im1-and-78-what-are-the-differences

 

[Seashore]

If you're ok with doing the work, I would at least try swapping the Distortion and JB you already have between guitars so you can hear and feel the difference for yourself. Maybe the Distortion would actually be a great fit. Never know till you try. Also check the height adjustments for both of them, the JB in particular feels (to me) like it has a sweet spot pretty close to the strings.

I would not recommend the Pegasus for this, it's a nice-sounding pickup but it isn't aggressive.