More output, JB or Distortion?

[Jeff5]

Which is a hotter pup? I have no experience with the distortion, I like the JB, but may want a little more...umph. I know what the tone chart says, but DC resistance etc., isn't really a solid output indicator. So does the distortion have better output and harmonics than a JB? If so, by how wide of a margin? Anyone have experience with both? Or I guess to phrase it differently, will changing to a distortion give me THAT much more output and harmonics, or is it not really worth it? Just lazy these days and don't want to change pups! Hehe.

Oh yeah, music I play is mostly classic rock/hard rock/metal etc.

 

[Davey]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

if you ask me (i havent tried the distortion though) you're better off with the JB for the sheer versatility of the pup. the distortion may be too compressed and not deliver the classic tones you might be after

 

[Zerberus]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

if you ask me (i havent tried the distortion though) you're better off with the JB for the sheer versatility of the pup. the distortion may be too compressed and not deliver the classic tones you might be after

+1

But to answer the title: Distortion

 

[IceAak]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

Judging from the soundclips, the Distortion has a fair bit more output, at least to my ears. But then again, I thought even the Screaming Demon sounded like it had at least the same amount of output as the JB???? The Distortion i'm sure about though, my ears aren't THAT bad, lol.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

The JB is probably the most versatile pup ever. It has some serious output, too. What I love about it is that it doesn't fall apart when you pile on multiple gain stages.

As for the Demon, I personally prefer it to every other pup out there ...

 

[IceAak]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

Sorry to go a little off topic on the thread here, but I'd like to ask TwilightOdyssey if he can explain the sonical differences (especially under mid-high gain) between the JB and the Demon, and if there's a noticeable difference in output?

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

Sorry to go a little off topic on the thread here, but I'd like to ask TwilightOdyssey if he can explain the sonical differences (especially under mid-high gain) between the JB and the Demon, and if there's a noticeable difference in output?

Yes, there are sonic and volume differences. I can even make a couple of quick clips with the same amp settings, if you like.
To my ears, the SD is a more 'decisive' pickup. It seems to grip all of the frequencies within hearing and lay them out in front of you. I guess you would say that it's a higher resolution pup, too.
The JB is warmer, and only by comparing to the Demon would you ever say that it's a bit murky ... Of course, it isn't But, compared to the Demon, that's what you will notice.
I've convinced myself! I'll make a quick comparison clip for you tonight and post back here!

 

[Travis]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

I'm probably one of the few people here who cannot stand the JB. I've used one in a mahogany bodied set maple neck guitar and a pair in an alder bodied bolt on maple neck guitar. I can honestly say, that I think the tone of the JB sucks ass. It is thin and shrill to my ears. And I didn't really think it sustained very well. Very weak compared to the Distortion, which is my absolute favorite pickup. The Distortion is a little more compressed, but with quite a bit more lower mids to lessen the icepick factor. It stays tight in the bottom and harmonics jump out like crazy. It is more versatile than a lot of people think. I think it cleans up quite nicely. Then again, I use other guitars for sparkly cleans.

 

[Davey]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

travis, just curious, what pots did you use and did you adjust the height of the pickup? thats the most common problem people have with it.
cos i find, there is no sound you couldnt shape the JB into. but thats probably just me

 

[SABOTAGE]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

the duncan distortion is a JB with a larger ceramic magnet.
this give the distortion more output.

 

[Travis]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

Davey,

I believe that both guitars had 500k volume and tone pots. They were both Hamers, a Chaparral and a Diablo. I adjusted everything you can think of (height, individual pole pieces, amp eq) and I could not get a pleasing tone out of the JBs. I just had a pair of Distortions installed into my Diablo. I'm going to pick it up tonight but probably won't have it all put back together until tomorrow (the previous owner had the saddles improperly radiused so I completely took apart the bridge). I'll post the results in a new thread.

 

[Davey]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

bummer.. but, one mans garbage is another mans treasure. i swear by the JB

 

[psychodave]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

The distortion has more output. I like both p-up....my R8 currently had a Distortion in the bridge and a JB in the neck :burnout:

 

[Leather Rebel]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

I've tried both the DD and JB. The DD was hotter with more mids and low end 'chug', but had a more compressed feel with sort of a 'grainy' character. The highs were similar on both, but the JB has perfect mids and an awesome 'singing' quality that the DD didn't have. In my rig, however, the JB's lows lacked the definition and tightness that I wanted. I've also heard many others here say that there's no way a JB has muddy low end, but that was my experience. I went from the JB to a Demon and got everything I wanted except I miss the JB's mids and output. The Demon is still no slouch in the output department, in my experience. I've heard that some have replaced the big ceramic magnet in a DD with an A5 magnet and got something between the JB and DD, but I haven't personally done this. Hope this helps some.

 

[Travis]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

bummer.. but, one mans garbage is another mans treasure. i swear by the JB

That's what I'm hoping for. I put up two JBs in the classifieds. So far no bites.

 

[SABOTAGE]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

. I put up two JBs in the classifieds. So far no bites.

check again :burnout:

 

[slashedzero]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

Have to agree with Travis about the JB... I sometimes wonder whether there was something broken on the JB that I tried or something. Through my Marshall and in my mahogany body+neck with maple cap (PRS-style) Eggle Berlin Pro, it sounded just awful! Highs that sounded just way to sharp, no mids at all - very thin mostly. Tried adjusting everything and didn't help a thing. Tried the CC afterwards and am VERY pleased with that. It's night and day compared to the JB. Perhaps the JB is very susceptible to the kind of guitar you put it in. I can imagine it sounding pretty good as a neck humbucker in a strat.

 

[SABOTAGE]

Re: More output, JB or Distortion?

Have to agree with Travis about the JB... I sometimes wonder whether there was something broken on the JB that I tried or something. Through my Marshall and in my mahogany body+neck with maple cap (PRS-style) Eggle Berlin Pro, it sounded just awful! Highs that sounded just way to sharp, no mids at all - very thin mostly. Tried adjusting everything and didn't help a thing. Tried the CC afterwards and am VERY pleased with that. It's night and day compared to the JB. Perhaps the JB is very susceptible to the kind of guitar you put it in. I can imagine it sounding pretty good as a neck humbucker in a strat.

I have heard this many times? the ONLY thing i find that lacks a bit about the JB is low end girth. meaning not that it is harsh, or all treble, but that it could use a touch more bass, other than that it is a ICON of a pup!