Seymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion vs. SH-4 JB

[Sir Royal Eddie]

Hi, I have a JB in the bridge of my guitar right now, (My guitar is an ESP SV-138 with an ALDER body and EBONY fretboard) I have a SH-6 Distortion in my bridge and im deciding to swap it for the JB in my guitar. The JB is pretty bright (not TOO bright tho ) and I've heard it's even brighter than the Distortion but idk if this is true or not? I think I mite need a pickup with slightly more output. The JB can also be muddy SOMETIMES, and I understand the SH-6 is really clear. Basically I want to know the pro's and cons between each pickup and which one i should go for. My main musical style is pretty much Metal (Speed/thrash/power/shred w.e haha) So I want to know your opinions on these 2 pickups and what do you think I should do. Hope you can help, THANKS! :dance:

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Seymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion vs. SH-4 JB

The Distortion will be tighter and a bit brighter, but it does have more bass response and, since it doesn't have as much high mid response a- the JB, it will seem less abrasive than the JB does in some situations. To me, the DD is a more balanced pickup EQ wise.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Seymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion vs. SH-4 JB

I actually have always found the DD sound much more abrasive than the JB ever sounded to me.

The DD always has this inherent 'scratchiness' or harshness to it in the upper frequencies - like a boost from 4k to 8k.

 

[Sir Royal Eddie]

Re: Seymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion vs. SH-4 JB

I actually have always found the DD sound much more abrasive than the JB ever sounded to me.

The DD always has this inherent 'scratchiness' or harshness to it in the upper frequencies - like a boost from 4k to 8k.

What do you mean more abrasive and are the things you saying good things?? haha Sorry my termanology isn't that great with pickups. Sorry.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: Seymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion vs. SH-4 JB

JB muddy in alder? i never found the JB muddy at all even with 250K pots.
however what the other 2 bros have said is pretty much right about the DD as compared to the JB.
personally i have a JB installed in a alder bodied jackson KE. sounds great for thrash/sped metal IMO.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Seymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion vs. SH-4 JB

What do you mean more abrasive and are the things you saying good things?? haha Sorry my termanology isn't that great with pickups. Sorry.

I'm not sure if I can be any clearer than a boost in the 4khz to 8khz frequency range.

It's more... abrasive, harsh, scratchy, what have you. I don't know if there's any other way to describe it.

 

[Rowan]

Re: Seymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion vs. SH-4 JB

Hey bro I switched the JB in my ESP H-400 (mahogany body maple/rosewood neck) to a DD but I ended up going back to the JB. The DD doesn't have as much clarity as the JB. It has more low mids and chunk but the tone is too compressed and not as natural sounding as the JB. If you're doing a bunch of chunk riffs and simple power metal than the DD might be your ticket. If your style is more varied and intricate metal I'd go with the JB. The two pickups are quite similar but the Alnico 5 of the JB sounds sweeter than the DD's ceramic.

 

[Sir Royal Eddie]

Re: Seymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion vs. SH-4 JB

So in your guys opinion's should I just leave the JB in?



...Also another random question. Is Alder a "bright" type wood or a warmer bassier wood?

 

[ex-250]

Re: Seymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion vs. SH-4 JB

...Also another random question. Is Alder a "bright" type wood or a warmer bassier wood?

bright.