sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

GibsonGod91

GibsonGod91

New member
I need a fierce sounding duncan pickup for the bridge in my les paul.
I've heard nothing but good things about the sh-4 and sh-6. I've heard
them both and like the crunchier sound of the sh-6 a bit more. But, it seems like everyone loves the jb model. Any opinions?
It would also be great to hear from someone with experience with both of these pickups.
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

go with the sh-6 if you want to grind and shred, but keep in mind you might kill small children with your amp. go with the jb if you just want to rock
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

the sh-14 custom 5 is a real good choice too. it's got all the power you need, it's got scooped mids for metal, and it's real tight from top to bottom. it doesn't muddy up so you can pump a crapload of distortion into it. i think it's the closest to the duncan distortion you can get with alnico. i have a new crumby little clip of the custom custom in the tips and clips section if you want to know how that sounds for grind.
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

I'd say SH6. It's my favorite. I'm about to experiment with the JB again but by far the Distortion is the one I've liked the most. Distortion is great for downtuning. Keeps those lows nice and tight which is the one thing that JB doesn't do. The JB is very loose on the low end.
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

I used to use the Distortion when I was younger 'cause Lynch used one and I thought that was the best way to get raunchy tone. As I matured tonewise, I avoid ceramic pickups like the plague. So I vote JB. I have one in a Schecter and love it there. But overall I prefer much lower output pickups.
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

disturb said:
I used to use the Distortion when I was younger 'cause Lynch used one and I thought that was the best way to get raunchy tone. As I matured tonewise, I avoid ceramic pickups like the plague. So I vote JB. I have one in a Schecter and love it there. But overall I prefer much lower output pickups.
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I loved the JB in the Scheter C1 Classic and a Jackson SL2H I had. I haven't really liked it much the other guitars I've tried it in. That bottom end is just too loose. Every string sounds great till you hit the low E and it just sounds flabby.
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

ive had my distortion for about 4-5 months now and i love it! its great for lead work. really feels like things pop out easier with this pickup. its a little bit lacking in the bottom end if huge loose bottom is what you're into. this pick up is very tight, but still very full. i dont find the highs to be piercing as long as you're setup good...although i could deffinately see that you could make them piercing. i usually run my treble on my amp between 6 and 8 and my presence btwn 5-8 depending on songs and i still feel that the highs are just more apparent rather than piercing. they jump off the fretboard better, but if you're playin a solo, thats not really a bad thing. i feel like this pickup was made to riff and solo. its tight, punchy, and will push your amp pretty hard, my clean channel usually distorts when i hit a chord moderately hard. hope it helps.
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

PATB-1 the original trembucker!
It's alnico 5 but raw and punchy.It has more bottom ,better mids ,no treble spike !It screams ,crushes ,sings ,moans ,growls.Just buy it!You thank me later!
BTW ,Distortion is one of my Fav PUs ever!But ,the PATB-1 is the Killer NO1 on a Paul!
Check Stuck Mojo's rising ,or better HVY1 to hear his live sound with a Paul and PATB-1.
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

I have had the Duncan Distortions before... and it works for certain guitars (IMHO) and only for a specific sound... I (like most people) got the pickup because of George Lynch back in the day.. but the JB is overall more flexible and the distortion tones can get complex...

I always recommend for Les Pauls - the Pearly Gates... raunchy, but clear and flexible... honkier than the JB which works so well in LP's.

The Custom Custom or Custom 5 really rock and you can get smoking tones. Great for rhythms and solos... the Custom Custom is brighter and throaty..

I generally stay away from the really high output because I balance my tone out with my amp...
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

daemon barbeque said:
PATB-1 the original trembucker!
It's alnico 5 but raw and punchy.It has more bottom ,better mids ,no treble spike !It screams ,crushes ,sings ,moans ,growls.Just buy it!You thank me later!
BTW ,Distortion is one of my Fav PUs ever!But ,the PATB-1 is the Killer NO1 on a Paul!
Check Stuck Mojo's rising ,or better HVY1 to hear his live sound with a Paul and PATB-1.
Click to expand...

wonder how the PATB-1 would sound in a Jackson KV2? (maple neck-thru/alder/ebony)

how does the PATB-1 compare to the PATB-2?

I just bought the Jackson and want to replace the stock pair of JB's. Something good for 80's thrash :headbang:
 
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Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

Depends on what you want. If you play nothing but metal or hardcore I'd say but distortion. But the JB is quite versatile, while still retaining an overall aggressive characteristic.

After trying both in my ESP I found the following

SH-6: more compressed, not as warm, more low mids, louder harmonics

SH-4: More open sounding, sweeter tone, lacking slightly in low mids, but still has plently of crunch and great harmonics.

I don't understand how people say the jb has loose bottom end? In the guitars I've tried (mostly ESPs) it is very tight with plenty of low end. However the JB is finicky about the guitar it is in. I liked the distortion's low mids but the tone was too sterile for me, and compressed. I went back to the JB because its versatile. It can do classic rock through light distortion and metal under high gain, and is aggressive enough for my needs (modern rock/melodic metal fusion).
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

greedo said:
wonder how the PATB-1 would sound in a Jackson KV2? (maple neck-thru/alder/ebony)

how does the PATB-1 compare to the PATB-2?

I just bought the Jackson and want to replace the stock pair of JB's. Something good for 80's thrash :headbang:
Click to expand...
What KV2 do you have?Floyd or hard-tail?
PATB1 is perfect with the Floyd KV2 ,and the PATB2 is a tad more bassy and raw.PATB1 is teh perfect replace for the JB ,and the PATB2 is the perfect replace for the Distortion!
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

Hey guys and gals! First post here. To chime in, a DD in an LP sounds awesome! Thats what i've got in the bridge of my custom and there it will stay. Very good for metal I think......tight w/ lots of harmonics
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

VHTJay said:
Hey guys and gals! First post here. To chime in, a DD in an LP sounds awesome! Thats what i've got in the bridge of my custom and there it will stay. Very good for metal I think......tight w/ lots of harmonics
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Welcome to the forum dude!A Distortion Lover is allways a good score for the forum!kick those Custom lovers out of here hahahah!:rocket: :rocket: :bigok: :bigok: :firedevil
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

Im trying to get my les paul to sound as close to randy rhode's LP as possible.
His crunchy distorted live tone is by far my fav :headbang:
I'll probley get a voltage regulator for my amp as well, like RR did.
I always have the bass fairly low with the treb and mid cranked!
I also love reverb for a "BIGGER" sound.
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

GibsonGod91 said:
Im trying to get my les paul to sound as close to randy rhode's LP as possible.
His crunchy distorted live tone is by far my fav :headbang:
I'll probley get a voltage regulator for my amp as well, like RR did.
I always have the bass fairly low with the treb and mid cranked!
I also love reverb for a "BIGGER" sound.
Click to expand...

Dude forget the reverb ,and try a Line6 RotoMachine or Rocktron Vertigo Vibe.
The roto simulation is the perfect "character booster" for any sound!It's the perfect mix of chorus and reverb.You will love it!
 
Re: sh-4 jb or sh-6 distortion?

daemon barbeque said:
What KV2 do you have?Floyd or hard-tail?
PATB1 is perfect with the Floyd KV2 ,and the PATB2 is a tad more bassy and raw.PATB1 is teh perfect replace for the JB ,and the PATB2 is the perfect replace for the Distortion!
Click to expand...

it's got an OFR. I was thinking the PATB 1 or 2 and a Jazz at the neck.
 
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