The Duncan JB's flubby lows...

[SonVolt]

Yep. I knew Tool was a Distortion since the late '90s. I would scream (metaphorically) every time the internet said Adam Jones was playing a JB. I was like what? No! I knew because I had a Distortion in my '78 Les Paul and it was that sound. A JB wasn't percussive enough.

That said... I find Distortions kinda boring in a Super Strat. Gimme a JB.

 

[101B /^/]

If you like Tool, that’s a Distortion.

Hell yeah! Just pulled-up Opiate from my itunes library and will give it a good listen start to finish this evening. Meantime, listening to Hush as this is written. Haven’t listened to Tool in yrs so this is a good excuse - thanks for that. I immediately hear the lack of body, as described.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

My Soloist is literally the only guitar that I’ve ever kept completely stock, loaded with JB/Jazz. Both pu’s sound amazing in that guitar. Mine’s a hardtail, all mahogany and has a thick maple top, so not a typical alder/Floyd combo FWIW. Now I’m curious about the SD Distortion you mention..

I had a not-overly-impressive experience with the JB in a Charvel bolt-on, but it is amazing in my LTD Andy LaRocque (maple neck thru, thicc maple top, mahogany wings, 24.75" scale) and I see no need to change it. Likewise is amazing in my LPC.

 

[itsme]

Love the JB. I always put my screws level with the top of the pickup for maximum thickness. Then just raise/lower the whole pickup appropriately.

 

[Dave L]

I´d never tried a Distortion until I picked up a Kramer mutt last year that had a "DDJ" in a maple Sambora body, instant Lynch thru the typical Tubescreamer-plexi-greenback stuff. Definitely distinct from the JB even if the magnet is all that´s different.

 

[scottosan]

Do you people who complain about this pickup realize you can remedy this a bit? I'll admit it's not the tightest pickup on earth, but the mids are pretty epic. So this is what you do... First lower the pickup, maybe a mm, then raise the adjustable pole pieces about a mm, or so. Higher in the center pieces cause it's gotta align the height of the bridge saddles. What this does is it makes the coil closest to the bridge hotter than the other coil and this has a bit of a tightening effect. Try it, on any pickup that you feel could need some low end tightening. Small adjustments or it will sound weird.

If never heard anyone refer to a JB as flunny. The number one complaint I’ve heard is the honey mids and your recommendation is going to add to that.

 

[jabps]

It's tighter in the low end for thrash etc, but not as much meat/body in the mids. Both are great, but it's a tradeoff.

Great comparison between a DD and a JB. Also the DD doesn't have the harmonics a JB has.

 

[jabps]

That said... I find Distortions kinda boring in a Super Strat. Gimme a JB.

Same.

 

[jabps]

If never heard anyone refer to a JB as flunny. The number one complaint I’ve heard is the honey mids and your recommendation is going to add to that.

Dude wished I had bought the Roxy and Sunset before you left. You are missed.

 

[Cless357]

I wish there was like a mix between a JB and DD

 

[Dave L]

That might be the Distortion Lite, basically a JB with a regular ceramic instead of that oversized one the Distortion has. Never tried one, though, so I can´t vouch how it actually sounds.

 

[Anje]

Great discussion.
Wouldn't the regular Custom be a kind of "mix" between the JB & Distortion?

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

Great discussion.
Wouldn't the regular Custom be a kind of "mix" between the JB & Distortion?

One without mids maybe, too scooped for my taste in superstrats, but I'm sure it rocks a LP.

 

[101B /^/]

This is a good discussion. Timely for me, too. I’ve been narrowing-down what pu I might want to try in my strat next. I’ve had it narrowed down to a Custom5, a Bill Lawrence 500xl, or a trusty Super Distortion. I’m keen to dropping in a Super Distortion (ala: Maiden).

When I listen to Tool, the adjective that comes to mind is dry and tight. I miss my VHT.

Edited to add: for me, it’s all about the mids. Mids are your friend.

 

[Beyond Black]

This is a good discussion. Timely for me, too. I’ve been narrowing-down what pu I might want to try in my strat next. I’ve had it narrowed down to a Custom5, a Bill Lawrence 500xl, or a trusty Super Distortion. I’m keen to dropping in a Super Distortion (ala: Maiden).

When I listen to Tool, the adjective that comes to mind is dry and tight. I miss my VHT.

Edited to add: for me, it’s all about the mids. Mids are your friend.

The C5 and BL are pretty scooped in the mids, you may not find them very friendly.
The SD may be overly bright in a Strat. The JB may be the best pickup for a Strat in this discussion if you’re a mids guy.

 

[101B /^/]

The C5 and BL are pretty scooped in the mids, you may not find them very friendly.
The SD may be overly bright in a Strat. The JB may be the best pickup for a Strat in this discussion if you’re a mids guy.

Appreciate that quite a bit, thank you. I’ve had a SuperD, but it’s been some time, plus that was in a LP - loved it. Bill Lawrence, have never had one so that’s curiosity. Although fond of the JB, I wouldn’t really expect it to sound great in a strat, but maybe 250K pots is the trick there. I have 500K pots.

 

[SonVolt]

Great discussion.
Wouldn't the regular Custom be a kind of "mix" between the JB & Distortion?

The Custom doesn’t sound anything like a JB to me. It’s like a less compressed distortion, but with more sizzle in the high-end and less meds, IMO.

A good mix between a JB and a Distortion is a Gibson Eruption / 70s Tribute. Seriously awesome pick up that flies way under the radar.

 

[SonVolt]

This is a good discussion. Timely for me, too. I’ve been narrowing-down what pu I might want to try in my strat next. I’ve had it narrowed down to a Custom5, a Bill Lawrence 500xl, or a trusty Super Distortion. I’m keen to dropping in a Super Distortion (ala: Maiden).

When I listen to Tool, the adjective that comes to mind is dry and tight. I miss my VHT.

Edited to add: for me, it’s all about the mids. Mids are your friend.

You may want to check into the EVH Wolfgang. I like it way more than a JB in a Super Strat. It’s not as congested sounding and has tons of grind. It’s such a fun pick up.

 

[DanTravis62]

I had a not-overly-impressive experience with the JB in a Charvel bolt-on, but it is amazing in my LTD Andy LaRocque (maple neck thru, thicc maple top, mahogany wings, 24.75" scale) and I see no need to change it. Likewise is amazing in my LPC.

How is your ALR signature guitar?

I need a superstrat in my stable for lead stuff, but I hate superstrats.

I'm slowly gathering intel on 24.75 scale shredders (the ALR sig, kramer nightswans) to eventually snag one

 

[SonVolt]

How is your ALR signature guitar?

I need a superstrat in my stable for lead stuff, but I hate superstrats.

I'm slowly gathering intel on 24.75 scale shredders (the ALR sig, kramer nightswans) to eventually snag one

The Charvil San Dimas’s coming out of Mexico are insanely good for the price.