Normally i like more distortion for a heavier sound but i much prefer the organic sound of the jb-4. It sounds tons better! Grt review and great playing!! Tks a lot!
I liked the JB better because it didn't sound fizzy like the distortion did, so it makes it sound fuller and more balanced. Maybe the Distortion would be better in a really dark sounding guitar.
i can't really decide between these 2 pickups...i have a all-mahogany and ebony fretboard Schecter C1 and i play mostly hard rock and metal but i also need some versatility! anyone has advice for me? thanks
Distortion sounded so much better playing Pantera, but he JB handled Metallica better. I think it comes down to what genres and style you're playing mostly, really.
I love both of these so much :/ which would you sugest for a punk/ grunge/ hard rock player? I'd be putting it in a fender mustang XD yes I know its not normal but I love mustangs.
@DontOrderTheSoup I don't know which one is better for mustang , but for punk,grunge, hard rock i think that jb-4 is better. I prefer thrash Metal so i would go for sh-6 but if I were you I would buy jb-4
I'm a big DD fan, I've been using one for 10+ years, but this video really made me want to check out a JB! It just has a cleaner, more musical sound here, interesting..
Great video, the distortion tb-6 does have a lot of bite, almost too much. I have the Jb and it sounds great, if you need a higher end then just boost the signal. But overall they are both great pickups and you can't go wrong.
i don't not really know the seymour duncan but if he can make a pick up in the middle of them, that would be awesome. The JB cut the high, bad bass frequence and the sh-6 look sound too mid and high. a pick up in the midle would be a good choice. but is my opinion. what do you think? witch one?
@DylanBStringer91 yeah but i'm talkin' about the sound, the middle of them, the sh-5 are the solution? JB= too flabby, too much 125k bass freq, too low mid.... sh-6= too tin, no life, too compress. I have a esp m-II custom koa with dimazio PAF pro for neck and tom anderson h3 for the bridge and sounds awesome but its a rare pick-up and nobody can comment this one because nobody have one but he's incredible. I'm asking if i can find a pickup similar in the seymour duncan list.
Just my 2 cents but you can't really get a proper comparison of the two pickups since the camera was in a different place for both playthrough's ( look at the cab, moves slightly between the two demo's = world of difference in sound)
great great video!!! exactly what I needed. i just got home from the store where i picked up a DD for my bandmate (his birthday present) I use Jbs in my guitars but my amp has more gain than his. the DDs should do the trick!
the sh6 sounds way louder and midheavier. this thing will cut trough any mix, and it has a better leadsound! jb sounds a bit flat in comparision, but it's very balanced. for metal the dd is the way to go!
the Duncan Distortion just blows the JB away!!! Should i put a Duncan Distortion or a DimeBucker in the Bridge position of a Jackson Js32 ( Indian Cedro Body) im working on? and why? Please help!.... Thanks
@BrujoAsesino123 hahaha, i have exactly the same decision! what shape do you have? i've got the kelly. think of the fullshred and the invader too! and watch seymour duncan pickups - metal by fearedse, i think shows the difference very well.
great video I just installed my SH-6 into a LoneStar Strat to replace the Pearly Gates and I am amazed how the sh6 cuts through and is just a blaze of fire.
Great video! Pitty the sound from amp is mixed so much with accoustic sound of strings while you're strumming. I suggest next time to put your mic further away from the guitar. I am not playing metal so JB (on bridge) was logical choice for me. I am very satisfied with the sound I am getting from it. Cheers.
The distortion sounds more up front..the other sounds like it inside a cave which seems to be the tone that comes from most stick Les pauls and copies...the gibson zebra burstbucker 3 on the joan jett guitar was really nice..
@MadokaCatty well no shit emg 81 is the best on the bridge but some ppl have to go for passive pickups cuz they have a passive guitar and js the Seymour duncan invader bridge or the DiMarzio D' activator own over the EMG 81
@BMTHjunkie1203 early times i like to modified guitar with more pickups and play old school metal around i'm very like EMG81 it can made great with all body woods and yes ..i like tonezone and seymour duncan JB and SH-6 that's very well ...
@BMTHjunkie1203 ...but i think EMG81 can made better sound with high lead tone when your play mute string to play Riff I like 81 when install it on basswood i think alder and mahogany should to use with passive pickups look good more than 81 but i like 81 with basswood look balance all... IMO
@BMTHjunkie1203 i was use pickups Invader 1 pair in early times and that's not good choice for me it's very low and big tone and little high lead tone it's not good for solo and lead guitar ...i think maybe invader it's good choice for play metal new age metalcore and hardcore nu metal that's pretty sound but for thrash , heavy metal it's not good for me....sorry my english not good
@MadokaCatty im able to make out your english ahah and i play nu metal so thats prolly why i like the invader i just recently got the invader (bridge) and the J B (bridge ) so maybe if u send me a request il post a vid of tht song with those pickups in and sorry if u got offended by my first comment
Huge cool points for doing this video man. Thanks a ton for the comparison. (I think I'll stick with the JB.. the distortion is a little too.. articulate)
dose it matter if it is floyd spaced? i have an i banez 320fm and was curious....i was told by larry dimarzio to buy the breed bridge but i like having other choices....
They both lack something. The Duncan Distortion lacks proper punch, it's too thin. It has more color though. The JB model just sounds muddy here, I don't like anything about it.
Ha, now I know. The TB-6 is not better sounding, it is just its ceramic magnet that give is a glassy sound. TB-4 is an Alnico V magnet which gives more ''rocky'' crunchy sound. Both very good. TB-4 better suited for Rock, Blues, Metal. TB-6 better for Metal, Rock, Blues in this order of merit.
Saying the JB is not a metal pickup is the hilarious thing. Just take a look at how many ACTUAL artists use it like Michael Amott, both guys from Lamb of god or even Corey Beaulieu...
SH-6 is a great articulate and aggressive p-u but when it's time to solo on high frets...
@Distollica you got alot of famous heavy metal people who play leads and and rhythm go by the jb because its one of the best sounding all around pickups out there you forgot to mention legendery metal guitar player dave mustaine he used the jb until he got his custom active pickups from seymour duncan which sound just like the jbs but with a stronger active signal
Most of the people dissing the JB are metal guys. It's not a metal pickup, even if Mustaine used one (and still uses a JB-voiced active). It's a high-output blues/rock pup. Seymour even said Eddie Van Halen used them in the Kramer days. If you want singing tone and 80's-flavor, the JB has it. The metal dudes are going to like the Distortion, naturally. I like them both for different reasons.
god damn this review was extremely helpful, i play mostly metal, rock, and blues and the jb seems to have not enough output for me so im getting the duncan distortion/jazz combo for extra versatility
the distortion is great, i have one in the bridge of my dean and it sounds fantastic, it is very balanced and you can hear each little note inflection. ive heard its basically the passive version of the ahb1 blackouts actives
@Whyrendog i know the specs say that but since the jb is more balanced it lets all the notes be heard waay better, making ity dynamic in every waay at least to me
great review man. I've been wanting to change my jb in an alder body michael wilton sig ESP to an sh6 but I'll check out a custom custom instead. thanks for this review, very helpful
good video man, the JB sounds fucking amazing the solos have dynamics but the solos with the D.Distortion have less dynamics but more power I.M.O. rhythm with the JB has more solidness but the D.Distortion have less mids.
Thank you for a very helpful demonstration. I have decided the JB belongs in my brightest Jackson King V. It came with the SH-6 and is just too bright. Thanks again!
wow the TB-6 sounds like a JB after taking a blanket off the cab! i never knew the JB was so dark/muffled? the TB-6 distortion sounds much clearer to me! and all the JB's in my guitars are coming out after watching this clip! thanks this is one of the few times that anothers post really helped out!
@silversandman666 Of course the JB si the more versatile. And even better is the Seymour Duncan '59, which is the most versatile of all Seymour Duncan. You have to remember that the Duncan Distortion is the most powerful and heaviest passive pickups ever.
@PietroRumenta ...Thanks for d answer...!! And one more thing .... What wud u recommend for metal....sh6 or dimarzio x2n..(I hav a basswood body guitar)..
@silversandman666 Just stay away from DiMarzio like you'd stay away from a plague. They're terrible, ugly, I can't even understand what freak could have ever thought of creating such terrible, undynamic, static, acid, as cold as ice, depthless and unversatile pickups. They are so terrible that they even manage to make such warm and inspired guitarrists as Joe Satriani and Steve Vai sound as cold as the North Pole. And why the fuck do they keep using them? Cos they've becoe a "fashion" standard
@PietroRumenta what the hell??? listen to the guy who ran a x2n thru an engl fireball, this tone kicks ass!! oh, and btw, some people with awesome tone and dimarzios: paul gilbert, steve morse, andy timmons, chuck schuldiner, iron maiden, chris broderick, john petrucci. a friend of mine has a musicman steve morse sig with dimarzios, and it sounds killer thru his engl!!! i don't say that dimarzio is better than seymour, but they are deff on the same level!
@givemeajackson Iron Maiden's ones were the old DiMarzios; nowadays DiMarzios are not made like that anymore, I was told it by a man who makes handmade guitars and knows everything about this kind of things. That explains both why they sounded like Seymour Duncan '59 and why Iron Maiden changed for Seymour Duncan many years ago. You just mentioned a lot of examples that confirm what I clamed: listen to it carefully. DiMarzio, at first "sight" appear amazing, and then you realize they are not
@givemeajackson Ho so he dont use bareknuckle anymore!? Do you know wich model hes using now? I know he now have a jackson soloist signature..im waiting to see more of it..but the 7 stings model is very interesting.
@givemeajackson Ho so he dont use bareknuckle anymore!? Do you know wich model hes using now? I know he now have a jackson soloist signature..im waiting to see more of it..but the 7 stings model is very interesting.
@givemeajackson Ho so he dont use bareknuckle anymore!? Do you know wich model hes using now? I know he now have a jackson soloist signature..im waiting to see more of it..but the 7 stings model is very interesting
@silversandman666 you don't know that cause it's not really true!! try both, then decide wich to choose! i have the same two candidates for my kelly, but i are a bit more interested in the x2n. i have a good x2n demo, search for x2n engl fireball. btw, chuck schuldiner used x2n's since late 80's (R.I.P chuck)
@halev666 Dave used pretty much only the SH-4 during the 90s, so that´s what he used on the youthanasia album. He´s only played the live wires for a couple years now. (they kick ass btw)
Jb has a lot mids and low end. I think it is great deal for 80's hard & heavy style. The distortion pickup is as better for metal distortion. Has lots of hi and low. I did not hear any mid on that pickup. If you have an amp with 6L6 tubes and distortion pickup. You should push some EQ for mids... But yeah its a great deal for pantera. If you have an amp with EL34 tubes. Do never think of buying JB. You cant just beat the mids. Also, you are an awesome player and video is the best... Thanks...
Thanks for this vid dude! I've been through a the pick up circus for years, and I keep coming back full circle to the Sh 6 Duncan Distortion. YOu just reafirmed my choice for the Duncan Distortion. I've tried PA TB2 (very good but different for the SH6), the D activator (tries to be a Sh6 with less mids), BK Painkiller (fucken horrible, no guts), D Sonic (pretty good mids, not as aggressive as the Sh6), Super Distortion (too muddy for mahogany guitar, good for strat)
Wow! Great playing... And Thank you for making this video! I've always loved the JB pickups, but now that I've heard the Distortion pickup in side-by-side comparison I am a new believer that the Distortion gives a stronger mid-tone, but can squeel out the harmonics nearly as effectively as the JB.
I need to replace my bridge pickup and since I love Seymore Duncans and have spacing only for a single-coil, you have given me greater idea of what to expect.
The distortion is much better for Metal because you don't have to push your AMP so hard to get that great metal sound. Both pick ups are great thou. Great video man -- should have WAY more views!
Hey man, thanks very much for making this video. I've been looking for this comparison for a long time. The JB is too muddy and is lacking gain. I don't know why ESP and Jackson puts them in their guitars. They are just not metal enough. Good job!
@eclipse504 The JB reflects old school values and favors old school techniques for getting massive sound. Iommi, Van Halen, Lynch, DeMartini, Moore et al relied on big amp and cab setups. A lot of amateur players have small amps and they get their gain through distortions pedals, high output pickups, etc. I assure you, on a few heavily overdriven 100W JCM 2000s, the JBs in my guitars have massive sound. They aren't really articulate however, but DeMartini has done well with them.
@KeenAnthony You are spot on dude!. I play through a JCM 2000 TSL 100 and the Sh4 sounds awsome, and I use the Sh6 cause I play Thrash Metal. They are just difference PUPS for different applications!
awesome video!!! cant belive there is not more comments!! been torn between these two pickups myself.. was leaning towards the distortion, now im sure about the distortion.. great video!!
JB. Hands down.
ASquared007 1 day ago
I thought the JB sounded better.
Great video
Catastrophyc1 1 day ago
Normally i like more distortion for a heavier sound but i much prefer the organic sound of the jb-4. It sounds tons better! Grt review and great playing!! Tks a lot!
carvin7lust 4 days ago
why are the most ppl writing that the sh-6 soudns better? .. for me its clearly the sh-4.. wiered world
electroneticTV 1 week ago
SH-6 is the best passive pickup for distortion that ive come across. i replaced the stock epiphone pickups in my les paul, and now it sounds amazing
allgoodcory118 1 week ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I liked the JB better because it didn't sound fizzy like the distortion did, so it makes it sound fuller and more balanced. Maybe the Distortion would be better in a really dark sounding guitar.
ctalbert1 1 week ago
nice choice, that video was so necessary. SH6 > JB4
MParseface38 1 week ago
if you have a Original Floyd Rose you have to use it =)
aysat 1 week ago
i can't really decide between these 2 pickups...i have a all-mahogany and ebony fretboard Schecter C1 and i play mostly hard rock and metal but i also need some versatility! anyone has advice for me? thanks
rizzometal92 1 week ago
Distortion sounded so much better playing Pantera, but he JB handled Metallica better. I think it comes down to what genres and style you're playing mostly, really.
ZombicidalMan 1 week ago 4
Comment removed
LPFan3118 2 weeks ago
Duncan Distortion win!
TheTrustband 3 weeks ago 2
the JB is super versatile, but the distortion is the perfect metal pickup.
rumblebox 3 weeks ago
jesus christ the distortion sounds so much better
nunofrg 4 weeks ago
The JB sounded more musical to me. I like the tone better and the chords weren't as mushy sounding as the Distortion.
MrPomeroyWatson 1 month ago 5
which of this two pickups is better for basswood bodies?
MrInsanity335 1 month ago
great review, i never thought both pickups sounded really different. Any idea what kind of SD pickups that perfect for basswood guitar?
witcheryify 1 month ago
DISTORTION ones sounded better for Mouth for War
valdivia562 1 month ago
that's why sh4 is so populer.great tone not too sizzle great for singing solos and lead with sustain in my opinion
aysat 1 month ago
I love both of these so much :/ which would you sugest for a punk/ grunge/ hard rock player? I'd be putting it in a fender mustang XD yes I know its not normal but I love mustangs.
DontOrderTheSoup 2 months ago
@DontOrderTheSoup I don't know which one is better for mustang , but for punk,grunge, hard rock i think that jb-4 is better. I prefer thrash Metal so i would go for sh-6 but if I were you I would buy jb-4
polandidiot465 1 month ago
What are the odds you have the SAME head and cab as me? Kept the variables the same in my part lol. Thanks. JB it is =]
cfmetal 2 months ago
anyone tried the duncan custom? I'm between choosin one out of this 3!! >.< need some advice!!
MrInsanity335 2 months ago
@MrInsanity335 I've tried all 3 many times over the past 20 years and I always go back to the SH-5 Custom. My favorite Duncan pickup by far.
FearNoVodka 1 month ago
best review on youtube same guitar same amp settings perfect
volcom8208 2 months ago
I'm a big DD fan, I've been using one for 10+ years, but this video really made me want to check out a JB! It just has a cleaner, more musical sound here, interesting..
martymcfly002 2 months ago
I like the TB 6. Has more sizzle!
FallenPrey33 2 months ago
The SH6 sounds like an EMG 81
raxanci 2 months ago
Great video, the distortion tb-6 does have a lot of bite, almost too much. I have the Jb and it sounds great, if you need a higher end then just boost the signal. But overall they are both great pickups and you can't go wrong.
MrBolkof 2 months ago
i don't not really know the seymour duncan but if he can make a pick up in the middle of them, that would be awesome. The JB cut the high, bad bass frequence and the sh-6 look sound too mid and high. a pick up in the midle would be a good choice. but is my opinion. what do you think? witch one?
EMGXX84 3 months ago
@EMGXX84 i am going with the distortion in the bridge and a jazz model in the neck
Jesus4Shred 3 months ago
@EMGXX84 Actually, There Is A Pickup Between The JB (Sh-4) And The Distortion (Sh-6)!!! It's Called The Custom (SH-5)!!! ;)
DylanBStringer91 2 months ago
@DylanBStringer91 yeah but i'm talkin' about the sound, the middle of them, the sh-5 are the solution? JB= too flabby, too much 125k bass freq, too low mid.... sh-6= too tin, no life, too compress. I have a esp m-II custom koa with dimazio PAF pro for neck and tom anderson h3 for the bridge and sounds awesome but its a rare pick-up and nobody can comment this one because nobody have one but he's incredible. I'm asking if i can find a pickup similar in the seymour duncan list.
EMGXX84 2 months ago
@EMGXX84 125Khz? The fuck are you on about mate :')
tardzillamovies 2 months ago
@tardzillamovies hey! sorry, i didn't understand what you said, i'm french canadian lol i don't known what you mean with your 125khz ;)
EMGXX84 2 months ago
@tardzillamovies I was kidding, by 125k bass freq, I though you were insinuating that bass instruments could go up to 125Khz
tardzillamovies 2 months ago
the Distortion kicks the JB's ass and has way more bite and "balls to the wall" tone that you need in heavy shredding and rock
Jesus4Shred 3 months ago
I'd laugh if you played jazz with this
KRPunK77Guitarist 3 months ago
Just my 2 cents but you can't really get a proper comparison of the two pickups since the camera was in a different place for both playthrough's ( look at the cab, moves slightly between the two demo's = world of difference in sound)
jerryzkidz99 3 months ago
Both sound great, I guess it depends what you need it for. I´putting in the SH6 on my 7 string.
ecorona21 3 months ago
DUNCAN DISTORTION FTW!
256guitarhero 3 months ago
The JB seems to nail the Jake E. Lee sound, but the Distortion just sounds meaner!
NomadRonin 3 months ago
I'm torn between these two pickups... I'm a rhythm player though, so it seems like JB is perfect for me, but I dunno.
Bludhoundz8 3 months ago
great great video!!! exactly what I needed. i just got home from the store where i picked up a DD for my bandmate (his birthday present) I use Jbs in my guitars but my amp has more gain than his. the DDs should do the trick!
TonyRageRocks 3 months ago
Neither pick up could help that rig. The Distortion works best in my opinion. You play good though.
anewgift4u 3 months ago
Neither pick up could help that rig. The Distortion works best in my opinion.
anewgift4u 3 months ago
both are great pickups, but i prefer the sh-6 =)
makakon69 3 months ago
Jb IMHO is the best......but disortion sounds good too,simply different
altemu 3 months ago
the sh6 sounds way louder and midheavier. this thing will cut trough any mix, and it has a better leadsound! jb sounds a bit flat in comparision, but it's very balanced. for metal the dd is the way to go!
givemeajackson 3 months ago 2
jb sounds awesome for rythym but the dd is really sick for lead. if i were to chose a pickup id go for the dd
masterbeef92 3 months ago
DD's
codygoeswah 3 months ago
jb
joeyplusamanda 4 months ago
i prefer duncan JB
nabo97 4 months ago
i like Duncan JB
TeMDOTist 4 months ago
Duncan Distortion = Double Damage!!!
odenz 4 months ago
Dude...D´ya think you can put to test a DiMarzio Super Distortion??
ElFrankus 4 months ago
Oh Sh***... DD for metal... definitely...
ElFrankus 4 months ago
I like the rawness of the distortion much better. I like the early Vivian Cambell.
crimsontiderdotcom 4 months ago
the Duncan Distortion just blows the JB away!!! Should i put a Duncan Distortion or a DimeBucker in the Bridge position of a Jackson Js32 ( Indian Cedro Body) im working on? and why? Please help!.... Thanks
BrujoAsesino123 4 months ago
@BrujoAsesino123 hahaha, i have exactly the same decision! what shape do you have? i've got the kelly. think of the fullshred and the invader too! and watch seymour duncan pickups - metal by fearedse, i think shows the difference very well.
givemeajackson 3 months ago
@givemeajackson I got a Rhoads...and thanks
BrujoAsesino123 3 months ago
great video I just installed my SH-6 into a LoneStar Strat to replace the Pearly Gates and I am amazed how the sh6 cuts through and is just a blaze of fire.
HereMikeWas 4 months ago
Sem dúvida umas das melhores comparações de pick ups q já vi. Parabens mesmo. Wonderfull. amazing.....
depaulaguitar 4 months ago
Distortion... it just sounds meaner, you know what I mean?
theschwa58 4 months ago 2
JB sounds cleaner on clean but not so bright on distortion I think
godzilligan 4 months ago
Great demo! I'm a tech at a local shop and this is the video I'm using in reference to these two pups!
Gams616 4 months ago
It was nice to hear Dokken.
lucusarts1 4 months ago
nice sound :) How many years have you been playing ? how do you do thise ?
Disc0rdiuS 4 months ago
Great video! Pitty the sound from amp is mixed so much with accoustic sound of strings while you're strumming. I suggest next time to put your mic further away from the guitar. I am not playing metal so JB (on bridge) was logical choice for me. I am very satisfied with the sound I am getting from it. Cheers.
gmilisavljevic 4 months ago
I play lt metal like seether and shinedown and do cleans as well, what would be good for a telecaster hh with roswewood/maple neck?
Islayedthebat 5 months ago
@Islayedthebat EMG's or Blackouts, if you want to stick to passive i recommend a SH-5 Custom and SH-2 Jazz
99chrisjc 5 months ago
Potberry? I like the ESP Potbelly better :) but i never knew there wa sa potberry, i love the body style!
initiald31 5 months ago
What's the intro song?
gavquinn 5 months ago
@gavquinn Its Holy Wars By Megadeth :)
yoshi183 5 months ago
The distortion sounds more up front..the other sounds like it inside a cave which seems to be the tone that comes from most stick Les pauls and copies...the gibson zebra burstbucker 3 on the joan jett guitar was really nice..
stevoe1000 5 months ago
This video has shown me that i really love the Duncan Distortion.
TheW4RP1G 5 months ago
Thanks mate, i like the review. Different styles and examples...
I'd like to see DP100 vs SD JB in the same setting.
bata022 5 months ago
for play metal = EMG81 on bridge is the best !
MadokaCatty 5 months ago
@MadokaCatty well no shit emg 81 is the best on the bridge but some ppl have to go for passive pickups cuz they have a passive guitar and js the Seymour duncan invader bridge or the DiMarzio D' activator own over the EMG 81
BMTHjunkie1203 5 months ago
@BMTHjunkie1203 early times i like to modified guitar with more pickups and play old school metal around i'm very like EMG81 it can made great with all body woods and yes ..i like tonezone and seymour duncan JB and SH-6 that's very well ...
MadokaCatty 5 months ago
@BMTHjunkie1203 ...but i think EMG81 can made better sound with high lead tone when your play mute string to play Riff I like 81 when install it on basswood i think alder and mahogany should to use with passive pickups look good more than 81 but i like 81 with basswood look balance all... IMO
MadokaCatty 5 months ago
@BMTHjunkie1203 i was use pickups Invader 1 pair in early times and that's not good choice for me it's very low and big tone and little high lead tone it's not good for solo and lead guitar ...i think maybe invader it's good choice for play metal new age metalcore and hardcore nu metal that's pretty sound but for thrash , heavy metal it's not good for me....sorry my english not good
MadokaCatty 5 months ago
@MadokaCatty im able to make out your english ahah and i play nu metal so thats prolly why i like the invader i just recently got the invader (bridge) and the J B (bridge ) so maybe if u send me a request il post a vid of tht song with those pickups in and sorry if u got offended by my first comment
BMTHjunkie1203 5 months ago
Huge cool points for doing this video man. Thanks a ton for the comparison. (I think I'll stick with the JB.. the distortion is a little too.. articulate)
lonewolfsx29 5 months ago
dose it matter if it is floyd spaced? i have an i banez 320fm and was curious....i was told by larry dimarzio to buy the breed bridge but i like having other choices....
loki8lelouch7 5 months ago
SH-6/TB-6 The Pickups that can Obliterate the Actives completely.
meherdad 5 months ago
@meherdad They destroy some actives (like EMGs). They don't obliterate SD Blackouts!
tenhundredkills 5 months ago
Duncan Distortion is unreachable! The best ever!
wags2jesus 6 months ago
awesome comparision, exactly what i was looking for, thanks man.
bond260295 6 months ago
the sh-4 sounds just like the stock pup in my Ibanez, doing with the sh-6
emoXpestilenceX666 6 months ago
sh-6 (tb-6) sounds like shit. you helped me a lot
mindrust8 6 months ago
The JB on the Dokken tune nailed it for me! They're both good pups but I prefer the JB.
pedraw 6 months ago
@pedraw george lynch used the distortion when in dokken just in case you didnt know
CapnPuff69 6 months ago
They both lack something. The Duncan Distortion lacks proper punch, it's too thin. It has more color though. The JB model just sounds muddy here, I don't like anything about it.
Fluffypopcicle 6 months ago
@Fluffypopcicle Nice! You said EXACTLY what I was thinking! : )
twilightdagger 6 months ago
Ha, now I know. The TB-6 is not better sounding, it is just its ceramic magnet that give is a glassy sound. TB-4 is an Alnico V magnet which gives more ''rocky'' crunchy sound. Both very good. TB-4 better suited for Rock, Blues, Metal. TB-6 better for Metal, Rock, Blues in this order of merit.
Krzysmalaki74 6 months ago
Great demo. Really captured the subtle differences between the two pickups.
srvfan99 6 months ago
awesome I think I'll buy these two in the future.
masterofmorphine92 6 months ago
jb gives more classic rock sound more rock n roll or old heavy rock the sh-6 is heavier more for heavy metal
SuperDsffdsf 6 months ago
Saying the JB is not a metal pickup is the hilarious thing. Just take a look at how many ACTUAL artists use it like Michael Amott, both guys from Lamb of god or even Corey Beaulieu...
SH-6 is a great articulate and aggressive p-u but when it's time to solo on high frets...
Distollica 6 months ago
@Distollica you got alot of famous heavy metal people who play leads and and rhythm go by the jb because its one of the best sounding all around pickups out there you forgot to mention legendery metal guitar player dave mustaine he used the jb until he got his custom active pickups from seymour duncan which sound just like the jbs but with a stronger active signal
nwojason 5 months ago
The distortion sounds like the jb on steroids.
Sodom616 6 months ago
Most of the people dissing the JB are metal guys. It's not a metal pickup, even if Mustaine used one (and still uses a JB-voiced active). It's a high-output blues/rock pup. Seymour even said Eddie Van Halen used them in the Kramer days. If you want singing tone and 80's-flavor, the JB has it. The metal dudes are going to like the Distortion, naturally. I like them both for different reasons.
DarthKazi 6 months ago
god damn this review was extremely helpful, i play mostly metal, rock, and blues and the jb seems to have not enough output for me so im getting the duncan distortion/jazz combo for extra versatility
yungbubbabush 6 months ago
The SH-6 is so tight and articulate!!! Awesome!!!
dimgrav 6 months ago
I have a JB in the bridge of my LP style guitar. I love it.
CIAmrx 7 months ago
Thanks for the post. Definitely, I prefer the SH4 !! It sounds like hell...
ltdslide 7 months ago
i love the tb-6! and you're a great player!!!
naruto15061992 7 months ago
It's funny because I like the sound of the JB but when you play the Distortion, I don't like the JB anymore. Reviews like this are EXTREMELY helpful.
XXX38 7 months ago
the distortion is great, i have one in the bridge of my dean and it sounds fantastic, it is very balanced and you can hear each little note inflection. ive heard its basically the passive version of the ahb1 blackouts actives
theNINE6661 7 months ago
@Whyrendog i know the specs say that but since the jb is more balanced it lets all the notes be heard waay better, making ity dynamic in every waay at least to me
angelsg1000 7 months ago
Great demo, I need to upgrade my "Duncan Designed" distortions to some real ones, thanks for reminding me.
Whyrendog 7 months ago
For Metal, I feel the TB-6 is better than TB-4!
isiahhuang 7 months ago
great review man. I've been wanting to change my jb in an alder body michael wilton sig ESP to an sh6 but I'll check out a custom custom instead. thanks for this review, very helpful
MrCecilbag 7 months ago
good video man, the JB sounds fucking amazing the solos have dynamics but the solos with the D.Distortion have less dynamics but more power I.M.O. rhythm with the JB has more solidness but the D.Distortion have less mids.
angelsg1000 7 months ago
@angelsg1000 I thought the Distortion had more mids and dynamics lol.
Whyrendog 7 months ago
the JBs sound perfect for bullet for my valentines cover of creeping death :D
conormetalhead 7 months ago
best review... perfect
magicthunder666 7 months ago
Hell yeah, Duncan's awsome!
MrHideyoursheep 7 months ago
Now that is how you compare pickups. Excellent job, thank you!!!
skinnymorbid 7 months ago
The JB for creeping death sounds amazing!
gavquinn 8 months ago
Im probably gonna go with the sh6 to put in my new dean ml. it definantly has more bite and its very hot
pivetlord13 8 months ago
Awesome demo! Straight-forward and up-front -- the riffs did all the talkin'.
ClassicRockerUSA 8 months ago
Thank you for a very helpful demonstration. I have decided the JB belongs in my brightest Jackson King V. It came with the SH-6 and is just too bright. Thanks again!
rocknrodosta 8 months ago
Hi.Thanks for demo.
Please tell me...Do you know which of these will work better with basswood body guitar???
ArtInfidelAlexander 8 months ago
@ArtInfidelAlexander the JB will be fine in basswood. the distortion will suck the sound...too much treble u know,.
OldSchoolThrash1810 8 months ago
@OldSchoolThrash1810 Ok.THanks a lot :)
ArtInfidelAlexander 8 months ago
Man this is a difficult choice :S!!!!!!! BOTH ARE INSANE!!! i think it goes more in "taste" than "which it's better" :S!!!! i like both tones!
SHREDDER222X 8 months ago
wow the TB-6 sounds like a JB after taking a blanket off the cab! i never knew the JB was so dark/muffled? the TB-6 distortion sounds much clearer to me! and all the JB's in my guitars are coming out after watching this clip! thanks this is one of the few times that anothers post really helped out!
charvelstrat81 9 months ago
Great demo, very helpful!!!
orthocelt1 9 months ago
the distortion, is alot more real and alive
crate718 9 months ago
Your mids are way to high to be playing anything from pantera. Your Duncan distortion bits are out of tune.
Vanamutt 9 months ago
great video!
Nakashira 9 months ago
This is a REALLY great video man. Thanks for the work!
Wrathofkala 10 months ago
the sh-6 is better
13Jesko 10 months ago
I like The Duncan Distortion more, its got a rough feeling too it - Like Old School metallica
ArcaneAnders 10 months ago
Which one is more versatile ???
silversandman666 10 months ago
@silversandman666 Of course the JB si the more versatile. And even better is the Seymour Duncan '59, which is the most versatile of all Seymour Duncan. You have to remember that the Duncan Distortion is the most powerful and heaviest passive pickups ever.
PietroRumenta 10 months ago
@PietroRumenta ...Thanks for d answer...!! And one more thing .... What wud u recommend for metal....sh6 or dimarzio x2n..(I hav a basswood body guitar)..
silversandman666 10 months ago
@silversandman666 Just stay away from DiMarzio like you'd stay away from a plague. They're terrible, ugly, I can't even understand what freak could have ever thought of creating such terrible, undynamic, static, acid, as cold as ice, depthless and unversatile pickups. They are so terrible that they even manage to make such warm and inspired guitarrists as Joe Satriani and Steve Vai sound as cold as the North Pole. And why the fuck do they keep using them? Cos they've becoe a "fashion" standard
PietroRumenta 10 months ago
@PietroRumenta ...Is that so....!! I didn't know that....
silversandman666 10 months ago
@silversandman666 Just listen to some of the ones who use DiMarzio and you'll notice that. Talking about humbuckers, Seymour Duncan and Gibson rule.
PietroRumenta 10 months ago
@PietroRumenta what the hell??? listen to the guy who ran a x2n thru an engl fireball, this tone kicks ass!! oh, and btw, some people with awesome tone and dimarzios: paul gilbert, steve morse, andy timmons, chuck schuldiner, iron maiden, chris broderick, john petrucci. a friend of mine has a musicman steve morse sig with dimarzios, and it sounds killer thru his engl!!! i don't say that dimarzio is better than seymour, but they are deff on the same level!
givemeajackson 10 months ago
@givemeajackson Iron Maiden's ones were the old DiMarzios; nowadays DiMarzios are not made like that anymore, I was told it by a man who makes handmade guitars and knows everything about this kind of things. That explains both why they sounded like Seymour Duncan '59 and why Iron Maiden changed for Seymour Duncan many years ago. You just mentioned a lot of examples that confirm what I clamed: listen to it carefully. DiMarzio, at first "sight" appear amazing, and then you realize they are not
PietroRumenta 10 months ago
@givemeajackson dosent Chris Broderick use bareknuckle pickups?
Metalfooll 10 months ago
@Metalfooll no, he's endorsed by dimarzio
givemeajackson 10 months ago
@givemeajackson Ho so he dont use bareknuckle anymore!? Do you know wich model hes using now? I know he now have a jackson soloist signature..im waiting to see more of it..but the 7 stings model is very interesting.
Metalfooll 10 months ago
@givemeajackson Ho so he dont use bareknuckle anymore!? Do you know wich model hes using now? I know he now have a jackson soloist signature..im waiting to see more of it..but the 7 stings model is very interesting.
Metalfooll 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@givemeajackson Ho so he dont use bareknuckle anymore!? Do you know wich model hes using now? I know he now have a jackson soloist signature..im waiting to see more of it..but the 7 stings model is very interesting
Metalfooll 10 months ago
@silversandman666 you don't know that cause it's not really true!! try both, then decide wich to choose! i have the same two candidates for my kelly, but i are a bit more interested in the x2n. i have a good x2n demo, search for x2n engl fireball. btw, chuck schuldiner used x2n's since late 80's (R.I.P chuck)
givemeajackson 10 months ago
jb sounds more creamy for solos and what not. the distortions are good for riffs i think in my opinion..
loki8lelouch7 10 months ago
So which one did you prefer for your playing style and why?
Any chance you could do a comparison of the Duncan JB vs Duncan Custom?
rydock 10 months ago
Hello man! great video! Can you give me your opinion?
I want a tone similar to megadeth in youthnasia, what would you recommend? sh4 or sh6? thanks a lot!
halev666 11 months ago
@halev666 mi guitar is an alder jdr94
halev666 11 months ago
@halev666 Dave used pretty much only the SH-4 during the 90s, so that´s what he used on the youthanasia album. He´s only played the live wires for a couple years now. (they kick ass btw)
Mezziah777 10 months ago
I think the JB sounds light years better. Distortion sounds too edgy and almost fabricated. JB sounds more natural.
homersimps1 11 months ago
I have a Duncan Distortion in my Kramer Focus 6000, and that pup really woke it up.
Sidewinder9877 11 months ago
Jb has a lot mids and low end. I think it is great deal for 80's hard & heavy style. The distortion pickup is as better for metal distortion. Has lots of hi and low. I did not hear any mid on that pickup. If you have an amp with 6L6 tubes and distortion pickup. You should push some EQ for mids... But yeah its a great deal for pantera. If you have an amp with EL34 tubes. Do never think of buying JB. You cant just beat the mids. Also, you are an awesome player and video is the best... Thanks...
SkyHunNN 11 months ago
btw ur playing creeping deth in standard tuning right? cuz i play a step down / D standard and i u play different o.O
FirePower3006 11 months ago
FUCK YAH MEGADETH BABY!
FirePower3006 11 months ago
Thanks for this vid dude! I've been through a the pick up circus for years, and I keep coming back full circle to the Sh 6 Duncan Distortion. YOu just reafirmed my choice for the Duncan Distortion. I've tried PA TB2 (very good but different for the SH6), the D activator (tries to be a Sh6 with less mids), BK Painkiller (fucken horrible, no guts), D Sonic (pretty good mids, not as aggressive as the Sh6), Super Distortion (too muddy for mahogany guitar, good for strat)
TheTyrantRaptor 11 months ago
@TheTyrantRaptor BKP PK RULES, much more clarity and aggression than the others.
chavTorturer 11 months ago
@chavTorturer The pain killer is horribly hollow in the low mids compared to the Duncan Distortion
TheTyrantRaptor 11 months ago
awesome comparison!
AkiraSpectrum 1 year ago
Wow! Great playing... And Thank you for making this video! I've always loved the JB pickups, but now that I've heard the Distortion pickup in side-by-side comparison I am a new believer that the Distortion gives a stronger mid-tone, but can squeel out the harmonics nearly as effectively as the JB.
I need to replace my bridge pickup and since I love Seymore Duncans and have spacing only for a single-coil, you have given me greater idea of what to expect.
melconw 1 year ago
Thanx for the video. I used the sh4 for rock song not for metal...
Skamisoles 1 year ago
The distortion is much better for Metal because you don't have to push your AMP so hard to get that great metal sound. Both pick ups are great thou. Great video man -- should have WAY more views!
Wrathofkala 1 year ago
I like your video thanks for help :))
Farghot 1 year ago
Hey man, thanks very much for making this video. I've been looking for this comparison for a long time. The JB is too muddy and is lacking gain. I don't know why ESP and Jackson puts them in their guitars. They are just not metal enough. Good job!
eclipse504 1 year ago
@eclipse504 The JB reflects old school values and favors old school techniques for getting massive sound. Iommi, Van Halen, Lynch, DeMartini, Moore et al relied on big amp and cab setups. A lot of amateur players have small amps and they get their gain through distortions pedals, high output pickups, etc. I assure you, on a few heavily overdriven 100W JCM 2000s, the JBs in my guitars have massive sound. They aren't really articulate however, but DeMartini has done well with them.
KeenAnthony 1 year ago
@KeenAnthony You are spot on dude!. I play through a JCM 2000 TSL 100 and the Sh4 sounds awsome, and I use the Sh6 cause I play Thrash Metal. They are just difference PUPS for different applications!
TheTyrantRaptor 11 months ago
awesome video!!! cant belive there is not more comments!! been torn between these two pickups myself.. was leaning towards the distortion, now im sure about the distortion.. great video!!
DClongshot 1 year ago