Duncan JB vs Duncan Distortion

Seymor Duncan tb-4(sh-4) vs tb-6(sh-6) bridge pickups test.
Guitar amplifier /
Peavey 5150 head Mesaboogie 4FBBR Cabinet
gain 5 bass 7 mid 5 tre 5 resonance 7 presence 5
Recorder / Zoom Q3

[@ralpherl5657]

This video really is the best one I've seen that truly demonstrates the differences between the JB and Distortion.

[@mattnunesmusica]

Really? With camera microfone 1 inch can make a huge difference...

[@Stank.Nastyy]

Ralphie Leonard I was gonna say the same thing. Well done man great vid

[@user-pf6ey6vp3e]

definitely. There is clear difference.

[@armandomorenotherevival7827]

The JB has a more mid focused sound and more open with headroom. The distortion is more compressed/tight and less mids more presence sizzle. They both have their purposes if i had to pick I’d probably go with a JB, the JB there is no possible way you will not be heard in a band live mix it definitely cuts through any mix. You can make it sound tighter and put compression in if you want but with the Duncan distortion there’s no way of adding headroom that it lacks .

[@JoshyyJay]

Armando Moreno & The Southern Revival and with jb use 250k pots!!!

[@timothyjay2012]

Not everyone plays songs the same way!! This is a killer demo showing the actual difference's between these pickups!! Awesome demo!

[@9dnovix]

This might seem a little contrary to what other people have said, but I use the JB mainly for recording and the Distortion for live. The JB is just overall cleaner and very beautiful sounding. GREAT in a mix! Especially for my style of playing. The Distortion is without a doubt my favorite pickup ever though. The way the harmonics sing out sounds just incredible and full of life and energy. The first time I plugged in my Distortion to an EVH head, I knew I had struck tonal gold baby! Happy Playing everybody!🤘

[@phillamoore157]

Interesting…. I thought the JB was much more defined. I bounce between a Tone Zone and the JB. But, I’m surprised to hear you say you prefer the Distortion live. I’m the exact opposite. Would love to hear it through that EVH head though 👍

[@castletrash7770]

This video is one of best comparison videos for these two pick ups. The Distortion definitely has a brighter sound where the JB is more nasally and less intense. I've bounced between the two for a long time and really now want the Duncan Distortion for my neck pick up

[@dewycatt2112]

Distortion all the way! More open! More harmonics! More fun!

[@mitchellbotting]

Personally, I love the very pronounced mids of the JB...makes it sound bigger and less like a modern "scooped" sound. You can really hear it in the first two riffs.

[@J1Z06]

JB is darker, for sure. More presence and clarity(to me) from the distortion. Good video.

[@Lui_Guitar]

Nothing sounds LIKE A JB TB-4!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!

[@hrz8533]

Sucks

[@totallye5150]

Very very very nice vid man, the best ive seen in all of the interwebs in regard of comparing these 2 pickups, nice playing as well

[@phillamoore157]

I’m WAY late to the party here, but there’s a spectacular irony to one of the best pup demo’s I’ve seen on YT, is 12yrs-old. As of the past 5yrs, minimum, all we get are kids chugging or beating on one string (of a 7-string guitar, no less) tuned to the key of rotting flesh, using WAY too much gain, or some Yngwie wannabe, spreading throughout the entire demo….neither of which tell you anything about the gear. So, this even at 12yrs-old is a HUGE breath of fresh air. But, I digress!! Maybe it was just my ears, but I thought the JB was MUCH more articulate. Sounded spectacular with that looked like a Peavey. Well done, and thank you for sharing.

[@sogeking_x6879]

This video inspired me to buy and assembled my 2nd guitar pickup 8 years ago. My first pickup was an Alnico-V (JB was an Alnico II magnet) type magnet which was too tight sounding for my liking. After changing to Ceramic-type magnet (similar to Distortion) pickup , the sound was heavy, brutal and spacey. Thank you for this amazing comparison video!

[@Douglasdougomesdoug]

Live: JB Recording: Distortion 🤘🏼

[@otaviofenderstrat4220]

Jb = muffled Distortion = clear and powerful

[@669rd]

Wow. Indeed one of the best comparison video on these 2 pickups. Can hear the difference!

[@DecayingWings]

Thanks for the demo! Just bought Distortion for my custom

[@thisdyingsoul76]

I like both these pickups. From what I hear in the differences, both will sound great for soloing. I think if I was in a single guitarist situation I'd want the JB. Sounds fatter. If I was in a dual guitar band, JB for rhythm guitarist and Distortion for lead guitarist. The mid range focus of the Distortion seems to be more toward the high mids so it will cut through better while the JB's low mid focus will give a nice chunky rhythm tone. If the amp settings were set using the JB you probably can get a good chunky rhythm tone from the distortion too, but with the settings left the same you can tell it is a brigher pickup. Which is better depends on what kind of situation you're going to be in. The inherent tone of the guitar you are putting them in can be a factor also. The Distortion would probably work better in darker sounding guitars while the JB would suit a brighter one. But that's just me since tone is subjective after all. 😁

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Cool man. Great review. I had a hard time finding a review of the DD with music that I'd play. Thank god you're playing some cool music. Anyway, I have been fixing up an old Japanese Ibanez S series with the excellent Edge trem and I found a DD in my parts and I'm getting ready to install the same in my S. Can't wait to hear it. I had some other pickups and wanted to hear the differences and this video helped man. Thanks a bunch. Tim

[@OnfloorAudio]

Finally someone who knows how to do a great pick up demo !!!! Thanks for taking the time !! Awesome Job !

[@BuffGuitarGuy]

I really like the sound of the duncan distortion!

[@DClongshot]

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!!

[@daniel2B]

Duncan Distortion sounds a lot more lynch like, when he plays dokken.

[@mcfek7575]

George Lynch used Duncan distortion back in the days

[@srvfan99]

Great demo. Really captured the subtle differences between the two pickups.

[@AP-qn6br]

You nailed the comparison, good job !.

[@MelconWagner]

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.

[@injairgun]

Thanks for uploading this! I needed to hear a comparison between the 2! I have the JB and 59 in my Charvel and I am waiting for the SH6 to some in at my music store if that ever happens! Been waiting 3 weeks for it now! I am swapping out the Seymour Duncan SHPG1+ Pearly Gates currently in my Strat (came stock with it) for the SH6 Duncan Distortion. The Pearly Gates is a great pickup but it doesn't have enough output for me.

[@jasonbecker5352]

I like the distortion better.

[@CIAmrx]

I have a JB in the bridge of my LP style guitar. I love it.

[@depaulaguitar]

Sem dúvida umas das melhores comparações de pick ups q já vi. Parabens mesmo. Wonderfull. amazing.....

[@bnizzio]

This is an excellent demo video. It actually helped me make a decision to put a Duncan SH6 in the bridge of my SG Pro. The Distortion pickup is very similar to a Gibson Dirty Fingers in that it's very aggressive, has rich searing highs, decent scoop and retains excellent clarity. In fact the Duncan SH6 might actually sound a bit better than a Dirty Fingers. Certainly a great compliment to my guitar's personality of snarl and growl.

[@MultiRockmeister]

I like the effort u put in this comparison! same guitar, only with pickupchanges :)

[@Wrathofkala]

This is a REALLY great video man. Thanks for the work!

[@skinnymorbid]

Now that is how you compare pickups. Excellent job, thank you!!!

[@ryant3600]

this totally helped me out. Same style as I play which I've been looking for, seems anyone wants to do in these comparison video's, is tune down as far as possible and muddy up the distortion so you can't really hear what the pickup is really doing.. hate that. That's not music man... Anyway, matter of fact last night started relearning Badlands high wire since it had been a few years since I've played it. Anyway.. I have the Sh2/Sh4 in my LP.. but I'm redoing a jem Jr I got.. and wanted to try something different. I love how the Sh6 responds here. Going w/ that w/ probably a SH-1 in the bridge.. Thanks a million for this.

[@angusorvid8840]

I've been using both JBs and Distortions since 1986. They're both great, but different. I tend to put the JB in darker guitars and the Distortion in brighter guitars. They balance out very well. Although the Distortion is ceramic, it's not as trebly as the JB. A pickup can be bright and yet not trebly, and vice versa. I use the Distortion in a bright Ash strat and the JB in a basswood Schecter and they both sound absolutely amazing.

[@iamgribs]

Do you find the distortion to be darker than the jb? Both aound bright. Certainly the jb sounds better in les paul style guitars.

[@Alexhangman]

Lol... )) TB-4: Resonance frequency: 5.5KHz. Sound parameters: high 8.0, mid - 6.0, low 5.0 TB-6: Resonance frequency: 6.5KHz. Sound parameters: high 9.0, mid - 8.0, low 5.0

[@metalmeister3054]

Great video , its the best head to head comparison.

[@HereMikeWas]

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.

[@sunnys3325]

Distortion has more "honk" if that makes any sense. I like it. JB is a also a superb pickup. Prob best comparison vid out there. Thank u for this man. Perfect songs for comparisons too!

[@dannyleebrat]

of course is SH6 ~~ especially to merge with rosewood fingerboard and mahogany body !

[@MrCecilbag]

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

[@bond260295]

awesome comparision, exactly what i was looking for, thanks man.

[@milkandmeat]

the distrotion was a ll more messy. with the jb it feels like you can hear every note clearly

[@stevenbettez2017]

Agreed

[@d.c.jeanes6577]

I’ve had both and like them both a lot. The slightly more raunchy-ness of the Distortion has always been my go to, though! Maybe it’s my punk influences.

[@themadmattster9647]

I’ve had both too, still have my guitar with the distortion but just ordered one with a jb which I hated but that was years ago and this video convinced me to give it a chance lol. Yeah the distortion sounds less focused

[@arthurc1971]

Best pickup demo i’ve ever seen

[@jonathanfjallrud]

Is there a difference in volume on the amp when comparing? Otherwise, the Distortion must be way hotter.

[@ClassicRockerUSA]

Awesome demo! Straight-forward and up-front -- the riffs did all the talkin'.

[@johannessilver8653]

Good that someone did a demo comparison for these great pups....I have both so need to check what other people think ; )

[@LSlava]

They both sound amazing.

[@bridge500t]

man that was a great comparison! I use the JB in my Les Paul's and the Distortion in my Ibanez but have never really done a comparison like that. Great playing too, I really enjoyed it. Both pickups are awesome and have their strengths depending on what you are playing. Neither is a bad choice.

[@allgoodcory118]

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

[@rocknrodosta]

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!

[@yudiherdiana4979]

As i'm about to order a custom Les Paul model, played for vintage rock like Judas Priest...I'll go for SH-4... . Thanks a lot, really good review, with "less (no) talk...do more" type of review :)

[@tb90hm]

"vintage rock like Judas Priest" Judas Priest is HEAVY METAL!

[@f2detaboada]

tb90hm * ROCKA ROLLA*

[@bluehappyscrap]

Great review, great demo.

[@MrKevindollar]

I liked the video just because you played a Badlands song - awesome! And the JB FTW IMHO.

[@samgreen8616]

A good, helpful comparison, thanks.

[@heatnationwpb]

Serious downstroke chops on Creeping Death. I see you!

[@Traski]

Absolutely JB! I just installed one on to my Vanguard. Doesn't get better than that!

[@TheGhostGuitars]

I have both pups. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, more often than not opposites. The JB has more growly bite with more lows and lower-midrange power. Whilst the DD has less lows and more upper-midrange for a more articulate cut and clarity. I like both but for different styles of music. I reach for the DD for metal and hard rock. The JB OTOH, methinks is the more versatile of the two, which I favor for cleans, rock, blues, jazz and classic metal (pre-2000, especially 70-90s).

[@renaudtorres8507]

Nobody can say which is the best, it depends on one's taste and style. I'd rather TB-4 for it's warmth and DD for sharp playing.

[@grimpuppet1742]

I'm with you

[@jdfenix7]

The distortion chugs are mean and gnarly!

[@GASMan-57]

Very good demo,and a question I did have in my mind, so - Thanks! If my ears and speakers were working for me, I did agree with Bo's comment below that the JB sound more like classic hard rock. The Distortion I thought was interesting because it produced more vowel-like harmonics. I can indeed see why metal players would like that, especially since you need a voice that's still in there being articulate once you've dropped tuning into the basement.

[@Sirtmen]

Best test on KZbin!👍

[@alexanderholden82]

Very very nice comparison, this definitely shows the minor differences between these two pickups. Little known fact A Duncan JB pickup is basically just a hot-rodded paf and a duncan Distortion is basically just a JB with a huge ceramic magnet rather than alnico... Both the JB and Distortion have the same amount of coil winds. I just replaced the stock Bridge pickup in my Jackson DKA with a Duncan distortion trembucker and it really brought new life to the guitar and is a whole different animal now. Prior to this I replaced the stock jackson pup with a Duncan JB but honestly found almost no difference in tone between the two, which I guess shows that the Jackson pups were not bad... the Duncan JB was just not a huge upgrade for my particular guitar ... but the Duncan Distortion is definitely my new favorite.

[@greekfreak1980]

For straight up,high-gain Metal,get the Distortion. For a pickup,that sounds great in any genre,from Jazz/Fusion to even brutal Thrash and also cleans up nicely,get the JB.There's a reason this thing is S.Duncan's most sold humbucker for almost 35 years.

[@Babs42]

I like the distortion better overall. I have a JB in my Mockingbird but it seems lackluster. I'm thinking of swapping it out for a Distortion or something with more bite. Thoughts?

[@spaceshifterstereogunmachine]

Try something with alnico 4s if you re into rock territory...should open up the Mockingbird's sound.

[@charvelgtrs]

If you want more bite with a JB then disable your tone knob.

[@rflessati]

Love this demo!! Have em both! For me Distortion sounds better on the bedroom demo but the JB sounds better on a mix. I also prefer the JB attack.

[@glenn1975]

+rflessati I think the distortion - needs - a healthy (unhealthy? lol..) amount of gain to soften those upper mids a bit. i.e. gain on 6.5 and a front end boost

[@dokterkarel]

Well, this must be the first demo where I prefer the JB over the DD. Good demo btw!

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

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!

[@2hotdownunder]

wow great demo! surely hear the difference

[@PippPriss]

God , I LOVE Badlands! And the JB absolutly nails that tone.

[@andreszuniga7892]

Both sound awesome.

[@dvdordie]

that Dokken comparison at the end sold me the TB-6!

[@jannikvice2413]

thats funny cause afaik did george lynch use the JB haha :P but yea i think the TB-6 sounds fatter too

[@addicted2tone349]

The DD literally was Lynchs Dokken tone in this video. That sounded spot on. I have a DD in my Les Paul and it nails that 80s Lynch tone and Ratt as well as Hetfield depending on how I dial my amp and what channel I'm on. DD is a great pickup!

[@scottdunn2178]

@@jannikvice2413 Lynch used the Duncan Distortion (SH-6) not the JB. The amp he used on the first two Dokken records was a 1972 purple Marshall 100w Super Lead he loaned out from Aspen Pittman at Groove Tubes.

[@pigwings]

Wile both pick-ups sounded good depending on what song was being played I liked the distortion overall. It sounded like a blanket was lifted off of the speakers everytime he switched to the distortion.

[@wmxx2000]

I'm going back and forth on pickups for a guitar I want. This vid has me reeeaaaaalllllllllllly leaning to the distortions

[@ILLRICARDO]

you could go for the sh5, Its inbetween the tone of sh4 n sh6

[@cpamiseso]

+William Shapiro you could try the Custom 5 (SH 14 if I'm not mistaken), it's really in between JB and Distortion. The Alnico V magnet, with high output like Distortion. Sh5 is okay, i've tried, but it's still using ceramic, too bright on some clean playing ocassions.

[@thorinbane]

I have those on my Godin, best pickups I have ever played.

[@qwerty96347]

Thanks for putting this up, way more helpful than a lot of other comparisons. I think I actually like the Distortion better, I'm trying to play heavy ratty shit like Violator and it seems like it'll do that pretty well. I plan on getting the set and putting them in my build when I get around to it.

[@Wrathofkala]

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!

[@dimgrav]

The SH-6 is so tight and articulate!!! Awesome!!!

[@99cobra01]

Hi. Wondering if you adjusted pole heights in either of the pickups or if they are as left the factory. Thanks

[@franciscoproenca9080]

Best video comparative ever!

[@Alexhangman]

TB-4: Resonance frequency: 5.5KHz. Sound parameters: high 8.0, mid - 6.0, low 5.0 TB-6: Resonance frequency: 6.5KHz. Sound parameters: high 9.0, mid - 8.0, low 5.0

[@guitarwhores753]

I use JB's in most of my guitars, but I like the tightness of the Dist here. I have a new pair of SD Dist sitting, think I'm gonna slap them in a guitar.

[@Patmclean232]

great review man! I had the tb4 in my old Marty Friedman signature ke1 years ago. it sounded pretty good. but I put the sh6 in a cheap boron end Jackson roads and the thing ripped! for a cheap crummy guitar the sh6 brought it right to life!

[@alexanderholden82]

Same thing I just experienced myself! I'm a lefty and I've had the extreme displeasure of playing a lot of lower-end guitars to my 30 years of playing. I bought a imported Poplar Bodied Jackson Dinky last year and looked to replace the stock Jackson pickups with a Duncan JB and to my avail... there was literally no difference in tone and I was immediately displeased because it lacked the thickness, growl and tightness I was looking for. I took the JB back and swapped it for a Duncan distortion and now I enjoy playing my import Jackson Dinky more than any guitar that I have ever owned including a MIM Alder Stratocaster, Korean mahogany Epiphone Les Paul and a Indonesian Basswood Ibanez. The Duncan Distortion pickup alone in the Jackson Mainstay guitar unbelievably awesome and brought New Life to it.

[@tonefingerz2021]

thx 4 the vid. ive noticed the smalllest change in string or pickup height gives a very noticable difference. imo i get different pickup sounds just from changing the action, sting tension etc. dont have the cash to keep swapping pups so ive found ways to get similar sounds just from ehat i mentioned

[@ExiLeZH]

This, should be really aware of these things to make it a fair and scientific comparison, have the feeling this is not.

[@SHREDDER222X]

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!

[@Andrei.x8]

thank you for this video, man

[@snail415]

Dude you crushed it. Love the 240p! 😛

[@marshallman7550]

I will choose the tb-4 . I like the voicing on it. Nice playing and tone , thanks for the video.

[@HeavyMetalCowboy90]

JB sounds amazing in Drop C through a Maxon OD808 with the 5150 and Mesa cab loaded with celestion V30s. Blessthefall uses that setup. It's heavy and articulate.

[@therifflair724]

Anyone who has experimented with this wind as much as me knows that the JB+ (aka Distortion Lite) is best of both worlds! This can be achieved by installing a normal size ceramic in the JB. JB8 is amazing too. HUGE HUGE HUGE low mid bump, more mellow top end, and tight bass. It’s like a RAWWWWRRR in-your-face mids-are-where-the-angry-live wall of sound. If you don’t wanna boost output, but want more low mids, spongier bottom end, mellower top end, go for an Alnico 2. The Holdworth, DiMartini & Jake E Lee models were JB2’s (some with double rows of hex screws instead of fillister + slug). Then you have my favorite variation. The JBUOA5. The unoriented A5 is like a blend of A5 and A2. So take all the aforementioned JB2 characteristics, but add in some top end sparkle and tighter bass. And because it’s not polished nor oriented, the magnetic frequency field is really dynamic with all these fantastic harmonic overtones everywhere. #yum

[@PANICBLADE]

jb seems more dynamic, I also like the smoother vowely attack it has, plus you can always give it more pawer from the amp and it seems like it would hold its own clean better than the sh-6. my vote jb.

[@mcfek7575]

That is because JB Are Equipped with Alnico 5 magnet and duncan distortion Are Equipped with ceramic magnet

[@fearofthedark88]

More pawer

[@PANICBLADE]

@@fearofthedark88 Hey one of my favorite Maiden Albums, Fear of the Bark.

[@nwrth]

Great comparison. We want more! :-)

[@NefariousDreary]

Both are great. I prefer the JBs. Thanks for the video.

[@mrscarey3069]

I have both pickups, I have a peavey ultra plus 120 head with 30 Watt celestions cab, the head has been Modified so no volume problem's with either pickup. The JB has way more cleaner Mids and highs. And an orange drop tone cap works excellent to add to the tone. My guitars. 2001 Ibanez S370. And a Jackson SL2 pro.

[@carvin7lust]

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!

[@NLP52]

Years ago, I had a JB in my Les Paul and it was just too muddy for my taste. I installed an SH 6 and will never change it. Also tried an SH6 in an SG (my favorite) and lacked bottom and too trebly. Maybe the jb would be perfect in an SG?

[@soumyajitacharjee]

I really love my SH4 JB bridge,a vintage humbucker.

[@sjsphotog]

wow amazing playing you rock! I like the JBs for their smoother tone but those Distorton SH-6's cut thru the mix. hard to decide

[@witcheryify]

great review, i never thought both pickups sounded really different. Any idea what kind of SD pickups that perfect for basswood guitar?

[@Nakashira]

great video!

[@NomadRonin]

After watching this video repeatedly I've come to the conclusion that I like both pickups. I'm going to put a Distortion in one guitar and a JB in another and have the best of both worlds! I like what each one has to offer!

[@TheAxe4Ever]

I have the mystery and age old question answered as to which one sounds better. Ready? Which ever one sounds good to your ear and gets you the sound you're looking for and feels best to you. I have heard guys use the JB and it sounds awesome. I tried it in my guitar going through my amp and it was muddy as hell and very dull and lifeless. The TB-6 Distortion in my guitar sounded incredible and felt great and made me play better it seemed. George Lynch got great tone from his Distortion for years. Listen to the album Back for the Attack. He used the Distortion before they came out with the Screamin' Demon. So it just depends on your amp, what sound you like and whatever makes you want to play more. That one is the winner.

[@alexanderholden82]

You are exactly right! I had the exact same experience with the JB myself... muddy and lifeless just like to start Jackson pups they were looking to replace... I replaced the JB with a duncan Distortion and WOW... I never thought my imported Poplar bodied Jackson dka could sound so great!

[@FirmanDisini21]

..and i buy a duncan distortion. Really love it. Thanks for the video.

[@AkiraSpectrum]

awesome comparison!