Seymour Duncan JB Model vs 35th Anniversary JB vs Antiquity JB Shootout Comparison

[@Gitfiddle]

I like the antiquity. It was a tad more mellow on the top end but still cut like a JB should. Rawer. Raunchier. Grittier. Just killer.

[@zmb1982]

Hey CharvelStrat81 - I should have done this earlier but here's the list of the licks that occur after the "Seymour Duncan Classic Riff". 1). Give It All - RATT 2). Morning After - RATT 3). Them Bones - Alice in Chains 4). Cold and Ugly - Tool 5). Solo for VH's "Girl Gone Bad" 6). Excerpt of the solo for the Pretenders' "Middle of the Road" 7). My freestyle 8). a sort of picked version of the tapping part from Eruption 9). Johnny B Goode 10). What You Know - Three Door Cinema and don't forget that the CLEAN intro to Ozzy's "Killer of Giants" is in the Soundcloud links because youtube was not very happy about me playing it note for note... they thought it was the actual song. Thanks!!!

[@cr0wnest]

I liked the 35th anniversary the most. Sounded more like the best of both worlds!

[@petarticinovic2710]

Me too.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Great playing and cool animations!

[@zmb1982]

Thank you so much Johan. I am a big ol' fan of yours! I have been subscribed to you via my everyday "personal" channel for a good while now... your old Celestion comparison's got me hooked. LOVE what you do!!

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

The antiquity JB seems to have the most "mojo" of the three, (Most harmonics,overtones,richness,etc) I would also say the 35th has a nice blend of both the ant and the production JB's for me its, 1.ANT JB 2.35th JB 3.production JB

[@mjr2470]

I liked the antiquity model myself. I think it accented pick attack, showed more dynamic range and way more response to distortion, as far as my human ears can tell, others may hear different. but my receptors are pretty receptive. ha ha

[@21whitman]

I have had 8 " made in the 80s" JBJs in my arsenal and only 2 sounded like the antiquity. The JBJs arent all their cracked up to be but these antiquities sound like the crazy well made Marcell Juarez ones you read about. Antiquities all the way. Lots more low end not too shrill on the top.

[@coffeewaldo]

I'm a proud Duncan user for years. And proud to say seymour Duncan started winding pups as a young man before I was around on an old record player at vineland music center. No longer around of course. But I got my first real electric there in 1989. Still have it. If u watch some if his interviews u can see an old record player behind him.

[@4572dk]

the 35th anniversary seems to have this presence sort of brightness which i really like, when you hear the regular jb after, the contrast makes the regular jb not "pop out" seems like the 35th would cut through the mix well

[@zombiemosher1139]

Agreed, I recently got a JBJ & I feel the same as you said about it compared to my production JB.

[@pollywoggle24]

This hands down the single most professional review of the Seymour Duncan JB on KZbin. Very nicely done, and also very informative, to boot.

[@zmb1982]

Thank you so much Josh, this was actually the result of several weeks worth of work... it really means a lot that you dig the production quality!

[@rts4133]

zmb1982 Great review bro. I just ordered the regular JB humbucker after watching this video

[@DougHinVA]

best shootout and presentation graphics I ever saw. Nice!

[@LucianoMenezes777]

I really enjoyed the demo. I would choose the 35th Anniversary, but missed clean sounds.

[@UNCLESALLY1]

Fantastic presentation!!! My ears consistently preferred the 35th anniversary JB, followed by the Antiquity....Great video!

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

a UOA5 magnet in a production JB sounds incredible as well!

[@Marcoshary]

To my preference, it goes like this: 1-35th Anniversary 2-Production 3-Antiquity

[@jduncanm3golf]

antiquity all the way, best pup SD has made in decades

[@Terribleguitarist89]

Those Antiquity JB's are THE sound I've had in my head... watch out wallet!

[@mjr2470]

now after listening a second time I think I like the 35th anniversary... fuck

[@anvil777]

Now that was a great demo! Thank you. I like all 3 of them but maybe Antiquity best

[@LukeCannotSkate]

I really liked that 35th anniversary. I swapped some vintage style rough cast magnets in my pickups and I love the tghter low end end smoother highs. It's slightly lower output but sounds better

[@stevebolt2093]

35th Anniversary - Winner!

[@jl-zz9zs]

That was a great demo. Really gives you sn idea of what these pickups sound like. You obviously put some wirk into making this and it shows. Awsome work.

[@HugoWelti]

Digging the Anniversary JB. Sounds a bit tighter to me.

[@thegreenblade74]

Antiquity would be my preference. Just more pleasing to my ear. Current production for metal rhythm, Antiquity for everything else :)

[@VanHalenIsolated]

The Antiquity sounds like the 1979 Van Halen II tone. Jim Gaustad even used it in the Brown Sound Quest Van Halen 2 version. It was spot on. Ima get one myself

[@royabelrh]

You can't go wrong with a JB.

[@wizaxed]

Never saw this video until now. I have a 35th anniversary in my Chapman ML 1-Hot Rod. I love it, but would probably love it more in a mahogany guitar. I have a Schecter C-1 Artist II with JB/Jazz and the JB sounds smoother in that guitar. I attribute that to the woods/construction (set neck vs bolt on). Although, I don't want to spur a tonewood debate. All said and done, you cannot go wrong with the JB pickup. Which ever version you get, you will have a really nice pickup on your hands. Great video!!

[@m3tafunj]

Dude I don't understand how people can think construction and wood doesn't matter in a solid body electric and in the same breath say it matters for hollow body guitars. They'll say the pickup can't track wood, but then they think it can track the air and the wood in a semi-hollow body? Makes no sense. It's the way the wood and/or air causes the strings to resonate not the actual wood sound going into the pickups lol.

[@wizaxed]

I have two guitars with VERY similar pickups and there is a VERY noticeable difference in sound. One guitar is swamp ash and the other is mahogany. I agree that each guitar is different and you will get varying degrees of sound differences depending on the whole "system." I couldn't agree with you more!!

[@m3tafunj]

Yeah the whole system matters including construction for instance strats have a bit of a hollow plocky sound that super strats without a pickguard and route don't have. Also bolt on and set neck guitars have more character to he tone than neck through body guitars, which tends to have a really strong fundamental but sort of boring tone for anything other than metal.

[@NefariousDreary]

The 35th 's are a bit too Hazy for me. I like the clarity and crunch of the stock production models.

[@carlosmatos9848]

I love the JB. People complain about the flabby bass and nasally mids, but its one of those pickups that sits perfectly in a mix. I do think the older ones sound better. I have a newer one, and an older-ish 90's model that looks like it's been to hell and back but it sounds great. Defintely a little mellower sounding than the newer one.

[@wayne068x]

I actually like the Antiquity version best overall, it is a tiny bit more "raw" or... umm, "barky". They all sound very good. The 35th Annie's sound a tad better for some stuff..( rhythm mainly as they had the smallest bit more clarity ) a tad. The "production" models are straight down the middle of the road - as I suspect was the idea. ( but, they did seem a little less on the output side ). I just like the touch of "growl" or "bark" I hear on the Antiquity model. May be my imagination ;) Can we get info on the other components at that end of the guitar? The pots and all that mess... all in all tho - this vid should set a standard for how to compare pickups. Many thanks!

[@zmb1982]

Excellent set of ears! The Antiquity was my favorite but I would need it covered to isolate it from my aggressive picking technique. I was getting some sub harmonic mechanical noise and had to really watch my picking "force" during the takes for this comparison. That is due to the ultra light or non existent potting which I prefer. The now discontinued Super V is ultra lightly potted but has a cover and doesn't give me any mechanical noise. The guitar is a 25.5" scale Hamer Centaura. It has a 1 piece alder body, a maple neck and a pau ferro fingerboard. Floyd is a stock Schaller licensed tremolo and the pots are 500K. 3 springs set EVH style with a good back bow and fairly high action for a pointy "shredder". I used .010 gauge Blue Steel strings tuned to Eb. I didn't do any post production to the recordings and they are raw as recorded... surely they could have been punched up to be more full in the low end and a bit louder but I didn't want to clip anything. Less gain was used than people realize... the Weehbo JMP Drive isn't a high gain pedal and I used the bare minimum gain that was needed to actually play the riffs. You can hear that on the "Morning After" riff where I barely have enough gain to pull it off. Again... you have an excellent set of ears!!!

[@wayne068x]

A question : can these pickups be used with the " Jimmy Page " tone/vol mods ?

[@zmb1982]

wayne068x GREAT question Wayne. The Antiquity and 35th Anniversary are single conductor cable and you would need a pair of pickups with 4 conductors each to do the wiring. I'd call the Custom Shop and ask about a 4 conductor Antiquity or if you have the skills, you can replace the hook up wire yourself.

[@DSTaylor69]

wayne068x I agree.

[@jimmikatt]

The 35th Anniversary Limited Edition JB sounds a slight bit hotter, it could be my old ears, but it's what i'm hearing. I have 2, 85" Kramer, 30 years old next year, and a newer JB jr, both are awesome, and are my favorite pickups, and would install into any new guitar no questions.

[@myspacecomaffwj]

JBJs in the Kramers??

[@TheBadguygaming]

Tee Rex no.. sorry i didn't make it clear, I have 2 guitars with JB's in them.. 1 in my old Kramer, and 1 JB jr. in a Les Paul, believe it or not, it sounds bad ass. plus i have a little 59 for the neck, and for a LP, it gets very close to a SRV type tone. looks funny, but sounds very nice.

[@compirri147]

Because of this vid you made me source a 35th JB and a JAZZ.

[@teknstuff1]

It makes Production JB sound like the poor kid on the block. I like the JB production best.

[@wfd666]

im suspect to talk about it cause its the number one pickup that i hate the most together with the duncan distortion , but i ill choose the 35 edition as the one thats sound the best here. congratulations for the clip man

[@NefariousDreary]

The Antiquity is cool. :)

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Duncan also offer's the "Concept set" which is a JB with a alnico II magnet and a jazz neck. This is what went into jeff becks "tele gibby" seymour made for Jeff.

[@Kevin.Hearty]

Very high quality video and great sounds. I'd have liked to seen the JB Trembucker included too as it's wound a bit hotter than the regular production model.

[@TheSteveSteele]

The 35th or Antiquity depending on the tune. The JB sounds too new with the other new gear. Love the Princeton.

[@GIBBIE7777]

Thanks! Great video and playing. Love the Girl Gone Bad part!

[@irmasil3]

I think the 35ers have more clarity and a bit less gain, which actually works well with higher gain settings. I might be imagining things but I like them... a lot. I think they sound a bit more Megadeth-ish and they would be more clear for complex high gain riffs.

[@x7stringinJSCx]

There are a lot of ppl who like the 35th... but it's discontinued now. but to me i like the Antiquity. it's raw and old skool like a vintage pickup should be. Maybe it's bc i like the vintage pickup characteristics more than the new stuff. it has that Growl and fuller sound and edge to it. it doesn't have that bite like the regular JB. it's backed off a little.

[@hikupmusicofficial]

that antiquity jb sounds killer is ther any other brand/model that would make some thing like that i hope (i cant afford the big price tag i saw for it)

[@WildChildMcCloud]

I like the regular JB

[@arthurm8731]

That was an enjoyable listen!

[@zmb1982]

Thank you so much Arthur!

[@Zzz-iz6jk]

Cool vid as always, Zen!

[@robmcewen4621]

Great review - I just wish this also included the Warren DeMartini RTM, too. I wonder how it would compare to these others - anyone know?

[@jamesm4435]

Antiquity was warmer and more rounded. All sounded great though. Nice playing, that showcased the sounds perfectly.

[@psychodavee]

Well done!!! Thanks

[@davidesquius8495]

Very cool video and great audio review. Thanks.

[@XChristianNoirX]

There are so many variables in guitar tone, the differences here are very small. What's best could vary from guitar to guitar.. Even guitar volume and tone pots. The takeaway for me is.. If one is dead set on the JB and knows their guitar well, switch to the 35th or Antiquity, depending on what extra or less of whatever that you need. However, with that said, I have several production JB's and they all sound a little different. In one guitar, I really wanted the Zebra color scheme, so I got bobin toppers... They sucjed but that told me I definitely wanted Zebra, so I ordered a Jazz/JB pair in Zebra. Now, the guitar doest sound the same, no matter how I adjust the pole pieces or change pickup height. I might now just have to go back to a jet black guitar.

[@hadikassar3053]

Changing my pickups to a screamin demon at the neck, and a 35th anniversary jb at the bridge

[@surfstrat59]

I have a production JB (custom color) in one of my strats. It is unfairly maligned due to its popularity.....that Antiquity model sounds awesome! Needs me one of those.....

[@Marcoshary]

Excellent video! My fav is the 35th Anniversary! Smithing wrong with that?

[@MrUltraworld]

When I want beef that cleans up nicely with the volume knob, I use a JB. When I want more high end and bette note definition, I use a DiMarzio EVO or Super D.

[@jim4633]

So many great sounds, of all demos what is your ultimate fav?

[@zmb1982]

Wow, that's a great question James... I've seen soooo many over the years. I think I shy away from the demos where the player is showing how "good he is at lead guitar" because the hands of an ultra professional player are very special and can be hard to tell how good the gear is because they are just maybe too good. Does that make sense? Sort of why I make a good reviewer... my skills are along the lines of mere mortal men and I play like a "guy next door". I am actually a big Pete Thorn & Mike Hermans fan. I think what they do for reviews is top notch and each does their thing in their own way. They both write compositions for their reviews and I have been taken to some great musical places with their demos. The Dutch guitar player Harry Maes does great work too... definitely a fan of him as well. Dunlop has always had top notch videography so I try and match their level of cinematography with my close-ups and B roll footage. I absolutely don't like reviews where you hear the ringing of the electric guitar strings and that are hastily recorded... a lot of the progressive death and black metal reviews are well recorded, but feature such grinding and unrelenting atonalism that it's hard for me to even sit through them. lolz Thanks for asking a great question!

[@jim4633]

Sorry to confuse you, I was asking about all the pickups you have tried, which one is your favorite. I will certainly look into these guys.

[@BigEdWo]

James Gahagan seems like that was the wrong question.

[@irmasil3]

The 35th anniversary has more bite. I have the pickup on one of my King V Mustaine guitar and OH BOY, it just rips!!! I have the production Trembucker Jb in a custom shop King V and it is a lilt bit more dull comparing to the anniversary. I haven't tried the antiquity, but I am tempted to try the Thrash Factor as it sound closer to the anniversary....

[@MrGojo38]

That was Warren DeMartini's pickup but then had a custom shop version :D

[@ejd715]

I am really digging that antiquity version. Do you think that would work well in my 2003 HSS HW1 Strat? it has that late 70s look and im going for that early hot-rodded vibe. I know that this pickup has long legs so would it even fit in a routed out strat? Great video! Really shows that the production model is lacking a lot of "MOJO". I have a few MJ pickups lying around ready for the right guitars.

[@AudioAtmos]

Like others have said the 35th seemed to be the best and hit the middle ground between the other two. Although I really liked the Antiquity on some of the low to mid gain stuff. Or maybe it was noticeable that it was more complex and bit unpredictable. Something about the Antiquity on certain samples was nice. It seemed to get a bit shrill on the high gain and in the upper frequencies.

[@hiway52]

The 35th sounds best to me- the production is awesome but has a bit of that high-end harshness that JBs tend to have. The Antiquity seems to lose a bit of edge, probably due to the aging process. The 35th has the edge but none of the apparent harshness-

[@Zzz-iz6jk]

I know it takes time to make these great videos, but I'd like to see and hear a comparison of the JB to the Dimarzio Slammer which you discussed at length at the HFC. I dig your videos! Haven't seen you around the the Hamer forum in a while. Don't be a stranger!

[@klaymeister]

Alice in Chains sounds great

[@markrenfro6152]

Both pickups are great choices, but i do love the jb. I bought a strat 28 years ago that had a jb in the bridge, and it kicked ass. Now im cryin inside cause it was ripped out of a locked storage unit. And of course 3 other guitars. Kept my old ones there- where they will be safe. Careful my brothers....😞

[@CaryChilton]

For low to moderate gain rhythm the 35th would record the best in the studio. The standard JB still the winner for lead and high gain -it just has the right EQ response to dynamics.

[@timgray3718]

Awesome tone I wonder where I can get the badgerplex pre ac.I would like to try the same pedals when I get my trembucker 6 and sh n1 jazz pick ups installed in my jackson js 32.

[@nedocaster]

Should redo the 78 demo with this rig etc.

[@jerjabs]

Zmb, I have a JBJ from a 1986 Kramer sitting around. If you had to speculate, how would it sound compared to the three tested here? Do you think it might have lost some output over time? Thanks!

[@zmb1982]

Jerry Jaborek Great question Jerry! The 1986 JBJ would have more in common with the Antiquity JB since the cosmetic and magnetic aging would be similar. The magnetic fields of Alnico magnets aren't as stable as rare earth, neodymium or ceramic magnets so they are more subject to degaussing over time. The antiquity JB will have some construction methods that might or might not have been phased out by 1986 such as wooden spacers, butyrate bobbins and lighter potting. I see the antiquity JB as having a little something extra than the production JB and the 35th Anniversary as having a little bit less. The 35th Anny JB is smoother and the sound is more rounded... the Antiquity actually has extra harmonics and is more raw sounding. The 35th anny will sound a bit cleaner and the Antiquity will have some extra grit to it. Ultimately, these sonic characteristics should be the best guide even though the Antiquity is designed to be exactly what you are looking for.

[@cheenu711]

Maybe I'm in the minority here but I like the subtle harshness of the KB stock that just comes alive with harder attack and high gain. All sound quite similar with very subtle differences tbh tho. Great pickups.

[@seanm4468]

35th=bright, good definition but sometimes a little bit too much / stock= well balanced but not enough definition / Antiquity=vintage tone but a bit fuzzy and costs a lot. I'll choose stock one.

[@jim4633]

Zmb: so all setups in this demo are reg. Spaced pups in a guitar with a floyd? I asked SD and their custom shop can make the 35 and antiquity in trembucker. This video kinda makes me want to not bother and just buy a normal spaced for my Kramer.

[@zmb1982]

Hey James. Yup, I own some F spaced pups but I don't use them... I guess I'm just sort of old skool that way. I started playing before F spaced pickups and just grew up without them so I never felt the need to use them. I would angle a pickup for tone but not to align the poles better with the strings... I'm just an old fart like that. ; P

[@Sensates85]

Great demo! Why aren't you making more comparison videos?

[@joneric13]

This is cool, but I have to say... I wish dude wasn't playing through a 15W 1x10" combo amp. IMHO the JB's excel when pushing the pre-amp section of high wattage amps like a 100W (or even 50W) JMP, Plexi or JCM. A version of this comparison played through something like one of the aforementioned amps would more telling of the JB's capabilities.

[@zmb1982]

When it comes to the JB, I think of Warren DeMartini the most. Every single riff Warren played on "Out Of The Cellar" was through a 15 watt 10" Fender Super Champ. Warren is my idol.

[@joneric13]

zmb1982 Warren DeMartini rules! I'll have to go back and listen to that album again with that in mind. I've never had any luck recording on small combos.. The bottom and low mids just don't translate. I usually Y off a DI signal and reamp it. Put a half stack with the pre channel dimed and master at 7, shut the door and let it do its thing and clear the hell out while it's doing it! Ha.

[@joneric13]

Eric Awesome shoot-out vid, BTW. I have a Standard JB and the JB /Jazz Antiquity set. Love 'em all. I'll have to pick up an Anniverary JB to complete the trilogy.

[@zmb1982]

Eric Thank you so very much. Your JB stable is really good. The Concept JB/Jazz set from the Custom Shop is based on the actual JB/Jazz prototypes Seymour wound for Jeff Beck's telecaster. The Concept JB uses a rarely used fine gauge of wire that is smaller than the 44AWG used in the production JB. This gives it a bit lower output, sweeter highs and more depth. The Super Champ Warren used was from the "Rivera era" of Fender and not many were made. We all know Rivera as the master modder of amps and from his own line... those 1980 Super Champs go for around $800-$1000 these days. The tone of those amps is decidedly "not Fender" but I'm using the fine Weehbo JMP Drive and a Badgerplex AC to drive the Princeton Reverb's input stage to sort of get around the Fender sound... the JMP Drive is a monstrous pedal for the JMP sound that we both love. Harry Maes' demo of it just KILLS!

[@joneric13]

zmb1982 Question.. when you say "Concept JB/Jazz set" are you talking about the Antiquity set?

[@DiedrichKnickerbocker1783]

Difference between 250k vs 500k volume/tone? Looking to replace my Fat Strat's stock humbucker, but want to keep using Texas Specials that are already in it.

[@AnonContributor]

35th is it. Balls. Attitude. Slices thru like Paul Bunyan.

[@deepblue1963]

Isn't the DiMarzio Super Distortion the original aftermarket high gain pickup? 1972 I believe they came out.

[@MistaF]

This is so good. Thank you.

[@TeleCustom72]

The production model has a boxyness in the mids. Antiquity has more bass which balances the tonality better. 35th Anniversary is also balanced better than the production model, but has a little more open top end. The Antiquity also seems a tiny bit mid-scooped compared to the other two.

[@randomguymaniac]

I like the normal jb , its warmer, antiquity is a little bit more bright and the 35 is to fat forme lol

[@BEHEDETY]

The Jazz model can go in the bridge position? remain good in the SG model?

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hi ZMB, which one of these would you recommend not necessarily for metal but for output for classic rock, Zeppelin, AC/DC, ZZ TOP, Greenday Foo Fighers, Joan Jett,? and some metal, for high output, not too much dirt, not like the Duncan Blackout for Metal, I plan to change the pickups on my LP Copy. Thanks for posting this!! I wish you continued success in your playing...

[@jprosentreter]

FWIW I saw Green Day on the list and I know that Billie Joe used a strat copy "Blue" with a JB in the bridge.

[@josuecintron7230]

to me the Antiquity has more warmth, even thou they are very similar in sound, I think that an untrained ear can't tell the difference

[@VHflyboy]

The anniversary and antiquity both sound really really good. Not really liking the standard jb though, too much of a muffled sound. I've never liked the standard jb or the import hb102 because of the muffled sound. I've got a couple old jbj's that sound good though, and the hb102 sounds good with a ceramic.

[@timothyjay2012]

I love that Midrange Spike right in the FUNKING Eye!!!!! ROTFLMAO!!!! SEYMOUR DUNCAN JB FUNKING RULES!!!!!

[@futarydary]

Give It All and The Morning After by RATT, cool chops

[@ChuranuQC]

Dat them bones

[@aestusx]

Can you tell us what volume and tone pot were used in the guitar? Mainly interested in the volume pot value. The JB can sound drastically different in a guitar using 500k volume VS 250k volume pot.

[@christoyoyoyoyo]

the antiquity is just missing that edege, the older production ones sound best out of the lot of them anyways, its what I have in my 82 standard, it kicked the seth lovers asses!

[@MrPatdelisle]

What a great humbucker voice :D Nice demo ! What is cool is that they all sound good :P Need one guitar for each ;)

[@HipHopX2099]

Antiquity sounds killer on the riffs, but man, for leads the full-bodied sound of prodiction can't be beat. Choices, choices...

[@joepoooch]

Antiquity>35th>Normal JB

[@yoyorella799]

The most complicated demo to follow. The winner...gubson for straight forward, non rotating graphics demos of their products. Wow.

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

Found one for 40 bucks back side has sticker JBJ switch one is this? Antiquity or 35th anniversary.

[@joshfeatherstone8546]

The comparison starts at 1.14. You're welcome.

[@michaelsherry1859]

Antiquity all the way!

[@richardgregory3644]

Which had more mids?

[@rhykko77]

three great pickups, all that technology and solid comparisons ...... but no CLEAN tones .

[@Dioxido87]

Hey, what pot rating are you using with the production jb? 250? 500? i have a 500k pot installed and the jb sounds thin and not warm at all

[@brianlacarbonara6158]

I think the production model sounded better on high gain settings. It had more clarity. The 35th and antiquity was a toss up on the low gain.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Congrats because you saved yourself a few bucks!😎👍 I preferred the ANT and 35th because they both seem to have more of a 'warmer" kick in the mids and were richer in overtones but unfortunately these two pu's cost almost double the production one. The only option is to buy the production one and put a aged A5 magnet in it.

[@wyldeslash2003]

Listened to this without knowing what was what and I prefer the production model. Punchy but not so hot. The 35th was really nice tho! I really didn't like the antiquity to be truthful. Notes weren't clear or articulated.

[@coffeewaldo]

Weehbo pedal. Great company.