Seymour Duncan JB vs DiMarzio SUPER DISTORTION - Strat Bridge Pickup Comparison

[@dalenicholas1984]

No bad choices between SD and JB, comes down to personal taste, your rig and how it feels under the fingers. One thing I feel we can all agree on is that it is testament to Larry and Seymour's skill that we're still using these pickups. SD and JB were both released roughly 50 years ago and they still hold their ground, and both pickups have just set a standard for what a great rock pickup should sound like. Still to this day a les Paul or a superstrat with a SD or JB into a ts9/sd1 into an 800 is still some of the best fun you can have with your clothes on👍

[@3J_Music]

There's no bad choices here

[@Gonzo2707]

Exactly. Three different favours if „freaken cool“. TBH I prefer the 59. Low / moderate output HB into high gsin amp = win.

[@Jay-og7ld]

I have JB's/Jazz in two of my guitars and this video makes me very happy. All of them sound great.

[@LucaMilierimusic]

Thanks for the useful comparison! The 59 sounds ideal for an HSS configuration I think, but in a HH guitar I’d probably go with the dimarzio super distortion and paf pro. The JB I liked the least in this comparison. Please make other vids like this, really useful!

[@user-ql1pc7pi9x]

I like the Super Distortion here. I've had two guitars with a JB in the bridge and 59 in the neck - an Explorer and Custom Shop Jackson Soloist. Sounded great in the Explorer, but shrill in the Jackson. Funny that.

[@brpadington]

The JB is my favorite pickup. I like to pair it with a 59 in the neck. The jazz is also a good match.

[@beatendownby]

The 59's are clear as a bell, perfect for picking cleans, like Gnr Civil War, paradise city. The Jazz is great too, really chimey, better for strumming cleans. To me.

[@beatendownby]

I have a neck jazz, with a custom 5 bridge in an ec-1000 Ltd esp. And a jb/59 neck in another. The custom 5 is great too. Little warmer than the jb. Slightly bassier.

[@brpadington]

@@beatendownby ill have to try one

[@DreamerVisionary]

I love my Super Distortion pickups

[@NTTDaily]

I have the Super Distortion but you are really selling me on that ‘59. I love the stringy-ness characteristic on the low string. Great demo

[@Murphy_R9]

Listen if you like that stringiness and clear open low string definition There are much better PAF pickups than the 59. The Duncan 59 is the most generic soudingc of modern day PAF's. Bareknuckle, Dimarzio offer some incredible PAF pickups for the same cost as the Duncan 59. I went down this road years ago and never looked back. I was using the Duncan 59' back then.

[@Murphy_R9]

There is also the Duncan Custom/59 hybrid Sh 15 model. It has one coil from a 59 and one from a duncan custom. This one's great for people that like both the super distortion and the 59 or PAF.

[@thewrit6946]

The antiquity humbucker is a much better paf in my opinion

[@Puckburglar]

Great comparison, Michael!Like others have said, there is a place for all 3. But if I can only have one, I’m going for the JB. It sits nicely between the other two sonically. Not too muddy, not too bright.

[@thyreapermc5948]

The JB is meant to be used with a moving volume pot, the SD is meant for a set volume pot. "Easier" to dial in a SD for a specific tone but if you take the time to adjust the JB slugs to match the other PUs in voicing (split to north to ground/noload tap for HSS), the JB is like having Chester (Linkin) be your singer. It'll do sweet soft to a loud growl with varying yet always deep harmonics.

[@RICO_SUAVE21]

Super distortion!!! 😊

[@georgejetson1923]

I have all 3 in different guitars so II'm good to go. It's not so much about which pickup sounds better but more about which pickup sounds better in which guitar. 👍

[@RoadSKOL]

I like them all and have JB’s and SD’s in a lot of my guitars. Would have liked to see the Duncan Distortion added to the mix. Love it as well.

[@Murphy_R9]

For those that liked both the JB and the 59 try the Duncan custom/59 hybrid model! It's one coil 59 and one coil from a duncan custom this pickup Is definitely the best of both worlds. It is the Sh or TB 15 model Depending whether you need Trem spaced or not

[@jasonblumenthal6560]

They all sound really great, but the JB just has a certain brighter harmonic sheen to it vs the SD, but they're fairly similar otherwise. My fav was prob the 59. I have an SH5 Custom and a Pearly Gates in my PRS SE Custom 24 that would sound killer here too.

[@bwgti]

Super Distortion is the best humbucker ever made.And yet year after year I buy countless others thinking I will find the one that is a little better. Nothing wrong with PAFs or JBs though.

[@danilofaggiolino]

for what i ear 59 wins hands down! more natural and open sounding!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

SUPER SUPER underrated as a bridge pickup

[@TheRealPowerBob5000]

+1 tried both the job and super distortion in my Les Paul and the 59 sounds more like what I want. These clips reflect what I heard. Super distortion was a little too sloped off in the clarity frequencies. The JB was too zingy and fatiguing after a while. And I love the 59 neck so the bridge is probably great as well. Awesome video!

[@frankenstein4106]

I've got an ESP LTD Alex Skolnick with JB/59 pickup set in it. For being an LP style guitar, it covers 80's metal/hard rock beautifully!

[@IamTheDustDevil]

DiMarzio/ Seymour JB is warmer, The Seymour 59 is brighter, Love the three of them 🤘😍

[@Apo_Stamos_Official]

Super distortion hands down. More balls. JB has more "presence" so to speak. Cuts better in a mix. 59 is more traditional sounding. Prefer the dimarzio :)

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Very interesting to others opinion on it. It helps me listen for different things. Thanks!

[@lyricbread]

‘59 sounds bassy and tubby as always. Love both the Super Distortion and JB. The JB just cuts really well and feels great under the fingers. The Super Distortion sounds the best when the volume control is rolled back.

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

if you're talking about the duncan '59..those pickups are anything but tubby. They're pretty scooped, clean and compressed, almost like an active pickup. I've owned a couple of them and they're really good, but it's a sound you gotta get used to. They're not for everybody. The Pearly Gates though? Chef's f'n kiss. I can't be friends with anyone who can't get down with a PG.

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

I’ve been a JB man for decades. A few weeks ago I tried a Super Distortion in a Charvel with a Floyd Rose where the JB just wasn’t making me smile. Turned it from meh to Noice! My hot take on their tonal centers: 80s LA Rock Tones: go JB 80s Early Metal Tones, Maiden, and Boston: go Super Distortion.

[@angusorvid8840]

As one who played in the L.A. metal scene in the 80s, you are absolutely right. The JB was king. It's a good pickup, but I've always been partial to the Super Distortion in particular and DiMarzio in general. I've owned lots of Duncans, EMGs and other brands as well. The Super Distortion is just the most solid high output pickup I've ever used, very versatile, adaptable to any style. It's really hard to play a JB for an entire set because they are way too bright and trebly on the top end and the low end is too muddy. The Super D has more clarity and punch and warmth.

[@andrewpiercy4949]

Love the super distortion. Great bass and a full sound.

[@BradRocker]

Yep, that JB/59 combo in my Paul sounds great.

[@aferreyrola]

Yup, the 59 is still on of my fav. humbuckers..

[@kesamek8537]

Super Distortion rolled back (SD Roots section) is the best tone in this video. Excellent.

[@1970borntorun]

I've always been a Duncan guy. I agree with Ed Roman ( RIP ), based on experience, that Dimarzio pickups distort the low-frequencies, and often sound muddy. Unlike Seymour Duncans.

[@MrAcEsNeIgHtS1188]

Dimarzio Super Distortion 25/8!!

[@wadekresak2149]

What pick was being used ? The most cost effective eq ever devised.

[@angusorvid8840]

True. Pick attack makes a huge difference. If you pick the right way you can get cutting harmonic chords that slice right through a mix. That being said, I still prefer the SD to the JB.

[@FirestormAudio]

Great vid! I love them both!

[@joelsmith4816]

The best pickups I've used is the dirty torque, blues driver set from irongear in the UK. For 80 bucks a set. Nothing can touch it.

[@Bcwilderness]

nice mike, the details matter as we learn

[@christopheranderson2158]

JB all the way! They all sound good, but the Super Distortion is a bit darker and a bit compressed compared to the JB, which sounds a tad more “open”. The combination of JB/59 is ubiquitous for a reason……they just work!

[@shredgd5]

The isolated rock track with the SD is lower volume than the JB and 59, it’s like a boost was engaged with the Duncans! Anyway thanks for the comparison!

[@BenBreard]

I think there's plenty of awesome in all of these. They're all iconic. I lean towards the 59 these days, but I still enjoy higher output pickups. Not everything has to be your favorite to be great. :)

[@MKRISING75]

I have a JB & Jazz in my guitar but I really like the 59 here and always wanted to get a SD🤟🏻

[@westernperf]

Cool comparison 😬

[@davidyergensen4509]

@Michael Nielsen, I know that changing-out pickups is time consuming. But, I'd love to see/hear a pickup shoot-out using your Charvel ash-body guitar with SD '78, SD Custom, SD Custom-Custom, SD Allen Holdsworth (AH), EVH Frankenstein, BK Rebel Yell, BK VHII, Jalen Bee

[@WyattScott]

Gotta have both. I have one guitar with the SD and another with JB’s.

[@taz3672]

I always used the JB in the bridge and a 59 in the neck. Those are the only two pickups that I like from Seymour Duncan. The Dimarzio Super 3 distortion is way better than the super distortion. I Also use a Dimarzio Super 3 distortion in the bridge with a PAF or a PAF Pro in the neck on some of my guitars. The Dimarzio Tone Zone with a PAF is also a great combo for a guitar.

[@danielspangler8358]

I wired a super distortion so I can switch between series and parallel. In parallel you lose a little volume but it gives you more clarity.

[@angusorvid8840]

All are good pickups, but the comparisons of the Super Distortion and JB remind me why I've always gone back to the Super Distortion whenever I used a Duncan. I found Duncans to be too unfocused in the low end and lean on high mids. I think the Super Distortion is a better overall pickup and the mids are warmer. It's also more versatile.

[@ianorourke6320]

SD always

[@davlostiedfranca]

JB for me. More bass I feel. I've had a SH 12 with texas specials on my 94 strat. Cheers

[@davlostiedfranca]

... in a DC-3 combo with C-90. And long time ago, Mesa created the Road King with V30 closed and C90 open back. May be an idea for a vidéo 🙄🤓 I know open C90 back is for clean sound, but have you tried with disto ? Take care guys.

[@thewrit6946]

I was bummed when I played a super distortion for the first time because I had heard so many great tones from players who use it. Maybe it’s just not for me but I feel like it’s just a wall of low mid mud missing the highs and lows I like to hear

[@AlexandreCriado]

Great comparison. The Dimarzio is quite beefy and the JB got that gnarly hi-mid boost that can be great or garbage depending on how the amp emphasizes it ... BTW what is the amp+cab used ? sounds great !

[@ScottyBrockway]

The DiMarzio has more in the 250-500hz area (low mids), the JB has a lot more 2k area so it cuts more, the 59 has less upper mids in general and lower output, but that can be a good thing as over saturated tones can get lost in the mix more. I prefer the JB myself, but would gladly use any of them. For clean sounds, hard to beat the 59 though, it just has that nice twang. I wonder how they feel to you, probably a bit compressed with alnico magnets. I'd like to hear a comparison with the DD included as it's just a magnet swap with the JB. The ceramic magnet makes it more immediate and is great for metal rhythm for tight punchyness with less gain.

[@davlostiedfranca]

Merci

[@drunyon08]

Dimarzio for the win!

[@aivoryuk]

The super distortion sounds good here - I had a jb in a Knaggs guitar but swapped it for a 78 which is more up my street but both do suffer from slightly boxy mids

[@rjlane3475]

put alnico II’s in my LP back whenever those pickups came out. early 90’s? never cared for the neck version, maybe I’ll finally switch to a JB/59 combo. I just wish the JB didn’t have the brand name on it.

[@wakjob961]

I'm not a Les Paul guy, but everyone that I liked and caught my ear had a JB in it.

[@ScreamingStevenHoward]

Jb and 59 in all my guitars except one. It has a Pearly Gates and 59. This almost sounds like the typical American amp/DiMarzio vs British/JB.

[@mikedrake780]

I've used almost all of both brands and I believe it's a personal preference type subject

[@GabeHelma]

Also depends on the guitar you put it in

[@leodemartini3044]

La JB es la JB! 👌🏻

[@mawashigerimasa]

59 sounded the best to me!

[@moparbryan]

I’m a big fan of all three in different applications I think the JB is the Swiss Army knife, the 59 shines in the cleans and the Super is like the all time punk rock superstar that said, and being a big fan of DiMarzio the new super distortions sound different to me I have a couple early 80’s ones and some just a couple years old and the newer ones sound darker more compressed. Not sure why and I’m not some “everything old is better” guy?

[@johngerson7335]

Like another commenter said: "there's no _bad_ choices here...". I'd add to that, your choices boil down to two basic things: 1. What vowel pronunciation do you favor? 'eh', ...as in the name 'Ed' = Dimarzio SD... ă ...'short a', as in the word 'at' = SD '59... aaaah ...as in 'la-la-la' = SD JB... 2. How much volume knob 'clean-up' do you want? SD '59 = lots Dimarzio SD = some, but not _'clean_ -clean' SD JB = not much; no matter how much you back off, there's always a little 'purrr' in the 200-400 hz range. And there you have it lol!

[@davidgray8796]

The SD always sounded too dark to me. My go-to set for the longest time is a JB in the bridge and 59 in the neck.

[@WilliamTanaka]

From I heard, a totally subjective opinion: SD - have more bass than the others and a well defined mids. Great body but the bass may give definition trouble for some. JB - less bass and some scoop in the mids. Sounds well defined and aggressive character but the mids may give trouble to stand out during a solo segment. 59 - slightly less bass than the sd, good mids too, have some twangy characteristic. Well defined and balanced, but its classic characteristic may be something people don't want.

[@angusorvid8840]

In my experience it's not the bass or high mids that help a pickup cut through, but the clarity and string definition. The JB, having bright upper mids, would sound like it cuts through better on paper. In reality, having used JBs and Super Distortions, I can tell you Super Distortions cut better even on the low end because they have more clarity. Yes, they have more low mids than a JB, but the clarity is superior. The high end of both pickups has punch, but the notes have more meat with a SD. JBs tend to wash out in the course of a set because they lack definition.

[@juhalehtonen9000]

Never even consider nothing else but dimarzio but that 59 sounds 🔥🫅🔥

[@guitartoneSA]

SD in the bridge of a LP 🥇

[@pastorkev777]

There has always been something in the mids i just dont like with the JB. A Norton is better flavor for me. The SD with pulls adjusted up over bezel gets some articulation.

[@jimmcdougall9973]

The Seymour Duncan’s, either one, give a far better string definition imo. So SD’s for the win.

[@giorgosk2884]

Jb is fizzier cuts more while Dimarzio are always creamier and fuller spectrum to my ears 59' is more vintage

[@wendelllaffin240]

DiMarzio just seems bigger to me and I have never played one... however I may have just been convinced to

[@Saxby8six]

Another excitant vid

[@thegeetarmann]

🤘😎🤘

[@chrisellerton1199]

I mean you can't lose either way !

[@jimclark7917]

Love the JB, but still kept my DiMarzio`s in some of my older Jacksons

[@guitardave]

Which pickups did you settle on in that awesome looking Koa Suhr? Not seen you play that for a while

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Hi Dave, I have a 3rd Power Riot Studio in the bridge, and 2 Suhr's in the neck and middle. Yeah, I don't play it much. 1, I'm affraid to ding it up. 2, I haven't really super bonded with it. Maybe i'll pull it out for 2025, and really dig into it.

[@guitardave]

@ thanks for the info - I didn’t know 3rd Power made pickups! Yeah, would be cool to see it on the channel, it does look amazing.

[@TavaresProject]

Interesting... Didn't like the 59. Had this low mid hump that I would go crazy trying to EQ out. Super distortions was nice and rounded. JB was so so.

[@MRxr400]

been a JB pickup fan for decades, but i like the 59 now. just find Dimarzio a little too dark.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

The 59 was a revelation for me. It sounds amazing in the bridge as a HSS humbucker. This demo was using a Charvel btw.

[@JohnnyRestrayned]

JB for the win. Open top end, very articulate on higher gain. SD was good but slightly darker/muddy. 59 is too twangie...

[@RDamps]

‘59 is the best of both worlds. The fatness of the SD with the clarity of the JB. Such a cool bridge pickup. I remember it sounding great of Pete’s EVH humbucker shoot out. If you want the blend of the ‘59 and the JB check out the Pearly Gates. Right between the two. I think Fender used them on some Strats in the 90’s. Highway One iirc 🤔

[@budgetguitarist]

Great comparison. The JB seemed to have more high midrange which came across as detail, but in a full band recording with a loud vocal they'd both do a similar job. I have the Super Distortion in a guitar, and I personally prefer something like an SD Pearly Gates, but the Super Distortion is a neat crayon to have in the crayon box. But in this recording I liked the JB better.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Is the Pearly Gates like a bright PAF?

[@budgetguitarist]

@@BigHairyGuitars It's like a PAF for sure - I don't think it's super bright. But I like the detail in the sound.

[@chrisquinn9104]

Ever play an old Ibanez V2 pickup? Pretty killer and in this family about 12k Alnico5 hex poles. Just gigged my ‘83 Ibanez X Destroyer with one. Great, and I don’t really like hot pickups As always, you are killing it. Picked out an SG yet

[@leftygtrplr6184]

V2's are awesome! I have a 2000 RG 470L and love the V2. I just wish it had a beefier neck as I get hand fatigue with the thin Wizard 2 neck.

[@chrisquinn9104]

Did the V2s change at all over time?

[@leftygtrplr6184]

@@chrisquinn9104 I feel like they did. They seemed somewhat harsh initially, like ceramic pickups and over time, they lost that harshness. I was considering replacing them at one point, but they won me over in the long run!

[@chrisquinn9104]

@@leftygtrplr6184 I have some in a 1980 PS-10 that I had rewound as PAFish, probably shouldn’t have, oh well. The one in the ‘83 seems to have a nice snap to it

[@scotdvorak8861]

Shoot… I thought the 59 was the best here. The SuperD was a tad tubby… the JB seemed a little scooped… the 59 was more balanced. IMO.

[@yaverodriguez5567]

To me the SD sounds "focus" and the JB sounds angrier

[@nevusofota]

Great comparison. JB noticeably more mid forward and is perceived as being louder. SD is more balanced. JB would be great for guitars that are more bass heavy or scooped. Would probably balance guitars that are made of softer woods such as basswood. 59 sounded a bit congested or fuzzy.

[@rikshredder]

JB and 59 sound the best to me also they're brighter than the super distortion to my ears.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Yeah, I do like that JB brightness. This is a Charvel that came with the JB, it really works nicely, just wish it had a little bigger bottom end.

[@rikshredder]

@BigHairyGuitars Yep. Which amp was it, if it was amp?

[@RabihSaadguitars]

The Jb got more Presence and wider sound. almost like running in Stereo... JB wins...

[@chatter7653]

I’ve tried both and am ok with either

[@manowire2112]

place for any of the three depending on musical context....whatever fits best in the song/instrumentation. Well done

[@BigHairyGuitars]

@@manowire2112 thanks! I ended up putting the 59 into a HSS strat and it sounds great. Works perfectly with the single coils.

[@ianmartens5286]

they all sound great just more tools in the toolbox for whatever you need/like

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Yes, I wish there was a switch on the guitar to change from JB to SD to 59!

[@dethstormpx4]

duncan

[@sweezyjackson4935]

And if ya wanna stop wasting your money on over priced pickups get the GFS VEH humbucker and youll sound just as good as those high end ones for way less

[@nahnotsomuch2292]

JB still does it for me. Just a little more teeth to that nasty growl

[@Nig6tWalker]

i love my JB on my Fender Strat, i tried many pickups on that guitar but the JB is the best

[@Валерій-ъ3ы]

Seymour...

[@vannmagruder9038]

JB wins again

[@GonzaCordovez]

59 for me...thank you very much!

[@evan2757]

There are so many pickups on the market today that destroy these 3, even for the same $$$ Everyone, just go back to Michael's excellent pickup comparison vids and you'll hear what I mean. If a guitar comes with a JB I immediately reach for my handy soldering iron. But Michael somehow make them all sound great 😁

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I actually thought your were going to say the opposite, that these old school pickups are as good as any new one. That said, I think I'm gonna try the Holy Diver in this guitar, since I kinda like that JB in it, and the DIver is similar.

[@evan2757]

@@BigHairyGuitars Oh man I can't wait to hear that! I've been trying to decide between a BK Holy Diver or Suhr Doug Aldrich set for a Charvel So cal. I think the HD is going to have much better clarity than the JB

[@guitarsbymetaljay]

JB just stands out more

[@andysoul]

No, thanks, Tone Zone forever

[@UseTheSupeRsonic]

Super distortion all day long--never liked the mids of the JB

[@BigHairyGuitars]

@@UseTheSupeRsonic interesting. I kinda thought that in comparison, people would think the Super is dark. Great to hear peoples opinions on this. Thanks

[@rikshredder]

@@BigHairyGuitars Which amp were you playing through and guitar?

[@Lee-oc8xf]

@@rikshredder Soldano?

[@beatendownby]

The jb gets tighter grained saturation. The super distortion is a little less saturated. Atleast in my two different guitars with these two.