Seymour Duncan JB vs. Dimarzio Steve's Special

[DBDbadreligion]

Hey I want to know the similarities and differences betweesn these pickups.

thanks,

nick

[jm1681]

I'd say their output is pretty similar, but they are two totally different animals tone wise.

The JB is very similar to the Evolution IMHO. Its got a punchy mid section, but isn't as brittle as the EVO.

The Steve's Special is pretty much the polar opposite. Very empty mid-range with balanced low and highs. Great definition, but IMHO, it easily gets lost in a two guitar mix.

[frankfalbo]

I argree. The Duncan Custom 5 is far more similar to the Steve's Special tonally. The Steve's Special is the most "differently made" bridge pickups of all the traditionally made passive bridge pickups out there. One coil has a way high DC resisitance and the other a very low DC resistance. So neither of the two coils has a healthy midrange punch. Another way to get that slightly scooped mid tone is with symmetrical coils (Custom 5) and a nice, mid-hot wind with the Alnico 5 magnet. The tone doesn't get as lost like jm1681 is saying.

The JB is indeed totally different, but if I absolutely had to make a comparison, the biggest difference between the two is that if you need to cut through the mix and be heard, the JB will do you better than the SS. If you need articulate "speed rhythm" picking through high gain, the SS is probably better.

[Ploki]

i have both, im installing JB atm

[afireinside7444]

hows the JB in a basswood RG? I have the JB IN MY SCHECTER BLACKJACK (MAHOGANY) and one in my Hamer Standard Explorer copy (alder) The blackjack is much deeper and more growl due to the lightweight Mahogany, the Hamer due to the alder and sheer mass has high mids and high's both TOTALLY diffrent anmials......

[Thrash]

Originally Posted by afireinside7444

hows the JB in a basswood RG? I have the JB IN MY SCHECTER BLACKJACK (MAHOGANY) and one in my Hamer Standard Explorer copy (alder) The blackjack is much deeper and more growl due to the lightweight Mahogany, the Hamer due to the alder and sheer mass has high mids and high's both TOTALLY diffrent anmials......

Basswood will be right between your alder and mahogany guitars. The trem will also give a different tone that the hardtails.

[LuredMaul]

the coolness of the JB is that it allows the Guitars natural sound to be enhanced where as the Dimarzio`s SHAPE the tone of your guitar.........
So, a JB in everyguitar truly sounds different in every one you put it in.

[Milo]

I used to have DiM Steves S in a AriaPro2. Fast neck,80;ies metalguitar. Japan 1987-90 aprox. Basswood (i think)sounded top.
am to buy that guitar back if i can. The bid is at 175 dollars aprox. I really likeDiMarzios aftermany years playing Duncans. Still enjoy the tho xllnt pups overall.

[reign_of_blood]

I had SS in my RG570 it was alright for what I used it for.Then I had a JB installed and it was great for the leads but wasn't the greatest rhythm pickup when the world since it very cutting like the EVO just without the brittleness of it.

[tearsx]

Originally Posted by jm1681

The JB is very similar to the Evolution IMHO. Its got a punchy mid section, but isn't as brittle as the EVO.

Correct. It sounds a lot like the Evo 2 without the compressed tone.

[marshall_SL12301]

the JB is my all time fav bridge pu! what i dont like about the SS is that it was designed for a very mid heavy amp(JP's mesa) and it sounds crappy with a marshall. but it is great with what it was designed to do and that is work well with a mesa or similar amp

[catfishmusic]

I love Duncan pu's but hate the JB. To me it's way to nasal in the mids. Sounds like a guitar that has a bad head cold. But it's great if you're into mids, Holdworth, Gambale fusion type tone.

[bancika]

Originally Posted by catfishmusic

I love Duncan pu's but hate the JB. To me it's way to nasal in the mids. Sounds like a guitar that has a bad head cold. But it's great if you're into mids, Holdworth, Gambale fusion type tone.

+1, and if you try to scoop out some mids to make it less nasally, it will sound kinda hollow because there's nothing left.
JB and SS are probably the most different humbuckers you could find. SS has wide frequency response and scooped mids, while JB focuses on mids and nothing else. SS (and new crunch lab) are very good pickups if you have eq in the front of the amp and graphic eq after the preamp, like mesa mark (although you can do it with pedals on almost any amp). That way you can shape it and add character when needed.

[marshall_SL12301]

I should add that IF you want a pu that is super clear even when using a extreme high gain tone the SS cant be beat. you can play a suspended chord with a engl powerball or VHT pittbull with its gain dimed and still hear every note in the chord. if i used a high gain amp the SS would be the pu for me.