Duncan distortion vs jb?

[vklobucar]

I have a JB in my 81 Les Paul and find myself wanting more output and for lack of a better term grind. Kinda wishing for a Dimarzio Super 3 tone really.

Any better SD versions that I might try like say the DD?

[Rich#6]

SDD is good, I find the super 3 can be muddy. I just dropped a SD custom in my LP and love it.

[Newc]

Might also look into the SD Black Winter. I hear good things about it.

[bucketbrian45]

I put a Distortion in my Strat and it is an awesome pickup! If you want grind the Distortion will bring it along with clarity.

[The Rossness]

You can try swapping a Ceramic magnet into the JB. It'll be a DD lite.

[claxor]

Once I tried a SD distortion, I realized how much lack of clarity was in my JB. It's gotten to the point where I don't even like my soloist with a JB. The SD distortion has much better clarity (IMHO).

[Chad]

Distortion does indeed have clarity. To the point that it can be too bright in brighter guitars. But it can sound really good in lots of guitars.

[groverj3]

IMHO, better lead pickup = JB, better rhythm pickup = Distortion, middleground = Custom/Full Shred

Downtuning doesn't suit the JB well in my opinion either. Too muddy.

[Nightbat]

I have a JB in my 81 Les Paul and find myself wanting more output and for lack of a better term grind. Kinda wishing for a Dimarzio Super 3 tone really.

I myself wouldn't refer to the Super3 as a "grinding p'up" especially since it replaced the JB in my RR1
In that I found the JB having just a bit more mid-agression, it was just that I couldn't come to terms with the flubby bass and piercing highs

I would think for more midrange grind, the regular Super Distortion would be a better p'up

[xenophobe]

I would think for more midrange grind, the regular Super Distortion would be a better p'up

Super Distortion is great for grind... downtuned is pretty awesome as well. I can nail Carcass tone pretty easily with a Super Distortion and slight EQing. One of my favorite pickups of all time.

[leftykingv2]

In terms of pure output and metal sound I'd have to go with the Distortion over the JB. I personally like the JB just a little bit better but that's just me. If I was playing pure metal all the time though I would go with the Distortion.