high output humbuckers?

[ners]

Recently picked up a MIM Jackson Pro Series DK2 Dinky and am finding the Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge to be a little harsh, so wanted to hear some opinions on alternatives. I'm playing in Drop C through a GZA Hellion and pretty typical Zakk Wylde/Killswitch Engage type chugs and riffs. Can't really decide if I want a thicker sounding pickup or just need to tweak my EQ some more but definitely not liking the harshness of the JB (which is odd to me since I don't mind V30 high mid spikes or high gain teles).

From what I can tell...

• SD Alternative 8 = Similar to the JB but less harsh and maybe more clarity. I'm super interested in trying out an A8 for the first time.
• SD Nazgul = Seems a popular choice. Definitely less harsh, tighter, but maybe not as thick?
• BKP Warpig = Would certainly add some thickness, I think I'd want the warmth of an alnico but never played a ceramic before either
• BKP Juggernaut = Similar to the Nailbomb but get both A5 & ceramic out of it?
• Instrumental SFTY4 = Can't really find much info on them, so looking for opinions in general
• Arcane Doom = Seems to be the biggest A8 winder in the game? Handful of videos sound cool, but so little info on them (EQ curve, etc); open to other A8 models as I just blindly picked the highest output lol

These are just the ones I'm aware of and in the area I'm looking for, but completely open to other options that could be good.

 

[Chase42147]

I only have one guitar with a JB in it, and never found it harsh, even through V30's. But it is in an LTD Eclipse that seemed to sound very dark to begin with

Edit: the Seymour Duncan Distortions are really good too

 

[Tonelover]

Seymour Duncan RTM. People describe it as a JB with an A2 magnet and without the harshness. Don't know about magnets and stuff but I love them.

 

[NorCal_Val]

I put a Duncan Alternative 8, in my LTD Desert Eagle. I dig it. It’s sorta like a JB without that annoying mid-range spike.
It is a hot pickup, just so ya know.

 

[VonBonfire]

I've also had a JB in a dark LP copy. Didn't keep it in there but it definitely wasn't harsh and that was through a dimed Twin with the treble up all the way and JBL speakers. Lollar DB. It can be anything you want it to be. That's what I replaced the JB with. Granted I am not a chugga chugga high gain guy but she's got output.

 

[Smash]

Jim wagner ironman or @scottosan tonenerd wicked 8

 

[EyesOfTheSouth!]

I’m a low output PAF type guy. But my favorite hot pickup is the Dean Baker Act. It smokes in my superstrat.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

If you're up for doing it, try swapping the Alnico 5 magnet in the JB for an Alnico 8. To my ears it's a big improvement.

 

[napalmdeath]

I only have one guitar with a JB in it, and never found it harsh, even through V30's. But it is in an LTD Eclipse that seemed to sound very dark to begin with

Edit: the Seymour Duncan Distortions are really good too

I'm baffled when people call JB's harsh. I've owned literally dozens of guitars with JB's, and I always found them tubby and round. Great lead pickup, but not my favorite for rhythm.

I discovered a somewhat under the radar pickup that came in a Charvel I bought used. The original owner put SD Wes Hauch Jupiter 6's in it, and I was pleasantly surprised. He plays a lot of 7-string, and clarity was his biggest want/need, yet articulate for lead playing and tight. They deliver, and I highly recommend them. They're super impressive.

 

[fearhk213]

I’ve only played the Warpig from that list. The alnico one is definitely thick. A bit round as well. I didn’t love it. I’d honestly lean towards the ceramic version. It’s thick enough, but has more tightness and cut without being harsh. It’s an “on all the time” sort of pick up in regards to its voicing and output.

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

Assuming you've already played around with the pickup height; Have you tried resistors or different pots first?
Seems this step is always overlooked despite being far less expense and work.
You might be happy with a 1m resistor in parallel with your volume pot.
I know this is the most boring answer for tone chasing, but it's a cheap gamble.

 

[Chase42147]

I'm baffled when people call JB's harsh. I've owned literally dozens of guitars with JB's, and I always found them tubby and round. Great lead pickup, but not my favorite for rhythm.

I discovered a somewhat under the radar pickup that came in a Charvel I bought used. The original owner put SD Wes Hauch Jupiter 6's in it, and I was pleasantly surprised. He plays a lot of 7-string, and clarity was his biggest want/need, yet articulate for lead playing and tight. They deliver, and I highly recommend them. They're super impressive.

Yeah I don't get it, I've heard a lot of people complain about it but could never relate

 

[ners]

Assuming you've already played around with the pickup height; Have you tried resistors or different pots first?
Seems this step is always overlooked despite being far less expense and work.
You might be happy with a 1m resistor in parallel with your volume pot.
I know this is the most boring answer for tone chasing, but it's a cheap gamble.

I completely get this answer, I upgraded pots on my tele because I loved the pickup but wanted it just a little brighter, so going from 250k -> 280k felt like a good next step.

But I'm not desperate to keep the JB voicing and tweaking pot resistance seems like an inefficient way to change things up. Maybe it'll solve my problem, but at the moment something more drastic feels needed. It's actually why I'm hesitant over the Alternative 8 since it still feels very similar to a JB but just a little better.

 

[jeff5]

Two that I love which aren't on your list.

-Motor City Afwayu
-PRS Tremonti

I voted for the Juggernaut on your list as I use that and really like it too!

 

[firejack]

Man you cannot beat the Jim Wagner Iron Man bridge for high output. For me it always sounds good no matter what guitar it's in. It brings out the best in the guitar and also imparts it's strong tonal footprint on the resulting sound. Here it is in 3 of my very different sounding guitars...

 

[the4thlast1]

The BK Ceramic Nailbomb or Ceramic Warpig will do what you want. If the guitar is naturally very bright or harsh on the highs then Alnico versions would warm and fatten it up. The juggernaut I haven’t liked in any guitar I tried it in. The Silo is a better option in my opinion. Keep in mind the warpig is very hot.

 

[braintheory]

I honestly don’t care for any of the choices mentioned. If it were me I’d be looking at ‘80’s Schaller’s, Dirty Finger’s, Bill Lawrence L100 or Mighty Mite 1400

For non-vintage/modern pickups I like Lundgren M6’s, but doesn’t sound like what you’re looking for

 

[Racerxrated]

Man you cannot beat the Jim Wagner Iron Man bridge for high output. For me it always sounds good no matter what guitar it's in. It brings out the best in the guitar and also imparts it's strong tonal footprint on the resulting sound. Here it is in 3 of my very different sounding guitars...

The IM is a nice pickup, best non vintage high gain pup I'd tried until Scott's Tone Nerds started showing up. Now, I'll take any of them over the IM, and have since sold the 2 I had.
The best high gain pup I've ever tried is a Shaw Dirty Fingers. They are all that.

 

[rsm]

I like Duncan Blackaouts AHB-1B and AHB-1N (I have three guitars with these)

I like Duncan '59 Model and Custom 5 (I have three guitars with these).

I have an inexpensive guitar that is really playable that I may upgrade the pickups, to either

1) DiMarzio PAF 57 (neck) and Super Distortion (bridge) or
2) DiMarzio D Activator-X set

I'm leaning toward the D Activator-X set; I had a guitar with them and really liked them, they push the mids.

 

[chrisgr]

How about the Seymour Duncan black winter or the EMG 57/66?