Yo! I know this is an old video but I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS! I have almost the exact same Jackson model and just purchased the exact same Seymor Duncans you upgraded yours with. This and the SH-2N comparison video are giving me a lot to look forward to. Amazing that you happened to have the same Jackson and purchased the same two pickups. Fate! Thanks for the videos. Hope you're still shredding!
@@MikePatKen Hey thanks man! Yeah those neck and bridge Duncans really made the guitar sound better. Unfortunately I don’t have that Jackson anymore but I am planning to upgrade my Charvel with those same pickups. Keep playing! 🤘🏼
I truly liked the mids on JB. It's more defined than Jackson pickups. I'm just not sure yet if it's worth the upgrade. Only the pickups are pretty much the same price of my JS22.
I actually have the same exact guitar but left-handed... I swapped out my Jackson pups for a SD JB and I was honestly surprised but also disappointed at the same time... I honestly found very little difference in my own setup to justify price of the Duncan... I took out the JB pickup out and put in a Seymour Duncan sh6 / distortion and now you think seriously screams and sounds way way better than both the stock Jackson pick up as well as the JP in my own personal opinion. The only real difference I found between the Jackson pickup and the sh4 was that the sh4 had a bit more clarity to it... But also sounded a bit more nasal which I was not fond of because it sounded muddy in comparison to my Duncan distortion... for this particular guitar, the Duncan Distortion brought it to life and gave it character while the JB just made it sound "better".
I would bet the Jackson is based on the jb as this was my experience as well.. glad to hear about the distortion pickup that’s what I been looking at for replacement
@@Woody103 that is what I believe is well, I had emailed Jackson customer service in regards to both the tremolo and the pickups. As far as the Jackson license trailer logos, Jackson told me they are made by the same company who makes Floyd Rose specials and that they are essentially the same thing with a different name stamped on it... It even has the FR logo stamped on the sustain block. As far as the pickups go... Jackson claims that they are not designed after any other pickup and that they are their own original design, they also claimed that they make them themselves... but the pickups are actually made by a company called Belcat who makes stock pickups for many companies including GFS.
@@DarkcydeoftheRakai I have read that. My Jackson body is made with Poplar and a maple neck... many people told me that the JV would sound fantastic in that particular guitar, and I have seen many of the old Charvel's that are identical and Toad wood with this same pickup configuration. I'll tell ya though, my Chinese Poplar Jackson sustains better than my Korean Epiphone mahogany Les Paul and by Indonesian Basswood Ibanez. I am left-handed so I have had the extreme displeasure of playing a lot of lower end guitars throughout my life haha. I have wondered so what other breaks pickup would be a good fit for Maya Jackson if I was to go with something slightly less output but still be versatile enough for many genres.
There is definitely more high mids and treble (and thus string separation and clarity) from the Sduncs. I keep putting off getting a set. I agree with the other commenter who said that a better amp is a more worthwhile investment. But these are also clearly worth the money, and definitely affect the tone
I hated the stock pickups in my dinky. It is a cheap made guitar so you can’t expect much. I would recommend just going for x series over the cheap dinky
Great comparison. I just bought the hot rodded set (JB for the bridge and the Jazz one for the neck) for my JS22 and I'm trying to get more info on how to change the stock pickups. I'm actually not worried about the soldering part, I have background in electronics, but considering I've been playing for only 2 months and I've never replaced guitar strings or messed with the bridge, that's the part I need to build up more confidence with. Any hints would be appreciated!
Then how you know you need to change pick ups ? I have a js22 that i upgraded almost everything, put locking tuners, lubricated the nut got some rolling saddles, swapped the strings with 11-50 pro steels, replaced the output jack with a pure tone jack,extra spring on the claw, my action low, adjusted the truss rod but kept the pick ups stock and shreds better than my soloist with the SD Blackouts pick ups
@@santiagoboss4830 because I heard the same guitar with a set of SD's and everything else stock (but the strings), and although the stock ceramic pickups sounded good, the SD's sounded better for my ear.
Problem is, everyone immediately replaces the pickups without putting better pots and caps in first!! These don't come with anything decent so put some decent CTS or Bourns pots in and at least an orange drop cap, if not a PIO one in, and see what it sounds like first. It's a much cheaper upgrade, and then if you still don't like the pickups then change them afterwards, and you'll have decent electrics in them that will make it sound better. Believe me, after 40 years of playing, I've found upgrading the actual electrics has helped more than almost anything else!! Even an upgrade of a quality jack socket like a switchcraft makes a difference I've found. I also wouldn't recommend a JB pickup because they are muddy in the low end, and tend to be a 'one trick pony'. They don't even make them like they used to, and you really need a 250k volume pot (It's what Duncan recommends themselves) to tame the 'ice pick' quality!! An SD Distortion or a SD Custom sound better and are more versatile (I personally like the Full Shred, it's a 'custom' 14k wind). It's personal preference I know, but EVER Jackson I've played or even owned (would) sound much better with the JB removed!! They suit a guitar with a mahogany body best in my experience, they are too bright for alder or ash, certainly for my taste.😁
Hi. Thanks for the comparison, I have have a Jackson js dinky,and I have purchased a Seymour Duncan sh-4. Haven’t yet set it up. Have you changed the pots after the sh-4? If yes, how much 500?
Nope. Used the same pots. It still sounded great. Plus when you’re playing with a live band, you can’t tell a difference in the pots you use or even if the pickups were swapped out or not. You’d probably hear a better difference when recording in the studio vs. playing live.
@@RickordProductions hiiii. Thanks for such a quick response. So you only swapped the bridge pup? Just cut wires and connect. Yes? For you though was there a significant difference in the sound?
Stock Jackson sounds deeper and and heavier,better for metal . But I guess semour Duncan's are probably more versatile. Why not compare the two with different styles?
The Jackson pickups are good. I’ve put out some killer sounds with it. I just wanted my guitar to sound better. I’ve got various amp setups from a Fender Mustang 3 combo to a Spark Amp running all the tones I can imagine with the app, and a Peavy transtube head with an Ampeg cab running with my Boss GT-10 processor. I’ve compared back to back the Jackson pickups vs. the Seymour Duncans using various settings including the ones I’ve used on previous albums I’ve recorded along with custom guitar player’s tones from the Spark amp’s app and my conclusion is the Jackson pickups still can’t compete with the Seymour Duncan JBs. I know what sounds good to me and I know what I like and the Jackson pickups just don’t deliver it the way I want it to. They’re not that bad because if you see my previous videos before this one I was using the Jackson pickups. I don’t know what else to say. The Seymour Duncans are just better. Definitely worth the money I spent.
Yo! I know this is an old video but I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS! I have almost the exact same Jackson model and just purchased the exact same Seymor Duncans you upgraded yours with. This and the SH-2N comparison video are giving me a lot to look forward to. Amazing that you happened to have the same Jackson and purchased the same two pickups. Fate! Thanks for the videos. Hope you're still shredding!
@@MikePatKen Hey thanks man! Yeah those neck and bridge Duncans really made the guitar sound better. Unfortunately I don’t have that Jackson anymore but I am planning to upgrade my Charvel with those same pickups. Keep playing! 🤘🏼
I truly liked the mids on JB. It's more defined than Jackson pickups. I'm just not sure yet if it's worth the upgrade. Only the pickups are pretty much the same price of my JS22.
To be honest the stock Jackson sounded better. The Jackson pups are manufactured by Belcat.
My man compared sd vs jackson stock pickups by playing a Megadeth song, metal gods be praised.
THE SD pups clearly have a crisper tone. Thanks! I am looking to replace my Jackson stock with INVADERS.
yo so how does it sound? i'm thinking about getting some invaders in my jackson js22 but i'm scared it might sound too muddy lmao
I’ve been preaching this a lot but those jackson pickups are where it’s at.
I actually have the same exact guitar but left-handed... I swapped out my Jackson pups for a SD JB and I was honestly surprised but also disappointed at the same time... I honestly found very little difference in my own setup to justify price of the Duncan... I took out the JB pickup out and put in a Seymour Duncan sh6 / distortion and now you think seriously screams and sounds way way better than both the stock Jackson pick up as well as the JP in my own personal opinion. The only real difference I found between the Jackson pickup and the sh4 was that the sh4 had a bit more clarity to it... But also sounded a bit more nasal which I was not fond of because it sounded muddy in comparison to my Duncan distortion... for this particular guitar, the Duncan Distortion brought it to life and gave it character while the JB just made it sound "better".
I would bet the Jackson is based on the jb as this was my experience as well.. glad to hear about the distortion pickup that’s what I been looking at for replacement
@@Woody103 that is what I believe is well, I had emailed Jackson customer service in regards to both the tremolo and the pickups. As far as the Jackson license trailer logos, Jackson told me they are made by the same company who makes Floyd Rose specials and that they are essentially the same thing with a different name stamped on it... It even has the FR logo stamped on the sustain block. As far as the pickups go... Jackson claims that they are not designed after any other pickup and that they are their own original design, they also claimed that they make them themselves... but the pickups are actually made by a company called Belcat who makes stock pickups for many companies including GFS.
Jb doesn't do well for basswood
@@DarkcydeoftheRakai I have read that. My Jackson body is made with Poplar and a maple neck... many people told me that the JV would sound fantastic in that particular guitar, and I have seen many of the old Charvel's that are identical and Toad wood with this same pickup configuration. I'll tell ya though, my Chinese Poplar Jackson sustains better than my Korean Epiphone mahogany Les Paul and by Indonesian Basswood Ibanez. I am left-handed so I have had the extreme displeasure of playing a lot of lower end guitars throughout my life haha. I have wondered so what other breaks pickup would be a good fit for Maya Jackson if I was to go with something slightly less output but still be versatile enough for many genres.
Good demo. Try out the DiMarzio Super Distortion, Super 3 and Tone Zone. The JB certainly sounds better than the Jacksons.
There is definitely more high mids and treble (and thus string separation and clarity) from the Sduncs. I keep putting off getting a set. I agree with the other commenter who said that a better amp is a more worthwhile investment. But these are also clearly worth the money, and definitely affect the tone
I hated the stock pickups in my dinky. It is a cheap made guitar so you can’t expect much. I would recommend just going for x series over the cheap dinky
Great comparison. I just bought the hot rodded set (JB for the bridge and the Jazz one for the neck) for my JS22 and I'm trying to get more info on how to change the stock pickups. I'm actually not worried about the soldering part, I have background in electronics, but considering I've been playing for only 2 months and I've never replaced guitar strings or messed with the bridge, that's the part I need to build up more confidence with. Any hints would be appreciated!
Then how you know you need to change pick ups ? I have a js22 that i upgraded almost everything, put locking tuners, lubricated the nut got some rolling saddles, swapped the strings with 11-50 pro steels, replaced the output jack with a pure tone jack,extra spring on the claw, my action low, adjusted the truss rod but kept the pick ups stock and shreds better than my soloist with the SD Blackouts pick ups
@@santiagoboss4830 because I heard the same guitar with a set of SD's and everything else stock (but the strings), and although the stock ceramic pickups sounded good, the SD's sounded better for my ear.
Best review on this jackson pickups. very nice sound but i dont know if it is for me
Is it a SH4 or the TB4 for Guitars with Floyd?
Best regards from Germany?
I like how the Duncan cuts through the mix better. The original pickup might suit for more modern genres more.
I think the jacksons sound better...by the way u sound just like how holy wars does on the album bro, great job😃
Problem is, everyone immediately replaces the pickups without putting better pots and caps in first!! These don't come with anything decent so put some decent CTS or Bourns pots in and at least an orange drop cap, if not a PIO one in, and see what it sounds like first.
It's a much cheaper upgrade, and then if you still don't like the pickups then change them afterwards, and you'll have decent electrics in them that will make it sound better. Believe me, after 40 years of playing, I've found upgrading the actual electrics has helped more than almost anything else!!
Even an upgrade of a quality jack socket like a switchcraft makes a difference I've found. I also wouldn't recommend a JB pickup because they are muddy in the low end, and tend to be a 'one trick pony'. They don't even make them like they used to, and you really need a 250k volume pot (It's what Duncan recommends themselves) to tame the 'ice pick' quality!!
An SD Distortion or a SD Custom sound better and are more versatile (I personally like the Full Shred, it's a 'custom' 14k wind). It's personal preference I know, but EVER Jackson I've played or even owned (would) sound much better with the JB removed!! They suit a guitar with a mahogany body best in my experience, they are too bright for alder or ash, certainly for my taste.😁
Hi. Thanks for the comparison, I have have a Jackson js dinky,and I have purchased a Seymour Duncan sh-4. Haven’t yet set it up. Have you changed the pots after the sh-4? If yes, how much 500?
Nope. Used the same pots. It still sounded great. Plus when you’re playing with a live band, you can’t tell a difference in the pots you use or even if the pickups were swapped out or not. You’d probably hear a better difference when recording in the studio vs. playing live.
@@RickordProductions hiiii. Thanks for such a quick response. So you only swapped the bridge pup? Just cut wires and connect. Yes?
For you though was there a significant difference in the sound?
@@zkiller67 I swapped the bridge pickup with the SH-4 and the neck with an SH-2n. I had a professional install it for me.
Do you know how much was output of the stock Jackson pups?
@@zkiller67 I’m not sure.
I just love the gnarly sound the JB has
Dude, you have my guitar! I have a JS32 in that same color.
Thanks for making my mind up not to buy the sms. Thanks, great comparison.
I just got one in the hard tail and I have a 80s Jackson j90c pick up I'm going to put in it 🤟
I like the jackson pups & got a set of CVR2 which are very emg.
Stock Jackson sounds deeper and and heavier,better for metal . But I guess semour Duncan's are probably more versatile. Why not compare the two with different styles?
Jackson Factory Pickup < ----------------- wow 1stPlace!
Duncan is best
The Jackson OEM p/u almost sounds like the amp is stuck under a cardboard box when compared to the Seymour Duncan JB aftermarket p/u/.
i think you wasted your money man, shoulda invested in a better amp setup. the jackson pickups are really quite good with proper settings.
The Jackson pickups are good. I’ve put out some killer sounds with it. I just wanted my guitar to sound better. I’ve got various amp setups from a Fender Mustang 3 combo to a Spark Amp running all the tones I can imagine with the app, and a Peavy transtube head with an Ampeg cab running with my Boss GT-10 processor. I’ve compared back to back the Jackson pickups vs. the Seymour Duncans using various settings including the ones I’ve used on previous albums I’ve recorded along with custom guitar player’s tones from the Spark amp’s app and my conclusion is the Jackson pickups still can’t compete with the Seymour Duncan JBs. I know what sounds good to me and I know what I like and the Jackson pickups just don’t deliver it the way I want it to. They’re not that bad because if you see my previous videos before this one I was using the Jackson pickups. I don’t know what else to say. The Seymour Duncans are just better. Definitely worth the money I spent.
Woww.. Jackson picks are so better !!
More mids JB
Seymour Duncan's have more presence!😀