I'm about to pick up a Jackson Scott Ian King V that comes stock with the DD HB-103 set so hearing this was very helpful (as well as your other video on them). The HB-103 is the same as a Duncan Distortion (SH-6 or TB-6), but is not made in the USA. It is a ceramic magnet version of the JB, which has an Alnico 5 magnet. It prob would have been more interesting to hear the Duncan Custom vs the HB-103 since both have ceramic magnets, but whatever. It's whatever you prefer. I tend to prefer the JB over the Distortion, but it still sounds great so I'm looking forward to hearing how they'll sound through my rig. I have another guitar with Duncan Designed JB/59 combo and it sounds great so I haven't changed them. Now I will say that I mainly prefer Duncans over Dimarzios, but man...you MUST try the Dimarzio Dominion, which is Mark Morton's signature pickup. I'm not even a LOG fan, but I'm a fan of his Jackson Dominion guitar. Anyway, the Dominion is my new favorite pickup. It just sounds amazing and I'd love to hear you do a demo. They just have this attack and roar, but are not super high output so they clean up real nice. My only question is how well they do pinch harmonics, because that's something I like to do quite a bit and the Duncan JB is very good for them.
The TB-6 reads 16.8k DC whereas the HB103B reads around 16.1k... the TB-4 JB reads 16.4k. So yes, the HB103 would rate closer to a JB than a Duncan Distortion. The 103 isn't a bad pickup actually 👍
My fav Duncans I have tried is the Duncan blackouts. Especially for heavy/extreme metal I think they sound better than most Duncans and "cheaper" Dimarzios I have tried. If money was not a factor when choosing a guitar I would choose a guitar with Fishman pickups. All the Fishmans I have tried sounds awesome. I wonder what pickups Mark Mortons Dominions are based of, would not be surprised if they were similar to the Blackouts. A comparison would be interesting :)
I have a jackson js32t rhoads with stock jackson high output humbuckers(made in india), but the stock pickups are too noisy, I just found a set of Duncan Designed HB 103 pups that was removed from a Jackson from the 90s, will this be a good upgrade for my Js32t? I don't want to buy Seymours since they are more expensive and my instrument is not high end, so I don't think that's worth to throw that much money on that guitar.
I actually like the Duncan Design HB-103. I have a guitar that I changed it out for a Diamarzo Super Distortion and I actually preferred the HB-103 to it. The HB-103 was a little brighter, less mids, and more bass.
Ceramic is much more aggressive than Alnico which is why it's used most of the time for high output metal pickups. The Custom 5 is basically a hot PAF like the original ceramic Custom SH-5 and the Custom Custom SH-11 which is alnico 2. They are all different flavors of the same concept and all work well for metal and any other style. I dig them all.
Duncan Designed pickups are not that great, and most of the time downright awful. Get the real deal. Real Duncans are extremely well made and designed with excellent components and sound all around better. While I have no preference for magnets, as in ceramic vs alnico, I'll always prefer a real Duncan to a "Designed" Duncan.
I agree! I've had many guitars with Duncan Designed and while they sounded somewhat good, the difference was huge compared to real USA made Seymour Duncans. I'll make a video about it in the future. Thank you
The Custom 5 in my experience is one of the best pickups for any style, hard rock, metal, jazz, blues, prog, etc. Just very versatile. A lot fuller sounding than the classic Custom SH-5 because it has fuller low end because of the alnico 5 mag, but also good clarity on the low end, much better than a JB. I've been using the Custom 5 for years now and love it. Much crunchier than the DiMarzios I've tried. @@AleArzMusic
I'm about to pick up a Jackson Scott Ian King V that comes stock with the DD HB-103 set so hearing this was very helpful (as well as your other video on them). The HB-103 is the same as a Duncan Distortion (SH-6 or TB-6), but is not made in the USA. It is a ceramic magnet version of the JB, which has an Alnico 5 magnet. It prob would have been more interesting to hear the Duncan Custom vs the HB-103 since both have ceramic magnets, but whatever. It's whatever you prefer. I tend to prefer the JB over the Distortion, but it still sounds great so I'm looking forward to hearing how they'll sound through my rig. I have another guitar with Duncan Designed JB/59 combo and it sounds great so I haven't changed them.
Now I will say that I mainly prefer Duncans over Dimarzios, but man...you MUST try the Dimarzio Dominion, which is Mark Morton's signature pickup. I'm not even a LOG fan, but I'm a fan of his Jackson Dominion guitar. Anyway, the Dominion is my new favorite pickup. It just sounds amazing and I'd love to hear you do a demo. They just have this attack and roar, but are not super high output so they clean up real nice. My only question is how well they do pinch harmonics, because that's something I like to do quite a bit and the Duncan JB is very good for them.
Thank you
The TB-6 reads 16.8k DC whereas the HB103B reads around 16.1k... the TB-4 JB reads 16.4k. So yes, the HB103 would rate closer to a JB than a Duncan Distortion. The 103 isn't a bad pickup actually 👍
@@scottdunn2178 thank you very much
@@AleArzMusic 👍🎸
My fav Duncans I have tried is the Duncan blackouts. Especially for heavy/extreme metal I think they sound better than most Duncans and "cheaper" Dimarzios I have tried. If money was not a factor when choosing a guitar I would choose a guitar with Fishman pickups. All the Fishmans I have tried sounds awesome. I wonder what pickups Mark Mortons Dominions are based of, would not be surprised if they were similar to the Blackouts. A comparison would be interesting :)
I love the Custom 5, but u made the HB103 sounds better in the mix context. Great job!
Thank you very much
Nice comparison! Thanks for that!
Thanks bro
man you are killer player !
Thanks bro, which one did you prefer?
@@AleArzMusic tb-14 I think its just more noticable for my ears, more like a classy metal tone with that one :) but both actually sounded killer
its probably because when you know what are you doing you can make almost any gear sound decent, but these of course are not "any"
@@TheKoshmaras2 thanks again bro
I have a jackson js32t rhoads with stock jackson high output humbuckers(made in india), but the stock pickups are too noisy, I just found a set of Duncan Designed HB 103 pups that was removed from a Jackson from the 90s, will this be a good upgrade for my Js32t? I don't want to buy Seymours since they are more expensive and my instrument is not high end, so I don't think that's worth to throw that much money on that guitar.
I think Duncan Designed sound a little better than the Jackson branded ones
I actually like the Duncan Design HB-103. I have a guitar that I changed it out for a Diamarzo Super Distortion and I actually preferred the HB-103 to it. The HB-103 was a little brighter, less mids, and more bass.
Thank you
I have to agree, there is several Duncan I prefer to Dimarzio, you should try the Duncan Blackouts 👹👺
Thank you again
You can change the ceramic magnet out on the HB103 for an Alnico 5 for $7 and get more aggressive sound than the ceramic.
Thank you, I actually both two alnico 5 magnets from AleGreen years ago, but never tried
Ceramic is much more aggressive than Alnico which is why it's used most of the time for high output metal pickups. The Custom 5 is basically a hot PAF like the original ceramic Custom SH-5 and the Custom Custom SH-11 which is alnico 2. They are all different flavors of the same concept and all work well for metal and any other style. I dig them all.
Thank you. Custom 5 is my all time favorite
the hb103 sounds better - neither are great both a bit to dark to get out there in the mix .
Thanks
hb103 is better i have hb 103 neck and bridge in bc rich mockingbird but it sleep in case 10 years ago ^_^
Ohh nooo 10 years are too much! Wake the beast up
Duncan Designed pickups are not that great, and most of the time downright awful. Get the real deal. Real Duncans are extremely well made and designed with excellent components and sound all around better. While I have no preference for magnets, as in ceramic vs alnico, I'll always prefer a real Duncan to a "Designed" Duncan.
I agree! I've had many guitars with Duncan Designed and while they sounded somewhat good, the difference was huge compared to real USA made Seymour Duncans. I'll make a video about it in the future. Thank you
The Custom 5 in my experience is one of the best pickups for any style, hard rock, metal, jazz, blues, prog, etc. Just very versatile. A lot fuller sounding than the classic Custom SH-5 because it has fuller low end because of the alnico 5 mag, but also good clarity on the low end, much better than a JB. I've been using the Custom 5 for years now and love it. Much crunchier than the DiMarzios I've tried. @@AleArzMusic
Thank you so much