Improved version of a seymour duncan JB??

[Alex]

There are at least 2 versions of the SD JB.  The original ( which I have, in double cream), was 14.74k, with a slight offset between the coils.  The description on the SD site today say that it is 16.4k, and the sound is very different.  The original is closest to the Rebel Yell, the Holydiver is more like the newer one.

There are two versions of the JB - This was confirmed during Jay Kolanda of NTL guitars who is a real knowledgeable pickup guy. He's pretty dismissive of the newer JB's and prefers the older ones in the 13.7< 14.5 k range. Pickups he mentioned that were in the same tonal ball park were (in his words):

rebel yell, with a possible mag swap to A2...
Custom Custom is a good one too, when you find a good one (like finding a good 59’).
Gibson 498T if you can bleed out the parafin out of it (way too soaked)

He also told me about a Hamer he refurbed which put in a Rebel yell in but moved the bridge PU approx 1/4 inch further away from the Bridge. He said "it was just far enough away from the floyd bridge to be not so “stingy”. dam, spot on. god like thick tones.

A lot of people claim the old ones "sound better", but I had the 30th anniversary one and wow, that was boomy and undefined on the low end. Great solo sounds though.