Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

Synapsys

Well-known member
Hi guys,

I own a Dean V (all mahogany body and neck with a rosewood fretboard, 24 3/4 set neck) with a Distortion/Jazz set installed. The Distortion is way too agressive and its highs sound shrill to me, and the Jazz does sound too sterile for my tastes, so I'm wondering how the other aforementioned set may come across on the guitar. And yes, I understand they are very different sets, so I'm trying to get some feedback from people who tried them on the same kind of guitar I have.

Playing progressive rock/metal, with medium to high gain. Sustaining solos on the bridge and warm cleans on the neck are a must.

Sorry if all this seems kind of non sense, but it's just how I roll.
 
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Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

Dean used to sell them with dual Super Distortions, I liked that combo and the neck clean tone is warm and fat. What type of amp do you use? Do you need high output pickups or does the amp have enough gain by itself to get you where you need to go?
 
Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

BW set or Sentient/Pegasus combo
 
Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

What series Dean is it?

I've had a coupla '79s,they're pretty bright unplugged,@ least the models w/o teh Floyd.

Got a Dime Shadow that's really balanced,tho(w/FR).
 
Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

It's the Dean Old Skull V, a signature model of Testament's Eric Peterson, and the guitar has a string-through body/ Tunamatic setup. Out went the EMG's it came with, since I really don't like any kind of active pickups, even Duncans.

This one sounds a bit bright unplugged, but once plugged is quite balanced, with a lean towars high mids.

I really don't like high output pickups on the neck, so the ceramic Black Winter neck might be too powerful and too clinical for my liking. I also fear the Full Shred neck may be too bright, since I've read that its bass really comes alive with gain, and I often use the neck position clean.

I also don't want übertightness on the lows, so I'm also looking for the Custom5 or the Custom/'59 Hybrid and the Sentient (since it seems to be a blend of the '59 and the Jazz) as options to be considered, but can't find and review of them on a mahogany V.

On a cosmetic note, the pickups must be available in Trembucker spacing and in Zebra / Reverse Zebra (at least I already found the BW in Zebra and in trembucker spacing).
 
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Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

The Full Shred neck is quite bright and clean.

I don't think Full Shreds would be right for you - they're extremely articulate which can pretty easily be misconstrued as quite bright. If the Distortion is too bright for you I'd be hesitant to say the Full Shred would be the right fit for you.
 
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Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

From your description, I like the Sentient neck, and Pegasus for the bridge. Both of them will be warmer than the combo you have in there now, but not too warm to sound like mud. Both were designed to be used with gain, too, and they are not so high in output that they compress everything .
 
Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

I personally love the sh6 in my dean v.
I also have the 59neck, which admittedly sounds great there!

If you want a little less bright bite, I would humbly reccomend the patb, or even a custom in the bridge.
 
Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

BW set or Sentient/Pegasus combo

Did you seriously recommend a Black Winter set to a guy who said a Distortion was too much?

I want an explanation as how you came to that conclusion O-Sultan-Of-Tone. Seriously - I'm gonna find this entertaining.
 
Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

Did you seriously recommend a Black Winter set to a guy who said a Distortion was too much?

I want an explanation as how you came to that conclusion O-Sultan-Of-Tone. Seriously - I'm gonna find this entertaining.

on a serious note i dont take myself too seriously, have no problems there

i just kept BW in, because i find too many people keep coming back to DD when they miss the output that beast packs. i wouldn't recommend nazgul to someone who finds DD too much, but find BWs in the same league while being more versatile than the DDs. that was my thinking, not saying thats right.

aceman the mighty, sorry if i denied you the entertainment due :nana:
 
Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

Just sayin'


Dude said DD was too hot. Black winter is a little warmer than warm from what I understand….
 
Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

The Distortion paired with the '59 neck is my personal favorite SD passive metal combo. :firing: Never have been particularly excited by the Jazz, and especially not in something other than a LP.

High output Duncans tend to be brighter than Dimarzios, which are a bit fatter. May be sacrilege here, but the OP might consider Evo2/Air Nortion (my personal favorite Dimarzio passive metal combo :D ) or the Super Distortion and PAF 36th.

Or add the '59 neck and play around with EQ settings more first....
 
Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

High output Duncans tend to be brighter than Dimarzios, which are a bit fatter. May be sacrilege here, but the OP might consider the Super Distortion and PAF 36th.

Sorry 'bout the edit,but yeah.

First thing that came to mind.Or mebbe PAF Pro...
 
Re: Dean V query: Distortion/Jazz vs. Black Winter set vs. Full shred set

After trying the BW on a similar guitar a friend has, anda after discussing the FS set with my tech, I'm keeping the Distortion/Jazz set. Tried recording some stuff with it, and it seems to blend wonderfully with a PRS SE Custom 24 with a Custom/PG net for rhythm work. Funny, isn't it?
 
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