dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

[Burk]

I have a black '91 LP Custom w/ factory humbuckers (498T & 490R). Love the tone of the Alnico 5 498T, just need more power/gain. I tried an Alternative 8, but wasn't crazy about the extra midrange. I got a Duncan Distortion in a LP standard, but was hoping for something closer to the Alnico 5 of the 498T....If I have to go with another Duncan Distortion, I will but I wondered of the tonal differences of the Full shred, Duncan Custom.....any others I might not have been aware of.....?

 

[Aceman]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

Well, first I recommend you hit the soundclips.

Then, consider an A5 distortion is a JB!

Distortion - Mids/Highs, great crunch
Custom - PAF on mega steroids, Bass/Highs, great chunk

JB - totally different creature, as is the Full shred.

 

[oilpit]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

I don't like the Distortion, sounds fizzy to me, good for high gain rhythm though...

The Custom is my favorite bridge pickup for a Les Paul, as mentioned it has a high/low (not scooped, just not the most present midrange) thing going on, which lets the mids of the Les Paul really shine through, really fat sounding, just awesome.

The JB is stellar in a Strat, never tried it in a LP, I hear bad things, but I am still curious about it. It's an AMAZING lead pickup, does rhythm fine, but that isn't where it shines.

Never tried a FS...

 

[Burk]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

I'm afraid that the JB will be too close to the 498T that I currently have......They both have close to the same resistance, an A5, and a slight lack of bottom end....

 

[uOpt]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

I have a black '91 LP Custom w/ factory humbuckers (498T & 490R). Love the tone of the Alnico 5 498T, just need more power/gain. I tried an Alternative 8, but wasn't crazy about the extra midrange. I got a Duncan Distortion in a LP standard, but was hoping for something closer to the Alnico 5 of the 498T....If I have to go with another Duncan Distortion, I will but I wondered of the tonal differences of the Full shred, Duncan Custom.....any others I might not have been aware of.....?

The DC is a medium pickup that needs a lot of drive from playing and the guitar. A Les Paul will do. Didn't like it in an SG. I would say it's good for articulate playing in a band that doesn't have too much other noise going on. Rather a hard rock than metal pickup. Think Michael Schenker.

The DD is fatter, causes more overdrive but also has a characteristic medium-high pitched scream to it. More of a metal pickup. Very handy to defend yourself against mad keyboarding syndrome. Think modern symphonic/epic metal bands.

The FS is entirely different. It doesn't get rounded off by the PAF-like polepieces that DC and DD have. The hex poles make it very "assertive", forward, reacts stronger to playing nuances - but not neccessarily in a a good way, it can lack body. More of a high-gain soloing pickup. More dynamic than the DC and DD which have ceramic magnets that compress.

There's also the Custom5 which is a Custom with Alnico 5. Very scooped, extremely dynamic, no compression. The first time anyone plays it they go "woah". Two days later it's love or hate.

 

[jafo]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

I'd suggest the Custom or Custom 5, since you don't like the JB's bottom end or the midrange honk of Alnico 8 pups (Alnico 2 is even more so). You usually want A5 or ceramic in a midrange-heavy guitar anyway. The Custom has a ceramic magnet and the Custom 5 has an Alnico 5 magnet, but otherwise, they're the same pickup; it just takes a $5 magnet from forum bro Wymore Guitars and a few minutes to convert one to the other.

The Distortion and JB are the same pup, with a ceramic and A5 magnet, respectively; neither has much of a rep for having a meaty bottom... Probably not what you're looking for.

As far as I can tell, the Full Shred set is the Custom 5 and Jazz Neck with hex pole pieces on both coils in each pup; this tightens up the bottom end. Put them in a PRS and you've got instant Opeth. Again, probably not what you're asking for with that guitar. You can get a similar effect by swapping the slotted-head screws with hex head screws in any pup, if desired.

 

[Burk]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

Is it possible to get a "rougher cut" magnet. I like a jagged edge tone. I can't really explain it. I guess maybe a real "raw" sound. I was told Gibson uses magnets that are somehow similar to this....or is it called over-charged? I'm not sure what causes this (probably many things)...uneven windings, the gauge of wire....? ........anybody?

 

[fakiekid]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

I have a black '91 LP Custom w/ factory humbuckers (498T & 490R). Love the tone of the Alnico 5 498T, just need more power/gain. I tried an Alternative 8, but wasn't crazy about the extra midrange. I got a Duncan Distortion in a LP standard, but was hoping for something closer to the Alnico 5 of the 498T....If I have to go with another Duncan Distortion, I will but I wondered of the tonal differences of the Full shred, Duncan Custom.....any others I might not have been aware of.....?

what about a 500t? I understand its ceramic but it might push the amp the way you describe.

The Custom might be what you're looking for but the Custom 5 has a slightly hotter output.

You might wanna drop by this page, see if it helps any.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/audio-samples/humbuckers_and/

 

[Aceman]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

500t is so close to a Distortion, no practical difference (except price!)

I love me some 500T also!

 

[jafo]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

Is it possible to get a "rougher cut" magnet. I like a jagged edge tone. I can't really explain it. I guess maybe a real "raw" sound. I was told Gibson uses magnets that are somehow similar to this....or is it called over-charged? I'm not sure what causes this (probably many things)...uneven windings, the gauge of wire....? ........anybody?

I've heard that polished magnets have an edgier response, and rougher magnets have a smoother, but I'm kinda skeptical.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

I don't like the Distortion, sounds fizzy to me, good for high gain rhythm though...

The Custom is my favorite bridge pickup for a Les Paul, as mentioned it has a high/low (not scooped, just not the most present midrange) thing going on, which lets the mids of the Les Paul really shine through, really fat sounding, just awesome.

The JB is stellar in a Strat, never tried it in a LP, I hear bad things, but I am still curious about it. It's an AMAZING lead pickup, does rhythm fine, but that isn't where it shines.

Never tried a FS...

I dont understand.. People say that they hear the JB isnt good in an LP, but the stock JB in my LTD EC400AT sounds amazing! And the JB comes stock in alot of Schecters and LTDs and other guitars that are mahog body/neck builds. So, doesnt sound bad there...

 

[Invader09]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

Full Shred has tons of gain.

 

[CTN]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

I dont understand.. People say that they hear the JB isnt good in an LP, but the stock JB in my LTD EC400AT sounds amazing! And the JB comes stock in alot of Schecters and LTDs and other guitars that are mahog body/neck builds. So, doesnt sound bad there...

maybe it's closer to the JB sounds good in mahogany, but not neccessarily if it's mounted in half a tree (ie a les paul)

 

[Kensai]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

I'd suggest the Custom or Custom 5, since you don't like the JB's bottom end or the midrange honk of Alnico 8 pups (Alnico 2 is even more so). You usually want A5 or ceramic in a midrange-heavy guitar anyway. The Custom has a ceramic magnet and the Custom 5 has an Alnico 5 magnet, but otherwise, they're the same pickup; it just takes a $5 magnet from forum bro Wymore Guitars and a few minutes to convert one to the other.

Excuse the off topic question, but is the Custom Custom the same pickup as the others, just with Alnico II magnet?
Sounds like the Custom series (Custom, Custom 5 and Custom Custom) are almost the same pickup, but with different manget, isn´t?

How it can be done? There is some instructions, here at this forum?
Thanks!

 

[CTN]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

that's exactly right Kensai. see the sticky for the 59/Custom hybrid.

the process is exactly the same except you don't need to take the coils right off and separate them from the baseplate. All you gotta do is loosen the four mounting screws on the bottom of the baseplate just enough to slide the old magnet out. slide the new mag in, apply a hairdryer to melt the wax and hold the new mag in place, and tighten the screws up.

 

[jafo]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

Excuse the off topic question, but is the Custom Custom the same pickup as the others, just with Alnico II magnet?
Sounds like the Custom series (Custom, Custom 5 and Custom Custom) are almost the same pickup, but with different manget, isn´t?

How it can be done? There is some instructions, here at this forum?
Thanks!

Exactly as you say. Put in an Alnico 8, and it's a Custom 8, Alnico 4, yadda yadda. The Custom series is awesomely customizable!

There are roughly fifteen thousand threads here on how to swap magnets, but it's really easy to do. First, you need to remove any covers that may be present -- use very, very careful desoldering. If the tape around the bobbins connects to the base plate, carefully unstick it. The magnets are held in place between the bobbins and the base plate, so loosen the four screws holding the bobbins, slide out the old mag (possibly with a little gentle persuasion if the wax holds it tight), slide in the new, tighten the screws, and that's it. I usually remove the pickup entirely from the mounting ring, since the mounting screws are in the magnet's sliding path, but you can also unscrew the bobbins entirely.

Use at your own risk, no warranty is offered, for entertainment purposes, yadda yadda.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

I dont understand.. People say that they hear the JB isnt good in an LP, but the stock JB in my LTD EC400AT sounds amazing! And the JB comes stock in alot of Schecters and LTDs and other guitars that are mahog body/neck builds. So, doesnt sound bad there...

The JB react funny with some LP guitars. I have 2 LPs, in one it was awful, in the other not bad. IMO it has to do with some highmids freq. which are boosted with some LPs.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

The FS is entirely different. It doesn't get rounded off by the PAF-like polepieces that DC and DD have. The hex poles make it very "assertive", forward, reacts stronger to playing nuances - but not neccessarily in a a good way, it can lack body. More of a high-gain soloing pickup. More dynamic than the DC and DD which have ceramic magnets that compress.

That is the best description I have ever heard of a Full Shred --- I was about to write my thoughts up, but that's perfect right there --- I agree completely.

Just a little corroboration for the OP

 

[Aceman]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

I'm neutral on the JB issue.

I think the best thing I have ever heard is that bedroom shredders do not like it, guys in bands do. The characteristics that make it sounds amazing in the mix, are the same ones that make some feel it is harsh on it's own. I think the PG bridge gets bad wrap for the same reason.

A lot of your favorite heavy recorded tones in the 80's were done with a JB.

And as I mentioned in another thread - the quality of ALL the wood that goes into an LP can cause any two LP's to vary immensely - even if made the same day.

 

[CTN]

Re: dif between Distortion vs. custom vs. full shred...

Every time I've heard or played a JB, I've been for the most part unimpressed. It sounds like a good pickup, but it doesn't sound fantastic to my ears. At the band house, there's two JB loaded guitars there, one a Jackson Dinky, bolt on, and the other, a Schecter 006 Blackjack, set neck. Polar opposite guitars, and yet I don't like the sound of the JB in either.

In the Jackson the low mids and the lows sound choked, and the high mids and highs sound brittle, and that nasty high mid spike is clearly audible.

in the Schecter, the whole thing just sorta sounds muffled and restrained, but at least you don't notice the mid spike.