Distortion magnet swap...

[the guy who invented fire]

I have a few Duncan Distortions, and I might be getting yet one more...any body ever swap magnets in a DD? What does it do to the sound...I'm thinking maybe an Alnico II.

 

[Leather Rebel]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I've not done it personally, but I've heard that putting an A5 in a Distortion makes it similar to a JB. Putting an A2 in a pickup wound that hot may make it too muddy, but I've heard of folks putting an A2 in JBs with good success. There's not reason that you couldn't get a useable sound out of an A2 Distortion, but YMMV. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Artie]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I've not done it personally, but I've heard that putting an A5 in a Distortion makes it similar to a JB.

I'm glad you said that first. I was hesitating, because I didn't trust my memory, but I'm sure that once, in the chat room, MJ said that same thing.

I'll see if I can search through the chat archives and find that segment.

 

[wixomwhat]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I'm glad you said that first. I was hesitating, because I didn't trust my memory, but I'm sure that once, in the chat room, MJ said that same thing.

I'll see if I can search through the chat archives and find that segment.

I remember. I was in the chat room with you at that time. Except i think it was Jessica that said that not Mj.

 

[Stevo]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I put a Custom magnet in a DD. That is the smaller ceramic magnet. I liked the tone, but the pickup really lost some DD character that I like. It did sound more like a Custom and it seemed to clean up a little better.

 

[Travis]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

Don't mess with perfection. Keep the Distortion as it is and if you want a different sound, go with a different pickup. Just my opinion.

 

[Inge Malmstein]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I put a Custom magnet in a DD. That is the smaller ceramic magnet. I liked the tone, but the pickup really lost some DD character that I like. It did sound more like a Custom and it seemed to clean up a little better.

I have 3! Duncan Distortions...
And i need a Custom...
So, i simply could put a smaller ceramic magnet and would have a Custom?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I have 3! Duncan Distortions...
And i need a Custom...
So, i simply could put a smaller ceramic magnet and would have a Custom?

They are NOT the SAME...but very close...a Custom is closest to a Seth with a small Ceramic magnet. A Distortion is closest to a JB with a Ceramis (Much larger that thew one in a Custom!).

 

[Travis]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I have 3! Duncan Distortions...

Hahahahahahaha! I have 5 Distortions. 4 bridge and 1 neck. They are the greatest. See my other thread..

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=20640

 

[Artie]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

<wixomwhat> if SD made a humbucker version of the 1/4er would u guys name it the 1/2 pounder?

Even though I think you were joking somewhat, I think its a killer idea.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I've actully got an Alnico II equiped (and double screw bobbins) DD in The bridge of my tele right at this very moment. The change in tone is massive. Like unbelieveably massive. It doesn't sound anything like a normal DD. It did lose alotta Treble. But it Gained a **** load of Upper mids and tons of bass. I actully really like the way it sounds. Its not really muddy as People would think (I thought it would be myself). Its got the perfect sound for really heavy riffing. And can give some really nice Singing sustain fer leads. Think really really midrange heavy tone. And you'll kinda get the idea. But an unexpected plus is, It sounds amazingly better clean too. Much easyer to just roll the volume back and clean up. I suggest trying it out, ya might love it. Or ya might hate it. Never know till ya try.
I also tried an Alnico V in the same DD/Guitar before the Alnico II. I really didn't like the sound of it personally. Seemed to scoop the mids and oddly enough made it seem more compressed to me. I suppouse the sound woulda worked well for metal in the 80's sense. But The sound wasn't happening to me. So I dunno. its all a matter of taste. Ed

 

[wixomwhat]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

Thanks Artie

Actually I was joking about the 1/2 pounder but if you think about it, that really would be a sweet pup. A humbucker that you could split the coils on and it would then be a 1/4 pounder.

 

[Artie]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I see a phone call to the custom shop on the horizon.

 

[wixomwhat]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I see a phone call to the custom shop on the horizon.

if you do get one you gotta give us a review.

 

[Fusion1]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

Low Fidelity did you order the pickup like that from Duncan (2 adjustable coils and A2 mag) or mod it yourself?

I think I will dive in and make some dual adjustable coil pickups taking apart 2 pickups and using both screw coils. I'd have to use 2 of the same pickups or else I'd get a hybrid which would be cool for VH stuff, but I have other ideas now.

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

Low Fidelity did you order the pickup like that from Duncan (2 adjustable coils and A2 mag) or mod it yourself?

I think I will dive in and make some dual adjustable coil pickups taking apart 2 pickups and using both screw coils. I'd have to use 2 of the same pickups or else I'd get a hybrid which would be cool for VH stuff, but I have other ideas now.

Modded it myself. I had an old broken Fender bridge pickup from a MIM strat. And the screw side oddly enough wasn't "treaded". The screw bobbin and the slug bobbin were Identical. The screw side just had some little inserts in the bobbin that were treaded and pushed into place for the screws to run through. So I took those out and they fit perfectly in the slug side of the duncan. I honestly can't even remember where I got the alnico II. But I think I got it from a scientific supply house near where I live. (which has now gone out of bussiness). But I'm not possitive. Ed

 

[Inge Malmstein]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

Thanks Artie

Actually I was joking about the 1/2 pounder but if you think about it, that really would be a sweet pup. A humbucker that you could split the coils on and it would then be a 1/4 pounder.

Wouldn't that be an Invader?

I use 2 1/4 pounds in series (bridge and middle SC) and they have a lot of balls.

PS:
If you come close to a custom, would a DD with AII be close to a CC?

It might be worth a try.
I'm not satisfied with the DD and want a more open, warmer sound.

 

[Artie]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

I use 2 1/4 pounds in series (bridge and middle SC) and they have a lot of balls.

Thanks for reminding me.

I must be getting old. Here I am going along with the idea that a humbucker made out of two QP's might be cool. But that would just be two QP's in series . . .

. . . which I just did last weekend . . .

. . . which I'm going to undo this weekend, precisely because it doesn't sound that good. :smack:

No call to the custom shop this week. :laugh2:

Artie

 

[BachToRock]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

They are NOT the SAME...but very close...a Custom is closest to a Seth with a small Ceramic magnet. A Distortion is closest to a JB with a Ceramis (Much larger that thew one in a Custom!).

Correct on the Distortion/JB analogy, but a Custom is most definitely not like a Seth with a Ceramic magnet... the SETH is wound to approx 8.5k with 42 guage wire and the Custom is wound to approx 14.5k with 43 guage wire... that = apples & oranges

 

[wixomwhat]

Re: Distortion magnet swap...

Wouldn't that be an Invader?

I use 2 1/4 pounds in series (bridge and middle SC) and they have a lot of balls.

PS:
If you come close to a custom, would a DD with AII be close to a CC?

It might be worth a try.
I'm not satisfied with the DD and want a more open, warmer sound.

No.

The invader is like 18K and isnt a QP bridge like 11-13k? if so then a 1/2 pounder humbucker would be 22K or higher and one coil would we wound the opposite direction of the other. Right???