Distortion vs L-500XL

chief brody

chief brody

New member
How do these bridge humbuckers compare? Either one more better suited/voiced for old-school metal like Judas Priest, King Diamond, and Megadeth?

I'm looking for aggressive, raw crunch with tight and punchy bass. also, good for both heavy rhythm crunch AND soloing.

are there better candidates than the Duncan Distortion or Lawrence L-500XL for this?

thanks
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

I'm gonna vote Distortion. I don't have a 500xl -but I do have an X2N which i believe is similar.
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

Aceman said:
I'm gonna vote Distortion. I don't have a 500xl -but I do have an X2N which i believe is similar.
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And you my friend.....are way off base on that assumption.
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

I haven't played the XL500, but I can't imagine a better high-gain pickup than the DD. It's got everything I need.
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

Isn't this like going to a Ford forum and asking Mustang or Camaro? There's no way people can answer if they've never used, or at least played both.
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

9finger said:
And you my friend.....are way off base on that assumption.
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I'm correcting the info in my database as I type! My statement was based purely on a super hot dual blade pup basis. Point taken - ignore my opinion on this.

I still vote Distortion based on personal experienece with that!
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

i've played a custom PRS-type guitar wit L-500XLs and wasn't too impressed. It's a great pickup, but nothing to rave about from my point of view.

I haven't had experience with the distortion, but I have a similar set of Duncan Performer Buckshots, and I'm very happy with it.

And as I get to play around more with the Buckshots, I'm leaning towards the distortion.

However, if you would consider another pup, I will suggest the Duncan Custom.

Megadeth Rules!
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

caprae said:
Isn't this like going to a Ford forum and asking Mustang or Camaro?
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you must be new to the forum, as discussions of all brands of pickups (and other gear) are welcomed on this forum.

There's no way people can answer if they've never used, or at least played both.
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uhhhh...no sh#t, Columbo. that's the whole purpose of asking :rolleyes:
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

I've played both. Normally I would say Lawrence, but for the type of music you said, I'd go w/ the Distortion. Lawrences would be missing that slightly grainy/buzzy characteristic that's ever so slightly loose sounding and really makes those tones what they are.

OTOH, A lawrence can handle the gain you're looking for but it will be alot tighter, and more articulate. I actually prefer the L500XL for Megadeth type playing due to it's tighter more articulate feel.
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

chief brody said:
you must be new to the forum, as discussions of all brands of pickups (and other gear) are welcomed on this forum.


uhhhh...no sh#t, Columbo. that's the whole purpose of asking :rolleyes:
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Nasty, aren't we? You'll notice that half who answered you had never played the Lawrence, the others never said if they had or not, making it sound like they hadn't either. That was my point. How can they recommend one over the other without having played one of them. And being a SD forum of course the tendancy here would be to go with the SD pickup. I wasn't hacking at you but at those who answered without having knowledge of both. Cool your jets.

On the other hand, 9finger has experience with both and is able to explain to you the benefits of each pickup.
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

caprae said:
Nasty, aren't we? You'll notice that half who answered you had never played the Lawrence, the others never said if they had or not, making it sound like they hadn't either. That was my point. How can they recommend one over the other without having played one of them. And being a SD forum of course the tendancy here would be to go with the SD pickup. I wasn't hacking at you but at those who answered without having knowledge of both. Cool your jets.

On the other hand, 9finger has experience with both and is able to explain to you the benefits of each pickup.
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I have had both also and, I pretty much agree with 9Finger.
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

theodie said:
I have had both also and, I pretty much agree with 9Finger.
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And that is why I come to these forums, to learn from those of you who have experience and share it, not from those with just opinions or partial experience.
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

caprae said:
And that is why I come to these forums, to learn from those of you who have experience and share it, not from those with just opinions or partial experience.
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Yeah, at times it seems like you have to sift through some BS to really find what you are looking for.
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

No experience with the DD or L-500XL, but from the description in the original post i recommend the Custom be checked out aswell. I love that pup:)

Jeff
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

9finger said:
A lawrence can handle the gain you're looking for but it will be alot tighter, and more articulate. I actually prefer the L500XL for Megadeth type playing due to it's tighter more articulate feel.
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Agreed. The BL is perfect if you're looking for tight and articulate with killer harmonics. I've found my tone and won't be changing it anytime soon.
 
Re: Distortion vs L-500XL

I hope it's Bill and Becky.

I vote for the L-500XL. They are super tight, have killer harmonics, and clean up so well, you'd think it's another pickup.
 
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