Duncan 103's

[Aceman]

So, my new Jackson has this in the bridge. Not my first 103 at all.

I honestly think these are just as good as the US branded Distortion. I really don't notice the difference.

Tight, crunchy AF, highs scream, mids punch like a donkey, and harmonics jump right out with ease.

Just a great metal pickup all around. I am also convinced the regular Jackson branded pups are based on this as well.


Any other fans?

 

[Masta' C]

I'm a big fan of the HB-103, as well. Incredibly solid for a "budget" pickup. Crunchy and tight with killer harmonics and a punchy rock voicing...I've rarely felt the need to replace them in any guitars that came with them.

 

[Aceman]

Pickups I love/would never change:

1. Duncan Distortions
2. Gibson 500T's
3. Duncan 103's

 

[ICTGoober]

While I've been a fan of Duncan stuff since the 80's, I gotta admit stuff made overseas has definitely found a place in the market for good reason - they sound good, too. And less money for the same performance cannot be argued with. Maxon made some legendary stuff for Ibanez even back in the late 70's/early 80's. Artec is making some kickass pickups, and not just for guitar players. A player these days has a huge amount of units to choose from. Don't like this one? Try that one!

 

[Artie]

I like every Duncan Designed I've ever heard. I have a few in several guitars now. Good stuff.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I have never directly A/B'd them, but I remember liking them when I tried them.

I doubt they sound the exact same as USA Duncan Distortions, but I doubt they're objectically worse sounding either.

The HB112's that came with the old Ibanez SZ's were killer too.

Anybody knows who makes these Duncan Designed pickups?

 

[AdrianSD]

https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/faqs/what-can-you-tell-me-about-duncan-designed apparently made in Korea?

 

[Aceman]

Yeah - the cost of a pickup is like $6 dollars all in plastic, wire, and magnets + labor at scale.

So you buy the Korean made ones for mid price guitars.

It's a Distortion basically, +/- some winds and QA or whatever, wherever they make them.

I don't care if it was assembled on the Good Ship Lollypop. It's a killer pickup for loud rock and roll!

 

[beaubrummels]

My Jackson came with a 103 in the bridge and I swapped it for an old MJ-made Distortion and the Distortion was a bit better for me. The Distortion was brighter and tighter, though the 103 sounded good and could be just as workable by changing amp settings a bit.

 

[Artie]

I almost hate to say . . . but I think I may actually like my DD HB-101's (59's) better than the USA version. They seem to be just a smidgen "cleaner" than the US version. The neck unit doesn't "need" the de-mud mod. I also wonder if that might be because Daisy Rock conferred with Duncan, pre-production, to find the perfect match for their Sycamore bodied guitar, while the US 59's are one's that I may not have matched accurately with whatever I had them in.

So, my Champagne Sparkle Daisy Rock, with HB-101's, is one of my "keepers."

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

I liked the 103s in the few guitars I had them in.
But I Loved the 108s, "detonators" they looked like invaders but sounded like sh6. They were much better in my opinion/applications.

I would add to your list of loved/ amazing pickups:

1. Duncan Distortion also Black Winter
2. Gibson 500t
3. Blackout EMTY Blackouts
4. DiMarzio X2N
​​​​​

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I love the 500T, but I do think the 500T is as different from the Distortion as the Custom or the Black Winter are. Yeah, they're all bright in-your-face Cearmic screamers in the grand scheme of things, but they've all got their personality.

 

[Aceman]

I liked the 103s in the few guitars I had them in.
But I Loved the 108s, "detonators" they looked like invaders but sounded like sh6. They were much better in my opinion/applications.

I would add to your list of loved/ amazing pickups:

1. Duncan Distortion also Black Winter
2. Gibson 500t
3. Blackout EMTY Blackouts
4. DiMarzio X2N
​​​​​

I was told in no uncertain terms that they were Distortions with Invader Poles.

 

[Aceman]

I love the 500T, but I do think the 500T is as different from the Distortion as the Custom or the Black Winter are. Yeah, they're all bright in-your-face Cearmic screamers in the grand scheme of things, but they've all got their personality.

Yeah, but the 500T, Distortion, and Black Winter are brothers. A Custom is a Cousin.

 

[ehdwuld]

While I've been a fan of Duncan stuff since the 80's, I gotta admit stuff made overseas has definitely found a place in the market for good reason - they sound good, too. And less money for the same performance cannot be argued with. Maxon made some legendary stuff for Ibanez even back in the late 70's/early 80's. Artec is making some kickass pickups, and not just for guitar players. A player these days has a huge amount of units to choose from. Don't like this one? Try that one!

well in the 50s
Made in Japan was equal to Junk

then by the 80s it was better or equal to USA made
and Korean was junk

40 years later southeast Asia makes almost everything
quality and junk

country of manufacture is no longer the deciding factor in deciding if something is junk or not

manufacturer still determines quality

Looking at you Gibson
Looking directly at you