Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
- Thread starter JMP/HBE
- Start date
Discharged
New member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
Not at all.
/Peter
Not at all.
/Peter
JMP/HBE
Well-known member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
I have both. How would you describe the differences ?
I have both. How would you describe the differences ?
Discharged
New member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
One is dynamic and vibrant, the other is dull and lifeless.
One gracefully take almost any magnet swap, the other, well... not so much.
One have a leading, commanding voice and excellently responds to picking nuances, the other... not so much.
One can be used in any music style, in part due to the excellent magnet swap capacity. The other can successfully employed in styles of music which required little dynamic, like big band chord accompaniment, solo guitar jazz and singer accompaniment, and with light OD, power chords.
Well? Your take?
/Peter
If you have'em, why are you asking? Are you not able to tell any difference?
One is dynamic and vibrant, the other is dull and lifeless.
One gracefully take almost any magnet swap, the other, well... not so much.
One have a leading, commanding voice and excellently responds to picking nuances, the other... not so much.
One can be used in any music style, in part due to the excellent magnet swap capacity. The other can successfully employed in styles of music which required little dynamic, like big band chord accompaniment, solo guitar jazz and singer accompaniment, and with light OD, power chords.
Well? Your take?
/Peter
Archer250
Well-known member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
One actually sounds focused, clear and articulate and the other sounds like a Loudness War-era pickup EQ'd to sound like what Loudness War-era internet people *thought* "classic Les Pauls" sounded
After dabbling in custom shop pickups from veteran companies, and in custom-ordered pickups from local winders, I've come to despise DiMarzios and would never *think* of touching them unless I was looking for a very specific sound.
Most of them behave the same to me: they don't do one genre or one trick, but they do the same feel. If you use one DiMarzio pickup, no matter what genre you use it for, it will FEEL the same, no matter what subtle nuances you put into it.
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
Yeah basically this
One actually sounds focused, clear and articulate and the other sounds like a Loudness War-era pickup EQ'd to sound like what Loudness War-era internet people *thought* "classic Les Pauls" sounded
After dabbling in custom shop pickups from veteran companies, and in custom-ordered pickups from local winders, I've come to despise DiMarzios and would never *think* of touching them unless I was looking for a very specific sound.
Most of them behave the same to me: they don't do one genre or one trick, but they do the same feel. If you use one DiMarzio pickup, no matter what genre you use it for, it will FEEL the same, no matter what subtle nuances you put into it.
Last edited:
Mr. B
New member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
I disagree with everything that has been said so far. While the 59 may be more era-correct, it also inherits the weaknesses of older humbucker designs, especially in a Les Paul. The bass can be boomy, especially the neck version, the mids can be lacking, and the treble can get brittle on higher notes in many guitars. I like the 59 set in a Gibson SG because it balances the extremes of the 59, but in other guitars, those quirks become annoying. I always find myself wanting a little more out of the bridge too. I have tried swapping about every magnet type known into them, and I never found anything I liked better than the original A5.
The 36th set sounds best in a Les Paul or PRS type to me. They are slightly higher output than vintage sets, but that is not a bad thing in my opinion. They have plenty of mids, but also fairly tight bass, and screaming highs without being brittle. The neck is very warm, but not muddy. The bridge is bright, but not ice-pick bright and balances with the neck much better than a lot of sets like the Pearly Gates. They have a more 3-d quality to them than most Duncans, where I would say the closest set might be the Slash A2 Pros EQ-wise. They work well for cleans, and will also handle gobs of gain if you throw it at them. I have tried about every PAF set out there in my Les Pauls over the years, and the only two sets that have survived are the Dimarzio 36th, and the Duncan A2 Pro Slash set. I still have 59's, Seths, and Pearlies in other guitars, but in my Les pauls, I think the 36th set is right up there with the best.
I disagree with everything that has been said so far. While the 59 may be more era-correct, it also inherits the weaknesses of older humbucker designs, especially in a Les Paul. The bass can be boomy, especially the neck version, the mids can be lacking, and the treble can get brittle on higher notes in many guitars. I like the 59 set in a Gibson SG because it balances the extremes of the 59, but in other guitars, those quirks become annoying. I always find myself wanting a little more out of the bridge too. I have tried swapping about every magnet type known into them, and I never found anything I liked better than the original A5.
The 36th set sounds best in a Les Paul or PRS type to me. They are slightly higher output than vintage sets, but that is not a bad thing in my opinion. They have plenty of mids, but also fairly tight bass, and screaming highs without being brittle. The neck is very warm, but not muddy. The bridge is bright, but not ice-pick bright and balances with the neck much better than a lot of sets like the Pearly Gates. They have a more 3-d quality to them than most Duncans, where I would say the closest set might be the Slash A2 Pros EQ-wise. They work well for cleans, and will also handle gobs of gain if you throw it at them. I have tried about every PAF set out there in my Les Pauls over the years, and the only two sets that have survived are the Dimarzio 36th, and the Duncan A2 Pro Slash set. I still have 59's, Seths, and Pearlies in other guitars, but in my Les pauls, I think the 36th set is right up there with the best.
Last edited:
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
I've not played the 36th Anniversary PAF, but I've listened to a guy who used them in all his humbucker guitars for a long time. "Dull and lifeless" do not come to mind for me.
I've not played the 36th Anniversary PAF, but I've listened to a guy who used them in all his humbucker guitars for a long time. "Dull and lifeless" do not come to mind for me.
JMP/HBE
Well-known member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
I have 36th DM in a Les Paul & they're great, very balanced & can handle anything.
I this week bought a Gibson Explorer that has the 59 n/b combo. I like the top end but the bass is flubby & the mids are scooped.
I have another set of DM 36th's i can thrown in the Explorer & probably will.
As for pissy people on forums it doesn't really bother me. Just asking questions here. Not asking for money.
Appreciate the assesment and it sounds accurate to me concerning the 36ths. I do like different opines but the first two guys that responded seem to be talking in riddles eluding to which pup does what with a condescending overtone seeming to be bothered about answering a pickup query on a pickup forum.
I have 36th DM in a Les Paul & they're great, very balanced & can handle anything.
I this week bought a Gibson Explorer that has the 59 n/b combo. I like the top end but the bass is flubby & the mids are scooped.
I have another set of DM 36th's i can thrown in the Explorer & probably will.
As for pissy people on forums it doesn't really bother me. Just asking questions here. Not asking for money.
Last edited:
Cdwillis
New member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
I don't have enough personal experience with either one to compare in depth, but a few years ago I jammed on a LTD EC-401VF that had those 36th anniversary PAFs and I thought they sounded fantastic. I didn't end up buying the guitar, but the pickups got put on a list to check out because they didn't sound like the typical Dimarzios (vocal midrange, lots of compression). They were chimey and harmonically rich when overdriven. Everybody's ears are different, but the hate in this thread on them was really surprising to me.
I don't have enough personal experience with either one to compare in depth, but a few years ago I jammed on a LTD EC-401VF that had those 36th anniversary PAFs and I thought they sounded fantastic. I didn't end up buying the guitar, but the pickups got put on a list to check out because they didn't sound like the typical Dimarzios (vocal midrange, lots of compression). They were chimey and harmonically rich when overdriven. Everybody's ears are different, but the hate in this thread on them was really surprising to me.
JMP/HBE
Well-known member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
I went ahead & swapped the pickups.
The DiMarzio's are way better suited for me.
The 59's A5 have that spongy fizzy thing going on like the JB that i dont like.
The 36th's bottom is tight as a frogs azz underwater.
If that wouldn't have worked an SH-5 was going in there.
I went ahead & swapped the pickups.
The DiMarzio's are way better suited for me.
The 59's A5 have that spongy fizzy thing going on like the JB that i dont like.
The 36th's bottom is tight as a frogs azz underwater.
If that wouldn't have worked an SH-5 was going in there.
BluesIsBlood12
New member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
This is common for 59s in certain guitars, and it's why people swap the magnets all the time. For $10 you can alter the EQ to fit what you need, and you'd be surprised how good it can sound. I had 59s and 36ths in the same les paul, neither of which sounded good stock. But with A2 and A4 magnets in the 59s they blew away the 36ths. Not even close.
This is common for 59s in certain guitars, and it's why people swap the magnets all the time. For $10 you can alter the EQ to fit what you need, and you'd be surprised how good it can sound. I had 59s and 36ths in the same les paul, neither of which sounded good stock. But with A2 and A4 magnets in the 59s they blew away the 36ths. Not even close.
JMP/HBE
Well-known member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
These 59's had nickel covers. Not wanting to take apart the pups.
Im sure i'll either sell them or put them in something else.
These 59's had nickel covers. Not wanting to take apart the pups.
Im sure i'll either sell them or put them in something else.
Juanhanglo
Active member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
An ec401v was my first experience with the 36ths (and les Paul type guitars).
As soon as I started playing it, I said "oh yeah...".
I prefer dimarzios over duncans. I like the full shred bridge tho and love the full shred neck.
This thread nails what I didnt like about the 59. The scooped hollow mids, the ample yet boomy/muddy/flubby bass, and the highs always got brittle on me under gain.
I think I may go with some phat cats for my semi hollow though. It needs some top end clarity.
An ec401v was my first experience with the 36ths (and les Paul type guitars).
As soon as I started playing it, I said "oh yeah...".
I prefer dimarzios over duncans. I like the full shred bridge tho and love the full shred neck.
This thread nails what I didnt like about the 59. The scooped hollow mids, the ample yet boomy/muddy/flubby bass, and the highs always got brittle on me under gain.
I think I may go with some phat cats for my semi hollow though. It needs some top end clarity.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
I like a '59B in the bridge (with a 250K volume pot) with a 36th Anni in the neck (with a 500K volume pot), personally. Best of both worlds!
I like a '59B in the bridge (with a 250K volume pot) with a 36th Anni in the neck (with a 500K volume pot), personally. Best of both worlds!
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
A2 in the bridge and A4 in the neck?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A2 in the bridge and A4 in the neck?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Teleplayer
Active member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
36th anniversary neck is a good pickup, but it can be a bit over-warm and has some loss of detail when playing clean. I found the SH-2n with A4 magnet suits me better overall and has fantastic clean tone.
36th anniversary neck is a good pickup, but it can be a bit over-warm and has some loss of detail when playing clean. I found the SH-2n with A4 magnet suits me better overall and has fantastic clean tone.
BluesIsBlood12
New member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
Both A2 and both A4, though A2b and A4n is probably pretty nice too.
Both A2 and both A4, though A2b and A4n is probably pretty nice too.
donaldr
Well-known member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
I'v been eyeing Dimarzio 36th anniversary for my Les Paul for quite a long time and I think you are the first one to come with such a review. Most of the reviews I seen are from good to fantastic in a Les Paul (36th anniv. were designed for a Les Paul in mind). Maybe you tried it in the wrong guitar (like it can be the case for a JB). OTOH my friend had a set of SD 59 installed in a Gibson SG and we were both far from impressed. And there are mixed reviews on this forum about the SD 59, which shouldn't be the case based on your opinion.
Looks like you are 180 degree opposite of everybody on the planet.
I'v been eyeing Dimarzio 36th anniversary for my Les Paul for quite a long time and I think you are the first one to come with such a review. Most of the reviews I seen are from good to fantastic in a Les Paul (36th anniv. were designed for a Les Paul in mind). Maybe you tried it in the wrong guitar (like it can be the case for a JB). OTOH my friend had a set of SD 59 installed in a Gibson SG and we were both far from impressed. And there are mixed reviews on this forum about the SD 59, which shouldn't be the case based on your opinion.
Looks like you are 180 degree opposite of everybody on the planet.
Last edited:
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
The one negative I can find about the PAF 36th in the neck is that it's REALLY low output, IMO.
The one negative I can find about the PAF 36th in the neck is that it's REALLY low output, IMO.
Archer250
Well-known member
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
But if you go around saying that here, some people will scoff and say "I don't know why anyone would like 57 classics. Muddy and unclear"
Let's put it this way, the 36ths are good if you like polished modern, pseudo-vintage tones. They ARE good in its certain applications.
If you've used the Duncan Pearly Gates and you couldn't make it work and need a tamer, more "moderate" version, then the 36ths might be perfect for you.
If you're after the real deal sounds (ie. Seths, Ants, Throbaks, etc), they're blasphemous, and you wouldn't mind a bright, slightly scooped pickup anyways.
As for myself, I far, far prefer the PAF Master and PAF 59 from the DiMarzio camp to the 36ths.
Hell I think I even prefer the Air Classics to it.
Re: Duncan 59's & DiMarzio 36th anniversary sets.
And there are people, myself included, who like the Gibson 490R and 57 Classics for certain applications. The sets designed with Les Pauls in mind
But if you go around saying that here, some people will scoff and say "I don't know why anyone would like 57 classics. Muddy and unclear"
Let's put it this way, the 36ths are good if you like polished modern, pseudo-vintage tones. They ARE good in its certain applications.
If you've used the Duncan Pearly Gates and you couldn't make it work and need a tamer, more "moderate" version, then the 36ths might be perfect for you.
If you're after the real deal sounds (ie. Seths, Ants, Throbaks, etc), they're blasphemous, and you wouldn't mind a bright, slightly scooped pickup anyways.
As for myself, I far, far prefer the PAF Master and PAF 59 from the DiMarzio camp to the 36ths.
Hell I think I even prefer the Air Classics to it.
Similar threads
- Featured
