Duncan Custom 5 vs Duncan Distortion

[kingsxman]

I'm ready to RMA my 59 back to duncan for a C5. I thought the 59 was a bit too bright and not fat enough sounding and didnt overdrive the amp to my liking. Duncan recommended the 35. However, after finding out that the stock pickups in my 335 copy are duncan designed HB103's, which were designed around the duncan distortion....its got me rethinking this a bit.
I like the fatness and thick sound that I get out of the HB103's (on the overdrive channel of my jcm 800), but dont like the lack of clarity and missing bottom end. Will the C5 give me the boost I need to get that guitar rocking...or should I maybe be thinking about the duncan distortion? (or something just a step below the distortion in overdrive).

I should point out that the guitar has a maple top on it.

I'm sending my pickup back tomorrow....

 

[Sniper-V]

Re: Duncan Custom 5 vs Duncan Distortion

Kingsxman,

I don't know what everyone else thinks but I wouldn't go off of any Duncan Design pup as a judge of how a "real" Duncan sounds, don't matter how they label it. I personally, just am not a fan of any of the "Design" line. They are only appropriate in the lower end guitars they come pre-loaded in. Actually, that could have an inadvertent effect being the "someone", (uneducated buyer, which is typically the case) would judge the Duncan quality and tone by means of the "Design line". I can live without them.

As far as the C5 goes, its my current fav. pup being that I love the '59. Really just like a beefier '59 and still retains somewhat a "vintage" vibe. The DD has high output but I am not a fan of ceramics.

Sniper-V

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Duncan Custom 5 vs Duncan Distortion

I've never tried the C5, So I can't say anything about that. But If you Like the grind and overdrive of your Duncan Designed DD Copy, Then I'de suggest trying the Real deal. Those Duncan designed pickups aren't too bad for what they are (cheap pickups with better tone than most "stock" pups), But They really shouldn't even be considered "duncans" in anyway. (personally I don't think they name should even be on there, as it Might give people the wrong impression of duncans)
The Real Duncan Distortion is A very High output pickup though (which can be good and bad), With Great Tight bottom end, Thick mids, And Cutting highs. Its Personally my 2nd favorite pickup (right after a DD with alnico II mag instead of Ceramic). But The amount of Output may be a bit too much for you still. And if your worryed about there being to much output (which can cause acoustic feedback in Hollow and semi-hollow bodys). Then I'de suggest the Jb. The Jb is the same Pickup as the DD but instead of a Ceramic magnet (dd) it has an Alnico5 mag. The magnet change, Lowers the output (a small amount), And decreases the mids a bit (Actully moves the mid spike into more Upper mids so It appears to Have more treble). You'll still get a good tight bottom end, and Good mids, But You'll get more Highs (upper mids). If you go with a Jb I suggest changeing your pots to 250k Also. Otherwise your guitar will sound overly Bright. (the Jb was designed with 250k pots in mind, so useing 500k results in an overly Bright sound. Which comes off really harsh in most setups)

Hopefully sumone else can Give you more info on the C5 (and I'm sure Sumone will). I hear its a Great pickup, Suppoused to be very similar to A "paf-ish" sorta tone. Just with more output (sorta like a beefed up 59), But I personally have no idea.

Ed

P.s. Hows the build quality on those Echotones? I've been thinkin about tryin ta get one. An they seem pretty nice, but its always good to have the opinion of sumone who actully knows.

 

[kingsxman]

Re: Duncan Custom 5 vs Duncan Distortion

Lowfi, I agree...the Ducan Designed arent that bad of pickups for what they are. Sure they're not the real deal...but they're certainly not bad. I actually dont think the sound of the hb103 is too bad...except it lacks the clarity that I'm looking for.

As for the Hamer Echotone....its really an incredibly built guitar for the money. I have the custom model Echotone (block inlays, trapeze tailpiece) and I picked it up used for a song. I stuck a bit of money into it having it setup (couple high frets) and I had 2 block inlays that had a slight "lift" on thier corners...but I've seen worse on some brand new Gibson guitars. I would think of it as a good starting point to make a really decent playing guitar. Basically buy the guitar, put in good pickups, pots and a switch and your good to go. My Strat, Les Paul and PRS are sitting at home and this is now my main gigging guitar. Part of that is because if it gets stolen..who cares...but it sounds really good. Our bass player just paid $1900 for a Heritage 555 which is really sweet...but he said that he's a bit disappointed that he didnt just by an Echotone because there certainly isnt $1400 difference in the 2 guitars.

 

[Boleslaw Gers 666]

Re: Duncan Custom 5 vs Duncan Distortion

I would try a '59/Custom hybrid if you have the time. I'm getting one made soon. It's supposed to be the power of a Custom and the articulation of a '59, if you like that aspect of the pickup. I would imagine a DD/'59 hybrid would be right up your alley too.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Duncan Custom 5 vs Duncan Distortion

Nah, screw the DD. The best modern humbuckers from Duncan are the C-5, CC, and Custom. Everytime I deviate from those, I end up yanking them out and going back.

 

[WICKED LESTER]

Re: Duncan Custom 5 vs Duncan Distortion

I would like to ask this?

DD vs custom with the larger ceramic magnet from a DD?

 

[El Dangeroso]

Re: Duncan Custom 5 vs Duncan Distortion

i feel i have to throw my 2 cents in...

i have a schecter scorpion with a mahogany body and neck, rosewood fretboard, and 26 3/4" scale length. i also have an ibanez iceman with a mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard, and a 24 3/4" scale length. the scorpion comes stock with duncan designed h-103's. normally, it's tuned low (dropped d 1 1/2 steps down with 12-56 slinkys) but one day i strung it with 10-52 slinkys and tuned it to standard dropped d. i was floored when i plugged it in. it did everything i wanted a guitar to do. the cleans were very sterile and the distortion tone was thick on the bottom and sharp and bright on the top. i was lookin for a replacement pickup for my iceman, so i thought the Duncan Distortion was a good choice since the 103 was based on it. but when i got it done, i was surprised at how i couldn't clean the duncan distortion up like the h-103. whether it was due to the wood difference or the scale difference, i don't know. but i thought i'd just mention this.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Duncan Custom 5 vs Duncan Distortion

A lot of semis sound good with A2 pups like the A2P, PG, CC. I'd look into the CC if I were you then you would have that nice low mid spike to warm it up.

Luke