Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

[lazyfinger]

Re: Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

Lazyfinger, "top end sounds like a fryer". Is it too much? I figured it would be tolerable especially paired with the custom wind and with an A8, would be much better than a ceramic... Or did you use a ceramic mag?

No more than DD, but to be honest, it had the big ceramic from DD and I've had it for a short time, so I will give it another try definitely.

Today I tried it with A5, it was a lot smoother, had some JB-esque and Custom quality. Nice growl to it. I want to do a bit more testing. I space them apart between ever few days, because for some reason, using the same axe, amp, and EQ settings, I am getting slightly different tone every time. I think the heat and humidity in FL has something to do with it. Best tone is at night when it's cool with the AC on.

would it make a difference using JB instead of the DD for the hybrid? Is the DD less honky than the jb? Ive only tried the stock Jb and the stock DD no mag swaps yet. but the jb has a nasally tone to it

Try both! Go nuts. If I had a JB at the moment, I'd do the same. I tried the DD with a Demon too, a bit different tone as well.

 

[dvadneau]

Re: Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

What about a PATB-2/TB-5 hybrid? I've always thought of the PATB-2 as a less nasty version of the DD. A little more mid emphasis without the top-end sizzle.

I might have to try that at some point. Would the ceramic be best, or an Alnico (8, 5)?

 

[orpheo]

Re: Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

With the tb5 its not tight, open and airy enough for me, zo i take the fullshred. Best of both worlds, imho. Thinking of making a patb1/2 hybrid, though. Alnico8, all the way

 

[Frogman]

Re: Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

Would a PATB fit under a gold cover? (EMG style obviously, no holes)

 

[jmh151]

Depends on your amp. On a hot amp like a Mesa or 5150, the Mira pickups with their lower output may be fine.

 

[dvanburen]

Re: Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

I just did a thread on my experience on making a jb custom hybrid. I really like it but that signature upper mid thing from the jb still comes through. I'm using with alnico 8. This pickup is loud and cutting. I really like it but I want to try the DD screw coil in place of the jb in this hybrid to see if that jb honk will go away. If that doesn't bother you then this hybrid is a real winner

 

[lazyfinger]

Re: Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

I just did a thread on my experience on making a jb custom hybrid. I really like it but that signature upper mid thing from the jb still comes through. I'm using with alnico 8. This pickup is loud and cutting. I really like it but I want to try the DD screw coil in place of the jb in this hybrid to see if that jb honk will go away. If that doesn't bother you then this hybrid is a real winner

Didn't notice any honk with DD. Just a smooth pickup with some bite and grind.

 

[dvanburen]

Re: Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

So I'm doing this DD/custom hybrid next. I wanted to share my experience with the board on my findings. I just did a thread on the custom/jb hybrid with a thorough review here https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=244433

I put an A8 mag in the DD last night and have been playing around with it. The reason I did that was to see what the A8 mag did to the distiortion in comparison with the JB before I do the DD/custom hybrid. The JB seems hotter and more compressed to me. A little angrier and has got that upper mid sound that some are not crazy about.
The DD A8 did not have this honky sound at all. Actually was very smooth and has a little smoother and brighter upper frequency push to it. bottom was still tight but the downside (to me) was the jb was a bit fuller in the low mids and a little hotter.

I actually liked the overall sound better of the DD but wanted some more fullness to it. I'm actually excited about pairing it with the custom coil to see if I can add some character to it. I'll post my reviews of it as soon as I make the hybrid. hopefully sometime this weekend

 

[ghostmaker]

Re: Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

Looking forward to it Dvanburen. Perhaps get a sound clip if you can?

I love both pickups, I'd be very interested to hear how they sound blended together. I imagine it would sound massive in a Les Paul.

 

[dvanburen]

Re: Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

Yeah, I'm working on some sound clips to get up there. may take some time though

Here is the link to the other thread with my review on it.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=244602
But its just only that,..my review

hope it helps

 

[Dark Order Lord]

Re: Duncan Distortion/Custom hybrid

The Dist. does have a high end fizz or harshness. That's the one thing that I didn't like about it (as well as other ceramic mag pups I've tried). Easy to get rid of that by using an A8 mag. Made all the difference.

Its funny that you say the DD has a high end fizz, I disagree. For me A5 lacks top end clarity of ceramic, so must just be point of view. My problem with the DD is the mids are fuzzy and not growly like and Invader or Custom or even the PATB 2 Distortion.

Thats I asked MJ if she could make DD with all its specs, but have the growly mids of the PATB 2, and she said to me that she can get close to these specs, so as soon as I get through Car Rego (in Australia its alway at least $1000 in one hit per year......the pain), I'll be getting MJ to make me one and see how I go