Duncan Distortion For Meh?

[N3WFI3]

need a humbucker close sounding to an emg 81
i heard some samples from the Duncan Distortion here
and it seems like the best passive for emg 81 like heavyness
i like my 59B but it cant get heavy palm mutes and chunkyness

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

A 59B can do palm mutes just fine, in fact lower output pups will usually have better clarity than higher output pups.

If you like the EMG results, just get a set of EMGs. The closest thing to the EMG's sound would be the Blackouts (also active).

If you want to stay passive but need higher output, the DD is a great choice for the aggressive stuff, but it will not sound like an 81.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

Yeah- The DD sounds nothing like an EMG 81 IMO. It sounds really good and is probably my favorite Duncan, along with the PG. The tone is nothing like EMG though...

 

[Venometal]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

...and of course, there is always the Dimarzio D Activators.

 

[H8Red442]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

I've always thought the Distortion was the closest thing to an EMG. I was all EMG before finding the Distortion.

 

[baritone]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

DiMarzio just came out with a D-Activator version of the X2N. It is available in both bridge and neck positions. The Distortion doesn't sound much like the 81, but it can be used effectively for similar applications, as can many different hot pickups.

 

[N3WFI3]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

i really want to try active pickups bad so I'm getting a Blackout
first i was thinking about the Duncan Distortion
but my favorite metal bands are using actives
i don't care anymore if my guitar needs a mod for it

 

[Rowan]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

A 59B can do palm mutes just fine, in fact lower output pups will usually have better clarity than higher output pups.

The 59B sounds pretty bad for metal palm mutes. This man wants chunky. He wants a Duncan Distortion, which will be chunkier and richer than the EMG

:drive:

 

[uOpt]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

I've always thought the Distortion was the closest thing to an EMG. I was all EMG before finding the Distortion.

Like the EMG85 maybe, but the 81?

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

The Dimarzio D Activator Bridge is probably the closest pup ot the EMG 81 i've heard so far. But both 81 and the DA are kinda lacking character. the DD is a better choice imo.

 

[N3WFI3]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

Gunna go with Dimarzio's X2N i guess, i heard alot of people say it's better then EMG

 

[Captain Crunch]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

NONE of these pickups sound like an EMG. There just isn't any comparison in tone. Yes some of them might sound closer to an EMG sound in certain respects, but by no stretch of the imagination do any of the said pickups (passive that is) sound like an EMG. The only thing that sounds like an 81 is an 81. if you are looking for the sound of an EMG81....then go buy yourself an EMG81

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

i heard the blackouts are like an EMG81 with more lowend. that's pretty cool if you ask me.

the X2N definitely LOOKS the coolest for sure. i was gonna get a custom shop Duncan Iommi humbucker cuz i love that dual-rails look but i think that P-Rails is more my style

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Duncan Distortion For Meh?

He said close-sounding. This issue comes up all the time. Of course only EMGs will sound like EMGs, so to use his words, does the Duncan Distortion deliver "heavy palm mutes and chunkyness."