Duncan Distortion, Nazgul, or Black Winter

UnderTheFlame83

UnderTheFlame83

New member
So I decided I wanted something different in my ESP LTD MH-10, and I have narrowed it down to these 3. If I get the Distortion, I'd like to get the Mayhem set. The Nazgul or Black Winter, just the bridge. The guitar is basswood. I have a 7 with the Nazgul and I really dig it, but haven't tried the 6 string version yet. The Black Winter I haven't tried before. Looking for more high end and mids and balanced bass. Tuned half step down. Also which of these cleans up better? The Nazgul has ok cleans on my 7 but I usually have to turn down my volume and tone, then adjust my amp to get the tone where I want it. Thanks!
 

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I love the Distortion, not a fan of the Nazgul 7 I hqve and am interested in the BW. Nazgul wont clean up very well, not sure about the BW and Distortion does decemt clean w a volume kmob roll.

My vote is either the BW or Distortion, think you would have more verstility there.
 
Hsb said:
I love the Distortion, not a fan of the Nazgul 7 I hqve and am interested in the BW. Nazgul wont clean up very well, not sure about the BW and Distortion does decemt clean w a volume kmob roll.

My vote is either the BW or Distortion, think you would have more verstility there.
Click to expand...

Yes, verstilty is a plus.
 
Even though the BW is marketed as a metal pu, it can cover a lot of bases. I have thought about putting one in the neck of my Iceman that has the distortion bridge in it
 
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The Black Winter and Distortion are closely related. If the guitar is naturally on the brighter side, go with the Distortion. If it's a bit darker, go with the Black Winter. Also, you should seriously consider the set, even if you do the Black Winters. Both clean up better than the Nazgul, but I would give the edge to the BW, especially when it comes to split tones.
 
Masta' C said:
The Black Winter and Distortion are closely related. If the guitar is naturally on the brighter side, go with the Distortion. If it's a bit darker, go with the Black Winter. Also, you should seriously consider the set, even if you do the Black Winters. Both clean up better than the Nazgul, but I would give the edge to the BW, especially when it comes to split tones.
Click to expand...

The guitar is pretty dark. Stock pickups aren't terrible in this guitar, though. The sustain is killer. Just missing more high end and mids. And it currently has a 3 way switch. I plan on installing a 5 way.
 
For versatility between these 3, the Black Winter by far. The Nazgul is only good with a ton of distortion, and the Distortion set is slightly more versatile, in that it can sound good with many kinds of distortion. But the BW can do all kinds of clean, too,
 
Black Winter is a passive that sounds like an active pickup. It can do anything clean or distorted. To me it has a sterility to it and gets most its character from all the other equipment in the chain; pedals, amp, EQ settings.

I am surprised a basswood guitar is very dark, but I only owned one previously, so anything is possible. But it does make me wonder if the signal chain, pickups, wiring, amp, is making it seem darker than it is.
 
Black Winter all the way (and you should get the set, not just the bridge IMO). Way more versatile than the Naz (which I have and really like, but it doesn't clean up well at all). I've played the Distortion but haven't owned one so I can't speak to it. But the Winters will do everything you need, particularly if you have a 5-way switch. They clean up beautifully and split really well. They're also great if you're the kind of player who lives on their volume and tone knobs.
 
I'd go with the BW too! The cleans of the BW neck are miles above anything I tried and its baffling how well ithey clean up despite being a very high output pup. I have the Nazgul 6string TB. While I love the thing , it would probably be the last in line to do cleans with for me...
 
I am on this same journey for a handful of my guitars. I picked up some various sets and will finish installing them asap. I am still debating on what sets to put in what guitars. I am working with the Nazgul Sentient - Pegasus Sentient - Black Winter Set - Alpha & Omega set. I also have a TB5 and TB6 and was thinking of matching it up with a Sentient perhaps. Mahogany with Maple caps are most of what I am dealing with along with a solid Korina. Should be fun!
 
I currently have the BW and the Distortion in two mahogany body guitars. I think they're pretty similar, and would recommend the Distortion if you favor more old school 80's stuff and the BW in you lean towards modern stuff. Both can cover a lot of ground in the rock and metal genres so I don't think you can go wrong either way. I haven't played the Nazgul as it sounds a little over the top for me based on what I've heard.
 
My Black Winter is being delivered tomorrow. Can't wait! Going to install ASAP. I ended up just picking up the bridge for now. Wanted to get the set but my wallet wouldn't allow. Do plan on buying the neck soon, though, and a 5-way switch.
 
Mincer said:
I have a cool hoodie with that artwork on the back, and it is awesome!
Click to expand...

Can you purchase the same hoodie?

Thanks everyone for suggesting the Black Winter! I put a new set of Thick Core 10-48 Boomers on after installing and played for about an hour straight. I am completely satisfied with this pickup. Just what I was looking for in tone! I know I haven't owned it very long, but I would have to say this is my favorite Duncan that I have tried. And I have tried many. Hell, maybe my favorite passive of all time. The Black Winter is really sentive to height I've noticed. Sounds great with my ESP neck pickup, too, and 3-way switch and all stock wiring and pots and cap. Middle position sounds like a cocked wah but not too nasually. Definitely need the matching neck though. So badass :1:
 
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