Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

[jerryjg]

I would love to hear some opinions on the relative merits of these two pups.The venerable original Duncan Distortion(think every 1970's heavey metal band you ever heard practically), and the Duncan Distortion,( about which i know very little except it comes highly reccoemnded).

 

[51501984]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

Two great pickups if you ask me. Here`s what others had to say.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=61078&highlight=duncan+distortion+super

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=57719&highlight=duncan+distortion+super

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=39004&highlight=duncan+distortion+super

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=15418&highlight=duncan+distortion+super

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=10229&highlight=duncan+distortion+super

 

[SonofaMitch]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

IMO they both sounds great....but I have a 70's Dimarzio and an earlier DD, as for new I have no idea on the DD but the Dimarzio Super Disto SUCKED when I tried it in the Same guitar as wich has my 70's Super D.

~Mitch~

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

I have an old, unpotted Super D that's VERY thick and warm sounding with good detail on the top. It's not the tightest pickup out there, but I really dig it in my '81 Hamer Special. The DD was loud, tight, and screamy in the same guitar. I liked it a lot (it is a very fun pickup), but ultimately, it wasn't what I was looking for from this guitar.

I honestly think that the only similarities these two pickups share are the large ceramic magnets and the use of the word "Distortion" in their names.

 

[sufferinrewind]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

I honestly think that the only similarities these two pickups share are the large ceramic magnets and the use of the word "Distortion" in their names.

+1

I'd say the Duncan Distortion has more grind and bite, while the Super Distortion has a warmer, thicker, old school tone (in Gibson-style guitars, anyway... sounds kinda bright and thin in a Strat to me...).

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

I don't know much about the Duncan Distortion other than everybody says I should put it in my SG-X...if it's got a lot of grind and bite then I think i agree with them.

As for the Super Distortion, had it in both of my Strats and now it's in my little sister's Cyclone...definitely warm and thick and 'vintage' voiced, if you put it in a two-humbucker guitar with a PAF-style neck pickup you will think you are in the 70's. It's definitely a HEAVY pickup...I would blame any thinness or brightness in the tone on the Strat, heh.

-X

 

[anewdefguitarist]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

cant help you with the dimarzio, but i can tell you that my sh-6 rips! ive got it in my ltd viper and the thing is awesome. i got rid of my passive emg-hz bridge about a week ago and put this little screamer in there. its tight on the bottom, sustain for days...no, make that WEEKS. power chords are full and bright (not muddy), and all round just a very good articulated heavy pickup. i got it mainly for my soloing and riff guitar, something that would rip your face off, and it does, but i was also surprised at its ability to play full chords and powerchords/barre chords, etc. also, dont be fooled by the name, it WILL clean up just fine. roll the volume back a little, and this thing cleans up to a ac/dc 'esque breakup (with distortion channel on), on clean this thing WILL push your amp into overdrive. my boogie sounded like a 60's vintage amp on the clean channel. and the harder i hit the more it broke up. the less i dug in, the cleaner it stayed. i'm VERY happy with this pickup.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

+1

I'd say the Duncan Distortion has more grind and bite, while the Super Distortion has a warmer, thicker, old school tone (in Gibson-style guitars, anyway... sounds kinda bright and thin in a Strat to me...).

I have both, love both, and can say it in a lot more words but that hits the high points.

I prefer the Duncan slightly. But both sound great. I'd say the rip & tear in the high end of the duncan and the bass tightness are the defining characteristics. For the SuperD it's the booty and thickness. Just depends on what you want / like. Personally, I say get an axe for each!

 

[some_dude]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

IMO.

Super Distortion = 70s guitar tone

Duncan Distortion = 80s guitar tone

It all depends on what you're after I guess.

 

[PearlyHellhound]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

I have both, love both, and can say it in a lot more words but that hits the high points.

I prefer the Duncan slightly. But both sound great. I'd say the rip & tear in the high end of the duncan and the bass tightness are the defining characteristics. For the SuperD it's the booty and thickness. Just depends on what you want / like. Personally, I say get an axe for each!

Would a Duncan Distortion (bridge), Super Distortion (neck) work or would that be too much?

 

[Darth Nihilus]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

Too much in the sense that the Super Distortion is too muddy in the neck position. If you want a hot neck pickup, a much better choice would be the SH6n Distortion or a Dimarzio Super 2. The Super 2 has the low end rolled off enough that it doesn't muddy up and has the high end boosted for more clarity than the Super Distortion which is dark sounding in the neck anyway

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

Wow... a zombied unca Jer thread!

 

[dvanburen]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

had lots of experience with the DD. Its a great pickup. never played a super D but I rock a custom with the thick ceramic mag from the DD and that is a killer beast. Some have compared it to a super D but better. What ever that means. But seriously, that pickup is awesome. Its super tight, string separation is good. Its got huge balls and lots of thump but its still bright enough to cut through. personally, I think its warmer than the regular custom and the DD. Ive got is in my LP and its not going anywhere

 

[dazzlindino]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

+1

I'd say the Duncan Distortion has more grind and bite, while the Super Distortion has a warmer, thicker, old school tone (in Gibson-style guitars, anyway... sounds kinda bright and thin in a Strat to me...).

Tried several pickups in my SG, a Duncan D worked best.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

I have both, love both, and can say it in a lot more words but that hits the high points.

I prefer the Duncan slightly. But both sound great. I'd say the rip & tear in the high end of the duncan and the bass tightness are the defining characteristics. For the SuperD it's the booty and thickness. Just depends on what you want / like. Personally, I say get an axe for each!

I'm a blues guy for sure...but I like Tom Scholz tones too and I've been thinking about trying a SuperD again.

I found a pair of them, neck and bridge, from 1979 according to the seller, and I might grab them just for grins.

The baseplate is brass and I'm thinking that might contribute to the warmer, fatter, smooth tone of the SuperD.

When I bought my used '88 Strat 20 years ago, the previous owner had put a SuperD in it. I only spent a week or two with it and then removed it and installed Duncan Strat pickups. Still have that guitar.

Anyways, if I get the SuperD's I'll put them in a PRS SE and see if I can crank up some Boston tones.

I like the Duncan Distortion too. It couldn't be my every day pickup but it's a lot of fun when I want to really rock out with a ton of overdrive. Like once a year.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

Lew....where/why TF did you dig this thread up?

And you sure as shooting could get some Boston tone (with the right distortion/chorus) with that PRS and the SuperD's.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

Lew....where/why TF did you dig this thread up?

And you sure as shooting could get some Boston tone (with the right distortion/chorus) with that PRS and the SuperD's.

I was doing a Google search for Dimarzio Super Distortion Reviews, and it popped up.

My wife and I have been watching Soundbreaking on Netflix. Cool series.

Tom Scholz was featured in one episode and it made me remember how much I used to like his guitar sound on that first Boston LP.

 

[LLL]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

I'm a blues guy for sure...but I like Tom Scholz tones too and I've been thinking about trying a SuperD again.

I found a pair of them, neck and bridge, from 1979 according to the seller, and I might grab them just for grins.

The baseplate is brass and I'm thinking that might contribute to the warmer, fatter, smooth tone of the SuperD.

When I bought my used '88 Strat 20 years ago, the previous owner had put a SuperD in it. I only spent a week or two with it and then removed it and installed Duncan Strat pickups. Still have that guitar.

Anyways, if I get the SuperD's I'll put them in a PRS SE and see if I can crank up some Boston tones.

I like the Duncan Distortion too. It couldn't be my every day pickup but it's a lot of fun when I want to really rock out with a ton of overdrive. Like once a year.

Hey if you want some tips on Boston tone, check out my YouTube page. Did 2 vids (one w/ backing track, one w/out) on it.
I'm using the SH-5 Custom which has a very similar overall tone.

 

[dave74]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

Super D just doesn't have the crispness across the entire range that the DD has, so it's DD for me every day and twice on Sundays.
For classic metal to death-grind I much prefer the x2n out of the Dimarzio line. Thick and crisp at the same time. More compressed though than the DD.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Duncan Distortion vs. DiMarzio Super Distortion

Super D just doesn't have the crispness across the entire range that the DD has, so it's DD for me every day and twice on Sundays.
For classic metal to death-grind I much prefer the x2n out of the Dimarzio line. Thick and crisp at the same time. More compressed though than the DD.

Not interested in Death Metal. Just toying with the idea of setting up one guitar for Tom Scholz Boston guitar sounds and I know he used the SuperD bridge pickup for that...along with a lot of pre and post EQ into his Marshall.

At about the 2:30 mark: