Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

[Stevesciguy]

I'm building my first guitar, and as I learned new things as I worked I realized I never took into account what effect the hardwood I was using would have on the sound. I was planning on putting a duncan distortion pickup in the neck position, but I've learned that maple has an excessively bright sound. Should I put the distortion pickup in anyway, or should I find another pickup to account for the maple? Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

welcome to the forum!

im assuming you are referring to a sh6n duncan distortion neck model. i think it sounds fine in the neck of a maple guitar

 

[Stevesciguy]

Re: Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

Ok, since I'm new to the whole thing, I thought I'd see if there was somebody who could give me an idea, or in your case, a straight answer. Thank you!

 

[Demanic]

Re: Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

If you use a Distortion neck in the neck, what do you plan on putting in the bridge?

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[Stevesciguy]

Re: Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

I was going to use the other pickup in the set, but decided I didn't like it after listening to the sound samples on the website, I was thinking of getting the El Diablo pickup, because one of my favorite players uses it, and I like the sound. Not sure how well it will match, though.

 

[IcedEarth112]

Re: Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

Distortion sounds good in the neck of my maple neck through, but it sounded better in my older Alder body guitar.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

You could go with an Alternative 8. It will match the output no problem. It should also tame the brightness of the bridge position while still sounding quite big and beefy.

 

[Stevesciguy]

Re: Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

I imagine it would sound better in a tone wood with a warmer sound to it.

 

[IcedEarth112]

Re: Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

Definitely. For this reason alone I would advise against it. It shouldn't sound bad at all unless your guitar is overly bright. But I'm sure you can find a better neck pickup for your guitar if it is on the brighter side.

 

[Stevesciguy]

Re: Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

Thanks for the advice, I'll take a look around and see what I can find.

 

[Stevesciguy]

Re: Duncan Distortions in a maple body?

I just checked it out, and it sounds fantastic, seems like a good one to go with.