Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

[Wolfshead]

Just wanted to share for anyone wondering about this because I couldn't really find much about it. I modded my Epi Black Beauty recently (always wanted to go for that Steve Clark look. Hey, I have a Jackson PC-1, wanted the full Def Leppard set lol) and put a Distortion neck model pickup in the bridge. Not really my choice, I bought it in error but I thought I'd try it out.
It sounds awesome. Thick and fat with some extra treble but nothing uncontrollable.
I asked on here years ago about how to get The Darkness tone on their first album and I had a few recommendations (I think Jeremy suggested the 59) but THIS, the SH6 neck model, is ideal.
It's great for solos, it's got the clarity of a PAF for really ballsy classic rock a la The Darkness but it's also got the huge cojones required for palm muted metal I love like Anthrax.






This is how it looked originally, some of you may recall it...

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

Yup...awesome pickup. The SH-6n "Distortion Neck" was originally called the "Seymourizer" and was designed as a bridge pickup first, believe it or not.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

Sweet lookin' axe!!!

Needs Gold knobs,tho!!!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

The Distortion works really well for more 'classic' tones in the right guitar. Looks like you have one!

 

[SoundAt11]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

My ears perked up at "The Darkness". I'm intrigued!
Dan is well known for using the Duncan SH-5 Custom in some of his guitars and the SH6 Neck is pretty close to the Custom, spec-wise, just a little lower resistance.
So this makes sense and now I have to go buy one!
Justin has pretty much only used the '57 and 498T stock pickups and most of his playing is for leads (and a RAT pedal).

 

[orpheo]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

The SH6N is one of the most underrated pickups Seymour Duncan makes, by far. I love this pickup. Great choice!

 

[Wolfshead]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

I've just had a blast using my Marshall DSL 5 and this guitar sounds HUGE now. The note clarity is there, yet it still sounds monstrously heavy. I've also just got hold of a really, really cheap OD pedal (a NUX OD3) and, with that also kicked in, I think this is the best tone I've ever managed to get from a guitar.

 

[orpheo]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

If you like it, and you've got them in house: try swapping this mag with an A5 or A8. Not as a permanent fixture but to see how those mags hold up in this pickup. I like the A5 for a super-aggressive tone. you will lose a bit of output, but it brings this pup closer to the Nazgul/Pegasus if you will. I use an A8 too, if I want a balls-to-the-walls tone. I don't like the Custom8 cause it's way too thick for my tastes but this one, the SH6N-8 is like the perfected version of that pickup.

 

[Wolfshead]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

If you like it, and you've got them in house: try swapping this mag with an A5 or A8. Not as a permanent fixture but to see how those mags hold up in this pickup. I like the A5 for a super-aggressive tone. you will lose a bit of output, but it brings this pup closer to the Nazgul/Pegasus if you will. I use an A8 too, if I want a balls-to-the-walls tone. I don't like the Custom8 cause it's way too thick for my tastes but this one, the SH6N-8 is like the perfected version of that pickup.

I do still have some mags in my parts box - Blueman sent me some a few years ago when I was experimenting with all that. But I'm not that nimble and I don't really chase my tone to that extent these days anyway, so I'll just leave the SH6 as it is. I can't see it improving anyway - maybe it'd get better for solos but at the expense of some other aspect, so it shall remain stock :9:
I'll maybe record a wee video of me playing "Armageddon It" and compare it to the PC-1 with it's DiMarzio Super 3.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

Yup...awesome pickup. The SH-6n "Distortion Neck" was originally called the "Seymourizer" and was designed as a bridge pickup first, believe it or not.

I've got an old Seymourizer,what's the difference supposed to be between that & the bridge model?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

Yeah, let's hear that puppy!

 

[orpheo]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

I've got an old Seymourizer,what's the difference supposed to be between that & the bridge model?

seymourizer II = SH6n =/= SH6

SH6 -> 44 awg, thick ceramic mag
SH6N -> 43 awg, thick ceramic mag

Tonally, the SH6 is more gritty & crunchy, more compressed and saturated and a lot hotter. the SH6N is a bit cleaner (still hot though) and has a more open voice. My guess is that the SH6N is based on an underwound SH5 (and that the screaming demon is based on an even further underwound SH5).

 

[gregory]

Re: Duncan Dsitortion SH6 NECK in the bridge

I like the A5 for a super-aggressive tone. you will lose a bit of output, but it brings this pup closer to the Nazgul/Pegasus if you will.

How far off is this from a Perpetual Burn?