Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

[75lespaul]

In anyone's opinion, does Duncan make a pickup that sounds like the Dimarzio Super Distortion Humbucker? I grew up with these pickups and loved them as they get all the tones from most 70s type rock, but I refuse to buy Dimarzio stuff (for my own reasons).

 

[Tux789]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

maybe a duncan distortion or custom?

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

Have you tried these? I know the Distortion model may sound obvious, but I've never heard one--that I know of.

 

[Tux789]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

well it will be in kinda the same group but won't sound just like a suuper distortion
what guitar will it be going in and what kinds of 70's rock are you talking about

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

Early 70's LP deluxe. Stuff like Kiss, BOC, Heart--power chord type of stuff.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

For Kiss just get the super distortion. There is no DUncan that sounds like it.
No one will be offended

 

[51501984]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

For Kiss just get the super distortion. There is no DUncan that sounds like it.
No one will be offended

+1 , Get the Super Distortion

 

[frehley]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

Well, If you want to go Duncan, then consider that Paul Stanley uses the Duncan Distortion. It sounds better than the Distortion because it doesn't have some of the muddy lows the Super Distortion has with more clarity.
Ace Frehley as I'm sure you know used the Super Distortion for most of his career but he has switched to the Duncan JB. I met his tech during the KISS reunion tour and Ace had some feedback issues so his tech installed the JB and Ace said it was a 100% improvement from what he's had all those years.

So go for the DD or the JB. DD more agressive, JB not as bassy but sounds great for rhythm and even better for leads.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

Jb with a Ceramic magnet should have more bass and highs. A Alnico 8 mag should be a improvement too.

 

[ranalli]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

For Kiss just get the super distortion. There is no DUncan that sounds like it.
No one will be offended

+1 No other pickup is going to get close to that 70's rock sound. It's such a unique sounding pickup.


Never heard of feedback issues with it either....like most pickups they are quiet as hell.

 

[BachToRock]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

The Custom with the bigger ceramic magnet from the Distortion would be almost exactly like the DiMarzio Super Distortion.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

The Custom with the bigger ceramic magnet from the Distortion would be almost exactly like the DiMarzio Super Distortion.

I put an oversized ceramic in a CC, and it didn't really sound all that Super Distortion-ish.

Go with a plain old Custom. Nice pickup.

 

[BachToRock]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

I put an oversized ceramic in a CC, and it didn't really sound all that Super Distortion-ish.

They are both wound with 43 guage wire on similar bobbins...
The Super Distortion is at 13.68k and the Custom at 14+k so they should be very similar with the same magnet... the DiMarzio will be slightly brighter

 

[ranalli]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

They are both wound with 43 guage wire on similar bobbins...
The Super Distortion is at 13.68k and the Custom at 14+k so they should be very similar with the same magnet... the DiMarzio will be slightly brighter

Even still with those two similarities, the Custom and the Super Distortion sound nothing alike with the two ceramics that they have. I somehow don't think that putting a slightly stronger ceramic in the Custom will bring it closer. There must be somethign else that's different IMO.

Two very good but very different sounding pickups IMO.

 

[BachToRock]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

That's as close as you are going to get in the Duncan line...

Any different wire guage is going to produce a totally different response and harmonics

The magnet from the Distortion is TWICE the thickness of the one in the Custom... that will make a signifigant difference!

If you remove some winds from the Custom it will be even closer.

The Seymourizer II/Distortion Neck would probably be the next closest thing, but it is wound with 44 guage wire to a lower resistance that works well in the neck position, but will be thin sounding in the bridge.

BTW... the JB or Distortion with the smaller ceramic magnet from the Custom is a great sounding pickup... like a slightly tamer Duncan Distortion

 

[JeffB]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

+1 No other pickup is going to get close to that 70's rock sound.

+2

Duncans and Dimarzios sound different...

it's like asking for a Tele that sounds like a paula...aint gonna happen..choose the right tool for the job...

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

75lespaul, I had a DD set in a LP for a couple of years and it was an incredible sounding guitar.

Did the 70s thing in spades through my 2203.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

For Kiss just get the super distortion. There is no DUncan that sounds like it.
No one will be offended

Just say no to Dimarzio: Duncan also has a Custom Shop that will wind you anything you want

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

If you want an even smoother and darker dist pickup the Kent Armstrong Ultra Distortion is like a Dimarzio Super Dist.

Snowdog

 

[Robbiedbee]

Re: Duncan vs. Dimarzio Super Distortion.

Why do you refuse to buy DiMarzio things?