How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

[Rydock]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Wow thanks for the info Fusion1 and everybody else. I think I'm gonna go ahead and try to order some online instead of using the ibanez screws I obtained. I don't want to mess up any threads in my JB or anything.

Are the Alloy Steel 5-40 1/2" on this page the best kinds I need for pole pieces? http://www.microfasteners.com/catalog/products/SSCSCA.cfm

Also, how much difference does it make if I change out only the adjustable ones rather than the added slug coils? I notice people only change the flat head screws and say it gives good enough results.

 

[donahue]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

I don't mean to sound ignorant about the imperial system (I am from Canada so we use only metric), but will the measurements be that way off because it's metric? Can you tell me how I can measure the screws? When measuring length, it's it from the top of the screw head to the bottom, or the bottom of the screw head where the threads start.

I wasn't trying to be ignorant either, when I said american thread. I guess americans just call is standard thread.

I wasn't referring to the length of the screws themselves, but the actual thread pattern. They will both be similar, but not exactly the same.

 

[DracoAran]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Rydock,

I ordered a huge lot of those screws. I will be able to hook you up once I get them. Just cover the shipping.

 

[Rydock]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Rydock,

I ordered a huge lot of those screws. I will be able to hook you up once I get them. Just cover the shipping.

Wow great deal. I would never need 100 of these things anyways. And I wouldn't mind spending less for a couple of these screws. Thanks for the offer. Let me know when they have arrive and we'll work something out.

 

[ranalli]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Sure you can. That's usually what I recommend people to do if they can't find a hardware store to buy individual pole pieces. The slotted poles can use hex poles from a Dimarzio Al DImeola (gold only), Humbucker From Hell (chrome color only), Paf Pro (black only), one half of the Mega Drive (black only), one half of a Drop Sonic (chrome only, but strangely I have seen them in black also so not sure which is standard now), Fred (chrome only), and I think the Steve's Special is that type too and not the set screw variety(black or chrom I forget), Paf Joe? or is it the Mojo?.

The set screw type is easier to find in the Super Distortion (chrome only), Super II (chrome), Super III (black only), Evolution and Evo2(black only), SDS-1 single coil (chrome only), P-90 Super Distortion(chrome), Dual Sound (chrome)


There are more but this is off the top of my head before I had my first cup of coffee.

Yeah, this is exacty right...Dimarzio has two sizes they use.


Thanks for the comprehensive list!!!

 

[DracoAran]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Got the screws today. Perfect fit.

The change is subtle. Doesn't change the amount of bass, but the actual attack, so yes, it makes it tighter. I can really see the added benefit in a Custom Custom for example.

Me, I am trying to hit the preamp with less bass, so it's a different story. I think my solution lies with a variation of the demud circuit. Or I'm just gonna have to throw an EMG 81 in this biznatch.

 

[Rydock]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Got the screws today. Perfect fit.

The change is subtle. Doesn't change the amount of bass, but the actual attack, so yes, it makes it tighter. I can really see the added benefit in a Custom Custom for example.

Me, I am trying to hit the preamp with less bass, so it's a different story. I think my solution lies with a variation of the demud circuit. Or I'm just gonna have to throw an EMG 81 in this biznatch.

What do you think it would do to a JB? We all know that the low end is really loose. And did you do all six screws or just the 3 woundeds?

 

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Sweet.

I do like the idea of targeting only the wound strings with Hex polepieces. Where do you guys buy them (link)?.

I'm gonna try the demud circuit in the meantime, since the parts are easy to find. I have the required .01 orange drop already. I just need to stop by Radio Shack and buy a 500K resistor.

I got six chrome ones i would sell
pm me

 

[DracoAran]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

What do you think it would do to a JB? We all know that the low end is really loose. And did you do all six screws or just the 3 woundeds?

I did only 3, and it should tighten up the low end without reducing it.

I got your info, so I will be sending you those hex screws to try out.

 

[Rydock]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

I did only 3, and it should tighten up the low end without reducing it.

I got your info, so I will be sending you those hex screws to try out.

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it. I like the bass on my JB after tweaking my amp recently. I just can't get it to respond tighter. I can't wait.

 

[Artie]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Ok, I wired the de-mud circuit last night. The change is definitely there, but not as drastic as I thought it would be.

Yeah, thats what I like about it. You don't really alter the basic personality of the pup. You just roll off a smidgen of bass.

 

[Rydock]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Hey DracoAran. I got the screws you sent me. Thanks a lot! They looks so much different than the ones I pulled from the ibanez (glad I didn't try them out).

I'm going to record before and after clips of these in the JB. One with all new screws and one with half.

Thanks again!

 

[Micah]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Hex head screws!

This tightened up my custom custom tremendously! Specificly the low end, I put fillisters back into the 3 high strings because I like the warm round sound of the CC for leads, but you may dig the sound of hexheads across the whole bobin. Also note the Duncan/Ibanez bridge pup in newer SZ guitars is modeled after the DD and it has 1 row of hexheads..and is the only stock pickups I WON'T replace. Give it a try Im sure you will be stoked with the results, I would definately try this before a bass cut circuit,...this way the bass is still there, its just tighter,more punch/percussion

Sweet! I was just thinking about messing with Hex screws in some of my PU's. Where can I get hex screws from without having to buy another pickup (just for screws) ??

 

[DracoAran]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

I can send you a few free ones.

 

[Micah]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

I can send you a few free ones.

Thanks man! I appreciate the offer, but before you could even think of responding I saw they were only 5 bucks and ordered a box of 100 for myself. I figured what the heck for that price! That being said, we now have 2 guys on this thread that have WAAAAAY more 5-40 x 1/2 Alloy Socket Screws than we could ever dream of using on our own in leiu of pole pieces! If you would like some, shoot me a PM as well. I'll send them to you for just the cost of shipping them:friday:

 

[DracoAran]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Word.

Guys, post your findings.

 

[donahue]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

I can send you a few free ones.

sounds good bro, I'll take a few, I want to try some in the Jazzb...now thats a new one.

 

[Rydock]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

Got around to installing the screws in the JB last night. The bass definitely tightened up on the 3 bottom wound strings. It's very subtle, but it's there, and it didn't increase the bass; just tighter. It now makes it more usable for palm muting and chugging, even if it's not the best. But it works. It maybe have decreased the mids a bit, but I may be imagining it. I didn't bother changing the top 3 poles because I like how they sound, and didn't feel like it needed to be tighter. Also, the lower string notes seem to be cleared and less muddy. I remember I couldn't distinguish between notes before I swap the poles.

Overall, I think it was worth it, made the JB better for rhythm, while retaining it's ability to do solos great. I've played around with the heights to sound to my liking. Pretty much how karmadog has it except my low E string is a bit lower (I think it adds more tightness like this, could be wrong). I may still end up doing a mag swap or change pickups altogether.

Well those are my findings. Just wanted to know how high you guys are adjusting the poles. Are the bottom of the screws flush with the baseplate? Also, what is the science under why it these screws do this?

 

[DracoAran]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

You are correct...

The effect of the hex pole pieces is more evident when you raise them and lower the pickup (emphasize them).

When you raise fillister screws and lower the pickup, the tightening effect is not as pronounced.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: How can I tweak a Duncan Distortion to be tighter?

I may be a bit late, but have you tried throwing a tubescreamer infront of the amp? I use it for nearly the same effect - tightening the bass and hitting the amp a bit harder.