How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

[Benjy_26]

Hello all.

I've recently been messing with the pickups in my Epi LP standard, and have come to really like the PCn loaded with an alnico 4 and an alnico 2. It is a very clean sound, even though the pickup is wound in the mid 8k range.

I initially had a PGb paired with it, and it seemed to overpower that pickup to a certain extent. The PGb I have is wound to about 8.3k and has the stock alnico 2 mag.

Recently, I swapped the PGb with an old (came out of my '81 Hamer Special) Dimarzio Super Distortion in double cream. This SD sounds noticeably different from more modern SD's that I've heard. This may be due to the lack of wax potting in the one I have. This particular SD meters in at around 13.6k. It sounds great in this LP, with a plump midrange response, balanced lows, and thick highs. One thing that I do notice is that his SD is WAY louder than the A2/A4 PCn. It dominates in the middle position and drives an amp that is squeaky clean with the PCn into overdrive on its own.

What do you have your Super Distortion paired with and how loud is it in relation?

 

[ErikH]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

My only guitar with the SuperD has another SuperD in the neck. I wired it in parallel for a cleaner sound. When I had it in other guitars I would pair it with the PAF Pro. It was the perfection combination, aside from the SuperD/PAF combo (the original DP103). Yeah, the SuperD is a loud pickup and drives an amp but it's the lower wind compared to other hot pickups with the big magnet that's part of what makes it so special.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

I have a vintage Super Distortion. Last guitar it was in was an ‘80 LP Standard with the stock Shaw humbucker at the neck. That worked well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

I have a vintage Super Distortion. Last guitar it was in was an ‘80 LP Standard with the stock Shaw humbucker at the neck. That worked well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did you notice a big volume jump going from the stock neck pickup to the Super D in the bridge?

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

Did you notice a big volume jump going from the stock neck pickup to the Super D in the bridge?

Not really. You want the bridge pickup to be hotter because pickups in the neck position are typically louder due to the wider vibration of the strings.

Plus I usually want a cleaner, brighter pickup at the neck, and something with a bit more oomph at the bridge. So the volume difference was what I wanted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

Is the Super Distortion around Duncan Distortion levels of output? Or is it tamer? I know it's 13K DCR, but the Dominion is 16K, and the DiMarzio site shows it as having less output than the SD. In my experience, the Dominion is about as loud as the JB. Is the SD louder?

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

Is the Super Distortion around Duncan Distortion levels of output? Or is it tamer? I know it's 13K DCR, but the Dominion is 16K, and the DiMarzio site shows it as having less output than the SD. In my experience, the Dominion is about as loud as the JB. Is the SD louder?

DC resistance doesn’t really tell you the output of a pickup.

The JB is wound a bit hotter, but the SD has a stronger magnet, so it sounds brighter.

I like the SD and dislike the JB most of the time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

DC resistance doesn’t really tell you the output of a pickup.

I'm aware. That's why I ask.

It's been ages since I've had a Super Distortion, it was my first pickup swap, but I remember it being pretty hot.

Is it louder than the JB, then?

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

I'm aware. That's why I ask.

It's been ages since I've had a Super Distortion, it was my first pickup swap, but I remember it being pretty hot.

Is it louder than the JB, then?

I’d say the JB has a bit more output. But they sound very different.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jeremy]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

they are probably pretty close but the eq is pretty different so hard to say if its louder or not

 

[Aceman]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

I think, in order of heat, it goes:

X2N
Duncan Distortion
Tone Zone / Custom
Super Distortion / JB

JB And SD are the same hot, but different, as mentioned. All of the pickups above, though, are “hot” period. But there are a number of pickups that are distinctly hotter than a SuperD. The SuperD get a lot of extra credit, I think for the thickness it has...

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

JB And SD are the same hot, but different, as mentioned. All of the pickups above, though, are “hot” period. But there are a number of pickups that are distinctly hotter than a SuperD. The SuperD get a lot of extra credit, I think for the thickness it has...

Very close.... the JB has more wire wound on it. The SD has 6,500 turns of 44 per coil. The JB is 6,800 turns. But it also has a weaker magnet. But yeah, two flavors of hot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[devastone]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

According to DiMarzio the Super D is about 12% hotter than the Tone Zone.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

Well, I think something may be up with my neck pickup, then, because the SD is WAY louder than the Phat Cat in the neck. It's such an imbalance that it sounds like I switch to the bridge ANd hit a boost when I go from neck to bridge.

You guys think that swapping one of the magnets in my PCn to RCA4 could drop the output that much?

 

[Guitarmusic]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

In my experience the JB had more Uppers Mids and the Super D had more lower mids.


The power difference seemed negligible to me YMMV, it's Crazy how long they have both been around!

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

Super Distortions are magical pickups IMO. One of the only "hot" pickups that I actually like. They are pretty hot, with their ceramic magnets. They are aggressive, yet retain clarity very well.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

According to DiMarzio the Super D is about 12% hotter than the Tone Zone.

Interesting. I had an *Air* Zone and thought it was pretty damned hot.

 

[devastone]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

Interesting. I had an *Air* Zone and thought it was pretty damned hot.

I had an AZ, thought it was more open than the TZ, could have also been the guitar it was in, but the AZ is medium output.

https://www.dimarzio.com/

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

Well, I think something may be up with my neck pickup, then, because the SD is WAY louder than the Phat Cat in the neck. It's such an imbalance that it sounds like I switch to the bridge ANd hit a boost when I go from neck to bridge.

Nah, I have the same problem with the Phat Cat matched with ANY hot pickup too. Or pretty much any vintage-y neck pickup, TBH.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: How hot is the Super Distortion, really?

Nah, I have the same problem with the Phat Cat matched with ANY hot pickup too. Or pretty much any vintage-y neck pickup, TBH.

Good to know. I'll play around with heights more.