Hunter VS Distortion

[SFW]

So we all know that George used the Distortion on all of our favorite Dokken tones. So how does the Hunter compare to the distortion? I’m looking at a new bridge pickup for my San Dimas. Was thinking about the Distortion for those sounds, is there any point in looking at the Hunter? This will be going through a Splawn QuickRod.


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[PFDarkside]

When was the Screamin Demon developed/released?

 

[SFW]

The Demon was release around the same time as the first Lunch Mob album.


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[Leon Of Late]

I personally would not look at the Hunter. It was developed later and I don’t think it has that same old 80’s Duncan Distortion Classic Dokken tone. I have no doubt it’s a killer pickup, it’s just not “that” pickup, at least I don’t think so.

I would one of two things to get that tone. I would either buy an 80’s Distortion if I didn’t have one; the earlier in the 80’s the better. If not that, I would have MJ wind me a Distortion like they were wound in the 80’s. Butyrate bobbins, the old type ceramic magnets, the whole ball of wax. I think that is a better use of a Custom Shop order than a Hunter....just my opinion.

 

[superpete]

i have both pickups, but they are in very different guitars at the moment (distortion in a fixed bridge v, hunter in a floyd superstrat) so it's hard to do a direct comparison. Honestly you probably won't find 2 more similar pickups in the Duncan line. The Hunter has a normal size magnet and slightly less winds, no? The Hunter sounds more like classic Lynch to me, but again, that could just be the guitar its in. They are voiced pretty much the same, the distortion just has more of everything. The hunter is a little more refined and might have a slightly better tone, where the distortion has more oomph and aggression. But honestly they are very similar.

 

[gsammo79]

I'm not a Dokken expert but I think Lynch is a great player, nonetheless. Watched an interview he had with the Friedman amps founder and he mentioned MJ wound him a DD/Pearly hybrid that he used for some time.

Not sure how long this pickup was featured with his work in Dokken, but it's a cool hybrid idea

 

[dave74]

Just speculating here, but ran through many of today's modern hi-gain amps the Hunter might sound more like a distortion through what he used at the time than the distortion would through many of today's amps. Make any sense? lol

 

[Aceman]

So we all know that George used the Distortion on all of our favorite Dokken tones. So how does the Hunter compare to the distortion?

I'm just gonna spout off here:

I don't know and I don't care. Every Dokken tone you want to emulate was done with a Distortion. Maybe a Demon....maybe.

As with most artists; George, Slash, Warren, whoever, they get these pickups tweaked for their latest tonal tastes and guitars which have never been heard, or heard a word about the god-tone of the albums they were used on.

 

[Aceman]

IIf not that, I would have MJ wind me a Distortion like they were wound in the 80's. Butyrate bobbins,

So what exactly is there influence of Butyrate on the tone?

 

[PFDarkside]

I'm just gonna spout off here:

I don't know and I don't care. Every Dokken tone you want to emulate was done with a Distortion. Maybe a Demon....maybe.

As with most artists; George, Slash, Warren, whoever, they get these pickups tweaked for their latest tonal tastes and guitars which have never been heard, or heard a word about the god-tone of the albums they were used on.

That kind of goes for all signature gear right? The irony is if you want the original tones, get the original gear. If you want the best/improved version, get the signature gear. If you want Eddie’s phaser tone from the classic albums, get an old phase 90. If you want the “better” (improved) phaser, get the EVH. Or Andy Timmons, if you want his tone get the original BB Preamp, if you want the best BB Preamp, get his signature.

 

[Aceman]

Again - if by "Best" you mean the Uber-tone they are known for? No, DON'T get the signature gear.


Best being subjective and whatnot. I would argue the tone you know and love, that got them noticed is likely their best. The "best" you refer to is only their most recent. Which may, or may not be their "best"

 

[superpete]

while i agree with pretty much everything you guys are saying on sig gear, i thought the hunter, aka the dokkenbucker, had been used by lynch since the 80s.

 

[beaubrummels]

So what exactly is there influence of Butyrate on the tone?

What I read on this very forum is that, being softer material, they compress under wire tension and that changes the geometry of the coil, which can change the tone very slightly. Might not be something the average person percieves, but if properly A/B comparing could be revealed. Certainly not the largest factor for sound. More if you like that 1960's toy soldier smell in your pickups.

 

[ToneFiddler]

@beaubrummels:
isn't the duncan buty rate bobbin specially reinforced so that doesn't happen? i think i read something on here.
toy soldier smell? to me it smells like old vomit, literally:earl: