Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

LesPaulRules

LesPaulRules

New member
Just searched a ton of threads on the SH-6b Distortion and the SH-5b Custom. Lots of good info, but still not sure.

I'm building a Warmoth Les Paul for tuning in C standard. The body is all mahogany with a rosewood neck and fingerboard. Scale length is strat scale 25 1/2" to help with the lowered tuning. Parts are already purchased (got a GREAT deal), so these specs won't change.

This guitar will only be used for Metal, and will always be in a lowered tuning using heavier strings. The music I'm playing with this guitar is original metal in C tuning, sounds like Dio, Priest, Savatage and Queensryche. Lots of heavy rhythms and LOTS of solos.

I have experience with the Custom. I like it's chunky, tight lowend, but never have been happy with its highs for lead work. They seem a little harsh to me. Haven't played a Duncan Distortion in years. Pretty much forgot what they sound like, but reviews seem to point to it being a good match for my application. (Not really looking for active pickups, but I'm open to any info. Also, want to stay with the Duncan lineup if possible).

Any thoughts are appreciated. :banana:
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

Distortion. It has a pretty screaming high end. Sounds awesome for leads and solos, but it does scream. If you want more sweetness, you might want to consider the Full Shred or Full Shred ceramic (ask rumblebox about that)
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

Distortion is what I use. :D

Have you already purchased the volume pots? If you're going to be doing a lot of soloing on the bridge pickup, you could use 300k pots to tame the high end.
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

the distortion is more what you'd like i think, although i wouldn't say the dd's highs are less harsh than the custom.
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

I'm not trying to hijack the thread here, apologies, but I'm trying to find a good pickup solution for a dark sounding guitar tuned in D (Jackson Soloist). Custom is OK and I'm using Distortion at the time, which is somewhat compressed. What I was thinking was maybe try a tweak - pulling the magnet out of TB-6 along with the spacers, and installing them in the TB-5. A 14k wind with a big ceramic might be just the thing. Has someone tried it perhaps? Looking for extreme note separation I stumbled across BKP Cold Sweat, which is a ~14k wind with a big ceramic, which is where I got the idea.
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

I've tried the Custom with an oversized Ceramic. It sounds good, not all that different from a regular custom, just a little bit more oomph.
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

Thanks for the heads up. Would you say the modified pickup was muddier than regular Custom? I really like the standard Custom - just hoped the oversized magnet might give it a bit more punch and balls :)
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

Honestly it doesn't make a huge difference. If you want significantly more punch and balls from an SH-5, the next step IMO is to make a Custom8. (or petition for the C8 to become a production model :) )
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

Aceman said:
Distortion
Click to expand...

I think most of us knew you were going to say that. lol.

I also think you're right. Just purchased a "Mayhem" set. Figure a hotter neck pickup would be good for some high gain leads as well.

Thanks to all.
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

I actually love the Custom/Jazz combo in my Epiphone which is tuned down to C# standard, although I'll go to C standard, drop C, etc. with it. Both pups stay tight and clear no matter how low I go or how much gain I pile on them =).
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

My advice to you is to make sure as soon as possible the Distortion neck gels with your guitar. I have one in a PRS where it's awesome. It sounds as good as any neck tone I've ever had. But the same pickup in my Les Paul sounded terrible. Get it in the guitar and test it out before the exchange period is up. You may love it, or you may hate it.

Also, if you hate it due to too much in the mids department, try an Alnico 5. That put the pickup real close to what I wanted, but it was still just too hot. I don't think you'll have a problem with the bridge model, but make sure the neck gives you what you want before you're out of time.
 
Re: Need Help - Custom or Distortion for Downtuned Mahogany LP

You should also consider a Dimarzio Super D for that style of metal as well.....
 
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