I have been a dedicated Duncan user for as long as I can remember. My favorite pickup is the JB which I use in most of guitars which are either Basswood or Alder. I picked up a maple body which I know is a very bright tonewood. My feeling is the JB would be too bright for this body and I'm looking for something to compensate. My investigations keep me coming to the DiMarzio Breed which seems to be as hot as a JB but pushes bass and mids. It doesn't seem like Duncan has a pickup with the JB's output and has an accenuated mid and bass character. I know Lynch puts Screamin Demons in his alder and maple guitars but I am not a fan of the pickup's output level or its overall tone. Any thoughts?
Need Opinions Please......
- Thread starter MikeyS
- Start date
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Need Opinions Please......
I think the Custom Custom would be the ticket for what you're describing. Nice fat mid tones, decent bass response, and smooth singing highs. It really works well in brighter guitars such as strats. I've got one in my double fat strat and that is never comming out.
If you click on my www and scroll thru the clips I have, there are a few with the CC. Knockin on Heavens Door uses the CC for the distorted rythym, and All Right Now uses the CC for everything. There are a few dry clips labled there as well. Might help you get an idea of what it sounds like.
I think the Custom Custom would be the ticket for what you're describing. Nice fat mid tones, decent bass response, and smooth singing highs. It really works well in brighter guitars such as strats. I've got one in my double fat strat and that is never comming out.
If you click on my www and scroll thru the clips I have, there are a few with the CC. Knockin on Heavens Door uses the CC for the distorted rythym, and All Right Now uses the CC for everything. There are a few dry clips labled there as well. Might help you get an idea of what it sounds like.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Need Opinions Please......
You're right, maple is a brighter tonewood than most. I have two maple guitars, and they both have Screamin' Demons in them; neither of them are overly bright.
You're right, maple is a brighter tonewood than most. I have two maple guitars, and they both have Screamin' Demons in them; neither of them are overly bright.
Re: Need Opinions Please......
I have an ash/maple body with a JB in the bridge spot and it is too bright. Be careful though when selecting a new p'up in because "output" is often given more importance that it should be. Depending on your playing style, it often sounds really great to use a medium output p'up and then push the amp really hard to get the volume up there. I personally find that approach to give me a much warmer sound than a High Output p'up. YMMV
I have an ash/maple body with a JB in the bridge spot and it is too bright. Be careful though when selecting a new p'up in because "output" is often given more importance that it should be. Depending on your playing style, it often sounds really great to use a medium output p'up and then push the amp really hard to get the volume up there. I personally find that approach to give me a much warmer sound than a High Output p'up. YMMV
Pedro Vecino
New member
Re: Need Opinions Please......
You can try the same JB with 250K potentiometers. This reduces its presence and bright in maple bodys. Gibson has used during many years tone circuits with 100K potentiometers and 0,022 capacitors in LP, 335 and others.
You can try the same JB with 250K potentiometers. This reduces its presence and bright in maple bodys. Gibson has used during many years tone circuits with 100K potentiometers and 0,022 capacitors in LP, 335 and others.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Need Opinions Please......
In terms of bass/mid/treble :
JB = 5/6/8
SD = 5/4/9 = brighter than a JB
Custom = 7/6/9 = more bass might make it appear to have less treble than JB
Custom Custom = 5/7/7 = more mids and less treble than JB
Custom 5 = 6/3/8 = more bass and less mids than JB might equal brighter than a JB
Distortion = 5/8/9 = more mids and more treble than JB but the mids might mask some treble
Based on those EQ curves, I'd say try a Custom or a Custom Custom.
You'll just have to try one and see...no way to predict accurately what you'll like best.
Since ceramic mag pickups have a little more sizzle to the treble, I'd try the Custom Custom first...but that's just because I know I like it. I use it in two guitars already.
Lew
In terms of bass/mid/treble :
JB = 5/6/8
SD = 5/4/9 = brighter than a JB
Custom = 7/6/9 = more bass might make it appear to have less treble than JB
Custom Custom = 5/7/7 = more mids and less treble than JB
Custom 5 = 6/3/8 = more bass and less mids than JB might equal brighter than a JB
Distortion = 5/8/9 = more mids and more treble than JB but the mids might mask some treble
Based on those EQ curves, I'd say try a Custom or a Custom Custom.
You'll just have to try one and see...no way to predict accurately what you'll like best.
Since ceramic mag pickups have a little more sizzle to the treble, I'd try the Custom Custom first...but that's just because I know I like it. I use it in two guitars already.
Lew
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Re: Need Opinions Please......
Thanks alot guys. I never thought of the 250K pot idea....maybe thats the move. I played a CustomCustom in an alder body guitar once before and it seemed too middy for me....smooth but middy. I certainly don't want to go ceramic as I don't want the nail-in-my-head treble spike. I'll let you guys know how I make out.
Thanks alot guys. I never thought of the 250K pot idea....maybe thats the move. I played a CustomCustom in an alder body guitar once before and it seemed too middy for me....smooth but middy. I certainly don't want to go ceramic as I don't want the nail-in-my-head treble spike. I'll let you guys know how I make out.
