Frogman
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
THIS!!
THIS!!
Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
- Thread starter oblique63
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oblique63
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
Check my soundcloud, it's on there...
but what the hell, for quick comparison's sake:
JB UOC:
DD UOC:
I think I prefer the sound of the DD with this particular magnet because of the DD's stronger bottom end, but the JB definitely still has the sweeter mids...
Check my soundcloud, it's on there...
but what the hell, for quick comparison's sake:
JB UOC:
DD UOC:
I think I prefer the sound of the DD with this particular magnet because of the DD's stronger bottom end, but the JB definitely still has the sweeter mids...
oblique63
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
Wow, I can't believe it's already been almost 2 months since I last updated this thread... Sorry for the necro-bump, but I had to share the recent clips of the Duncan [designed/performer] Detonator I just recorded. I've seen this pup get good recommendations around here, not only as a solid budget pup, but also as a mean one that could hold it's own against some big boys with an A8 swap, so I had to try it out.
Here's the stock Detonator:
Despite looking like an Invader clone, I've read it's supposed to be modeled more after a Distortion than an Invader, so here's my original DD clip again for comparison purposes:
Not exactly a close match, but not bad. Similar 'personality' I guess, but the Detonator seems to have less definition/clarity, a bit more of a boomy bottom-end, and less treble bite than the DD. Still not a bad deal for $29.
Now to the interesting part... the Detonator A8:
This one clearly has a much tighter bottom-end than the stock, and more of it than the Distortion. The overall sound of it seems to be pretty similar to stock, just much 'bigger' and more aggressive with a tad bit more focus. Not really my style, but pretty solid pup nonetheless; definitely seems like it would be good for certain styles of metal.
Since the A8 seemed to make a nice improvement over the stock big ceramic magnet in there, I decided to experiment and take it one step further by trying an A9 in the Detonator:
Now this is what I'm talking about! Sounds to me almost like it would be the Gibson 500T's evil twin. Really grainy, crunchy sound with a strong bite. Mids are a bit more recessed than the A8/Stock versions, but the bass gets a nice (yet still tight) boost, and it gains a whole deal of bite in the treble. And it sounds HUGE. Really awesome wall-of-sound type distortion comes out of this thing, really fun to play. If I listened to this and somebody told me it was a 'boutique' hand-wound pickup, I would believe it; certainly has a similarly thick sound as you'd get from scatter-wound pups. But no, this is a $29 'budget' pickup we're talking about! I mean, I do still prefer the 500T and Nailbomb over it, but it's not a shockingly huge difference like you'd assume from the price difference. It does still lack clarity (probably more-so than the other two versions), but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this combo for anyone looking for a thick, chunky metal tone that doesn't need a ton of articulation.
Anyways, if you've been keeping up with my soundcloud, you'll have noticed a steady stream of Gravity Storm Neck clips over the last month or so as well; these were experiments testing out the GS neck in the bridge position at the request of a fellow forum member's PMs, so feel free to PM me if you have any requests as well (based off the pups I currently have). It might take me a while to record stuff since my time is a bit more limited, but I'll be sure to get around to it, I promise!
Wow, I can't believe it's already been almost 2 months since I last updated this thread... Sorry for the necro-bump, but I had to share the recent clips of the Duncan [designed/performer] Detonator I just recorded. I've seen this pup get good recommendations around here, not only as a solid budget pup, but also as a mean one that could hold it's own against some big boys with an A8 swap, so I had to try it out.
Here's the stock Detonator:
Despite looking like an Invader clone, I've read it's supposed to be modeled more after a Distortion than an Invader, so here's my original DD clip again for comparison purposes:
Not exactly a close match, but not bad. Similar 'personality' I guess, but the Detonator seems to have less definition/clarity, a bit more of a boomy bottom-end, and less treble bite than the DD. Still not a bad deal for $29.
Now to the interesting part... the Detonator A8:
This one clearly has a much tighter bottom-end than the stock, and more of it than the Distortion. The overall sound of it seems to be pretty similar to stock, just much 'bigger' and more aggressive with a tad bit more focus. Not really my style, but pretty solid pup nonetheless; definitely seems like it would be good for certain styles of metal.
Since the A8 seemed to make a nice improvement over the stock big ceramic magnet in there, I decided to experiment and take it one step further by trying an A9 in the Detonator:
Now this is what I'm talking about! Sounds to me almost like it would be the Gibson 500T's evil twin. Really grainy, crunchy sound with a strong bite. Mids are a bit more recessed than the A8/Stock versions, but the bass gets a nice (yet still tight) boost, and it gains a whole deal of bite in the treble. And it sounds HUGE. Really awesome wall-of-sound type distortion comes out of this thing, really fun to play. If I listened to this and somebody told me it was a 'boutique' hand-wound pickup, I would believe it; certainly has a similarly thick sound as you'd get from scatter-wound pups. But no, this is a $29 'budget' pickup we're talking about! I mean, I do still prefer the 500T and Nailbomb over it, but it's not a shockingly huge difference like you'd assume from the price difference. It does still lack clarity (probably more-so than the other two versions), but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this combo for anyone looking for a thick, chunky metal tone that doesn't need a ton of articulation.
Anyways, if you've been keeping up with my soundcloud, you'll have noticed a steady stream of Gravity Storm Neck clips over the last month or so as well; these were experiments testing out the GS neck in the bridge position at the request of a fellow forum member's PMs, so feel free to PM me if you have any requests as well (based off the pups I currently have). It might take me a while to record stuff since my time is a bit more limited, but I'll be sure to get around to it, I promise!
surface54
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
without a doubt the stock detonator sounds the most stable
the regular distortion always has that upper mids string noise sqeek
the A8 sounded good too. the A9 sounded very EMG like.
id be interesting in trying a A9 someday
thanks for all your hard work recording these, its def a task even if your soo good at it thats its second nature, still a task!
peace out
ps i want to eat that pizza the squirrel is eating! gib me eet!
without a doubt the stock detonator sounds the most stable
the regular distortion always has that upper mids string noise sqeek
the A8 sounded good too. the A9 sounded very EMG like.
id be interesting in trying a A9 someday
thanks for all your hard work recording these, its def a task even if your soo good at it thats its second nature, still a task!
peace out
ps i want to eat that pizza the squirrel is eating! gib me eet!
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
A8 Deto sounds pretty good there, and you're right, the A9 is even better.
Standouts are the Evo, Super3, 500T and Nailbomb. The hybrid seems a little bright this time, and the DD sounds nasty, and not in a good way.
A8 Deto sounds pretty good there, and you're right, the A9 is even better.
Standouts are the Evo, Super3, 500T and Nailbomb. The hybrid seems a little bright this time, and the DD sounds nasty, and not in a good way.
0rimus
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
Dude, props for all the pickup comparisons. What do you think an unoriented ceramic would do in the detonator?
Also, if I'm reading it right you said the A9 version had the least clarity of the detonator versions, so... which one has the most clarity?
Dude, props for all the pickup comparisons. What do you think an unoriented ceramic would do in the detonator?
Also, if I'm reading it right you said the A9 version had the least clarity of the detonator versions, so... which one has the most clarity?
oblique63
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
Good question. I'm not sure, it's notoriously hard to predict how pickups will react to different magnets with any accuracy, so Imma probably just record a clip of it with the UOCeramic. If I had to guess, I'd say it'd be the thinnest, yet warmest sounding out of the versions already on here; maybe a tad bit more clarity than the Big Ceramic, but with a much smoother response across the board. But that's just my guess for now, gonna have to experiment at some point soon hopefully.
And yeah, the A9 is an absurdly strong magnet; it's got the strongest pull out of all the magnets I've tried by a long shot, so I'm sure that contributes to it's somewhat 'fuzzy' sound. The version with the most clarity overall so far would probably be the stock version honestly, though the A8 has a clearer bottom-end. I think it might clear up more with something like an A2/A3 in there though, or maybe even with just a regular ceramic instead of the big one, would have to actually try it out first to be sure though.
Good question. I'm not sure, it's notoriously hard to predict how pickups will react to different magnets with any accuracy, so Imma probably just record a clip of it with the UOCeramic. If I had to guess, I'd say it'd be the thinnest, yet warmest sounding out of the versions already on here; maybe a tad bit more clarity than the Big Ceramic, but with a much smoother response across the board. But that's just my guess for now, gonna have to experiment at some point soon hopefully.
And yeah, the A9 is an absurdly strong magnet; it's got the strongest pull out of all the magnets I've tried by a long shot, so I'm sure that contributes to it's somewhat 'fuzzy' sound. The version with the most clarity overall so far would probably be the stock version honestly, though the A8 has a clearer bottom-end. I think it might clear up more with something like an A2/A3 in there though, or maybe even with just a regular ceramic instead of the big one, would have to actually try it out first to be sure though.
lazyfinger
Member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
For whatever reason, I found the UO ceramic to have the least bass and output. Output was just a notch about A2, but much less than A5. And the bass reminded me between A2 and A5, it doesn't have the ceramic thump or A5 bump. However, it had all the ceramic's mids and treble. Not sure if I got a weird one or not, but that's been my experience. It was kinda bland in the Dominion.
For whatever reason, I found the UO ceramic to have the least bass and output. Output was just a notch about A2, but much less than A5. And the bass reminded me between A2 and A5, it doesn't have the ceramic thump or A5 bump. However, it had all the ceramic's mids and treble. Not sure if I got a weird one or not, but that's been my experience. It was kinda bland in the Dominion.
toneseeker74
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
Awesome thread! Thanks for all the comparison clips. I was really surprised to hear such distinct differences between the Distortion and JB variations, especially with all the debating over whether or not the Distortion and JB have the same wind. It's obvious when listening to each pickup using the same magent types that different frequencies are emphasied with the DD vs JB.
As to favorites, I keep coming back to the Distortion A5, JB ceramic, regular Distortion, and regular JB for different reasons.
Awesome thread! Thanks for all the comparison clips. I was really surprised to hear such distinct differences between the Distortion and JB variations, especially with all the debating over whether or not the Distortion and JB have the same wind. It's obvious when listening to each pickup using the same magent types that different frequencies are emphasied with the DD vs JB.
As to favorites, I keep coming back to the Distortion A5, JB ceramic, regular Distortion, and regular JB for different reasons.
Rockstar216
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
Just listened to all of these again almost a full year later and I liked the Bill Lawrence L-90 the best in both the bridge and neck now over the Duncan Distortion. I think the L-90 is lower output than the DD but it doesn't sound that way.
Just listened to all of these again almost a full year later and I liked the Bill Lawrence L-90 the best in both the bridge and neck now over the Duncan Distortion. I think the L-90 is lower output than the DD but it doesn't sound that way.
Hairmail
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
Dumb question but in words what does the UO Ceramic magnet to for the JB? Since I was thinking of putting one in my JB and I liked it quite alot from the recording but I'd like to have a better description.
Dumb question but in words what does the UO Ceramic magnet to for the JB? Since I was thinking of putting one in my JB and I liked it quite alot from the recording but I'd like to have a better description.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
What happened to the Painkiller clips? Those sounded the best out of them all, and now they're gone, wtf?
What happened to the Painkiller clips? Those sounded the best out of them all, and now they're gone, wtf?
oblique63
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
I had Painkillers? If you mean the Nailbomb, the clips for that should still be up. The forum page has problems loading all the clips sometimes, but everything should still be up on my soundcloud.
And yeah, I've been AWOL for a while... I also just remembered I never uploaded the clips for the WCR and Warpig you sent me ages ago, how embarrassing :nervous:. I'll get on that...
I had Painkillers? If you mean the Nailbomb, the clips for that should still be up. The forum page has problems loading all the clips sometimes, but everything should still be up on my soundcloud.
And yeah, I've been AWOL for a while... I also just remembered I never uploaded the clips for the WCR and Warpig you sent me ages ago, how embarrassing :nervous:. I'll get on that...
Rockstar216
New member
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
Do you remember which version of the L-90 you used?
Do you remember which version of the L-90 you used?
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Pickup Shootout - Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrences, Emgs, Bare Knuckles, Oh my!
Heh, I woulda sworn it was you that had some PK clips up, musta been someone else.
Heh, I woulda sworn it was you that had some PK clips up, musta been someone else.
