Replace Duncan Distortion?

[Maverick018]

Hi guys,
this is my first post on this forum. Hope to have an informative and great time here.
My problem is:
I play an Epiphone LP Custom with Distortion/Jazz combination. I was very happy with this combination for over one year.
I really like the transparent, chunky and rough rhythm sound of the Distortion. And I even like the clean sound, although a lot of people think it just makes a good sound if it's played distorted. :eek13:
But since a few months I don't like the aggressive and harsh highs of the Distortion, if I play leads.
I love the lead sound of the Jazz. It's such a singing tone with smooth highs. And so i thought may it would be a good idea if i replace the Distortion by a pickup with Alnico 5 magnets. Of course the Custom 5 draw my attention. But I have some doubts, because the tone chart says it has a lot of bass and only few mids.
In fact, that my LP brings a lot of bass i think it might be muddy and not as transparent and great at rhythm like the Distortion.
So what do you guys think, could be a solution of my problem?
Thanks a lot for your answers!

Greetings,
Maverick

 

[Fusion1]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

I never tried a JB in a Les Paul but it SUCKED in an SG. BTW swapping the Distortion ceramic magnet to an Alnico 5 turns it into a JB.

 

[wildstar]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

Maybe try adjsuting your amp to make the Distortion work better as a lead pickup? I can easily get a singing lead tone with my Distortion pickup when I use a TS-808/909 type of overdrive pedal (Tubescreamer.)

The JB is known for a nice lead tone, but a lot of people don't like it for rhythm. But... a lot of other people do like it for rhythm.

If you can't get the Distortion to work, I'd say try a Custom Custom. Really smooth, sweet tone. But it's rhythm tone might be too sweet, depending on the style of music you play. You might have to make some compromises!

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

If you like the balls of the Distortion and it's clarity - LEAVE IT ALONE!

The C5 will be very open and much sweeter, NOT RUDE. The lacking mids will make the pickup seem a lot cleaner.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

The Custom is like a DD pulled backa bit. I like it a lot more in a LP than the DD.

 

[Maverick018]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

In my band I play symphonic metal and the Distortion is really awesome for that, no doubt! At home I also play classical and bluesy things like AC/DC, Led Zepplin, Eagles...
In the foreseeable future I want to buy a second guitar which is more predestinated to the metal stuff. So maybe it will be good if I make my LP sound a little bit more "classic". If I really wanna rock with it I think I can get the distortion from my Engl Screamer, so i dont need an enormous output from the pickup.
I also considered the Custom Custom but as you said I thought maybe it will be too sweet. I didn't tried many SD pickups, so I always stick to the tone chart. I don't know how meanful it is, but it says that the Custom has a spongy bottom end. But the pickup should sound punchy and tight on the low end. And the description of the Custom 5 fits perfect to my expectations.
I know that pickups make nuances but I'm looking for the nuances in my sound. With pickups it's often a trial & error and maybe I'll just try it. But i wanted to know if somebody has experiences with a C5 in a LP.
In the next few weeks I'm going to buy an equalizer, because my Screamer hast just one equalization for all channels. Primarily I want it to have an EQ for each channel but maybe I can resolve my problem with the aggressive highs.

@Benjy:
That sounds good.
Can you describe the differences a little bit more detailed?

 

[ex-250]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

if the DD is too harsh, go for the JB. its very similar to the distortion, but a bit smoother and more "singing", especially on the lead end

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

I think the change from a DD to a C5 is very steep. The C5 only works in guitars which push everything thru the mids. I would support a JB. The JB cuts great in a heavy bandmix.

 

[Fusion1]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

I would honestly suggest swapping the Duncan Distortion's thick ceramic magnet for the normal sized ceramic from say a Duncan Custom. It's like a pickup that splits the difference between a JB and a Duncan Distortion. I think you would be pleased and sounds like it would be what you are looking for.

 

[Maverick018]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

I think the change from a DD to a C5 is very steep. The C5 only works in guitars which push everything thru the mids. I would support a JB. The JB cuts great in a heavy bandmix.

Well the step can be steep, if it just sounds like i want it to sound.
I don't have a problem to cut through the bandmix, my problem are the harsh and aggressive highs from the DD. I want the highs more smooth.
If the tone goes more classic it's no problem because considered that it would be good if my LP sounds more classic.
I don't know if it's more of a illusion but i think a pickup with an A5 magnet would sound smoother in the highs and would make a good combination with the Jazz in the neck.
I think i will choose between the JB and the C5 but i'm still very indecisive.

 

[Maverick018]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

Can someone describe the differences between the JB and the C5???
Would be very helpful!

 

[Imp]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

if you love everything apart from the highs, i personally would use an EQ pedal first in the chain... you might get the new pickup, and miss something the DD had!

tom

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

I had a JB, a Custom and a C5 in the same guitar. I would say the C5 has less mids (esp. high mids) and less highs. The C5 has a very low tone feeling and doesn't cut through the mix. I graded up to a C8 by swapping out the A5 to A8 magnet. The former C5 came to life with the A8: more highs more harmonics more mids, but not so plenty a the ceramic Custom.
If i should bring it in row regarding chunky tone: C5,59,JB,C8,Custom,DD

 

[Maverick018]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

Well, that does not accord my expectations that much...
First, I try it with an EQ. If it does not help, I think i will go for the JB.
Thanks for your help! :bigthumb:

 

[chill]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

Try one of these:

Maybe with a smaller cap if the stock cap takes off too much of the top end.

 

[wildstar]

Re: Replace Duncan Distortion?

Try one of these:

Maybe with a smaller cap if the stock cap takes off too much of the top end.

:laugh2: