"Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

[jayK]

I just replaced the stock pup in an Epi LP Special II (bridge) with a
Distortion, and I have noticed a distinct "scratchiness" or staticky sound in the background, especially noticeable when a note is held for a while and is allowed to decay.

Is this a characteristic of the pup, or could it be a wiring problem? I brought it to my local guitar shop, I'm a newbie and wouldn't try doing that myself!

The pickup sounds OK besides that, although it is much brighter than I thought it would be, can almost sounds like a single coil at times.

It is definetely not a amp problem, I have several and it does the same thing in both.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

See if the guitar shop has a Custom or C-5, and would be cool enough to let you exchange one for the Distortion without paying another installation fee. If not, the exchange will be free, but the re-installation won't be.

Opinions vary, but I'm not a fan of the Distortion either.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

This is going to be from out of left field, but were you by any chance in a room with the TV on, or your computer monitor? The Distortion is sensitive and powerful (Like the Incredible Hulk). Mine picks up all kinds of electronic noise if I'm not careful. Also, I've noticed that it can be fairly bright in a LP-type guitar.

 

[jayK]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

GJ,

So I guess what I described is something that is typical of the SH-6?

If so, I'm surprised that it doesnt bother more players, it's something that is definitely noticeable, although if your just bashing out chords you would probably never hear it. It became quite annoying when I was doing my scale practice.


Thanks.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

Its typical of most High output pups used with gain. Its most likely that the noise is from elsewhere in the circuit.

 

[jayK]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

Thanks for all of your input, this is a very helpful & friendly forum!

I was not in a room with a tv/computer, so I don't think that is the problem!

Maybe I just need a pickup with a lower output which does not produce this effect but still cuts through with some powerful crunch (ala Neil Young).
Like I said, I'm just a newbie, & maybe this is not an issue if your up on a stage and have your stuff cranked with all kinds of amps/effects, etc.

 

[italic zero]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

It sounds like it's coming from somewhere other than the pickup, but anything's possible. Did the room have fluorescent lights? If the guitar has a neck pickup, does the neck pickup not have the same problem? Have you tried the guitar in a different room, with a different amp, without effects, etc? Are the red and white wires soldered together and insulated (this would be to address the sounding like a single coil issue)?

 

[jayK]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

After messing around a bit more, I don't think there is anything wrong with
the wiring/humbucker or anything else. All of my guitars do this to a certain degree, some more than others. I just never noticed before probably because I had never swapped out a stock coil before and as a result I was listening way more closely and noticed this "effect".

That being said, dialing back the tone control to around 5-7 from full throttle controls the problem nicely, although I am still "not in love" with this pup, although I don't hate it and it is definitely better than the original, which was fairly Ok but a little too "muddy". The distortion is kind of on the other side of the spectrum to my ear. After taking another listen on the website to the other high output buckers, the JB probably would have been my best choice, with the customs also better. The invader sounded like the distortion, only even more extreme, holy icepick city!

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

.....the JB probably would have been my best choice, with the customs also better. The invader sounded like the distortion, only even more extreme, holy icepick city!

And so it begins.....

I keep going round and round, too. Don't we all?

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

My imagination must be actin up again. Did someone just describe the Invader as sounding icepicky?

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

My imagination must be actin up again. Did someone just describe the Invader as sounding icepicky?

Early reports would seem to confirm this has happened

 

[danglybanger]

Re: "Scratchiness" in Duncan Distortion sh-6

pots? switch?

I have no trouble with mine

slade