Seymour Duncan lead tone comparison

[MicahMischief]

Okay, firstly, sincerest apologies if this thread has been made a dozen times.
Of course, older threads wouldn't be entirely up to date, so without further ado..

I'd accept information on any SD pickup's lead tone, but there are some specific ones I'm curious about.
I'm kind of planning something a tad unusual... I think I've settled on an Invader in the bridge, for a heavier rhythm tone, and a specific humbucker sized P90 (I'm not normally a huge P90 fan, but this is so gorgeous and chimey), and this leaves me with the last part (two humbuckers and a single.. HHH pickguard)
The right pickup for my leads.

I've considered the Distortion, and it's use by the band Gorod (Listen to Disavow Your God). They use single pickup alder bodied, maple necked Fender style guitars, and this is for a strat that has a universal route.

I thought about the JB, but I'm starting to lean more toward the Distortion side, but then I saw the Black Winter, and was intrigued by it.
I've seen that it receives a lot of comparisons to the DD, though people say it's less fizzy, or something.
And then on the neck pickup side of life, I've seen more than a few advocates of the Jazz, and several for the 59.


Soo, these pickups, and any you care to mention, how do they compare on lead tones.
Oh yes! And this, among other genres, will be used for metal.

 

[dvanburen]

Re: Seymour Duncan lead tone comparison

Distortion is good pickup all around. So is the stock custom sh-5. if you want something specifically for leads you could probably find better options. Jb is actually pretty good for lead tone. Jazz wouldnt be a bad option. I personally like the custom 8 myself. very present, hot, warm and sustains very well. just my opinion

 

[Inder_Cine_Mann]

Re: Seymour Duncan lead tone comparison

What amp?

For neck leads i like the Dimarzio Liquifire and Air Norton

I also really like the 59n for neck shreds

I have heard amazing things about the Screamin Demon in the neck. I reall need to try one for myself

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Seymour Duncan lead tone comparison

from a trusted source: Invader, DD and JB are all the same coils. different mags, and in the case of the Invader, different pole pieces. so you'd get a variation of the same DNA with the DD or JB.

 

[MicahMischief]

Re: Seymour Duncan lead tone comparison

Distortion is good pickup all around. So is the stock custom sh-5. if you want something specifically for leads you could probably find better options. Jb is actually pretty good for lead tone. Jazz wouldnt be a bad option. I personally like the custom 8 myself. very present, hot, warm and sustains very well. just my opinion

I'm curious about this Custom 8.

What amp?

For neck leads i like the Dimarzio Liquifire and Air Norton

I also really like the 59n for neck shreds

I have heard amazing things about the Screamin Demon in the neck. I reall need to try one for myself

I'm going to be buying a new amp for this project, since my current am is a Fender, and is not really suited for this.
I'm leaning toward a Bugera Trirec, but I'm still looking at the other options in the high gain $700-1000 range.
I have a preference toward 6L6 and similar tubes over EL34 and similar ones. (That said, I like the fact that the Trirec would actually allow a little experimentation on the tube setup.)

I'll check those out, I think I actually saw a video of the Norton (non air) in the bridge position, doing some leads..
I've heard some stuff with the 59 that sounded good, but I think I might go for one that cuts through a little more. I've heard that the 59 is a bit less trebly but fairly sweet, and although I haven't personally played one, what little I have seen seems to support his.
With an invader in the bridge, I think I'll go for something that sings a bit, without being overly harsh, though still cuts through the mix, to kind of balance things.
Basically heavy bassy rhythm, singing and articulate leads, and chimey cleans from the P90.

I hope I'm making sense, because I've been up since 5:00AM today.. Things might be a bit off.
Edit: Now that I think about it, if the 59 really does have such a sweet tone, I could potentially dial a little P90 clarity into that.
Also, I'm going to triple shot the two humbuckers, and I'm going to be doing 3 independent volume knobs with 3 on-off switches.
I guess I might have to get a bit hands on and test a little.

from a trusted source: Invader, DD and JB are all the same coils. different mags, and in the case of the Invader, different pole pieces. so you'd get a variation of the same DNA with the DD or JB.

I've seen some places that say that that is a myth that's been bunked, but nevertheless it does raise a point, I guess.
It might benefit me to choose something a bit less similar if I want a tone that's less similar.