therottingsun
New member
i might be kinda late on this but anyone care to voice what they think?
sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
- Thread starter therottingsun
- Start date
Marshall_Abuser
New member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
To my ears, the Super Distortion is very warm with full bodied mids, solid present bass and smooth treble. Its output is high but not too high. It just lacks character to my ears. Doesn't have much personality. But sounds good and can cover many styles for sure.
The Duncan Distortion is a lot more agressive in the highs and has a lot more hamonics. The high end sounds like a "buzzsaw" no matter what note you play. Very unsmooth compared to the super distorition, but more exciting to play (more personality to it, more colorful, more agressive). The bass is also tighter and slightly chopped off. If not for the persistent "buzzsaw" tone, the duncan distortion would be a fantastic pickup IMO, but it's a matter of taste, many people like those a lot ! The output of the Duncan Distortion is about the same as the Super Distortion, if not a bit more (though that might be just an impression because of the agressive highs).
To my ears, the Super Distortion is very warm with full bodied mids, solid present bass and smooth treble. Its output is high but not too high. It just lacks character to my ears. Doesn't have much personality. But sounds good and can cover many styles for sure.
The Duncan Distortion is a lot more agressive in the highs and has a lot more hamonics. The high end sounds like a "buzzsaw" no matter what note you play. Very unsmooth compared to the super distorition, but more exciting to play (more personality to it, more colorful, more agressive). The bass is also tighter and slightly chopped off. If not for the persistent "buzzsaw" tone, the duncan distortion would be a fantastic pickup IMO, but it's a matter of taste, many people like those a lot ! The output of the Duncan Distortion is about the same as the Super Distortion, if not a bit more (though that might be just an impression because of the agressive highs).
mrturtle_91
New member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
I haven't played the distortion, but the Super Distortion I found somewhat harsh in the highs, a very bright pickup (though it was in a fairly bright sounding guitar), very thick, juicy mids, and a nice chunky bass. As mentioned, the Super Distortion lacks some character, but works well for many styles.
I haven't played the distortion, but the Super Distortion I found somewhat harsh in the highs, a very bright pickup (though it was in a fairly bright sounding guitar), very thick, juicy mids, and a nice chunky bass. As mentioned, the Super Distortion lacks some character, but works well for many styles.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
Two totally different animals. The SuperD is fat and crunchy with smooth highs. The Distortion has more highs and more "presence" to it and is not as fat sounding.
IMO, the SuperD is more diverse and has more character because of that. The mistake lots of folks make with the SuperD is that they crank it way up towards the strings. Can't do that. It needs to be backed down, about a nickel on the treble side and 2 nickels on the bass side. That is a good starting point. Chances are, the sweet spot isn't far off from there depending on the guitar and rig.
The Distortion to me is more of a one trick pickup. It just kicks ya in the teeth and keeps on going. It doesn't clean up as well to me either. It's not a bad pickup, but it's not one that I would pick to cover a 3 set night. Between these two, I'd pick the Super, and have done so with it in the past.
Neither is better than the other, just different.
Two totally different animals. The SuperD is fat and crunchy with smooth highs. The Distortion has more highs and more "presence" to it and is not as fat sounding.
IMO, the SuperD is more diverse and has more character because of that. The mistake lots of folks make with the SuperD is that they crank it way up towards the strings. Can't do that. It needs to be backed down, about a nickel on the treble side and 2 nickels on the bass side. That is a good starting point. Chances are, the sweet spot isn't far off from there depending on the guitar and rig.
The Distortion to me is more of a one trick pickup. It just kicks ya in the teeth and keeps on going. It doesn't clean up as well to me either. It's not a bad pickup, but it's not one that I would pick to cover a 3 set night. Between these two, I'd pick the Super, and have done so with it in the past.
Neither is better than the other, just different.
hanumanlangur
New member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
The SD and DD only share the word "distortion", that's about where the similarities end. Actually, the closest to the SD is probably the Duncan Custom.
The SD and DD only share the word "distortion", that's about where the similarities end. Actually, the closest to the SD is probably the Duncan Custom.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
I dont think that there is a sound that defines DD better than George Lynch on Back For The Attack.
I dont think that there is a sound that defines DD better than George Lynch on Back For The Attack.
Holy Diver
New member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
That is what I'm talking about right there. You said it. The meanest tone ever.
buckethead
New member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
I think the argument should have been super 2 vs sh6.
I think they are little more similar.
The super dis is much more chuncky and the sh6 more shrill but in a good way.
I think the argument should have been super 2 vs sh6.
I think they are little more similar.
The super dis is much more chuncky and the sh6 more shrill but in a good way.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
Nothing of substance to add to the above. I do think the SuperD has more treble than Dimarzio says. I agree that it's a REALLY flexible pup. I also think the Distortion cleans up better than people give it credit for.
I have one of each in very similar Les Pauls and they are indeed very different. I say the Super takes you from rock to hard rock to metal, the Distortion takes you from metal to heavy metal, and beyond.
SuperD = KISS/Maiden
Distortion = Priest/Metallica
Nothing of substance to add to the above. I do think the SuperD has more treble than Dimarzio says. I agree that it's a REALLY flexible pup. I also think the Distortion cleans up better than people give it credit for.
I have one of each in very similar Les Pauls and they are indeed very different. I say the Super takes you from rock to hard rock to metal, the Distortion takes you from metal to heavy metal, and beyond.
SuperD = KISS/Maiden
Distortion = Priest/Metallica
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
Interesting. See, I'd put Priest with the SuperD since that is what Glenn used up until they both switched to EMG's. The Distortion is a great option for 80's metal if you don't want to use the JB.
Interesting. See, I'd put Priest with the SuperD since that is what Glenn used up until they both switched to EMG's. The Distortion is a great option for 80's metal if you don't want to use the JB.
T
Thunder
Guest
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
Tom Scholz/Boston- Super D
Tom Scholz/Boston- Super D
Holy Diver
New member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
Right, which I would consider more of a hard rock PU, as opposed to a metal PU, although it certainly can be used for that.
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
+1
Old Priest = SuperD
Duncan Distortion = Old Lynch
+1
Old Priest = SuperD
Duncan Distortion = Old Lynch
Marshall_Abuser
New member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
To my knowledge, George Lynch (one of my faves!) used :
The SD Invader on :
- Tooth and Nail
The SD Distortion on :
- Under Lock and Key
- Back For The Attack
- Beast from the East
The SD Screamin Demon on :
- Wicked Sensation
- Lynch Mob (self-titled)
- Dysfunctional
- Shadowlife
The JB, Screamin Demon and SuperV afterwards...
IMO, his best tone is found on CERTAIN SONGS from Back for the attack. The guitar tone on the album sounds very uneven and only some songs contain incredible tone. Such songs are "Night by Night", "Cry of the gipsy" and "Stop Fighting Love". These cuts contain the best lead tones from Lynch ever, and it was a Duncan Distortion.
To my knowledge, George Lynch (one of my faves!) used :
The SD Invader on :
- Tooth and Nail
The SD Distortion on :
- Under Lock and Key
- Back For The Attack
- Beast from the East
The SD Screamin Demon on :
- Wicked Sensation
- Lynch Mob (self-titled)
- Dysfunctional
- Shadowlife
The JB, Screamin Demon and SuperV afterwards...
IMO, his best tone is found on CERTAIN SONGS from Back for the attack. The guitar tone on the album sounds very uneven and only some songs contain incredible tone. Such songs are "Night by Night", "Cry of the gipsy" and "Stop Fighting Love". These cuts contain the best lead tones from Lynch ever, and it was a Duncan Distortion.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
George also used a combination of Marshalls and Soldanos run at the same time on Back For The Attack. That attributes a HUGE amount to his tone, not just the pickup. His tone changed constantly from album to album but notice the pickup stayed the same for the most part.
The pickup is only a part of a player's tone. The amp/speakers plays a bigger role.
And FWIW, Wicked Sensation was the SD Distortion. The Screamin' Demon did not come out until after that album.
George also used a combination of Marshalls and Soldanos run at the same time on Back For The Attack. That attributes a HUGE amount to his tone, not just the pickup. His tone changed constantly from album to album but notice the pickup stayed the same for the most part.
The pickup is only a part of a player's tone. The amp/speakers plays a bigger role.
And FWIW, Wicked Sensation was the SD Distortion. The Screamin' Demon did not come out until after that album.
Marshall_Abuser
New member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
Check out Lynch's REH video. He's recording overdubs (for the Wicked Senstion album) using a gorgeous orange quilted ESP and one can clearly see the bridge pickup has a row of hex screws and looks just like a Screamin Demon. It was probably a prototype of some sort, but IMO it sounds a lot closer to a Demon than a Distortion. I would never believe Wicked Sensation is a Distortion, the tone is much too smooth.
Check out Lynch's REH video. He's recording overdubs (for the Wicked Senstion album) using a gorgeous orange quilted ESP and one can clearly see the bridge pickup has a row of hex screws and looks just like a Screamin Demon. It was probably a prototype of some sort, but IMO it sounds a lot closer to a Demon than a Distortion. I would never believe Wicked Sensation is a Distortion, the tone is much too smooth.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
Could be a prototype. But a lot of that album was done with the Distortion. That smoothness is thanks to the Soldano SLO and his modded Marshalls.
That particular ESP Strat has a JB in it.
http://www.georgelynch.com/guitars/customespstrat.html
Could be a prototype. But a lot of that album was done with the Distortion. That smoothness is thanks to the Soldano SLO and his modded Marshalls.
That particular ESP Strat has a JB in it.
http://www.georgelynch.com/guitars/customespstrat.html
Marshall_Abuser
New member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
Maybe the rhythm tracks were done with the Distortion ? The lead tones on the album sound just like in the REH video. Either way, I don't care about the rhythm tones (too grainy for me), but the lead tones are GREAT !
You put a lot of emphasis on amps...same could be said of the engineer behind the board, the mixing engineer, the mastering engineer, the microphones used, the microphone preamps and cables, etc. As a part-time recording engineer, I know that everything in the chain influences the tone, but most pickups have a distinct character that appears regardless of other elements.
I wonder why Lynch didn't use the JB more and if he used it on certain leads ?
Maybe the rhythm tracks were done with the Distortion ? The lead tones on the album sound just like in the REH video. Either way, I don't care about the rhythm tones (too grainy for me), but the lead tones are GREAT !
You put a lot of emphasis on amps...same could be said of the engineer behind the board, the mixing engineer, the mastering engineer, the microphones used, the microphone preamps and cables, etc. As a part-time recording engineer, I know that everything in the chain influences the tone, but most pickups have a distinct character that appears regardless of other elements.
I wonder why Lynch didn't use the JB more and if he used it on certain leads ?
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: sh6 vs dimarzio super distortion
Yes, the studio magic is also a big part of the equation but I can tell you, those amps sound that smooth live. I saw that tour and he had the Marshalls and Soldano there along with an ENGL head.
However, irregardless of it all, the Screamin' Demon did not exist yet. Evan can confirm whether it was in the prototype phase then or not.
Yes, the studio magic is also a big part of the equation but I can tell you, those amps sound that smooth live. I saw that tour and he had the Marshalls and Soldano there along with an ENGL head.
However, irregardless of it all, the Screamin' Demon did not exist yet. Evan can confirm whether it was in the prototype phase then or not.