Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

[UnderTheFlame83]

Hello everyone I have both a DiMarzio Super Distortion and the Dimebucker and I'm having hard time choosing which to drop in my LTD Viper-10. The wood is basswood. Which would sound better in my Viper? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Welcome to the forum!

This would depend if you can let us know what is the issue with the current pickups. Do you want something more powerful? Less compressed? More bass? It helps for us understanding where you are, and where you want to go.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Looking for more bass and sustain.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

I love the Super Distortion and hate the Dimebucker so the DiMarzio gets my vote.

 

[dave74]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Dimebucker is good in basswood usually (well I like it anyways), but it's quite focused/compressed with trimmed and tight lows, not a bad thing for basswood.

I would bet the superD is more what you are after. It's less compressed but still plenty of output. The lows are bigger and the highs a bit more open.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

I'd think a Custom 5 would give you more bass than a Dimebucker.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

I'm going to try the Super Distortion first and if it's not my thing, I will put the Dimebucker in and see.

I have heard good things about the Custom 5.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Yeah, Super Distortion is warmer and with bigger bass.

I don't think the Dimebucker lacks bass, but it does have A LOT of treble.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

That's one of the biggest reasons that I wanted to change the stock ESP pups is the treble. They don't sound terrible or anything just too much treble and not enough bass.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Less treble, more bass definitely points to the Super D and away from the Dimebucker.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Ok, I have the Super Distortion in my guitar and it's definitely what I was looking for! Sounds much much better. Now I am looking for a good neck pickup... I'm leaning toward the Jazz, 59 or possibly the Air Norton. Any thoughts on the neck? I will be using the neck for mostly cleans and occasionally some heavy distortion solos running through a Randall RG. Thanks!

 

[ErikH]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

The classic matchup to the Super Distortion is the PAF so look at the DiMarzio PAF 36th and the like. I like the Air Classic neck with it. You could put the bridge version in the neck as well since the Super Distortion has a much higher output. The PAF Pro is another great choice for the neck.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Try the Dimebucker in the neck. Seriously. The bright, clear tone can work great in the neck. Worst case scenario, it's too hot and you drop down to a Wilde L500R or L500C.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Ok, I have the Super Distortion in my guitar and it's definitely what I was looking for! Sounds much much better. Now I am looking for a good neck pickup... I'm leaning toward the Jazz, 59 or possibly the Air Norton. Any thoughts on the neck? I will be using the neck for mostly cleans and occasionally some heavy distortion solos running through a Randall RG. Thanks!

This all depends on what you want out of a neck pickup. Do you have an EQ preference? Both the Jazz and the 59 are great choices for clean and heavy.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Jazz and 59 are both fine choices, but first try the Dimebucker you already have. The bright, clear tone works great in the neck running into a Randall RG. I have TWO guitars with Super Ds in the bridge and L500s in the neck and my only amp is a Randall RG. I speak from experience. The only factor I don't have personal experience with is if the Dimebucker's output is too high. But it is certainly worth a try!

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Ok I will try the Dimebucker in the neck : )

I got a Sentient coming soon that I plan on putting in one of my RGS next week too. It
currently has a DiMarzio D Activator in the bridge.

 

[Iron1]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

I'd do the Super D all day, every day - had one in a basswood Ibanez for decades and loved it. For the neck, I have a 59 in my LTD H7 and it's glorious.

 

[RevDoom73]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

I have actually used a Dimebucker in the neck position on a basswood bodied guitar before, and I really liked it. I wound up switched to a Duncan Distortion because I wanted a bit more out of the mids than I was getting with the Dime. But please post with your thoughts about the Dimebucker in the neck once you've messed with it, I'd love to hear if it fulfills what you're looking for.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Well I had some time today to swap out some pups and experiment some. I do like the Super Distortion (and I probably will put it back at some point) but I ended up putting the Dimebucker in the bridge to try it and took the Super Distortion out...tried the Dimebucker in the neck but it just didn't sound right to my ear there - little thin and not much mids or bass in my Viper... I was really surprised with the Dime in the bridge and plan on trying it with the Sentient next week when it arrives!

 

[Iron1]

Re: Super Distortion or Dimebucker for LTD Viper-10?

Well I had some time today to swap out some pups and experiment some. I do like the Super Distortion (and I probably will put it back at some point) but I ended up putting the Dimebucker in the bridge to try it and took the Super Distortion out...tried the Dimebucker in the neck but it just didn't sound right to my ear there - little thin and not much mids or bass in my Viper... I was really surprised with the Dime in the bridge and plan on trying it with the Sentient next week when it arrives!

Did you happen to make sound recordings of both? Would love to hear the difference.