Super Distortion vs. X2N

[Inflames626]

Sorry if this shows up twice. I thought I posted it but it isn't showing up.

I'm considering my first DMZ purchase and am starting with the most popular models.

I was wondering how the Super Distortion and the X2N match up.

I like a tight, bright, articulate bridge pickup. My concern with overwound, high output pickups like the X2N is they create too much treble and have a thin, cheap guitar sound. An example might be the Duncan Distortion, which I love to use to track leads but I find it a bit bright and fizzy on rhythm.

Normally, I prefer to use an amp boost in conjunction with the amp's gain knob for more saturation instead of going to a hotter pickup. I've found that it's easier to juice a vintage pickup through the amp than to try and dial back a hot pickup.

Lately, I've been using the Duncan Full Shred bridge and Gibson 498t a lot.

For me, the X2N is probably best known on the Death albums, which, in conjunction with 90s Marshall Valvestates, had a lot of saturated, articulate picking with bright upper mids. My concern, though, is the X2N, like the Invader, might be too saturated for my tastes.

Thanks all.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

Sounds like you don't generally like hot, high output, "oversaturated" pickups, so I am wondering why you are beginning with two of them as your first choices...??

 

[Demanic]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

I don't know about the Super Distortion, but the X2N that's in my friend's old entry level Ibanez is anything but thin.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[Inflames626]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

Because they're popular and hence points of reference relative to newer models.

When I bought EMGs, I started with an 81. With Duncans, I bought a JB. And so on.

 

[freefrog]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

Memories from an old fart. Don't know if it will be useful...

I've played each model as my main bridge HB during approximatively one year a long time ago.

In a tube amp (6L6's non master volume powered stack), the X2N was extremely powerful and blurry. It was simply impossible to obtain any clean sound with it.

The SD was gritty with a tad less power and a narrower voicing, rather "cocked wah". But it was still able to push the NMV stack way beyond crunch.

Compared to these two DiMarzio's, something like the Bill Lawrence L500 had much bigger bass, less overbearing mids and clearer highs, with a sweeter texture. It made me sell the DM's.

I've not tried these models plugged in a Valvestate (amp model that I've briefly owned 10 or 15 years later).

Now, the bridge DM's mentioned hadn't been wired for versatility: with the X2N, I had a splitting switch associated to a Dual Sound (4 wires SD) but it was in neck position...

I'd love to try again each model with some advanced wiring and the capabilities of contemporary amp modeling.

 

[BurnMyEyes666]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

What guitar are you putting it in? I would recommend the Evolution for tight/bright/articulate, but it can get too trebly/fizzy if not EQ-ed properly. Works best in mahogany I'd say.
Or you could go for the ToneZone, though it can get muddy in some contexts as well. Either of these two would work for what you seem to be wanting, depending on what guitar you want them in.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

Here's an example of a bridge tone that I liked, using Pod Farm. It's just a Tube Screamer boosted JCM 800 with a bit of delay and reverb. I also use a metal pick. More spacey than I'd use in a two guitar rhythm context, but definitely I'd use it on leads.

People have told me my sample sounds like a Tone Zone (it's a 498t). I always took the TZ to be a big chunky pickup, maybe like the Custom family would be in SD.

And I'm sure all of these things can be modified to sound like each other so the pickup doesn't make much of a difference. I just want to make sure I took all roads to make sure I have what I want.

https://soundcloud.com/devolve1980/hamer-tone

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

I don't know much about the super, but the X2n I have in my Jackson is a thick muthhumpin solid wall of exhilaration and thunder!!!! Booom!

 

[dominus]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

If you like tight and bright, I'd go with an Evo, definitely not a Tone Zone. The Tone Zone will work in brighter guitars, but will be thick and sludgey in a warmer/darker guitar. I have a Tone Zone in a Paulownia bodied guitar with a maple fretboard neck.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

Inflames - I can't get a grip on where you are coming from.

Honestly, you don't want either of these pickups. It sounds like you are asking just because you know them. You seem to be maki
G some unusual assumptions about their tone based on I don't know what?!?!?!?

The SuperD can be heard on countless albums from the late 70s on. It is baddy, thick, middy and hot. It has more treble than people think.

The X2N is stupid hot and will limps lap a preamp tube into next week. It is thick, evenly eq'd and loud. It would make s pop sickle stick sound thick. It would sound the same in s 2x4
- very cool parallel and single tones though!

 

[Demanic]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

You could plug the X2N mounted on a 2x4 into a dog turd and it would sound good.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

I didn't know the X2N was that popular, the more commonly found in stores would be the Evo, SuperD, Tonezone, Norton & satriani sig stuff. Personally if i were starting to look into dimarzios now & considering you don't slam the input of the amp with a hotter p'up, the X2N & Super D wouldn't be on my list at all, even though i like the super d a lot. I'd try out some of their newer offerings like Paf Master or Gravity Storms, Norton, Air Zone, etc.

 

[LazNovak]

Re: Super Distortion vs. X2N

What guitar is this going in? What amps are you using?

The X2N is mad hot and definitely not thin. The Super Distortion is pretty hot too and also not thin. They're both pretty fat pickups.

I have an Air Zone in my Jackson and it sounds great. It's huge but doesn't over saturate. It's great for both rhythms and leads. There's no fizz on this pickup. I also have a Super Distortion which was in my Charvel and was also in my RG and it sounded killer. Thick and rich, no fizz. They're great pickups. I don't think the Super D hits the preamp that hard like the X2N does. I think it's perfect.