Duncan Distortion - is it worth it?

[metalfiend666]

Well Duncan lovers, is the 7 string Distortion worth buying, or is it a heap of toneless crap? Is it Alnico or Ceramic?

 

[eaeolian]

It's ceramic - the Distortion is a JB with a big honkin' ceramic magnet. I'm not much of a fan, personally...

 

[metalfiend666]

Ok. I like my JB in mahogany, but I'm also a big Dimarzio fan. It's on Ebay for £35, would you say it's worth a shot?

 

[Matt Crooks]

I really like the Distortion in 6 strings (I'm not a JB fan). I don't remember what the 7 string version sounds like...

 

[eaeolian]

If you think you can get most of the value back if you don't like it, yeah. I didn't like the Distortion 7 that came in my Washburn much in that guitar, which is mahogany body and maple neck and fretboard.

 

[metalfiend666]

I've bought it anyway. Sod it, it's cheap and I can get what I paid for it if I don't like it. I think my UV might get the Duncan treatment soon.

 

[JPMDan]

if you don't like it you can swap the ceramic for a Alnico 5 and see if it fixes it up for you.

 

[The Dark Wolf]

^ Then it'll be a JB.

 

[zimbloth]

I think the Duncan Distortion is the worst pickup Duncan makes. It has the worst honk shrill tone I've ever heard. Other ceramics like the Invader, Custom or DiMarzios don't have that bullshit. I hate the Duncan Distortion!

It's almost as bad as the Tone Zone 7. Yeah, I went there.

 

[Kagami]

if you don't like it you can swap the ceramic for a Alnico 5 and see if it fixes it up for you.

then he'll have a JB...

 

[JPMDan]

yeah true but atleast he wouldnt have to sell it then get the JB.

 

[zimbloth]

No, The DD is garbage just don't get it at all. It's seriously just the worst.

 

[metalfiend666]

Too late Nick, I've already bought it. If I don't like it, I'll just Ebay it for what I paid for it

 

[zimbloth]

Doh, you should have consulted me first I know Duncan has a 30-day exchange policy, but I don't know if that applies for overseas too?

 

[metalfiend666]

It was second hand on Ebay, so I'm not bothered

 

[zimbloth]

Oh alright, good luck

 

[noodles]

I don't like the Distortion because it has no bass response. It is all mids and treble, and way to harsh to my ears. However, playing styles have a huge impact on how a pickup reacts. Jacksonplayer swears by that pickup, and he never sounds harsh or brittle. Then again, his playing style makes a JB sound like scooped mud.

I think the Duncan Distortion is the worst pickup Duncan makes.

No, that would be the Custom Custom.

 

[The Dark Wolf]

then he'll have a JB...

I just said that.

^ Then it'll be a JB.

MF666... just swap the magnet if you don't like it.

 

[Matt Crooks]

I don't like the Distortion because it has no bass response. It is all mids and treble, and way to harsh to my ears. However, playing styles have a huge impact on how a pickup reacts. Jacksonplayer swears by that pickup, and he never sounds harsh or brittle. Then again, his playing style makes a JB sound like scooped mud.

With a Road King you really don't need much bass out of the pickup, do you? I recorded a six string Jackson with a DD in it... the bass on the RK didn't get past 9:00.

I agree though - all gear reacts differently with different players. I've heard people get great sounds out of their rig and then hand me their guitar and I sound like Richard Simmons at a banana eating competition.

 

[metalfiend666]

Well I'll see what it's like when I get it. Sounds like my 3 options if I don't like it are:

1. Switch the magnet to A5 to make it a JB
2. Ebay it
3. Sell it to Jacksonplayer