Seymour Duncans?

giannifive · 05-25-2006, 04:00 PM

So what's the deal with Seymour Duncans? I've always used Dimarzios but recently bought some Duncan Designed pickups (101N and 102B) that I put in my mahogany fixed bridge 6-string. To me it sounds like they get their clarity from excessive treble (noticeable even in a mahogany guitar) and possibly a scooped EQ curve. The neck pickup in particular, while clear, has no character to it (it's a 101N, so based off of the '59). Dimarzios, on the other hand, sound much more organic and warm, yet still have lots of clarity. So what's the deal? Are Duncan Designed pickups just really crappy reproductions of real Duncans, or do Duncans really sound like this?

Mind Riot · 05-25-2006, 04:21 PM

Judging real Duncans by Duncan Designeds is like judging a USA Fender against a Squier.

eaeolian · 05-25-2006, 04:22 PM

Duncan Designs sound absolutely NOTHING like the real thing, other than the fact that they translate string movement into electrical signals.

That's just the six string ones. The seven string ones are a tad better - at least the set I had - but they still don't sound like real Duncans. Don't be fooled.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mind Riot

Judging real Duncans by Duncan Designeds is like judging a USA Fender against a Squier.

I think you might be being overly generous.

D-EJ915 · 05-25-2006, 04:23 PM

SDs will brutalize your whole family with the onslaught produced by their signals. I pretty much hate their low-output neck pickups but that's because I hate low-output pickups, not because they sound bad.

Real SDs rule \m/ The Full Shred is my only LP pickup...of course I don't own either but the best sounding LP I've ever played had a Full Shred in it.

giannifive · 05-25-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mind Riot

Judging real Duncans by Duncan Designeds is like judging a USA Fender against a Squier.

That bad, huh? I've heard both camps, actually: people who swear that the Duncan Designed pickups are really close to the real thing, and others who claim the DDs are steaming piles of poo. It sounds like I'll just have to get some real SDs and judge for myself.

eaeolian · 05-25-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giannifive

That bad, huh? I've heard both camps, actually: people who swear that the Duncan Designed pickups are really close to the real thing, and others who claim the DDs are steaming piles of poo. It sounds like I'll just have to get some real SDs and judge for myself.

They're so inconsistent, some of them may actually sound close to the USAs. I've been informed that this happens, but I've never heard any. They'll sound totally different in the same model guitar pulled rightoff the rack next to each other. They're usually just a wall of mud with sizzling top end, though.

noodles · 05-25-2006, 05:04 PM

I had a DD in my import Roswell that sounded just like the real thing. Unfortunately, it was the Distortion model, which is a pretty crappy sounding pickup.

The Dark Wolf · 05-25-2006, 05:58 PM

I prefer Dimarzios, but in no way do those DDs hold up to real SDs.

Real SD's are even more warm and organic than Dimarzios, I find. They have some sort of magical X-Factor to them... at least the Alnico ones, generally.

Firebeard · 05-25-2006, 06:05 PM

If I were Seymour I'd be ashamed for most of the DDs having my name on them. I'd make them Heerless Tone or something and not even claim them!

eaeolian · 05-25-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

Real SD's are even more warm and organic than Dimarzios, I find. They have some sort of magical X-Factor to them... at least the Alnico ones, generally.

That's why I love the JB. The only ceramic SD pickup I like is the Custom, and I only like that in right woods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by satanicmind

If I were Seymour I'd be ashamed for most of the DDs having my name on them. I'd make them Heerless Tone or something and not even claim them!

He's been doing that since the late '80s with Kramer. More $$$.

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05-25-2006, 04:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
giannifive Occasional Poster Join Date: May 2005 Location: IL, USA Posts: 1,076 Real Name: John Main Seven: RG7621 w/ Blazes Rig: Vox AD15VT Thanked: 10 $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $giannifive is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$	Seymour Duncans? So what's the deal with Seymour Duncans? I've always used Dimarzios but recently bought some Duncan Designed pickups (101N and 102B) that I put in my mahogany fixed bridge 6-string. To me it sounds like they get their clarity from excessive treble (noticeable even in a mahogany guitar) and possibly a scooped EQ curve. The neck pickup in particular, while clear, has no character to it (it's a 101N, so based off of the '59). Dimarzios, on the other hand, sound much more organic and warm, yet still have lots of clarity. So what's the deal? Are Duncan Designed pickups just really crappy reproductions of real Duncans, or do Duncans really sound like this?

05-25-2006, 04:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
D-EJ915 <3's Tsukasa Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 16,751 Real Name: Kagami Main Seven: ESP H-207 Rig: Randall RG75G2C Thanked: 197	SDs will brutalize your whole family with the onslaught produced by their signals. I pretty much hate their low-output neck pickups but that's because I hate low-output pickups, not because they sound bad. Real SDs rule \m/ The Full Shred is my only LP pickup...of course I don't own either but the best sounding LP I've ever played had a Full Shred in it. My Site: əBCAir

05-25-2006, 05:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
noodles I'm your huckleberry • Super Moderator • Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 22,100 Real Name: Dave Main Seven: KxK V7 - The Emo Killer Rig: Roadster/GMaj/4x12 Thanked: 306	I had a DD in my import Roswell that sounded just like the real thing. Unfortunately, it was the Distortion model, which is a pretty crappy sounding pickup. Noodles Division: American Metal without the suck. sales@kxkguitars.com "Somewhere along the way, the Straight Talk Express lost some wheels..." --Barack Obama on John McCain

05-25-2006, 06:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
Firebeard Viking Lord Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 822 Real Name: Samuel Main Seven: -Fingers Crossed- Rig: Flextone w/Mesa 4x12 Thanked: 0	If I were Seymour I'd be ashamed for most of the DDs having my name on them. I'd make them Heerless Tone or something and not even claim them! Sæmunder Firebeard

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05-25-2006, 04:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mind Riot Devoted seven stringer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 694 Thanked: 2	Judging real Duncans by Duncan Designeds is like judging a USA Fender against a Squier.

05-25-2006, 05:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
The Dark Wolf Shomer Fucking Shabbos! • Super Moderator • Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio. USA Posts: 16,627 Real Name: Bowlin' Bob Main Seven: 2001 Ibanez RG2027XVV Rig: GNX/Magicstomp Thanked: 89	I prefer Dimarzios, but in no way do those DDs hold up to real SDs. Real SD's are even more warm and organic than Dimarzios, I find. They have some sort of magical X-Factor to them... at least the Alnico ones, generally.

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Seymour Duncans?