Different bridge pickup recommendations for Charvel So Cal?

[ledvedder]

I kind of thought I wouldn't dig the Duncan Distortion that came stock in the So Cal. But I wanted to give it a try first. I've been playing it all day through my DSL, 5150, and Chupacabra. As I thought, it's just too hot and fizzy for me. I do have a brand new Dimarzio SD that I bought to put in the Jackson SDX that I originally got. How do you think that would sound in the So Cal? I'm debating if I should exchange the SD for a JB, before I open it and can't return it. Im just looking for opinions.

 

[napalmdeath]

I kind of thought I wouldn't dig the Duncan Distortion that came stock in the So Cal. But I wanted to give it a try first. I've been playing it all day through my DSL, 5150, and Chupacabra. As I thought, it's just too hot and fizzy for me. I do have a brand new Dimarzio SD that I bought to put in the Jackson SDX that I originally got. How do you think that would sound in the So Cal? I'm debating if I should exchange the SD for a JB, before I open it and can't return it. Im just looking for opinions.

The Custom would be my choice.

 

[ledvedder]

I kind of thought I wouldn't dig the Duncan Distortion that came stock in the So Cal. But I wanted to give it a try first. I've been playing it all day through my DSL, 5150, and Chupacabra. As I thought, it's just too hot and fizzy for me. I do have a brand new Dimarzio SD that I bought to put in the Jackson SDX that I originally got. How do you think that would sound in the So Cal? I'm debating if I should exchange the SD for a JB, before I open it and can't return it. Im just looking for opinions.

The Custom would be my choice.

I really dig the 80s hard rock vibe, which is why I'm leaning towards a JB. Do you think the Custom would get me there? It's still ceramic like the Distortion.

 

[skullfxr]

A JB is the safest bet IMO.

Doesn't both SD and DiMarzio offer a free one time swap? I would look into that.

 

[Matte23]

Super distortion or Tone Zone from Dimarzio!

 

[napalmdeath]

I kind of thought I wouldn't dig the Duncan Distortion that came stock in the So Cal. But I wanted to give it a try first. I've been playing it all day through my DSL, 5150, and Chupacabra. As I thought, it's just too hot and fizzy for me. I do have a brand new Dimarzio SD that I bought to put in the Jackson SDX that I originally got. How do you think that would sound in the So Cal? I'm debating if I should exchange the SD for a JB, before I open it and can't return it. Im just looking for opinions.

The Custom would be my choice.

I really dig the 80s hard rock vibe, which is why I'm leaning towards a JB. Do you think the Custom would get me there? It's still ceramic like the Distortion.

Yes. It's less boomy than the Distortion, less output, tighter, and more clarity. I love it.

 

[skullfxr]

I would not go tonezone tbh.

I say super distortion or JB.

 

[Thunkful]

I would not go tonezone tbh.

I say super distortion or JB.

Isn't Tonezone kinda modern sounding pickup anyways? If one's in for the 80s sound i'd imagine he wouldn't be too fond of that pickup.

 

[skullfxr]

I just don't care for it. I have pulled three out of ibanez prestiges, it just flat out doesn't work for me. It's just a blah kind of thing tbh. More modern than 80's IMO, but it lacks cut and cajones.

 

[skullfxr]

If you want to sell the DD, PM me.

 

[Thunkful]

Actually my modded mexican strat will have a DD in it I think it's a great pickup for the 80's thing.

 

[ledvedder]

If you want to sell the DD, PM me.

I might after I replace it. I'll let you know.

 

[ledvedder]

What can you tell me about the Duncan custom/59 hybrid vs the JB?

 

[MrDowntown]

Thorny...who is a member here (I believe)... did a shoot out a few years back with the pups you are looking at, plus the EVH Franky... FWIW.

This, while not your Charvel, will give you an idea of the tone of each... YMMV

 

[scottosan]

What can you tell me about the Duncan custom/59 hybrid vs the JB?

The JB is hotter.amd.can sometimes be too compressed. The hybrid I would do consider medium output that keeps clarity and bit of rudeness due to the unmatched coils nots plenty hot though.

It really depends on which camp you come from. You have those people that like high output pickups, either I to a moderate gain amp, or I to a high gain amp to gets compressed sound. Or those like medium output pickups into a high-gain amp that gives you a good balance of crunch and sustain.


That said, I may concerned about the way Charvel does their 5 way switching. I recall them using the outer coil for splitting. This doesn't do true him cancelling. But the bigger issue is that Duncan reccomemts splitting to activate the slug coil, not the screw coil. In the case of the custom, that will be the weaker 59 coil that won't split as well.

 

[ledvedder]

What can you tell me about the Duncan custom/59 hybrid vs the JB?

The JB is hotter.amd.can sometimes be too compressed. The hybrid I would do consider medium output that keeps clarity and bit of rudeness due to the unmatched coils nots plenty hot though.

It really depends on which camp you come from. You have those people that like high output pickups, either I to a moderate gain amp, or I to a high gain amp to gets compressed sound. Or those like medium output pickups into a high-gain amp that gives you a good balance of crunch and sustain.


That said, I may concerned about the way Charvel does their 5 way switching. I recall them using the outer coil for splitting. This doesn't do true him cancelling. But the bigger issue is that Duncan reccomemts splitting to activate the slug coil, not the screw coil. In the case of the custom, that will be the weaker 59 coil that won't split as well.

The Charvel splits both ways, depending on the push-pull volume knob. In is the inner coils, out is the outer coils.