SH-6 or 498t?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Danny BallsofDoom
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Danny BallsofDoom

Danny BallsofDoom

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Hello! First post! I have a 2001 Gibson SG Gothic with a Duncan Distortion. The upper mids are a bit harsh. (prolly cause of the ceramic mag) Would it be worth it to swap it for 498t? Is the 498t thicker, with better mids? I play in a thrash/Hardcore band. I run direct into a 5150. Thanks in advance!
 
If you're looking for something big and a bit scooped in the upper mids try a Duncan Custom.
 
Thanks for the reply. From the sound clips I've heard, I find the Custom to be a bit muddy. I like clarity. I like organic. My guitar is a bit on the dark side...(no pun intended)
 
If clarity is the biggest priority then look into Bare Knuckle Pickups......something like the Aftermath maybe.
 
+1 on the Custom. I wouldn't consider muddy at all. It does metal great.
 
The Custom is not muddy at all. I would stay far away from the 498T if you want tight. I've always found that pup to be a bit of a mess. Sounds ok in certain axes but usually it's unbalanced and mushy.
 
So the Custom has a lower mid growl compared to the Distortion? Don't get me wrong, the DD is not terrible.... just has too much bite.
 
Changing to less bright strings might be an easy fix?


Distortion is a pretty good pup.
 
Another vote for sh-5.
Be aware that this pickup has a little lower output than sh-6 or sh-4 but it cuts like a razorblade.
 
Capulin Overdrive":17msos4s said:
Changing to less bright strings might be an easy fix?


Distortion is a pretty good pup.
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I don't think strings are the problem... I use Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottoms.
 
stay with the distortion man. i think you can get away with a 498 if you're just using rock crunch, but it falls apart under gain, and just gets sloppy..ive got one les paul with a jb, and one with a distortion. ill try and post a vid tomorrow or later tonight to show the difference of the magnets. fwiw i didnt get along with the sh-5 and found it a little thinner than the sh-6, and just not enough ass...
 
mchn13":2242wn2g said:
stay with the distortion man. i think you can get away with a 498 if you're just using rock crunch, but it falls apart under gain, and just gets sloppy..ive got one les paul with a jb, and one with a distortion. ill try and post a vid tomorrow or later tonight to show the difference of the magnets. fwiw i didnt get along with the sh-5 and found it a little thinner than the sh-6, and just not enough ass...
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Right on , a shootout would be cool. The DD is alot tighter than the stock 490t I had. Quieter also in terms of noise.
 
glassjaw7":d9cphjlg said:
The Custom is not muddy at all. I would stay far away from the 498T if you want tight. I've always found that pup to be a bit of a mess. Sounds ok in certain axes but usually it's unbalanced and mushy.
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I agree with the fact that the 489t can be very dependant on the guitar. I had one in a LPC and for a straight up rock sound it was awesome. I liked it a lot. I wouldn't call it tight though. But that's why I am so surprised that so many people don't like them because it sounded so good in that particular guitar.
 
Dimebag11":g01vmqxq said:
If you're looking for something big and a bit scooped in the upper mids try a Duncan Custom.
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this

Danny BallsofDoom":g01vmqxq said:
Thanks for the reply. From the sound clips I've heard, I find the Custom to be a bit muddy. I like clarity. I like organic. My guitar is a bit on the dark side...(no pun intended)
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it's your computer, or whatever you're listening to.

theres NO mud at all in sh-5's. none.
perfect for leveling up a dark amp or guitar.

mushy is a great description of the 498t and even the 500t's at times. they both record well though...even spectrum pickups IMHO for recording. my ear hears them different than they record..and for me, i hate that.

sh-5 sounds like it does to my ears in recordings. just like the duncan description, beefed up PAF tone....think non active zakk wylde.

Danny BallsofDoom":g01vmqxq said:
So the Custom has a lower mid growl compared to the Distortion? Don't get me wrong, the DD is not terrible.... just has too much bite.
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yes. heaps. amp dependant though, but it's there.

subjective, yes, to a point.

but, you can also watch the results here, since you mentioned a shootout.



to me, the invader has this hi hi hi end tunnel effect vibe going on in the way hi up spectrum, and it's just unbearable.
the distortion sounds really good. the sh5 does too.

i dont like the 59/custom, it has the "chink chink chink" thing going on..hard to describe, easy to hear.

the others, i just dont love or hate....take or leave them.....

the sh5 is the pickup for me, the distortion is too hot for my tastes. try it, if you dont like it, return it.
oh, BTW, i always forget to mention the sh5 is REALLY tight and low noise under high gain situations...you arent going to get a lot of body feedback from your guitar like other higher output pickups, and the chugga chugga is really tight too....obviously, i love them! you may hate them, but worth a try dude.
 
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