PATB-2 vs Distiortion

[SFW]

Does the PATB-2 sound any different than a TB-6 Distortion? If so, what are the differences?

Thanks!

[marvelous_seven]

I think this has been discussed in daemon barbeque's PATB-2 mega thread. Hopefully others who recently tried it may chime in here.

[dvanburen]

I think this has been discussed in daemon barbeque's PATB-2 mega thread. Hopefully others who recently tried it may chime in here.

can anyone provide a link to that thread?

[mustaine-who?]

TB-6 is more raw and less compressed. I found that the PATB-2 to be really compressed and has a less ice-pickie top end...

[marvelous_seven]

TB-6 is more raw and less compressed. I found that the PATB-2 to be really compressed and has a less ice-pickie top end...

Which one do you think will work on superstrat for downtuning?
I recently saw Gus G videos and I like his tone,just add a touch thickness will be the perfect metal tone for me.

[Ed Hunter]

Which one do you think will work on superstrat for downtuning?
I recently saw Gus G videos and I like his tone,just add a touch thickness will be the perfect metal tone for me.

get the TB-6 original distortion and add a touch more bass/mids to get a thicker Gus G tone. he used the TB-6 not the PATB-2

[Dark Order Lord]

TB-6 is more raw and less compressed. I found that the PATB-2 to be really compressed and has a less ice-pickie top end...

Dead on dude! I wish the PATB was around 16K and not 22K, it would compress less, and maybe even try triple mag to tighten the mids and lows

[AlexR]

Dead on dude! I wish the PATB was around 16K and not 22K, it would compress less, and maybe even try triple mag to tighten the mids and lows

Thats the PATB1.....try one of those with an A8 and its incredible

[Despair]

Parallel Axis picks up a lot more high frequencies due to polepiece structure. And has to be wound hotter to balance that. Which does result in higher output, but not always more compression... If your amp has the headroom.

Dark Order Lord:
[Warning: vicious headache and can't sleep, may ramble]
You're likely to prefer the gain be set lower than you would with a TB-6, and the presence a bit higher.

Note the PATB-3's 9.8K vs '59's 8.1K. A PATB-2 wound with the same percent overwind compared to a TB-6 would be 20K. That'd be a bit lower output, more & harsher high end, less low end focus.

But if you want to work with what you have, might look at an active buffer to control how hard you are hitting a preamp (a lot of people use Overdrives set for less than unity gain for this, also lets them cut a bit of bass out to tighten the preamp response). Volume pedal or pre-EQ can do the same job, too.

I can't listen at full volume at this hour, but the PATB-2 seems to work pretty well for what you are doing already. Might double track with a Custom or TB-6 to get a more biting rhythm tone. Layering different tones tends to get bigger results faster than layering multiple takes of the same thing.

I have a PATB-1b in my guitar, it's awesome but wants to be a LOT further from the strings than a conventional humbucker to get good dynamics. Same thing applies to PATB-2.

[Dark Order Lord]

Parallel Axis picks up a lot more high frequencies due to polepiece structure. And has to be wound hotter to balance that. Which does result in higher output, but not always more compression... If your amp has the headroom.

Dark Order Lord:
[Warning: vicious headache and can't sleep, may ramble]
You're likely to prefer the gain be set lower than you would with a TB-6, and the presence a bit higher.

Note the PATB-3's 9.8K vs '59's 8.1K. A PATB-2 wound with the same percent overwind compared to a TB-6 would be 20K. That'd be a bit lower output, more & harsher high end, less low end focus.

But if you want to work with what you have, might look at an active buffer to control how hard you are hitting a preamp (a lot of people use Overdrives set for less than unity gain for this, also lets them cut a bit of bass out to tighten the preamp response). Volume pedal or pre-EQ can do the same job, too.

I can't listen at full volume at this hour, but the PATB-2 seems to work pretty well for what you are doing already. Might double track with a Custom or TB-6 to get a more biting rhythm tone. Layering different tones tends to get bigger results faster than layering multiple takes of the same thing.

I have a PATB-1b in my guitar, it's awesome but wants to be a LOT further from the strings than a conventional humbucker to get good dynamics. Same thing applies to PATB-2.

At the moment I have an Sh6 in my black V (the guitar on the rhytm tracks) and I was mucking aroung with pickup height last night and pole piece height to find the sweetest spot, plus I change the Dunlop strings to DR round core and it made alot of difference.
Honestly, I don't ever remember screwing around with pick up height with the PA TB2, I alway just used to set my picksups at a default height of 1mm below the two E strings depressed onto the fret board.... and now you have me very curious....

[devastone]

The PATB-2 reminds me of the DMZ Super 3, not quite as dark, but still very midrange-y. It's a great pickup, but can't comment on the downtuning, should be fine, it is tight in the low end.

The Distortion has more sizzle on top.

[masta' c]

Both are excellent pickups, but they are voiced differently and sound best in different types of guitars.

The PATB-2 works great in neutral to bright guitars. It can really give a thin-sounding guitar a pro-quality tone. It's punchy in the mids and full up top, not shrill at all. It's clear under gain and works great for modern metal.

The TB-6 is as the others described...more open sounding and more sizzle on top. In a brighter guitar, the EQ of the TB-6 can be a bit harsh for some players, but it's a very versatile pickup that can cover a lot of ground. If you want something similar to Gus G's tone, you'd probably want to try the TB-6 first.

[Ed Hunter]

I was thinking since he is looking for a thicker tone he ought to buy your PATB2 you have for sale, these are hard to come by so he should grab it!
http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/s...d.php?t=215951

[mustaine-who?]

I'd use the TB-6 for downtuning....

[BloodRose]

I had a LTD Gus G model and it came with a 59/Dist set in it and was awesome. Not icepicky at all in the mahogany body

[Mr 9finger]

The PATB was put out there to give 25.5" scale guitars more of tone like a shorter scaled set neck guitar and it does it very well. I've never used them for drop or down tuning, but I'd be afraid they might get a little mushy on the low end. I think DB got good results out of his, but I'd still be a little wary of it and go for the TB-6 instead to keep the low end tight. Tuning down would also help tame some of the high end others seem to find in the regular Distortion pickup.

[dominus]

The PATB was put out there to give 25.5" scale guitars more of tone like a shorter scaled set neck guitar and it does it very well. I've never used them for drop or down tuning, but I'd be afraid they might get a little mushy on the low end. I think DB got good results out of his, but I'd still be a little wary of it and go for the TB-6 instead to keep the low end tight. Tuning down would also help tame some of the high end others seem to find in the regular Distortion pickup.

I had A PATB-2 in an ash Strat tuned to Open B. Didn't get loose at all.

[Mr 9finger]

I had A PATB-2 in an ash Strat tuned to Open B. Didn't get loose at all.

Ash and Alder are brighter woods than Mahogany or Basswood. So I could see how they would work out better in an Ash bodied guitar. The OP hasn't stated what guitar or the build of the guitar he was thinking of dropping one in.

[marvelous_seven]

^maybe Artie's demud-mod will bring the clarity out in lower tuning/darker tone guitar?
Btw,how's the clean between these two sibling?
Has anyone try split/parallel/series switching on them?
Any comment on the sound?

[Despair]

PATB-2 is a wild pickup. Amazing growl for riffs, like an Invader with a broader high end. Like a thicker TB-6 Distortion for thrash rhythms. But sweeter than either for leads, like a hotter JB. Parallel Axis polepiece design makes it more articulate for it's output, gives amazing harmonics, sweeter upper mids and lower string pull than the conventional Distortion.

Thicker and less harsh than the conventional Distortion, tighter than the Invader. Biting Distortion-style thrash rhythms are readily accessible, just turn the presence up a notch at the amp. Trying to smooth the original Distortion out isn't nearly so easy, just ask George Lynch about struggling with that in Dokken...