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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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...

[masta' c]

Well said, Despair

[MesaTone]

I like the PATB-2 over the Distortion. As heavy as it is, it's closer to the JB than the Distortion. Not overbearing for ceramic, unlike the Distortion.

What's really different is the feeling of playing over the parallel pole pieces instead of screws and slugs. More expressive, without the lack of string individuation found in rails. I bend a lot, and it allows me to be very creative vs. the standard design. It'll sound different when you first start playing, but after a few it'll really sing.

I use Zhangs for my PAF work, with his Widebucker option. Better than regular polepieces for bends, but I really wish all my pups could have the parallel axis design.

I do want to try a PATB-3 in the neck with a PATB-2 in the bridge. That should be the perfect combo for me. Or maybe a PATB-2 with A5. Too many choices!

[dvanburen]

I like the PATB-2 over the Distortion. As heavy as it is, it's closer to the JB than the Distortion. Not overbearing for ceramic, unlike the Distortion.

sounds like the perfect heavy metal pickup to me

[Micha]

I am not a pickup specialist. I try myself to find a sound for my les paul.
But I have a Stratocaster of luthier, a very good french luthier: Christophe Leduc.
It is an alder body startocaster, but a full body, without pickgard, where pickups are mounted directly on the wood, as on the paul.

I 've been mounted there a few years ago, a PATB-2 distortion parallel axis trembucker.
I'm not a fan of pickup in céramic but there I must say one thing.
I never heard such a thing. IT has hell's power, purpose Even articulate.
The harmonics are amazing.
The distortion is big, but at the same time, the pickup is incredibly well controlled and never, i really mean never, dirty.
The Reason why I keep it, although I'm not a fan of pickup in ceramic, that is precisely because this pickup does not sound like a ceramic pickup.
The sound is warm, very sweet treble, never sizzly gold Harsch, NEVER !!!

in the neck position, I associated a pearly gates with the PATB-2.
This is a really interesting blend especially when splitted.

you go from massive punch ton overdistorted strat sound (but even controlled), to really bluesy strat on streroid sounds, to conventional sounds.

I would like to try an other pickup with my pearly gates in my strat, but it's not possible.
Simply not possible : it's a such great association.

This pup is great.


and I wonder why in fact he did not belong in this video ......... with it's 21.3K......

http://soundcloud.com/seymourduncanp.../tracks?page=1

[King IzzO)))]

Your English is bad, but that's actually a pretty good description.