Duncan Distortion With An A5 or A2?

[nast2112]

Anyone ever do this? Sound/tone? You may laugh, but I like the tone that Curt Mitchell in the VH Methods has for Van Halen. He apparently used a Duncan Distortion but I doubt it was with a ceramic magnet; probably used an a5 or a2. This makes a little sense since I think Ed used a Dimarzio Distortion and did the same thing, I believe. Just curious if anyone has made this switch.

Thanks
Chris

[the guy who invented fire]

Anyone ever do this? Sound/tone? You may laugh, but I like the tone that Curt Mitchell in the VH Methods has for Van Halen. He apparently used a Duncan Distortion but I doubt it was with a ceramic magnet; probably used an a5 or a2. This makes a little sense since I think Ed used a Dimarzio Distortion and did the same thing, I believe. Just curious if anyone has made this switch.

Thanks
Chris

A DD with an A5 is pretty close to a JB, never tried the A2. The custom shop 78 (EVH) has an A2 magnet but it's not wound nearly as hot as a Distortion or a JB, it measures right around 9.5-10.0k

[Stratcat]

I have a stock DD that can do the VH thing quite well, among other things.
The DD is a great all around rock/metal pup.

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

Anyone ever do this? Sound/tone? You may laugh, but I like the tone that Curt Mitchell in the VH Methods has for Van Halen. He apparently used a Duncan Distortion but I doubt it was with a ceramic magnet; probably used an a5 or a2. This makes a little sense since I think Ed used a Dimarzio Distortion and did the same thing, I believe. Just curious if anyone has made this switch.

Thanks
Chris

a DD with a 5 is a JB.

curt uses the stock ceramic DD

[psychodave]

a DD with a 5 is a JB.

curt uses the stock ceramic DD

The DD in not a JB with a magnet change. At least according to the spec sheet the DD has a DC resistance of 14.1 while the JB has 16.4 . A magnet will NOT change the DC resistance. The stronger the magnet the more the highs become pronounced. Please correct me if I am wrong.


FWIW, I have DD's from the mid 80's and they sound a lot different than the new one's. My JB's from the mid 80's also sound different from the new ones.

[theodie]

The DD in not a JB with a magnet change. At least according to the spec sheet the DD has a DC resistance of 14.1 while the JB has 16.4 . A magnet will NOT change the DC resistance. The stronger the magnet the more the highs become pronounced. Please correct me if I am wrong.


FWIW, I have DD's from the mid 80's and they sound a lot different than the new one's. My JB's from the mid 80's also sound different from the new ones.

I will correct ya, The DD has a resistance of 16.6K. With an A5 magnet it should very close to a JB which has 16.4K. BTW, The custom has a resistance of 14.1.

[Jag513]

Yeah, someone mentioned in an earlier thread similar to this that the JB and DD had the same number of windings, same gauge, close DC resistance, etc. and that the only difference was the mag.

[nuntius]

Well if an A5 Distortion sounds like a JB, then I guess an A2 Distortion will sound like an A2JB... which sounds awesome IMO.

Kinda boxy, very middly, not too much bass, and not that much treble, but it is a hell of a cool lead tone.

[Fusion1]

The A2 Distortion would be the Allen Holdsworth pickup with a slug coil instead of dual rows of adjustable screws according to the idea the coils of the DD and JB are the same.

[Travis]

It seems to me that the beuaty of the Distortion comes from the large ceramic magnet. But, if you want to try it go ahead. And be sure to post a review when you get it done.

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

The DD in not a JB with a magnet change. At least according to the spec sheet the DD has a DC resistance of 14.1 while the JB has 16.4 . A magnet will NOT change the DC resistance. The stronger the magnet the more the highs become pronounced. Please correct me if I am wrong.


FWIW, I have DD's from the mid 80's and they sound a lot different than the new one's. My JB's from the mid 80's also sound different from the new ones.

someone has not done thier homework!
the DD is at 16.6K for the regular spaced and is at 17.3K for the trem spaced ones.
perhaps you meant the CUSTOM is at 14.1K

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

The A2 Distortion would be the Allen Holdsworth pickup with a slug coil instead of dual rows of adjustable screws according to the idea the coils of the DD and JB are the same.

this is correct

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

It seems to me that the beuaty of the Distortion comes from the large ceramic magnet. But, if you want to try it go ahead. And be sure to post a review when you get it done.

absolutely! the larger ceramic is what gives the DD it's mojo and power.
and turn the JB into a firebreathing pup.
I still find it astonishing that many refuse to believe the JB is a DD or the other way round with the different magnets
this has been tested and is tried and true

[Jfar]

Some one need to straighten this guy out.

When did EVH started using Distorion pickups with Alinco II's?

Answer: He never did !!

Second The SD Custom shop EVH is @ 8.5 to 8.9k not 9.5 or 10 K.

Eddies pickups varie to different guitars but does not use distortion pickups.

His first self wound and favorite pickup was PAF from a 60's ES 335.

Everytime he changes amps & guitars he change pickup specs.

Just like you! He's alway's been a PAF guy and alway will be.

[the guy who invented fire]

I will correct ya, The DD has a resistance of 16.6K. With an A5 magnet it should very close to a JB which has 16.4K. BTW, The custom has a resistance of 14.1.

THATS MY BOY!!! Remember guys...if 10 of go and buy a JN there will be 10 different DC readings...not by a lot but different...look at the differences in the Custom, Custom 5, and the Custom Custom...and all 3 of those pickups use the SAME coils!!!

[Majestic]

Some one need to straighten this guy out.

When did EVH started using Distorion pickups with Alinco II's?

Answer: He never did !!

In addition to his old PAFs, Eddie used a DiMarzio Super Distortion with an old PAF magnet in it for quite a while, according to Eddie himself.

Whether or not the Super Distortion is similar to the Duncan Distortion, I don't know.

I highly doubt Curt Mitchell recorded his "play like Van Halen" vidoes with a Duncan Distortion (which is actually the genesis of this thread), but I suppose it's possible.

I'm partially at fault here, because I told him my above sentiments, and speculated that maybe Curt was copying Eddie by putting a warmer magnet in a "distortion-style" pickup. Pure speculation on my part.

I think in the end, he's better off staying away from Distortion pups if trying to obtain a VH tone, regardless of what Curt Mitchell does.

[psychodave]

I will correct ya, The DD has a resistance of 16.6K. With an A5 magnet it should very close to a JB which has 16.4K. BTW, The custom has a resistance of 14.1.

Whoopsie....I was looking at the wrong p-up's resistance.

FWIW, I like them both and they both work great together in the same guitar.