Here's a 2-tier understanding of Duncan's Custom humbucker: It's a hotter interpretation of the PAF unit + it's given a more commanding bottom end. This pickup has a twin application considering its authoritative lower frequencies. If you are looking for a pickup to balance out a guitar with bright acoustics, the SH-5 would serve you. Alternatively, if you peddle lots of bass notes but wish to maintain clarity in an already booming guitar, the SH-5 would serve you as well. It's a good alternative to the Duncan Distortion (SH-6) for those of us who think it's a harsh sounding humbucker; the SH-5 possesses the former's attributes but with added bass. All in all, the SH-5 is a high output unit which loves distortion.
I was happy with the Duncan Distortion (SH-6) humbucker; it's an outstanding high output humbucker for distortion laden tone & resided in my Ibanez RG321. However, my satin finished RG321 is a bright-sounding guitar which doesn't need additional emphasis in the upper frequencies but I am stubborn in my EQ settings; I don't pump up the bass more than the midrange/ treble. I was looking for a replacement unit which should not compromise the distortion performance but has added low frequencies; the SH-5 was it.
Manufacturer's notes:
- Pickup's default EQ settings: Bass- 7/ Midrange- 6/ Treble- 9
- Magnet type: Ceramic
- Output: High
- Current resident guitar: Ibanez RG321
- Ibanez: RG1550
- Gibson: Les Paul BFG
If you decide to purchase this pickup based on the manufacturer's pickup EQ reference per se, you'd be mistaken into thinking the SH-5 has added brightness due to its over-the-top treble enhancements. It's only when you have it in real use then the bottom end emphasis would make its mark. It's a little deceiving, the statistics...
11 comments:
please recommend me a good duncan for my VMNTx (as long as it wasn't mustaine livewire)
bro- specify your requirements :-) you still want to stick to active units?
need a passive unit(s) since stock dean DMT pickups were passive too
so far i'm targeting SH-8 @ invader for bridge unit mainly for heavy riff & distortion... or if u have other recommended model(s) for all-around rock/metal stuff
neck unit haven't decided yet
relating to my prior experience with the Invader, this pickup manifests lots of lower midrange, not the bass frequency per se but it still sounds very deep. remember if you play in a band context, sounding this way isn't a good thing- you'd be drowned out by the drum & bass. but if you are set to live with this kinda tone, the Invader would be it. the Dimebucker would be a good Duncan alternative for distortion as well.
DiMarzio's X2N will give the Invader some good competition in terms of distortion- no doubt about that.
bro,
Need ur advice on wat passive pick ups should i use on my ibanez 540R [Bridge n Neck ]Basswood body n rosewood fretboard.
I want a gd pickup tats can take loads of distortion and clean up nicely when guitar volume rolled off. Thanks bro
any particular brand name in mind?
no particular brand name in mind bro. Thanks !
what kinda bridge is in this guitar?
Lo Pro Edge Floyd licensed double locking tremolo
ok that guitar can benefit from any high output bridge unit but that won't handle your clean wants; i suggest you assign the neck pickup to do this.
for basswood ibanez, i get good results with Duncan's Distortion & DiMarzio's Super Distortion. for the neck, Duncan's Jazz will handle both clean & distorted tones with ease. if you don't do too much distortion in the neck, Duncan's 59 would be the alternative but for something more commanding in terms of distortion without going the high output way- Alnico II Pro is recommended.
thanks a lot for the kind informations bro. Very much appreciated.
Next week, i'll go shopping for new pick ups. :)
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