software

So I bought a new RG321 a couple of weeks ago, and it's going to be my metal/shred guitar.

I've been searching a lot of old posts in these forums, and I'm almost pretty much set on the DD for the bridge position. I think the mahogany body will round out the DD pretty well. I'm basically after a tight bridge pup, with good bass but not bassy. I love John Petrucci's tone, but I'm not particularly trying to get his tone. Many people on this forum have given reviews/descriptions of the DD bridge that I find favorable. I have the JB and C5 in other guitars. The JB I don't quite totally like; I don't dig the bass or the overall voicing. The C5 I really like, but it's staying in the LP, and I want something different.

For the neck, I want something that will give me smooth and warm but searing leads, if that's possible. Kinda like JP I guess. I was thinking of getting an Air Norton and Steve's Special, but I'm familiar with SD's and I wouldn't mind experimenting.

What kind of leads would the DDn give me? I don't want anything overly bright or trebly. Smooth mids are a must under high gain. I've read that the DDn matches very well with the bridge (understandably so).

Many people have recommended the Full Shred for the neck; they say it's bright and articulate. And the Tone Chart definitely says that it's bright. Again, I don't want a neck pup dominated with treble.

I have the 59n and Jazz Neck. The 59 is a little too bassy for my tastes for shred. I want something with more mids than the Jazz.

This guitar's gonna be for shred and I need the neck pup to be articulate for leads and sweeps and all that good stuff. Also, I'm interested in the DDs because they seem to not be voiced after PAFs. I'm sick of PAF voiced stuff for now, and I want something more modern.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks for reading, and your thoughts on this subject are very welcomed.

I would seriously check into DiMarzio`s Evolution pickup for the bridge!!!!! For the type of music you play and the guitar you have (especially Mahagony body!) i think the Evo would kill on that guitar! And Ibanez guitars with DiMarzio pickups just seem to go together!

From what you're describing, it sounds like the DD set is EXACTLY what you want. Of course, I may be biased. I'm one of the board's biggest Distortion supporters.

I'm pretty close behind Travis as a DD supporter. Its still the only pup in my Patriot - and, in the neck. The beauty of that set, is to add a push/pull pot to split tham as shown in the lower left corner of this switch chart:

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Thats a Benedetto wiring diagram, btw - which is a Duncan subsidiary.
The split tones of the DD are great, and it would remain humbucking when both were split.


Originally Posted by TravisFrom what you're describing, it sounds like the DD set is EXACTLY what you want. Of course, I may be biased. I'm one of the board's biggest Distortion supporters.

DiMarzio Evolutions are WAY better for soloing/shred type of music.....thats what the pickup was made for!!!!!! When it comes to rhythm......then i`d say its close!

I know that Steve Vai uses the Evo's, and I don't like any of his tones at all. Very sterile. Do you know who else uses them?

Artie - if I do get a DD set, I would be using the Superswitch for more sounds. You're the one who drew up this diagram for me, remember?
Do you guys have any sound clips of the DDn doing some shred in the neck position? I've been searching the forums and there's been very few.

Thanks for the opinions so far, guys


Originally Posted by CronoDLArtie - if I do get a DD set, I would be using the Superswitch for more sounds. You're the one who drew up this diagram for me, remember?

I'm old . . . I ain't that old.

Artie

I've got a pair of Distortions in one of my Charvel 750xls wired with a 5 way and I had a Hamer Diablo wired like that also. The split tones of the Distortion are really, really good. The lead tones are every bit as good as the rhythm's. As far as the Evolutions, I've played them and I don't like them at all. I'm not saying they're not good pickups. I just think their tone sucks.


Originally Posted by TravisI'm not saying they're not good pickups. I just think their tone sucks.
Thats quote-worthy.

I had a Distortion set in a Les Paul for years and I can't recommend them strongly enough. They will do exactly what you are asking for.

They also have exceptional split and parallel tones.


Originally Posted by TravisI've got a pair of Distortions in one of my Charvel 750xls wired with a 5 way and I had a Hamer Diablo wired like that also. The split tones of the Distortion are really, really good. The lead tones are every bit as good as the rhythm's. As far as the Evolutions, I've played them and I don't like them at all. I'm not saying they're not good pickups. I just think their tone sucks.

Spoken like a true fan!
And like a true DiMarzio fan that i am, tried Duncan Distortions and wasn`t impressed at all!!!!!

The only thing that always stopped me from trying the DD is that it would sound like the guy from Papa Roach and Alien Ant Farm. They both have this scratchiness in their sound that I just can't get past, and every song has it. This leads me toi believe it's a one trick pony. But also it might just be my personal preference, and I haven't actually ever tried a DD so my 2 cents prob aren't worth much but just throwin it out there.

Thanks for the opinions, guys. I think I'm pretty much set on getting a DD set once I have enough extra cash to spend on gear.

As for the Papa Roach and AAF tones, I've never been a big fan so I don't know their sounds too well. But I'm sure that their amps and settings play a big role. And from what I have heard, their tones aren't that bad, but the songs are a different story.