Seymour Duncan vs Dimarzios distortion pick ups

[Nightbat]

I have no distaste for either
IMO whenever I think of the differences between SD and DiM, I look at SDs are like a hammer whereas the DiMs are like a knife
For some reason I percieve SDs as having more body, while DiMs have more cut (i.e. lower vs upper mids)
Though not always a black and white though, just when asked of my observations in general about the 2

[vector]

It most certainly IS a personal preference thing. I've played both to varying degrees of satisfaction (or not- LOL) I tend to try SD's first. My go-to is the TB-5 Custom. Period. But I liked the Tone Zone I heard in a Charvel USA Pro Mod 2H. The X2N in a custom shop Star I had was pretty good as well. All said, I still prefer the SD's first.

[Force]

My experience with Duncans has been bad, only had a few (JBs) but all were bottom heavy, muddy & extremely low gain. I suspect either faulty or poorly installed.

I'm well pleased with Dimarzio, both the Super Distortion & D'Activator X. They are very bass heavy but great tone & very hot.

[jdr94]

to me most dimarzios just sound thin. i do like the tone zone and x2n but i prefer duncans and actives. if you like dimarzios just offer your duncans up for trade in the classifieds. im sure someone would take u up on a swap

[jspeed]

Duncan JB, Jackson J95 & J90C, Dimarzio X2N are my choices for metal.

[straycat]

I use both just depends on the guitar.
The older DiMarzios and Duncans from the 70's and 80's are the best IMO.They have mellowed over time and have a nice tone to them.
I'm into boutique pick ups too they all have their place.
Microphonic pick ups sound great too just dial your guitar vol down or lower the gain on your amp.

[DRM]

Hahaha.

I'm a big fan of the SD Custom and JB. I have brief experience with both the Custom Custom and Custom 5, but the ceramic TB-5 is the heat.

When I had my So Cal, it had DiMarzios in it. I liked them enough not to rip them out, but I have never planned a guitar build with the intention of tossing in DiMarzios. I like how clear sounding the Duncans are as opposed to the compressed, bass heavy tone I've found with DiMarzios.

My friends who are really into progressive metal love their DiMarzios. They love how tight and focused the mids are. I like the brighter, more aggressive tone of Duncans. Just preference I guess.

[leftykingv2]

Hahaha.

I'm a big fan of the SD Custom and JB. I have brief experience with both the Custom Custom and Custom 5, but the ceramic TB-5 is the heat.

When I had my So Cal, it had DiMarzios in it. I liked them enough not to rip them out, but I have never planned a guitar build with the intention of tossing in DiMarzios. I like how clear sounding the Duncans are as opposed to the compressed, bass heavy tone I've found with DiMarzios.

My friends who are really into progressive metal love their DiMarzios. They love how tight and focused the mids are. I like the brighter, more aggressive tone of Duncans. Just preference I guess.

+1 I couldn't say it any better myself. I just can not tolerate any DiMarzio I have ever had or tried. Terrible pick ups in my opinion especially the tone zone and air norton.

[Chad]

Kinda crazy IMO to try and compare two brands in blanket form when they both offer so many different models. For example, the Dimarzio EJ Custom neck pickup is one of the brightest, clearest neck pickups I've played. LOVE that pickup. With that said, I'm mostly a Duncan fan, but there are definitely some winners in the Dimarzio line.

[pro-fusion]

My experience with Duncans has been bad, only had a few (JBs) but all were bottom heavy, muddy & extremely low gain. I suspect either faulty or poorly installed.

Modern JBs are all overwound and extremely woofy on the low end. The classic ones from the '80s were only a little hotter than a PAF.

Try a Duncan Distortion or Custom and you might come away with a different opinion.

[bucketbrian45]

I like them both, I've tried most Dimarzios and liked them. The only Duncan I like is the Distortion which is in both my Y2KV and Strat.

[Axewielder]

Kinda crazy IMO to try and compare two brands in blanket form when they both offer so many different models.

+1...there's literally not a single thing you can say about either brand that holds true for every single model they offer.