It's nice to be able to do a test like this nowadays. Years ago ot was a bit of a lottery. I will be purchasing one of theses soon, always wanted the evolution but the super distortion is possibly going to edge it for me. A few more listens on different systems...
From the sounds and looking at the numbers it seems to me the Evolution is actually a modified Super Distortion, with just a tightened low-end and slightly more aggressive cutting highs. Both great pickups. I actually think the Evo would be a great thrash/extreme metal pickup where tightness and precision is paramount. Super Distortion probably best for classic metal and '80s stuff.
The Super Distortion is a great all around pickup. It’s tight enough for pretty much everything, sounds good with gain, and cleans up nicely. After chasing the tone dragon with different pickups for close to 15 years, I just stick Super Distortions in my guitars and be done with it. They work for me for everything from classic rock to death metal. As long as you’ve got some decent pickups that sound ok that you like, you’ll be fine. Amps and especially speakers are going to color your tone more than a pickup ever will.
Great comparison. I think the SD sounds fatter and "thicker" for lack of better words. The Evo is more tight and articulate. Both killer. Both have their purposes depending on the type of music you want to play.
I would appreciate it if you did a clean, then a crunch, and finally a lead in all your videos. There needs to be a middle ground between clean and lead.
Back off the Volume just a bit on the SD, and it turns into the Evo at full volume. Just like the clarity of the Evo a bit better, but both are Great Pickup's.
I've got an Evo, so that throws my vote...but I think the clarity will be better with the effects unit. If I were straight axe to amp...the SD would be the one.
The SD has a raw character that can't be removed, if that's what you want it can't be beat, if you need a little more nuance there are many other options.
To me, the Evo was tighter and had a little more low-mids distorted. On their own, I really liked the EVO, but in a mix not sure you could tell much of a difference, especially if there is bass mirroring the guitars.
Thanks for posting and doing all this work
I've tried both. I like both but I like the thickness of the Super Distortion.
I have both, I like them both. Super distortion will always be the king, but I really like the evo.
"1:22" / "1:35" -- The type of sound & tune I would most be looking for! 👍🏼
Great comparison, both are epic!. i have a super distortion 82 in the bridge and an 86 in the neck of a 59 lp reissue and it's fucking thunderous!
Excellent demo! I’ve owned both houses at different times and you did a great job identifying the differences between the two. Thanks!!!
It's nice to be able to do a test like this nowadays. Years ago ot was a bit of a lottery. I will be purchasing one of theses soon, always wanted the evolution but the super distortion is possibly going to edge it for me. A few more listens on different systems...
What did you go for in the end?
From the sounds and looking at the numbers it seems to me the Evolution is actually a modified Super Distortion, with just a tightened low-end and slightly more aggressive cutting highs. Both great pickups. I actually think the Evo would be a great thrash/extreme metal pickup where tightness and precision is paramount. Super Distortion probably best for classic metal and '80s stuff.
I play Brutal Death Metal with Evolution 7. It sounds fantastic with a boost.
The Super Distortion is a great all around pickup. It’s tight enough for pretty much everything, sounds good with gain, and cleans up nicely. After chasing the tone dragon with different pickups for close to 15 years, I just stick Super Distortions in my guitars and be done with it. They work for me for everything from classic rock to death metal. As long as you’ve got some decent pickups that sound ok that you like, you’ll be fine. Amps and especially speakers are going to color your tone more than a pickup ever will.
Great comparison. I think the SD sounds fatter and "thicker" for lack of better words. The Evo is more tight and articulate. Both killer. Both have their purposes depending on the type of music you want to play.
The Super Distortion is the King of Humbuckers for a reason! It just kills everything else. The Evolution is tight,but the SD kills it!
Yep. Super distortion kills the cumshitter
I would appreciate it if you did a clean, then a crunch, and finally a lead in all your videos. There needs to be a middle ground between clean and lead.
Two of my favorite pickups.
To me, the Evolution sounds like a more tighter version of the SD. Can’t wait to get one soon!
The Super Distortion just sounds so classic....it wins in this comparison
they sound close but i feel the evo is tighter and i like it more
Back off the Volume just a bit on the SD, and it turns into the Evo at full volume. Just like the clarity of the Evo a bit better, but both are Great Pickup's.
Both pickups sound pretty similar. Both ones have a great punch, attack and presence, well balanced tone and great dynamics!
I'll edge the Evo by very little on the distortion cuz to me it sounds a little tighter
I've got an Evo, so that throws my vote...but I think the clarity will be better with the effects unit. If I were straight axe to amp...the SD would be the one.
Evo is tighter and brighter too
SuperD sounds fuller to me and thicker for sure
Evo sounds great
Sadly, I have to go EVO
The SD has a raw character that can't be removed, if that's what you want it can't be beat, if you need a little more nuance there are many other options.
Thanks
I have sd now had evolution before. Similar but the Evo is slightly creamy in comparison
Which one should be matched in neck if I installed SD in bridge position in strat?
PAF PRO.
They virtually the same with exception being that the Evo has less 'high mids' & a touch more bass. Maybe its treble is a touch less.
Deaf
Evo is more articulate, clearer and heavier under distortion. Evo>Super Distortion in this one.
I don't hear anything heavier sounding. It's treblier and not as thick as the Super Distortion.
To me, the Evo was tighter and had a little more low-mids distorted. On their own, I really liked the EVO, but in a mix not sure you could tell much of a difference, especially if there is bass mirroring the guitars.
Thank you!
🤔
Thi k the evo wins more vai sounding
You mentioned Vai. That did it for me. SD it is.
SD