Alternative 8 vs Dimarzio Titan

[MetalFinatic14]

Narrowed my choice down to two pickups (well 3 if you include the d'activator). Just looking for the differences in sound you would get from each pickup. Which has a heavier low end, which provides more clarity and string separation etc. Which you think provides a better tone (basswood guitar. Blackstar ht-5r head with 4x12 cabinet)

My style is a mix of sylosis style rhythm palm muting, power chords, gallops. ;
And erra style slides and string skipping.
So in easier terms, modern thrash, and prog djent.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Alternative 8 vs Dimarzio Titan

Narrowed my choice down to two pickups (well 3 if you include the d'activator). Just looking for the differences in sound you would get from each pickup. Which has a heavier low end, which provides more clarity and string separation etc. Which you think provides a better tone (basswood guitar. Blackstar ht-5r head with 4x12 cabinet)

My style is a mix of sylosis style rhythm palm muting, power chords, gallops. ;
And erra style slides and string skipping.
So in easier terms, modern thrash, and prog djent.

I'll also try to help with the other thread you started on the Titan ( https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?315433-Dimarzio-Titan-Can-it-thrash ).


the Alt-8 is storied to be the most recent humbucker actually engineered by Seymour himself when asked about something to consider the growing interested in Alnico 8 magnets. it's a fine pickup. while it's been dismissed by some as a JB8, it's just not the case - in the good way.

the DiMarzio Titan set is a very solid and versatile option. the Titan is capable of a very wide range of styles and if anything, might suffer from being mislabeled as only a djent (or whatever Periphery is) pickup. of the different sets of pickups associated with Periphery, the Titan is my favorite for covering the most ground. I think you'll get more clarity and string separation with it.

Heavier low end? heavier as in bigger? the Alt-8. for prog djent focused precise heavy riffing? the Titan.


you also mentioned the D-Activator. the D-Activator and the Titan both have about the same DCR, but are both high output. the D-Activator is a little louder. it's also much more focused with a bit more high end and a smidge more low end than the Titan. I think the D-Activator is more unforgiving than the Titan. Some might think the D-Activator is felt more in the head and the Titan is felt more in the chest.

the Illuminator is a lot like the Titan, but a little more open and organic. the Dominion is in the same area, and probably closer to the Alt-8 than these other DiMarzios - maybe because of the big mids in both. the Dominion is also the basis of a DiMarzio signature model for one of the Periphery guys before he went with the Alpha-Omega.


fellow forum members Big Flannel and Luke Duke also have experience with the Titan and the Illuminator respectively.

 

[MetalFinatic14]

Re: Alternative 8 vs Dimarzio Titan

I'll also try to help with the other thread you started on the Titan ( https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?315433-Dimarzio-Titan-Can-it-thrash ).


the Alt-8 is storied to be the most recent humbucker actually engineered by Seymour himself when asked about something to consider the growing interested in Alnico 8 magnets. it's a fine pickup. while it's been dismissed by some as a JB8, it's just not the case - in the good way.

the DiMarzio Titan set is a very solid and versatile option. the Titan is capable of a very wide range of styles and if anything, might suffer from being mislabeled as only a djent (or whatever Periphery is) pickup. of the different sets of pickups associated with Periphery, the Titan is my favorite for covering the most ground. I think you'll get more clarity and string separation with it.

Heavier low end? heavier as in bigger? the Alt-8. for prog djent focused precise heavy riffing? the Titan.


you also mentioned the D-Activator. the D-Activator and the Titan both have about the same DCR, but are both high output. the D-Activator is a little louder. it's also much more focused with a bit more high end and a smidge more low end than the Titan. I think the D-Activator is more unforgiving than the Titan. Some might think the D-Activator is felt more in the head and the Titan is felt more in the chest.

the Illuminator is a lot like the Titan, but a little more open and organic. the Dominion is in the same area, and probably closer to the Alt-8 than these other DiMarzios - maybe because of the big mids in both. the Dominion is also the basis of a DiMarzio signature model for one of the Periphery guys before he went with the Alpha-Omega.


fellow forum members Big Flannel and Luke Duke also have experience with the Titan and the Illuminator respectively.

I think I might go with a d activator in my 6 string for a heavy focused rhythm and for blatant power on the low end. And put the titan set in my 7 string. Yes no?

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Alternative 8 vs Dimarzio Titan

I think I might go with a d activator in my 6 string for a heavy focused rhythm and for blatant power on the low end. And put the titan set in my 7 string. Yes no?

#1. without an idea of how "heavy" and "blatant power" translates for you, it's hard to say.


#2. it's only a decision you can make for yourself.


give DiMarzio tech support a call after 12 noon EST. they're good about answering calls. one approach might be to let the guy guide you through questions he might have for you...he might have an alternative you've not already considered,

 

[moshpit817]

Re: Alternative 8 vs Dimarzio Titan

I had an Ibanez RG 3xxv 25th anniversary guitar with the D'activator in the bridge stock,for me it was just a "Passive" EMG 81,if that makes any sense ? I was hoping it being a passive pickup to have more sustain and less compression,but if you want to just grind with heavy palm muting it did that well..I like using Legato style leads and for me the D'activator just didn't cut it,just choked out the tone.