Bringing back an old Dimarzio

thrill74

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Trying to get this old Hamer Dimarzio back into service. The 50mm base plates are slightly too wide. Probably a 49? Thoughts?
 
Re: Bringing back an old Dimarzio

Do you have a micrometer or some other device to measure accurately?

Check for 49.2mm

Do you know the model #? Should it have of their brass plates or nickel plates? And have you called DiMarzio tech support?
 
Re: Bringing back an old Dimarzio

I have a tape measure. At first I thought it measured at 2" exactly. But that was the screw side. Measuring the slugs it's less. I used the baseplate years ago to help out a Duncan with snapped off legs. I haven't inquired to Dimarzio. But it did come with a brass plate.
 
Re: Bringing back an old Dimarzio

Yeah I thought that whole paf thing was pretty neat lol! Small chuckle. But it came out of my old checkerboard headstock fm special from 82 or 83.
 
Re: Bringing back an old Dimarzio

If it has sentimental value than I wish you all the luck in the world fixing her up.

I would honestly suggest though...a new Duncan.

My first two good guitars were Ibanez with DiMarzio PAF pros in them and once I went Duncan...I never went back.
 
Re: Bringing back an old Dimarzio

If it has sentimental value than I wish you all the luck in the world fixing her up.

I would honestly suggest though...a new Duncan.

My first two good guitars were Ibanez with DiMarzio PAF pros in them and once I went Duncan...I never went back.

The pickup itself doesn't have any sentimental value other than having something old and unique around and working. I actually remember when I bought the guitar, playing it, being disappointed, and buying a zebra SH-11 that same day for it. But that was over a decade ago. My ears and flavors have changed.
 
Re: Bringing back an old Dimarzio

In my humble opinion it'll sound better with a nickel silver baseplate, if you have the option.
 
Re: Bringing back an old Dimarzio

DiMarzio use a narrower spacing than most. It's around 48mm. If you want to stay with a stock baseplate, try getting it directly from DiMarzio (you can just call them up and talk to a lady there; it's very easy). If you want to convert to a Gibson/Duncan style baseplate (i.e. not brass), go with a 49.2mm one and modify the bottom holes as necessary.
 
Re: Bringing back an old Dimarzio

Those old OEM DP103 pickups are actually awesome sounding PAFs. DiMarzio doesn't make them anymore and haven't for years. Always thought they had a unique sound and the WLH set actually is the closest pickup I've come across that has the same tone. Nickel-Silver always has this crisp dry sound where the brass seems to give more of a liquid feel FWIW.
 
Re: Bringing back an old Dimarzio

Just heard back from Dimarzio:

The basic dimensions in terms of length and width have always been the same as those of Gibson humbuckers. Our polepiece spacing is not the same, and it might therefore not be possible to employ a baseplate from another manufacturer.

DiMarzio Inc.
 
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