Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

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I just picked up a Carvin CT6 off cragslist, loaded with a Super Distortion and a 36th Anniversary PAF. I thought I might leave the pickups in since I have Duncans in my other guitars.

I had them out and listed on ebay within an hour of trying them. They sound thin, lifeless, and weak. I don't get the appeal at all. The 36th anniversary was better than the Super Distortion, but any Duncan I've ever tried blows them out of the water.
 

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Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

They must've been wired wrong or something because those pickups are anything but thin, weak and lifeless. Sweet guitar though.
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

Every set of DiMarzios I've ever tried have been like that. I love Steve Vai, Satriani, and Paul Gilbert, but I can't stomach the DiMarzios.
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

Definitely surprised to hear the Super D being described as thin and weak, but to each his own. We all know Seymour Duncan is the best or we wouldn't be here :)
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

If the Super Distortion sounded thin lifeless and weak in that guitar you might as well list the guitar on Ebay too.
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

What amp and EQ setup do you typically use?

(Might be a long shot, but I'm wondering if you are used to boomy, thick pickups, compensate by rolling back some bass, then anything else sounds thin and lifeless.)
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

get the feeling someone is listening with their eyes instead of their ears...
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

If you find the Super Distortion and PAF 36 thin and weak... might I ask you what Duncans you're using?
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

I am using a lot of hybrid pickups, built around the custom in the bridge and jazz in the neck. I also have a set of whole Lotta humbuckers that I have been enjoying. The Dimarzio sounds similar to Carvin pickups to me, just lifeless. I really thought I might keep them until I tried them.
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

There's nothing thin or lifeless about those pickups. Have you considered that the problem might lie between the guitar and the strap?
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

I have not tired the 36ths anniversary. But a Super Distortion does not sound anything that is thin and lifeless and weak . May be a wiring issue. It is High a High output pickup.
 
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Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

this sounds super strange. wiring ok? sounds very suspect. as others have stated, those pickups sounds don't fit the description provided...

wiring could be weird here. any time I see after market pickups installed, I always feel the need to verify correct wiring. color codes being different, lots of people trying to change things out without knowing some basics, etc...
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

this sounds super strange. wiring ok? sounds very suspect. as others have stated, those pickups sounds don't fit the description provided...

wiring could be weird here. any time I see after market pickups installed, I always feel the need to verify correct wiring. color codes being different, lots of people trying to change things out without knowing some basics, etc...

Indeed - if for example the previous owner just followed the wiring code of the original pickups disregarding that no two companies have the same wiring code ...
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

The Super Distortion and PAF 36th Ann. are excellent pickups and (like posted before) sound anything but thin and weak. Just installed a X2N and PAF Pro combo in my V-Blade and they growl like nothing I tried before.
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

Shesh, all these personal attacks because I don't like the right pickups. The dimarzios are like a crappy microphone under the stings, there's no vintage feel to them and no life. "oh you're not listening right, it's the amp, it's you, it's the wiring." My opinion is that they suck.
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

Shesh, all these personal attacks because I don't like the right pickups. The dimarzios are like a crappy microphone under the stings, there's no vintage feel to them and no life. "oh you're not listening right, it's the amp, it's you, it's the wiring." My opinion is that they suck.

My experience with the DiMarzio pickups I've used has been similar. I don't think they suck, but I prefer other pickups.
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

Errrrr did you try making any adjustments?

All the dimarzios i have are great. Especially the pafs and super distortions.
 
Re: Couldn't rip out DiMarzios fast enough

Shesh, all these personal attacks because I don't like the right pickups. The dimarzios are like a crappy microphone under the stings, there's no vintage feel to them and no life. "oh you're not listening right, it's the amp, it's you, it's the wiring." My opinion is that they suck.

Nobody is haranguing you for not liking them; we're all ****ing confused that you found them *thin*, THIN. And that you (presumably) found a hybrid built around a Custom in the bridge and a Jazz in the neck thicker. Dull, modern and lifeless are complaints that are ubiquitous when DiMarzio is involved, but "thin" is definitely NOT.
 
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