Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

[IKSLIM]

I appreciate your advice on “Dimarzio RFED” replacement with SeymourDuncan.

FRED has a double frequency resonance design. I think that’s why it sounds so opened and warm and harmonics are so easy to get. I love its split mode even better.

I’m looking for a FRED substitution in a “Single-Sized” pickup.
Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

Doesn't exist in a single sized pup.

 

[MikeM]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

Custom shop..

 

[lazyfinger]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

I've tried the Fred. and several single coil humbuckers and single coils for strat. In terms of tone and mids, the SSL-5/6 is the closest one IMO, although not as pinch-harmonics happy. SSL-3 could be closer too, never tried.

 

[WGTP]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

Little Screaming Demon?

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

as far as i can tell, the only dimarzio single-sized humbuckers that aren't dual-resonance are the super distortion S, and the pro-track.
every other model lists patent#4501185 (which means dual resonance)

you'd need to speak with the custom shop re an equivalent SD.

 

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

Quite a few if not most of their humbuckers are dual resonance. They don't all sound like a Fred, not by a country mile.

Just because a pickup uses that technology doesn't mean it will sound a certain way, which I think is the point. It allows them to tune the two coils to get damn near any sound they want.

I'm familiar with all the DiMarzio and Duncan single sized buckers, I don't think any of them sound like a Fred.

If you want a Fred, route for a humbucker and get a Fred.

 

[IKSLIM]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

I'm familiar with all the DiMarzio and Duncan single sized buckers, I don't think any of them sound like a Fred.

Wow, it’s great to have a person experienced in both names!!! Thanks for the knowledge sharing.

Dear RayBarbeeMusic, if you experienced with Fred, you might know the sound of split-mode (main-coil). It sounded very opened, clear, rich of harmonics. I appreciate if you can recommend the same (or close) sounded single-sized-pickup in SD family. Hum cancelling is an advantage, but the sound is a priority. I’m just not in a hurry to buy all the production-line from SD. No sense…

Thanks.

 

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

As far as the sound split.......which coil you make active is arbitrary but if you are using their recommended wiring that would mean it is the slug coil (red+black wires).

Part of what you are dealing with is the nature of a split bucker. The 2nd coil affects the tone, even if it isn't active, merely by the proximity of the magnets. The other thing is that, since the most common "split" position is the neck side coil, it will sound warmer as it is farther from the bridge. It is also not slanted as a normal strat bridge pickup would be, which will also contribute to less ice-picky highs.

So to really get that, you'd need a similar coil mounted the same distance from the bridge and un-slanted........

Is there a single coil that emulates that in a normal strat position? Man, I have no idea. There are a lot of variables. Short answer is I seriously doubt it, especially in the SD line.

Your best bet is to call the DiMarzio tech line and ask them directly, but they aren't going to give you answers about SD pickups. They might be able to tell you if anything in the Dimarzio line comes close, and you could extrapolate from there to the SD line. Anything would be at best an approximation though, and you'd be lucky to find that. Nothing is going to sound exactly like that coil in that position in terms of a single coil mounted in the normal slanted strat bridge position.

 

[IKSLIM]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

Your best bet is to call the DiMarzio tech line and ask them directly, but they aren't going to give you answers about SD pickups.

Well, thank you RayBarbeeMusic.
You are real expert!

I’m about to contact Dimarzio tech directly. Thanks for advice.
I’ll report a result here later, if you want to..
Thanks.

 

[bancika]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

if you're willing to stick with dimarzio (which makes sense, if you like a dimarzio, get a dimarzio), Pro Track is similar to Paf Pro which is an ancestor of Fred. Also, Fast Track 2 has that midrange hump of Fred, but is just a tad hotter. Any of them should be relatively close. Another mid-happy pup is Air Norton S...

 

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

I wouldn't call a fred a mid humpy pickup. Definitely not like a FT2, and doesn't sound like a pro Track either, although the output would be similar.

 

[bancika]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

it's got more mids than highs or lows, I think it's a fair label I've got it in one of my guitars and it's middier than any other dimarzio pickup I've tried...actually, maybe less than the liquifire, but it's in the neck position.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

I don't think there is...

That whole Fred/PAF Pro/Mo' Joe line is a very diMarzio thing.

Please describe the characteristics you specifically want. If it's a Fred, get a Fred.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

It's really apples and oranges. There is one trick possibility. You'd have to call the Custom Shop, and order one Hot Rails coil plus one Cool Rails coil but with an Alnico 5 magnet. MJ custom cuts Alnico magnets for Rails pickups and they are superb. That'll sweeten the top end, raise the inductance which helps round out the response, and the mix of the two coil types will put you into Fred/Norton territory. You'll still have the issue of the slanted bridge single sized vs. a full sized HB.

 

[RayBarbeeMusic]

Re: Dimarzio FRED = ?? SeymourDuncan

Never heard of a rail type with A5 in it; which have you tried?