Dimarzio Super Distortion into an RG

[jep1210]

I have a new Ibanez RG470AHM with an HSH set up. I'm playing around with a few different pickup option to replace the stock Quantum pickups that came with the guitar. I have a Dimarzio Super Distortion kicking around that I thought I'd try. It's an old one that I got way back in 84 or 85 with 3 wires, black/white/bare. The Quantums also have 3 wires, black/White/red. The black wire seems to be ground as it goes to the volume pot, the white wire goes to the end lug on the switch and the red wire goes to fifth lug from the white wire. I guess I should mention it's a 5 way switch with the bridge and neck pickups splitting coils with the middle single coil at the 2nd and 4th position on the switch (god I hope this makes sense to someone).

I was going to put the black wire of the Dimarzio SD where the red wire of the Quantum went, the white to white and the bare to the volume pot but I'm not sure if this is correct. I can't seem to find any accurate diagrams so I figured I'd ask the experts. I've attached a picture which hopefully helps.

 

[The Guitar]

Re: Dimarzio Super Distortion into an RG

Think white is hot on the DiMarzio. 2 ways to find out is wire it up, or take a voltmeter to it's wires.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Dimarzio Super Distortion into an RG

the black wire on the quantum pickup is actually two wires with black shrink tubing on them
notice how much thicker it is than the other wires

the bare wire on the Super Distortion is sheild

red should be start wind for the Dimarzio

do you have a multimeter

the Dimarzio will split it just may not have that leg run out

an image of the wires for the dimarzio

edit

oh that is

take a multimeter and read ohms between black and bare and white and bare

 

[jep1210]

Re: Dimarzio Super Distortion into an RG

the black wire on the quantum pickup is actually two wires with black shrink tubing on them
notice how much thicker it is than the other wires

the bare wire on the Super Distortion is sheild

red should be start wind for the Dimarzio

do you have a multimeter

the Dimarzio will split it just may not have that leg run out

an image of the wires for the dimarzio

edit

oh that is

take a multimeter and read ohms between black and bare and white and bare

I hate to sound dumb but I don't know how to do that. I have a multimeter but when I attach it to the wires of the pick up, it doesn't read anything...yes I set the meter to ohms. I assume the pick up needs power going to it? But I'm not sure how to add power. Do I need to solder it up and plug in the guitar?

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Dimarzio Super Distortion into an RG

There is no power required, it's a passive pickup, there is never any power going to it.

First you need to find the right wires...I'm not 100% on the dimarzio and too lazy to look it up, but basically one to hot and one to ground. Also make sure your set to the right ohms on the multimeter, 20k is how I set mine. Otherwise it may be too hot / too low to read anything. Lots of info if you google 'reading pickup resistance with multimeter' or something similiar.

If / Once it's wired up you can do the same or plug it in and measure between the tip and sleeve of the connector.

 

[jep1210]

Re: Dimarzio Super Distortion into an RG

Ah screw it!!!! I couldn't get a reading so I went with plan 'B', I installed a Dimarzio Air Norton I got a few weeks ago. Can't wait to hear how it sounds at practice tonight.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Dimarzio Super Distortion into an RG

Pick a color. Solder it to the hot output on the switch. If it is out of phase when you listen to the guitar while playing, switch to the other color. The bare, and the color not attached to the switch go to ground.