Duncan Distortion vs. Dimarzio D-Activator

R

riffmagus

New member
So it comes down to a head to head between these two PU's.

Whichever one I pick will be used in the bridge position of my Les Paul Studio, tuned to C#.

At the moment, I`m swaying towards the Dimarzio, here are the specs:

Dimarzio D-Activator (DP220)

Magnet: Ceramic
Output: 470
D.C Resistance: 11.41

Guitar World has a award for this pickup, and a good review. The sound quality is @ss though. The main thing I`m interested in is clarity and definition which this pickup has in spades.

It was designed from a brief by Ibanez for it's Xiphos guitars. They wanted a passive PU with the characteristics of an active - and I think they nailed it. The guitarist from Necrophargist uses them, and the tone is still really focused and organic to my ears. It might not be my type of music, but I think this PU may really shine in my LP.

Do any Duncan users have any more feedback? Or has anyone used the Dimarzio atall?
 
Re: Duncan Distortion vs. Dimarzio D-Activator

I've played two Xyphos guitars upto now and love the D-activators. They sound a bit like a cross of the EMG 81/85 set and the Dimarzio Evolution set. great pickups,very clear and killer harmonics. And yes they certainly sound more organic and also more dynamic than EMGs
I'm not a big fan of the distortion from the occasions i've tried it and i'd pick a D-Activator over the DD any day.
 
Re: Duncan Distortion vs. Dimarzio D-Activator

Thanks Loserchief,
Just out of interest, how was the high end in them? I`m not a big fan of treble in my guitar sound, like to keep the mids up and get a 'smooth' sound. My amp is the JSX head, so the active EQ will help. The real thing I HATE is 'icepick' highs.

Tell me the D-activators are tame-able!!
 
Re: Duncan Distortion vs. Dimarzio D-Activator

I've only tried the D Activator neck pickup, but the cleans were great - though easy to distort your amp. Bright and tight and excellent sound for modern day Heavy Metal. I've also used both Distortion bridge and neck models which I thought were good for old school Heavy Metal. Can't say which one U should go for though. IMO you can always tame icepick highs - most simplest being adjusting pickups height and/or polepieces or adjusting amp eq.
 
Re: Duncan Distortion vs. Dimarzio D-Activator

I've got the vid from the Guitar World review. I'll upload it to youtube so you can hear them in action.
 
Re: Duncan Distortion vs. Dimarzio D-Activator

SOLD!! Ordered a D-Activator bridge and PAF pro neck. Have a feeling the combo is going to be killer!! \m/
 
Re: Duncan Distortion vs. Dimarzio D-Activator

riffmagus, please post your impressions when you have them installed
 
Re: Duncan Distortion vs. Dimarzio D-Activator

Ok, pickups are installed and ready to rock n roll. Only had chance to play them yesterday - and initial impressions are:
HELL YEAH!!!

But first, an idea of what I have dropped them in:

2004 Gibson Les Paul Studio
Mahogany body
Rosewood fingerboard.

Guitar is tuned to C# with .12 - .58 strings.

Amp - Peavey JSX 120w Head into Marshall 2x12 Vintage 30's cab.
JJecc83 GOLD pre-amp tubes and EH El34's in the power section.

Dimarzio Deactivator in bridge and PAF Pro in neck.

Bridge: Wow, much hotter than the stock Gibson PU's (no surprise though!) Only able to play at flat/apartment volume so far (ie: 1) but have the master on 5-6 and channel volume on 1 to let the power amp kick in. After tweaking the presence and treble to compensate for the 'bite' of the dactivator - Wow! Chugging heaven in C# - so promptly let fly with some Down/Sabbath/Church of Misery riffs. Articulate, clear and great response.
Harmonics are happening a lot more easily - I can only really appraise this when I get chance to crank the amp next weekend. Palm mutes are strong and clear, I can pump all the gain through this pickup and it still remains clear!! Very little mud - so it does not hide your playing.

I`m not much of a lead player but tremelo picking on the higher strings and pentatonics have a great 'chunk' after them, and the ease of pinch harmonics brings a big grin to my face.

Tuning to drop-B gives a huge and still clear sound. Down's 'Bury Me in Smoke' calls and sounds freaking awesome. The hairs go up on the back of my neck and I remember WHY I started playing guitar.

*Beer to celebrate*

Neck: The PAF Pro is quite a lot warmer and traditional sounding due to the alnico V magnet. Classic/Hard rock tones a plenty - and great clarity for riffing on a neck pickup - something I have not really had before. Harmonics still pop out and sound clear. It makes a great match compared to the 'angry bulldog' of the deactivator in the bridge.

Both pickups have great string definition under distortion - notes remain clear and sustain much,much better than the old Gibson pu's.


I would say, that if you are a Gibson player and tune ANY lower, you`ll need some hefty strings .13+ to keep clarity. All you 25.5" players will get a bit more 'snap' - but I prefer the tone a shorter scale provides.


I`m hoping to record some sounds through my Pocket POD and post them so you can hear the pu's in action. I`m really happy with how they sound, and will give a more detailed review when cranked my setup, and fiddled with the pickup heights.

But tonal nirvana may well have been achieved in the House of 'Magus! \m/
 
Re: Duncan Distortion vs. Dimarzio D-Activator

Thanks riffmagus, and congrats! Can't wait for the clips!
 
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