Eric Johnson Dimarzio

[Elfunkenstein]

So on the Dimarzio site, here's the description for the Eric Johnson Custom:

"After getting a new Les Paul® 1959 re-issue, Eric asked us if it could be made to sound like an old Gretsch® Country Gentleman guitar. We said, “No problem!” The pickups we designed are exact replacements for standard, full-size humbuckers. They’re bright and have great presence without sounding thin. When Eric tried them, he said they were almost as clear-sounding as Strat® pickups. He was surprised at how well they sounded with heavy distortion, because no matter how overdriven the sound, it did not become muddy."

This is pretty much the ideal tone that I've been looking for, but since it's on their website I'm kind of sceptical. Anyone got any experience with them? How are they?

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Eric Johnson Dimarzio

I've looked up a lot of stuff on these pickups since I want the neck for my Les Paul. The general consensus seems to be that it doesn't really nail the Filtron sound, but more a P90, which is GREAT because that's what I want. There's some fellow on youtube that put two in his flying V, and the sound, from what you can gather over the computer speakers, is pretty freaking awesome. Of course, the amp, the guitar, the guy's skill etc all come into play.

 

[oilpit]

Re: Eric Johnson Dimarzio

I like to think of it as a MUCH improved Humbucker From Hell

All of the clarity and brightness without the gross fizzy top end, somewhere in between a single coil and humbucker

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Eric Johnson Dimarzio

I had one and liked it. Never really played a gretch though. I bought it on the description trying to get some old school Tom Petty tones. Pretty good for that.

 

[Elfunkenstein]

Re: Eric Johnson Dimarzio

I like to think of it as a MUCH improved Humbucker From Hell

All of the clarity and brightness without the gross fizzy top end, somewhere in between a single coil and humbucker

while we're on that subject, on the Dimarzio website it says that the HFH is really only for the neck, is that the case here? I mean obviously not because they have bridge versions, but how do they compare?

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Eric Johnson Dimarzio

the Dimarzio EJ also has a pretty dang low output as well. Not a bad thing at all, just stating a unique characteristic of that pickup. Does EJ ever play Gibsons live?

 

[Elfunkenstein]

Re: Eric Johnson Dimarzio

I'm pretty sure he uses a semi-hollow on the G3 tour video

edit:^^^
yeah I figured it'd have low output. It's weird, I'm a metal guy but one day I played a gretsch and well, that was it. Apparently it can handle a ton of gain too so I guess I could just get a pedal. But yeah I know and am counting on it having low output.

 

[eggman]

Re: Eric Johnson Dimarzio

Howdy,

DiMarzio's EJ humbucker intrigues me as well. My only HBer equipped guitar is a Gibson ES-335 with SD '59s, and it's tone satisfies me. Now, if i had a second HBer guitar..
On a related note, A former bandmate had a '74 Gretsch Country Gent (Very similar to George's as used on that first Ed Sullivan show). This guitar had the clearest, cleanest trebles I've ever heard from a HBer! It had a coil-split switch and it also yielded wonderful single-coil tones. As for the EJ Humbucker sounding P-90ish..boy, I'm tempted!
Eggman
PS: Based on what one reads here, DiMarzio's EJ humbucker sounds like the best of both worlds.