How D-Activators can do that ?

fab.regnaut

fab.regnaut

New member
Those D-activators from Dimarzio have a really low dc resistance and a high voltage output .
Are they loaded with a fat ceramic magnet like the Duncan Distortion ?
 
Re: How D-Activators can do that ?

DiMarzio has a good number of pickup that confirm that DCR is not output. In the case of the D Activators, yes, they have thick magnets.

The Super D is about 13.68k, the Super 2 is about 8.7k , and the Super 3 is about 25k. And they are all in the same output range.

Part of the DiMarzio 'thing' is that they can be a little more about the result than how to get there....where as the Duncan company is known a little more for the traditional approach. Seeing companies like DiMarzio and Mojotone get interesting results from less-than-traditional ideas can be a little fun to check out.

If you really want to know more, it might be good to check out the DiMarzio forum or call DiMarzio tech support after 12 noon EST...they are great about answering the phone and their tech guy is generally very helpful.
 
Re: How D-Activators can do that ?

darth nailed it, I often use the Super D and the Super 3 as an example of why not to take DCR as an indicator of output.
 
Re: How D-Activators can do that ?

Thanks Darth .
I actually could try the D-activators as a basis for experiment : change the magnet for Alnico 8 , and perhaps change a row of allen for slotted screws .
It is for an 7 string guitar , in which I would have like to install Screaming Demon and Jazz neck ( demonized with two screw coils ) with alnico 8 ,
but the Custom Shop can't send pickups abroad , strangely !
So I though the D-activators could do the same ...
 
Re: How D-Activators can do that ?

I have the 6-string version and cannot speak to the size of magnet in the 7-string. Perhaps best to call DiMarzio.

Also, be sure to consider everything that might go in to putting a regular sized magnet in a pickup that came with a thick magnet. And vice versa.
 
Re: How D-Activators can do that ?

There is also wire gauge to consider too. Winding a thicker fatter coil with a thicker wire gauge gives you a lot of output but with lower K too. I think the difference between 42 and 43 is 17% in resistance per unit length. Of course 42 will give you more signal for this lower K as there is more mass.
 
Re: How D-Activators can do that ?

So the D-activators probably have underwind coil with 42 for the neck like the Jazz , and 43 gauge like the Screaming Demon ,
with a fat ceramic to boost the signal .
So by changing the magnet for alnico 8 it should be much more mellow ( no screech ) , without changing he EQ , and a rounder attack .
If necessary adding a row of slotted screws toward the bridge could also improve the beast .

The lovely thing is that Dimarzio make their 7 string pup with even less wind in the coil , so It will stay clear free of mud .
I think that's the way to go for this guitar that I will mod into 7 strings :

rs8.jpg
 
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