I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

[EET_FUK]

So lately I can't stop thinking about trying some out. The only Dimarzio pickup I have experience with is the Super D, which I do like a lot. I've shied away from trying anymore, because most of their pickups seem geared more towards progressive, shred-y stuff, which I am just not that into. The "Dimarzio sound" I've always thought of was just not one that I thought would cater to my own sound well.

With that said, I keep looking at their vintage to moderate output humbuckers, as well as some of their singles. Stuff like the Air Zone, Air Norton, Norton, Air Classic, as well as the 36th Anniversary PAF pickups. Among other strat sized pups.

Lately I've really been digging the feel of a little lower output pickups in the bridge for my rhythm playing. Enough to give some drive, but still maintain themselves, and still be plenty tight in the bass. As far as tone, I like a fat chunky tone for palm muted riffs, but still enough a god bit of treble bite and clarity. And plenty of mids. I play a lot of stuff in the vein of Metallica, but that scooped sound just doesn't work for me. Other stuff I like is AiC, Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and some ZZ Top stuff. But the majority of my playing is in the Metallica camp of rhythm stuff. But not Metallica tone. I don't know what artist to compare my sound to. Just a powerful, full-bodied rhythm tone.

For the neck pickup, I am less picky, but I like a warm sound, but still be clear. Used mostly for cleans, but occasionally for slow, bluesier solos.

I play mostly Gibson style axes, mahogany bodies and necks. So please keep that in mind. I don't want the pickup to lose definition and tightness in the lows during fast riffing.

I appreciate you guys taking the time to share your experiences,
Cheers.

 

[Inder_Cine_Mann]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

Love the Super D.

Really like the Tone Zone and Norton also.

I think the Norton is a great all around rock PU.

The TZ might not be a good idea in a warm guitar

I have read as a general consensus, fans of the Super D like the Super 3

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

Love the Super D.

Really like the Tone Zone and Norton also.

I think the Norton is a great all around rock PU.

The TZ might not be a good idea in a warm guitar

I have read as a general consensus, fans of the Super D like the Super 3

I have a Tone Zone in the bridge of my all Mahogany and Rosewood Fretboard Ibanez Destroyer and it totally slays. Good amount of bottom end thump, lots of high end clarity, and it cuts nicely. Just a big sound overall. So I would say it works in a warm guitar, because the Ibanez is a very warm sounding instrument.

 

[Gplayerzzz]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

The Norton is a great all around rock pickup. My favorite has always been the EVO in Dimarzio. Its great in LP type guitars imo.

 

[Hank-]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

Stuff like the Air Zone, Air Norton, Norton, Air Classic, as well as the 36th Anniversary PAF pickups. Among other strat sized pups.

I also only have experience with their SuperD as far humbuckers are concerned. Apart from that I've their cruiser bridge & area 67 for SC sized.

The ones in your post I quoted are the ones I'd like to try as well. You can add the AT-1 to that list as well. According to their site it was designed with mahogany body in mind, so it may blend better in your guitars. It's basically their version of JB I think, look into the vids of Andy Timmons Resolution DVD/Album to hear it.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

If you don't like the Super D then you won't like a lot of the higher output Dimarzios because there's a similar DNA. Some of their high output passives are intended as passive alternatives to active pickups though, so they may suite your needs.

The unknown gem of the Dimarzio line up is the Air Classic. It just sounds great. A very musical PAF type.

The 36th gets more attention but it's a much more aggressive PAF flavor. The Virtual Hot PAF was dropped from their line up because the 36th is more powerful.

The Tone Zone is often used to tame overly bright guitars, although it still has some cut to its highs. If a Custom Custom doesn't have enough low end or is too soft in the low end, then the Tone Zone is the next likely solution.

I had a Fred once. Once was enough.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

Led Zeppelin, and some ZZ Top stuff. .....Just a powerful, full-bodied rhythm tone.

.......For the neck pickup, I am less picky, but I like a warm sound, but still be clear. Used mostly for cleans, but occasionally for slow, bluesier solos.

I play mostly Gibson style axes, mahogany bodies and necks. So please keep that in mind. I don't want the pickup to lose definition and tightness in the lows during fast riffing.

A 36th Bridge and AC neck might be worth trying.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

My favorite neck pickup (humbucker) ever is the Dimarzio Liquifire--very warm with pristine clean tones, sounds awesome with gain too.

 

[Progbusters]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

I have and like two pseudo single coils: HS3 (in the neck) and Injector (bridge). Both versatile and less hum.

 

[superpete]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

I love the PAF Pro in the neck. I don't know if it's as warm as some pickups i've used in the neck, but the clarity is awesome.

 

[Frogman]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

LOVE my 36th's in my '84 LPC

 

[MisterE]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

Installed a 36th bridge in my Squier Strat and I have to admit that I like the sound, the bridge splits quite well. The only problem is that it is oop with the mid GFS '64 staggers. I'm hoping to fix this once I order a Dimarzio area single coil pickups. I think I'll start with a '61 for the mid.

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

Air Classic has a sound more like a p90 or a beefed up single coil than a traditional humbucker.

 

[Inder_Cine_Mann]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

I have a Tone Zone in the bridge of my all Mahogany and Rosewood Fretboard Ibanez Destroyer and it totally slays. Good amount of bottom end thump, lots of high end clarity, and it cuts nicely. Just a big sound overall. So I would say it works in a warm guitar, because the Ibanez is a very warm sounding instrument.

Nice. I LOVE my Destroyer. It totally resonates when you play it. I can get some sweet pinch harmonics acoustically, it's insane.

Is yours paired with an Air Norton?

And yes, I second the love for the Liquifire.

 

[SrDeMaFp]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

Air Classic has a sound more like a p90 or a beefed up single coil than a traditional humbucker.

I know what my next purchase will be!

 

[soulforger]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

The Breeds and Dominions are both great sort of medium/high output pickups which are warm but also have a lot of definition. Lately I'm using a Breed neck model in the bridge with a Dominion neck and they pair up great. 36th ann. PAFs are fantastic as well. AT1 is like a 36th with a bit more power, and from what I hear, the Transitions (Steve Lukather's pup) are like a 36th with high output and ceramic mags. Another set that I quite liked was the Steve Morse, they have a very unique sound, I ran some in one of my Jacksons and really enjoyed them. Of course, there's always something else to try!

 

[Gunner4Life]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

I have to say, I'm not a DiMarzio fan, but I really like the Evo2 that I put in my RG920.

 

[EET_FUK]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

How do the 36ths handle high gain? I would get a set, but I'm not sure if they can handle the type of rhythms I play. So far the main contenders for me are the Air Zone and the Norton. If anyone has more to say about these two, I'd love to hear it.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

Di'Marzios are absolutely outstanding pickups, as are Duncans. Try 'em out!

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: I need to try some Dimarzio pickups.

How do the 36ths handle high gain? I would get a set, but I'm not sure if they can handle the type of rhythms I play. So far the main contenders for me are the Air Zone and the Norton. If anyone has more to say about these two, I'd love to hear it.

One of the things I was not sure if I liked or not about the 36th when I tried one was how tight the low strings stayed played through a Marshall Jubilee. I just wasn't used to it or expected it. I think it was more articulate than their Tone Zone through high gain.