I'm not really sure I like Dimarzios as much as I used to

[guitarslinger213]

I've always been a hardcore dmz man, but lately I'm not so sure.

some dmzs are wonderful, for ex.;
breed n + b
paf pro
super distortion
virtual vintage 2.1


however, some were SERIOUSLY not to my liking
tone zone
fred
evolution
H4
VVHB
fast track1

I've been playing some random pickups lately

jackson j-90c
ibanez QM2
whatever else.

the j90c and the qm2 absolutely smoke. They sound natural, balanced, smooth, loud, sensitive, etc.

They are like ten bucks a piece and they are better than half the dimarzios I've played.

I wish I was better versed in Duncanology, but I've just never taken the plunge. I was not impressed at all with the pearly gates or the screamin demon.

Should I try more? What do you suggest? I think I would like the JB as I am a warren dimartini and marty friedman fan.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: I'm not really sure I like Dimarzios as much as I used to

I am not surpriesed you dont like the Scremin Demon, as tonaly spaeking its alomost like the FRED. But I am not sure if you would like the JB either. What kind of tone are you looking at and what do you play? I am sure the 59 will work well with you after looking at the Dimarzios you liked. I personaly Love the JB, though I dont know which Dimarzio comes even close to it in compareisim

 

[guitarslinger213]

Re: I'm not really sure I like Dimarzios as much as I used to

I am not surpriesed you dont like the Scremin Demon, as tonaly spaeking its alomost like the FRED. But I am not sure if you would like the JB either. What kind of tone are you looking at and what do you play? I am sure the 59 will work well with you after looking at the Dimarzios you liked. I personaly Love the JB, though I dont know which Dimarzio comes even close to it in compareisim

I like satch, but I thought the Fred sounded like plastic. Maybe that's due to the design or something.

I play hair metal, shred, melodic metal, whatever.

I really like the Paf Pro in any position. I assume the '59 would be similar. I know some people might disagree with that, but;
low output
fairly bright
alnico 5
coils equally voiced
etc.

 

[JeffB]

Re: I'm not really sure I like Dimarzios as much as I used to

There are plenty of "bad" DiMarzios AFAIC, and there are plenty of "bad" Duncans too, again AFAIC...like anything I reckon.

 

[ErikH]

Re: I'm not really sure I like Dimarzios as much as I used to

My favorite DiMarzios - PAF Pro, PAF, Super D, Air Zone, SDS-1 single coils.
My favorite Duncans - Custom Custom, Pearly Gates, Jazz, APS-1, and of course the Brobucker.

As it shows, I'm about even when it comes between the two. But I do like others as well from other makers, like the Gibson '57 Classics and Fender Texas Specials.

Edit: Forgot the Little '59 as another favorite Duncan.

 

[walt]

Re: I'm not really sure I like Dimarzios as much as I used to

My fav Duncans are 59s (although I just swapped a 59 for a CC with Dani) and Hot Stacks
My fav DiMarzios are yjm/hs3, VVPAF/VVPAF Hot, and recently the ToneZone S, and Pro Track

 

[JeffB]

Re: I'm not really sure I like Dimarzios as much as I used to

In general I think Dimarzio has got the "rock/metal" sound thing down pat and prolly suffers in the "vintage" department...whereas Seymour, IMO should really stick with "vintage"....The SH5Custom is the only higher output pup I really like and would consider in pretty much any guitar I would buy...all the other high output stuff can get too shrill (JB/Distortion/Dime) or turn to "mud" (Invader/CC) and you really have to be picky about matching it with the right guitar.