Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

[RolanTHUNDER]

Hey guys

Thought it would be interesting to see how the Illuminator neck works in the bridge of my San Dimas Pro Mod MIJ so I recorded this video demo. Please check it out and let me know what you think of the results. Please share and subscribe if you don't mind



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijF8M_8wXQ0

P.S. The pickup is standard spaced, not F. The guitar had a JB in the bridge from the factory but I didn't like it's tone.

Thanks!

 

[dave74]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

Nasal and rude,,,,,,but that's not always a bad thing.
Fat/saturated on one side with that on the other would blend nicely.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

I've had good luck twice using neck models in bridge position when the bridge versions were too powerful for my taste. RioGrande Genuine Texas neck makes a decent PAF type bridge, albeit with some extra sizzle. And the DiMarzio Breed neck has a little extra beefiness like its overwound sibling, just in a medium output pickup.

In general I tend to prefer Duncans over DiMarzios (it's that characteristic nasal midrange), but I read a post fairly recently by someone who tried an Illuminator bridge and liked it a lot.

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

Nasal and rude,,,,,,but that's not always a bad thing.
Fat/saturated on one side with that on the other would blend nicely.

Thanks for watching! Nasal and rude, interesting take When I recorded the demo I played my Orange #4 head thru a Marshall JVM212 with G12 Heritage speakers. Nice tone but I definitely prefer V30's.
Got an Evo in the bridge now and it sounds big and thick but cuts nicely too. Going to swop it out for a matching Illuminator bridge soon to complete the set. I'm also having clearance issues with the Evo lol.

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

I've had good luck twice using neck models in bridge position when the bridge versions were too powerful for my taste. RioGrande Genuine Texas neck makes a decent PAF type bridge, albeit with some extra sizzle. And the DiMarzio Breed neck has a little extra beefiness like its overwound sibling, just in a medium output pickup.

In general I tend to prefer Duncans over DiMarzios (it's that characteristic nasal midrange), but I read a post fairly recently by someone who tried an Illuminator bridge and liked it a lot.

Thanks for watching! I have yet to try a Breed model. I prefer DiMarzio over Duncans but to be fair most of my pickup experience comes from the former. Still two of my fav brands, 1 and 2 respectively. The stock JB didn't do this guitar justice to my ears. Illuminator neck worked wonders. Speaking of Illuminator, I should be getting the bridge version soon to complete the set. Little more expensive being chrome capped but looks awesome. I've heard of people enjoying the bridge model a lot more than the neck so, looking forward

 

[Gplayerzzz]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

Tell me about the bridge model when you get it. I have yet to try it and the D activator. So far the EVO is my favorite, but its a little too screamy in my Start. Was great in my LP.

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

Checked it out, sounds good man!! I hit that subbed button for ya 2. Just remember, only Duncan guys do that tho, LOL Happy Holidays

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

Tell me about the bridge model when you get it. I have yet to try it and the D activator. So far the EVO is my favorite, but its a little too screamy in my Start. Was great in my LP.

Will do! Planning on buying the Illuminator bridge by this weekend off ebay but that means a week or two lead time for delivery to me. EVO rocks in my San Dimas, practically twice the power and chunkiness of the Illuminator neck you heard in this video! Doesn't scream as much as in my JEM but roars more in the SD. Still screams definitely though. Think it was great in your LP because that guitar is heavy sounding naturally being mahogany and all. Love the EVO, she's just too high (chunky in terms of size) in my SD

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

Checked it out, sounds good man!! I hit that subbed button for ya 2. Just remember, only Duncan guys do that tho, LOL Happy Holidays

Thank you SO much Ben! Much, much, much appreciated Yeah I can see you SD guys are so friendly lol. The DiMarzio forum guys have not replied to both my threads as yet
Fortunately that's not a reflection on the brand itself, haha

 

[dave74]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

Thank you SO much Ben! Much, much, much appreciated Yeah I can see you SD guys are so friendly lol. The DiMarzio forum guys have not replied to both my threads as yet
Fortunately that's not a reflection on the brand itself, haha

Sometimes the last-post at Dimarzio Forum is several days old. lol All I hear is crickets!

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

Sometimes the last-post at Dimarzio Forum is several days old. lol All I hear is crickets!

Haha! Guess I should expect a reply in about a week then. Oh I just found out from DiMarzio tech support that the Illuminator bridge is too tall just like the EVO for my San Dimas cavity Now I'll have to go onto plan B. they sent a helpful dimensions chart so I know which models I can use comfortably in this scenario. AT-1, PAF Pro, The Breed bridge will all fit comfortably. I'm still going for the chrome set but find myself limited with spacing of the pickups. Most of those I listed are regular spaced. Shouldn't be an issue performance wise but at the low E especially it looks a little bit weird... Could also go for a gold capped or white version of the AT-1... wonder how that will look. Maybe too much bling/contrast with chrome hardware and Illuminator neck in chrome?

Kind of sad now because I would like to complete my Illuminator set but can't use the bridge version in the guitar I want to install it in without having uncomfortable string height And money is a bit of an issue to just splash out on 3 pickups at once lol. One whole new set for my Charvie and the Illuminator bridge to slap into one of my RG's with the neck version...

 

[Gplayerzzz]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

Man that sucks. I want something like the EVO but more controlled for my Strat. Maybe i'll just get one, and see how it is.

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

Man that sucks. I want something like the EVO but more controlled for my Strat. Maybe i'll just get one, and see how it is.

Sucks indeed
EVO would be over the top for a Strat I reckon but hey, it should fit thanks to the pickguard offering extra clearance. And you can't go wrong with an EVO if you play any type of Rock guitar
She will be wild, trust me. I just had an hour long jam/practice last night on my PGM401 and then JEM 505 with EVOs. It burned my face off And that particular JEM has a maple fretboard which adds to the high end snap so you can imagine the toneful assault thru an Orange #4 valve rig

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

I just bought a Screamin Demon for a neck PUP. Alternative 8 in Bridge. Guys on here saying the Demon(bridge) is one of the best neck pups. 2 weeks or so, will find out

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Neck Pickup in BRIDGE - Charvel San Dimas/DiMarzio Illuminator Demo

I just bought a Screamin Demon for a neck PUP. Alternative 8 in Bridge. Guys on here saying the Demon(bridge) is one of the best neck pups. 2 weeks or so, will find out

Interesting! I'll look out for your review of it