Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

jclogston

New member
Hi all -

Long story short, i have always used a duncan distortion in the bridge paired with a dimarzio air norton in the neck. Just bought an Ibanez RG2620 (H-H, basswood body, rosewood neck, edge pro trem) and was going to swap in my favorite combo when i realized that the duncan's baseplate doesn't fit! So this gives me an opportunity to try something new (plus i sold the distortion already).

So what do you suggest. Playing thru a peavey bravo and use the bridge for thrash rhythms ala old school metallica, testament, 80's metal.
I really like the duncan distortion so something along those lines but with dimarzio. Maybe a d-activator or dominion?

Thanks

jeff
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

why not just use the actual duncan? I have a DDJ and love it and doubt there is any dimarzio that can touch it:fing2:
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

Hi all -

Long story short, i have always used a duncan distortion in the bridge paired with a dimarzio air norton in the neck. Just bought an Ibanez RG2620 (H-H, basswood body, rosewood neck, edge pro trem) and was going to swap in my favorite combo when i realized that the duncan's baseplate doesn't fit! So this gives me an opportunity to try something new (plus i sold the distortion already).

So what do you suggest. Playing thru a peavey bravo and use the bridge for thrash rhythms ala old school metallica, testament, 80's metal.
I really like the duncan distortion so something along those lines but with dimarzio. Maybe a d-activator or dominion?

Thanks

jeff

I have never tried a Dominion (yet....:smokin: ) but I can tell the honest truth about the D Activator. Its a similar design that it has a large ceramic mag, but the the DC resistance of the coils are lower, so imagine the DD with half the mids, half the presence and top end and there is the D Activator. I like it with first gig I played with it, but then at rehearsal I noticed it didn't have the 'life' I always like, and then I boosted my mids from 8 to max 10(yes I play Thrash Metal with a page from Kerry King, mids on 8 not scooped) and I noticed that it became remanicent of the DD, so I when back to the Sh6 DD !!!
 
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Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

Is this because the pickup routes have triangular ears? You could always trim the ears to fit. As for a Dimarzio equivalent you could try a X2N, Evolution or Super Distortion.
 
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Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

What about an Evolution? Its ceramic based and is extremely hot. The mids will be thicker, but I don't think that's a bad thing.

On a side note, you can always file the feet on the DD to a triangle to fit the cavity. I've done this with several duncans to fit them in Ibanez guitars.
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

D sonic, it seems to be quite articulate on the low end like DD.
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

D sonic, it seems to be quite articulate on the low end like DD.
A comparison of the two.

 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

A comparison of the two.


Hmmm, D sonic seems to have more low mids.
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

IMO the SD beats the DiMarzio in every category except the split mode. The Dimarzio sounded great on on coil. The SD was tighter and more articulate to me.
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

I've had someone try the Dimarzio D-activator NECK in the bridge, and that's literally all he swears by. :)

He uses it as a replacement for a BKP Aftermath in one of his guitars, which is very similar to a DD. So... try it? I don't know :)
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

"DC resistance of the coils are lower, so imagine the DD with half the mids, half the presence and top end and there is the D Activator"
This is just crazy talk. I have, and really like, both of these & this is not even close to my experience. I guess by this estimation the Super 3 has twice the mids, twice the presence and top end of the DD? No, no, no. DC resistance is great to look at to make sure you have the pickup you think you have, or that you've wired things up correctly, but not to assess tone & output.
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

i say try the dominion. tight bottom plethra of mids but smoother top. it would be different without going to far out.
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

Is this because the pickup routes have triangular ears? You could always trim the ears to fit. As for a Dimarzio equivalent you could try a X2N, Evolution or Super Distortion.

Yep! I would have trimmed them but i sold it already...

J
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

"DC resistance of the coils are lower, so imagine the DD with half the mids, half the presence and top end and there is the D Activator"
This is just crazy talk. I have, and really like, both of these & this is not even close to my experience. I guess by this estimation the Super 3 has twice the mids, twice the presence and top end of the DD? No, no, no. DC resistance is great to look at to make sure you have the pickup you think you have, or that you've wired things up correctly, but not to assess tone & output.

Ahhhh.........no :no:
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

I say Evo, it's not the same, but in the same neighborhood. Haven't heard the dominion, but it might be closer.
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

No real analog in the DiMarzio line-up IMHO.

You could try and put a ceramic mag in an AT-1 though...
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

I've pondered this question many times......how about a Tone Zone? I'm just asking not suggesting!
 
Re: Need a dimarzio pickup similar to duncan distortion

Been a while since I used a DD but I agree with the post above in that there is no direct equivalent.

Trimming the edges of that plate is the solution if you want a DD in an RG.
 
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