Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

[Rex_Rocker]

Not the X models, just the plain ones.

I've been wanting to try these for a while. In the clips, they sound really nice. I used to be a big EMG guy until I tried the Duncan Distortion, which turned me into passives. My current favorite is the Black Winter set. How would these compare to the EMG 81/60 set, the Black Winters, or the Distortions? The clips seem to suggest they're not as high-mid focused, but more sizzly higher up and slightly beefier, is this right? How hot are they? Are they as fierce as Black Winters or are they more tame?

Thanks.

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

Rex, ever try lower output pick ups? Just curious. You need quick attack, right?

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[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

Rex, ever try lower output pick ups? Just curious. You need quick attack, right?

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Oh, yes. Before I tried the Black Winter, I used to have either 59's, Whole Lotta Humbuckers or PAF Pros in all my guitars because I bought into the whole "low output is better" thing. They were cool. They had some spank and openness under high gain that's really cool, but as soon as I tried the Black Winter in one of my guitars, it just made my other guitars sound so weak and plinky by comparison. I didn't feel like I was missing any dynamics either. It just felt right for my playing style and amp setup.

I play metal, though, and I'm not really much of a versatile player, so take this as a grain of salt.

Nowadays, I absolutely hate the "hot bridge pickup, low output neck pickup" approach that many people seem to get good results with. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I can never get the right balance with a '59 (B or N), Jazz, Phat Cat, or PAF Pro in the neck with a Black Winter, Distortion, or even a DiMarzio Dominion which isn't all that hot in the bridge.

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

Oh, yes. Before I tried the Black Winter, I used to have either 59's, Whole Lotta Humbuckers or PAF Pros in all my guitars because I bought into the whole "low output is better" thing. They were cool. They had some spank and openness under high gain that's really cool, but as soon as I tried the Black Winter in one of my guitars, it just made my other guitars sound so weak and plinky by comparison. I didn't feel like I was missing any dynamics either. It just felt right for my playing style and amp setup.

I play metal, though, and I'm not really much of a versatile player, so take this as a grain of salt.

Nowadays, I absolutely hate the "hot bridge pickup, low output neck pickup" approach that many people seem to get good results with. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I can never get the right balance with a '59 (B or N), Jazz, Phat Cat, or PAF Pro in the neck with a Black Winter, Distortion, or even a DiMarzio Dominion which isn't all that hot in the bridge.

I am an old slow dude lol. Super3 is awesome, i like hot too, but imo some can get harsh too fast. Love my pegasus tho. It can still scream yet hit ya in the chest. I personally dont like A 2 with too much gain. Alternative 8 is a monster metal pup. Thick and slams yet screams and wails.

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[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

I kinda like harsh, lol. The Black Winter is REALLY upper-mid focused. I'd say even moreso than a JB or Distortion... but it just fits with the rest of my rig well.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

I had a pair in my Les Paul- loved them, they sound a lot like the EMG Het Set in my LTD Iron Cross, but they didn’t clean up as well as I wanted when I turned the volume down as compared to EMG’s

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

I've had a DActivator bridge for a number of years.
IMO the biggest thing it had in common with the 81 was the note seperation clarity and that high mid/treble cut in the attack. Tonnes of clarity under high gain with the DActivator.
The lows are somewhat reserved, but still more than the 81.
I don't think it sounds anything like the BW tones wise. But it is just as fierce IMO. The BW is beefier, and warmer. The DActivator is more clinical and stiff. But not in a bad way. They are definitely more natural feeling and sounding than traditional actives.
I really like the pickup, and I'm saving it for use in another guitar down the road.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

Thanks for the replies, dudes! They definitely seem like interesting pickups. I was a long-time EMG user, and I still kinda miss the 81 at times. I think I might at least give the D-Ac Bridge a try.

 

[Gplayerzzz]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

I have been looking at the Acts and Black winters myself. If i'm using the Distortion, will it be about the same with the Winters? I just hear the winters are a little clearer. A friend of mine was using the D acts, but said he likes the Nazgul better.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

I have been looking at the Acts and Black winters myself. If i'm using the Distortion, will it be about the same with the Winters? I just hear the winters are a little clearer. A friend of mine was using the D acts, but said he likes the Nazgul better.

The BW is slightly clearer, tighter, and more surgical than the Distortion, but it has a similar type of grindy grit to the upper mids. The output is also greater on the BW.

 

[Blobby]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

I only just got a DAct installed in a cheapo Jackson 24.75" single cut, so I can give some early thoughts (no recordings yet). The guitar was tuned to Drop B with 11-59 XL's. The stock pup sounded muffled and dead. A Dimebucker only sounded slightly better (yet I've loved that pup in a few other guitars).

The DAct really made the rhythm tones come to life. The single notes and cords became much clearer and punchier. It's high output and compressed, does remind me of an 81 (from what I remember, been awhile since I played the 81). The DAct instantly became one of my best sounding guitars for rhythm for me at least. I'm going to try it in some of my better guitars, where it'll probably find a forever home lol.

However, the lead tones felt thin. Maybe more to do with this cheapo guitar? I dunno. None of the pups I've tried in it sounded good for leads to me. I could maybe EQ some more beef into it, just haven't got around to worrying with that yet.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

I used to have an Ibanez VBT700, which came stock with a D Activator set. They sounded very sterile to me. I don't miss them.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

Interesting. Thanks for the replies, dudes. Has anyone had the chance to compare them to, say, an X2N? That's another pickup that has me interested.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

The X2N has more mids.

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[Van Noord]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

I only just got a DAct installed in a cheapo Jackson 24.75" single cut, so I can give some early thoughts (no recordings yet). The guitar was tuned to Drop B with 11-59 XL's. The stock pup sounded muffled and dead. A Dimebucker only sounded slightly better (yet I've loved that pup in a few other guitars).

The DAct really made the rhythm tones come to life. The single notes and cords became much clearer and punchier. It's high output and compressed, does remind me of an 81 (from what I remember, been awhile since I played the 81). The DAct instantly became one of my best sounding guitars for rhythm for me at least. I'm going to try it in some of my better guitars, where it'll probably find a forever home lol.

However, the lead tones felt thin. Maybe more to do with this cheapo guitar? I dunno. None of the pups I've tried in it sounded good for leads to me. I could maybe EQ some more beef into it, just haven't got around to worrying with that yet.

IMO the DA predominantly excels with down tuned high gain. That's why you had a good experience with your down-tuned heavy gauge metal guitar.
The low-end is slightly scooped out on the DA to preserve clarity and ensure fast tracking.
Ideally DiMarzio would have users install the DA neck model in the neck for a thicker, smoother and more liquid lead sound than the bridge model.

 

[Blobby]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

IMO the DA predominantly excels with down tuned high gain. That's why you had a good experience with your down-tuned heavy gauge metal guitar.
The low-end is slightly scooped out on the DA to preserve clarity and ensure fast tracking.
Ideally DiMarzio would have users install the DA neck model in the neck for a thicker, smoother and more liquid lead sound than the bridge model.

Yeah that sounds exactly like what I'm hearing. Got a DA Neck on the way to pair with the DA bridge

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

Thanks for the replies, dudes!

I wonder if anyone has a chance to compare these DAcs to the Dimebucker. I'm torn between these two because I want something bright, tight, and surgical for one of my guitars.

 

[Downrazor11]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

They cost like $80 for a used set on ebay.. just get them and try them out, you won't be disappointed..

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

I would go with the DActivators then, they have a more present and pleasing mid-range voicing than the Dimebucker. Clearer under high gain too. Very articulate and fast tracking. Surgical treble cut without the sizzle of the Dime.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Please tell me about the DiMarzio D Activators

Check out the solos on the Megadeth albums with Chris Broderick...D-Activators, baby!