SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

Aoresteen

New member
I'd like to mod one of my HSH guitars with an SD pickup set that competes with DiMarzio's Evolution set that Stev Vai uses (I have an HSH guitar set up with the Evolution DiMarzio's).

What set do you reccomend?

Thanks!
 
Re: SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

The Evos are dramatically different than anything in the Duncan line up. The screw poles are thicker like Super Distortions. Duncan doesn't use that format, but it would be most similar to using two slug coils. Tall ceramic magnets like the Distortion, but a lower wind, there are just very large differences. Maybe the closest sound-alike is a Full Shred bridge? There's really hardly any neck pickup sound-alike, maybe the Distortion neck?
 
Re: SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

Thanks!

So for a set, what would you try - including the middle?
 
Re: SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

Does it have to be SD? If you're looking for something like the Evolutions then why not just get the whole Evolution set and be done with it?
 
Re: SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

Yeah, for all these 'I want something identical to x pickup but not by that manufacturer' why not just get x pickup.
 
Re: SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

The full shred and evolution have some similarities but are EQ'd very different. Both have a strong, precise attack and growly sustain. However the full shred is treble focused and the evolution is bass focused.
 
Re: SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

I love Duncans. Whenever I can, I will look at Duncan pickups for my tone needs first and foremost.. but in the end, what you want is a Dimarzio sound. The Dimarzio sound is fundamentally different, the pickups have different voicing to Duncans, and you will almost never get a Duncan that sounds like a Dimarzio or vice versa.

There are a few exceptions in there, stuff like the JB and the AT-1 having similar-ish voicings.. but yeah, definitely just get an Evo set and be happier.
 
Re: SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

I made a hybrid of the invader (with the thick magnet, used the 2 side magnets for another pickup) and a fullshred, and swapped the thick cap polepiece for a dmz style polepiece. That may get you in the right ballpark?
 
Re: SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

The closest you will get to a bridge evo is a duncan distortion bridge model(sh6)

Tonally they arent even vaugely close. Besides high output they have little in common. Thats like saying a 69 Camaro SS 396 is close to a 1999 Lamborghini Diablo... Sure both are cars.. both are high performance cars both are RWD and have V configuration motors... But beyond that they cant be more different. The EVO and the SH6 share ceramic magnets that about it. The difference in slug and screw arrangements alone make them feel and respond totally different.
 
Re: SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

Tonally they arent even vaugely close. Besides high output they have little in common. Thats like saying a 69 Camaro SS 396 is close to a 1999 Lamborghini Diablo... Sure both are cars.. both are high performance cars both are RWD and have V configuration motors... But beyond that they cant be more different. The EVO and the SH6 share ceramic magnets that about it. The difference in slug and screw arrangements alone make them feel and respond totally different.

Dude get a grip it only a ****ing opinion!
 
Re: SD Competitor to Dimarzio Evolution Pickups HSH

Didnt like the car analogy eh? Bummer I thought it was a good one.
 
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