Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
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Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
As a trend but NOT an absolute, to my ear, DiMarzios rely heavily on the midrange spectrum whereas the Duncans rely on the high and low spectrum for their signature sounds. This comes out especially in each's single coil offerings. DiMarzios are sweeter but Duncans are crisper.
DiMarzio appears to want their pickups to have a predictable, predetermined sound, regardless of which guitar they are installed in whereas Duncan appears to want the wood/hardware of the individual guitar to factor in.
In terms of full sized humbuckers, I think DiMarzio has a 'perfect' bridge pickup for just about anyone's taste whereas Duncan does not. Conversely, I think Duncan has a 'perfect' neck pickup for just about anyone's taste whereas DiMarzio does not.
For stacks, I believe the absolute best are Kinmans where DiMarzios are about 95% as good. I don't like Duncans at all. To me, they all sound the same with varying volumes.
For acoustics, I honestly don't think anyone has gotten this down yet, not even Fishman. I still believe nothing beats a "high end" ball mic.
For actives, I think the newer Duncans MIGHT be starting to chip away at EMG's monopoly pedestal.
As to quality, there's no issues on either part: DiMarzio seems to rely on modern manufacturing techniques whereas Duncan seems to embrace more time honored ones.
On a slight tangent: When I was in high school, there was this one guy who was a Jimmy Page fanatic. To this guy, EVERYONE sucked except Page. One day, someone said to him that it would be most depressing if what he said was true because no matter which concert anyone went to, be it Hendrix, Clapton, Beck (Jeff, that is), and on and on, all would suck except for Zeppelin ones and down the road, by necessity, he'd have to get bored at the same Jimmy Page stuff over and over again because there simply wasn't anyone else (per him) that was or would ever be worth listening to. The guy put on a somewhat depressed face and after a moment of thinking, agreed. The point here being: More than one brand of pickups can and will get the job done and one shouldn't lock his or herself into one brand as it cuts off SO many sonic opportunities. I, myself use a DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF as my #1 bridge pickup and a Duncan Pearly Gates bridge model pickup as my #1 neck pickup. To me, this is the absolute best vintage combination for someone wanting both balls and bells. As to the whole loyalty to one manufacturer thing, when any manufacturer systematically gives you their products for free, you might want to consider making some concessions. Aside from this, it is not illegal or immoral to mix pickup brands if this is what works best for you.
My disclaimer: This is only MY opinion, YMMV.
As a trend but NOT an absolute, to my ear, DiMarzios rely heavily on the midrange spectrum whereas the Duncans rely on the high and low spectrum for their signature sounds. This comes out especially in each's single coil offerings. DiMarzios are sweeter but Duncans are crisper.
DiMarzio appears to want their pickups to have a predictable, predetermined sound, regardless of which guitar they are installed in whereas Duncan appears to want the wood/hardware of the individual guitar to factor in.
In terms of full sized humbuckers, I think DiMarzio has a 'perfect' bridge pickup for just about anyone's taste whereas Duncan does not. Conversely, I think Duncan has a 'perfect' neck pickup for just about anyone's taste whereas DiMarzio does not.
For stacks, I believe the absolute best are Kinmans where DiMarzios are about 95% as good. I don't like Duncans at all. To me, they all sound the same with varying volumes.
For acoustics, I honestly don't think anyone has gotten this down yet, not even Fishman. I still believe nothing beats a "high end" ball mic.
For actives, I think the newer Duncans MIGHT be starting to chip away at EMG's monopoly pedestal.
As to quality, there's no issues on either part: DiMarzio seems to rely on modern manufacturing techniques whereas Duncan seems to embrace more time honored ones.
On a slight tangent: When I was in high school, there was this one guy who was a Jimmy Page fanatic. To this guy, EVERYONE sucked except Page. One day, someone said to him that it would be most depressing if what he said was true because no matter which concert anyone went to, be it Hendrix, Clapton, Beck (Jeff, that is), and on and on, all would suck except for Zeppelin ones and down the road, by necessity, he'd have to get bored at the same Jimmy Page stuff over and over again because there simply wasn't anyone else (per him) that was or would ever be worth listening to. The guy put on a somewhat depressed face and after a moment of thinking, agreed. The point here being: More than one brand of pickups can and will get the job done and one shouldn't lock his or herself into one brand as it cuts off SO many sonic opportunities. I, myself use a DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF as my #1 bridge pickup and a Duncan Pearly Gates bridge model pickup as my #1 neck pickup. To me, this is the absolute best vintage combination for someone wanting both balls and bells. As to the whole loyalty to one manufacturer thing, when any manufacturer systematically gives you their products for free, you might want to consider making some concessions. Aside from this, it is not illegal or immoral to mix pickup brands if this is what works best for you.
My disclaimer: This is only MY opinion, YMMV.
S
shogunlegend
Guest
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
good assessment. in not so many words... i would have to disagree about dimarzio having a predetermined tone. there are pickups like the norton that are very open and you can get a wide range of tones from them.
good assessment. in not so many words... i would have to disagree about dimarzio having a predetermined tone. there are pickups like the norton that are very open and you can get a wide range of tones from them.
pedalinbob
New member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
Dimarzio, in general, has a "pre-sweetened" tone.
It is distinct.
Some of their pickups don't seem to have this: the HS-3 comes to mind.
Some of them seem to be loaded with over/under tones...almost freakishly so.
I don't have a lot of experience with Duncans, but they seem to sound more "pure" and direct...in a very good way, as I tend to like a "cleaner" signal, where I add my own "sweetness."
Dimarzio, in general, has a "pre-sweetened" tone.
It is distinct.
Some of their pickups don't seem to have this: the HS-3 comes to mind.
Some of them seem to be loaded with over/under tones...almost freakishly so.
I don't have a lot of experience with Duncans, but they seem to sound more "pure" and direct...in a very good way, as I tend to like a "cleaner" signal, where I add my own "sweetness."
Crazy_Guitar
New member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
Ditto.
Ditto.
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
I can get behind this statement 100%.
There's sort of a scratchy "edge" to all the Duncans I've used. DiMarzios tend to be rounder and have a more vocal (as in vowel-sound) quality. Each definitely have their uses, and I've got guitars with both these days.
I can get behind this statement 100%.
There's sort of a scratchy "edge" to all the Duncans I've used. DiMarzios tend to be rounder and have a more vocal (as in vowel-sound) quality. Each definitely have their uses, and I've got guitars with both these days.
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
I don't think there really is a "better", but the Seymour Duncan website, or at least in 2005 when I was out hunting for pickups, is better and more helpful. Also, the forum here got me addicted
, since people on here are nice and want to help.
I don't think there really is a "better", but the Seymour Duncan website, or at least in 2005 when I was out hunting for pickups, is better and more helpful. Also, the forum here got me addicted
, since people on here are nice and want to help.
Kosh Naranek
New member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
Both companies make fine pickups for rockers wanting a great bridge pickup. But there's no product overlap. Each company's offerings are unique.
The same is true in large part to their vintage pickups. Dimarzio's Air Classic and Virtual PAF's are in a class all their own. You can compare them to Duncan's 59 or Dimarzio's PAF to some extent, but certain aspects of the tone of the Air Classic and Virtual PAF are unique to those pickups. Again, unique products, not very similar competing products. Very cool.
And while Dimarzio's high output humbuckers may be more widely used and earned them a reputation for having "compressed" dynamics, their vintage pickups don't exhibit squashed dynamics at all.
Both companies make fine pickups for rockers wanting a great bridge pickup. But there's no product overlap. Each company's offerings are unique.
The same is true in large part to their vintage pickups. Dimarzio's Air Classic and Virtual PAF's are in a class all their own. You can compare them to Duncan's 59 or Dimarzio's PAF to some extent, but certain aspects of the tone of the Air Classic and Virtual PAF are unique to those pickups. Again, unique products, not very similar competing products. Very cool.
And while Dimarzio's high output humbuckers may be more widely used and earned them a reputation for having "compressed" dynamics, their vintage pickups don't exhibit squashed dynamics at all.
veryhungrycaterpilla
New member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
Both make excellent pups. Generalizing about either company is silly and inaccurate.
Both make excellent pups. Generalizing about either company is silly and inaccurate.
veryhungrycaterpilla
New member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
I put an EMG SA set in my Parker P30 (maple neck and board/select poplar body) two weeks ago. Too thin and bright would not be how I would describe them. My experience using many models on my Pod XT and Tonelab is that the pups are full spectrum and have very smooth overtones, lacking, fortunately for me, the shrillness of Fender strat pups, especially in positions 2 and 4. I absolutely love the EMG SAs.
Jackson's single coils are Duncan-designed aren't they? The EMG SA are Al 5s. Maybe the Jackson pups are using Al 2s. Is the Jackson 25.5 inch scale? I had a Jacskon Fusion Pro with Duncan-Desinged SCs, but was 24.75"-had a distinct take on the neck pup. The neck pup''s woman tone "groaned" (in a very good way) instead of "moaned". I kick myself to this day for selling that guitar. But I hate FRs.
I put an EMG SA set in my Parker P30 (maple neck and board/select poplar body) two weeks ago. Too thin and bright would not be how I would describe them. My experience using many models on my Pod XT and Tonelab is that the pups are full spectrum and have very smooth overtones, lacking, fortunately for me, the shrillness of Fender strat pups, especially in positions 2 and 4. I absolutely love the EMG SAs.
Jackson's single coils are Duncan-designed aren't they? The EMG SA are Al 5s. Maybe the Jackson pups are using Al 2s. Is the Jackson 25.5 inch scale? I had a Jacskon Fusion Pro with Duncan-Desinged SCs, but was 24.75"-had a distinct take on the neck pup. The neck pup''s woman tone "groaned" (in a very good way) instead of "moaned". I kick myself to this day for selling that guitar. But I hate FRs.
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walt
New member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
agree 1000000% There are too many comparisons for this when it really is all about personal taste and what you are looking to accomplish as a player. I like both company's offerings and they both help me express the God-Given talent blessed to me.
agree 1000000% There are too many comparisons for this when it really is all about personal taste and what you are looking to accomplish as a player. I like both company's offerings and they both help me express the God-Given talent blessed to me.
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
I really like both companies
I've got a duncan in the bridge and a dimarzio in the neck on one guitar and I had a duncan in the neck onanother that had a dimarzio in the bridge.
's fun to mix and match to get a great variety.
The two companies offer such a great variety of sounds but I think you just gotta try to pick something for that "tone in your head" and I bet both companies have enough pickups to satisfy whatever.
Dimarzio has great color choices though!
I really like both companies
I've got a duncan in the bridge and a dimarzio in the neck on one guitar and I had a duncan in the neck onanother that had a dimarzio in the bridge.
's fun to mix and match to get a great variety.
The two companies offer such a great variety of sounds but I think you just gotta try to pick something for that "tone in your head" and I bet both companies have enough pickups to satisfy whatever.
Dimarzio has great color choices though!
Crazy_Guitar
New member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
Well... I must confess that I was inaccurate when describing the EMGs.
I actually like the SAs (love Alnico 5!!!), but I really don't go too much for the 81.
The Dinky XL Pro is a FR-loaded H-S-S guitar, with a bolt-on maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and basswood body.
Well... I must confess that I was inaccurate when describing the EMGs.
I actually like the SAs (love Alnico 5!!!), but I really don't go too much for the 81.
The Dinky XL Pro is a FR-loaded H-S-S guitar, with a bolt-on maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and basswood body.
veryhungrycaterpilla
New member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
I'm not an 81 guy either.
Jackson sure made some great guitars, American and Japanese back in the late 80s and early 90s. Great value too.
I'm not an 81 guy either.
Jackson sure made some great guitars, American and Japanese back in the late 80s and early 90s. Great value too.
OrkestrA
New member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
I hate the 81... it is the definition of 'hype'
I had one in a Strat and it was alright, but like you said - it had no punch. I got hold of a Warlock with a Zakk Wylde set in it - I was going to swap out the pups but then I decided just to swap them round - that combo really works: the push of the 85 in the bridge and the bite of the 81 in the neck is a little winner live.
I hate the 81... it is the definition of 'hype'
I had one in a Strat and it was alright, but like you said - it had no punch. I got hold of a Warlock with a Zakk Wylde set in it - I was going to swap out the pups but then I decided just to swap them round - that combo really works: the push of the 85 in the bridge and the bite of the 81 in the neck is a little winner live.
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
What's funny is Duncan's whole deal is based on copying PAFs and old Fender stuff, but DiMarzio's Air Classic is the closest to my real PAFs I've ever heard.
What's funny is Duncan's whole deal is based on copying PAFs and old Fender stuff, but DiMarzio's Air Classic is the closest to my real PAFs I've ever heard.
veryhungrycaterpilla
New member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
Please elaborate. Both companies have bent over backwards for me in the past. Other companies should have customer service like SD and DMZ.
In a nutshell: I support the business practices of one while I detest those of the other, and at that point tone and quality become irrelevant
Please elaborate. Both companies have bent over backwards for me in the past. Other companies should have customer service like SD and DMZ.
Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Seymour Duncan vs. Dimarzio
I have 5 USA custom Grover Jackson era Washburns. 3 with Duncans one with Dimarzios and one with EMG's. Two are similar with S-S-H set ups. Those are my maghogany with a quilt top 95 MG 122 Pro with a Custom 5 and set of SSL-1's and my one piece swamp ash 95 MG 100 Pro with Blue Velvets and a Norton.
The 122 with the Duncans is better in the cleans and has a more vintage vibe and more organic purer tone. The MG 100 with the Dimarzios is more modern, hotter, smoother and more agressive . It seems to cut through better in a fulll band live situation.
I also have a one off Prototype with a set of EMG's a 85 in the bridge and a 60A in the neck. It is fat sweet smooth and verry hot. Why most will use that shrill, thin and brittle 81 then drop a fat hotter 85 in the neck is beyond me.
My set up sounds terrific and with the Alnico magnets has a LOT of charcter.
The Prototype or whatever this thing is is one of the absolute best sounding guitars I have EVER owned or played.
Here are some photos of the three
MG 122 with the Custom 5 and SSL-1's
MG 100 with the Blue Velvets and a Norton
The MONSTER prototype hand built by Grover one off KILLLER!!!!
I have 5 USA custom Grover Jackson era Washburns. 3 with Duncans one with Dimarzios and one with EMG's. Two are similar with S-S-H set ups. Those are my maghogany with a quilt top 95 MG 122 Pro with a Custom 5 and set of SSL-1's and my one piece swamp ash 95 MG 100 Pro with Blue Velvets and a Norton.
The 122 with the Duncans is better in the cleans and has a more vintage vibe and more organic purer tone. The MG 100 with the Dimarzios is more modern, hotter, smoother and more agressive . It seems to cut through better in a fulll band live situation.
I also have a one off Prototype with a set of EMG's a 85 in the bridge and a 60A in the neck. It is fat sweet smooth and verry hot. Why most will use that shrill, thin and brittle 81 then drop a fat hotter 85 in the neck is beyond me.
My set up sounds terrific and with the Alnico magnets has a LOT of charcter.
The Prototype or whatever this thing is is one of the absolute best sounding guitars I have EVER owned or played.
Here are some photos of the three
MG 122 with the Custom 5 and SSL-1's
MG 100 with the Blue Velvets and a Norton
The MONSTER prototype hand built by Grover one off KILLLER!!!!
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