Very bright guitar I would like to replace d-sonic in a bridge - any recommendations?
- Thread starter Asgaroth
- Start date
Masta' C
Well-known member
I like the D-Sonic in some guitars, but it's hard to beat a Black Winter in most cases. The BW has a similar tightness, but also a voicing that will give you a bit more aggression while still being very controllable and not too sharp up top.
Another to look at is the "El Diablo" now that it's a "production" pickup. Warm, hot, and clear. Often a great fit for bright/thin guitars.
If you want to stick with DiMarzio, take a look at the Pandemonium bridge pickup or the Illuminator. Both are great and will probably do what you're looking for. On the more extreme end, the D-Activator X is about as hot as it gets with a warm voicing that holds up well under gain.
Another to look at is the "El Diablo" now that it's a "production" pickup. Warm, hot, and clear. Often a great fit for bright/thin guitars.
If you want to stick with DiMarzio, take a look at the Pandemonium bridge pickup or the Illuminator. Both are great and will probably do what you're looking for. On the more extreme end, the D-Activator X is about as hot as it gets with a warm voicing that holds up well under gain.
I'd never pick the Black Winter in a bright guitar; I love it in dark guitars, but it's too much in bright ones.
If you're willing to be a bit spendy, the Bare Knuckle Ceramic WarPig is my absolute favorite choice for bright guitars. If not, the Invader would be an excellent choice. If you're willing to come down a bit in power, the Pegasus would also do the job nicely.
If you're willing to be a bit spendy, the Bare Knuckle Ceramic WarPig is my absolute favorite choice for bright guitars. If not, the Invader would be an excellent choice. If you're willing to come down a bit in power, the Pegasus would also do the job nicely.
Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
Swap a double thick A5 magnet in and it will do exactly that.
Last edited:
Masta' C
Well-known member
True, the BW isn't necessarily "darker" than the D-Sonic, but it's the better pickup of the 2 the OP mentioned for a lot of reasons.
There are limited options in the Duncan line when it comes to being "more powerful and a tad darker" than the D-Sonic. Alt 8 and Invader are probably the best standard production options. Custom Custom would indeed be warmer, but also much less powerful.
Personally, I'd be looking at the DiMarzio Pandemonium first and foremost. It has more power, a warmer voicing, and a similarly tight response to the D-Sonic. The new Jake Bowen "Mirage" also looks somewhat promising with its emphasized lows/mids and rolled off high end.
I also want to point out that the John Petrucci pickups have been steadily moving toward warmer, darker voicings with more power over the years. Basically, from brightest to darkest: D-Sonic > Crunch Lab / Illuminator > Dreamcatcher > Sonic Ecstasy. Any of those aside from the D-Sonic could be a move in the right direction. In fact, I'd put the Dreamcatcher or the Illuminator near the top of the list alongside the Pandemonium as my personal recommendations.
Edit: To the OP, have you tried flipping the D-Sonic around? It sounds slightly different depending on which way you orient the bar coil (i.e. closer to the bridge vs neck).
Last edited:
Juanhanglo
Active member
Dimarzio breed. It was made for that.
The old dimarzio eq had the b/m/t at 8/9/6.5. i have a set in a bright rg921 hardtail. It most definitely was a polar opposite of thevfull shreds that were in there before.
They are still available as a special order direct from dimarzio or thru retailers.
If you look through the dimarzio humbuckers, sort by treble and then select either highest to lowest or vice versa.
They have plenty of warm bridge pickups, and they all seem to be high output too.
The old dimarzio eq had the b/m/t at 8/9/6.5. i have a set in a bright rg921 hardtail. It most definitely was a polar opposite of thevfull shreds that were in there before.
They are still available as a special order direct from dimarzio or thru retailers.
If you look through the dimarzio humbuckers, sort by treble and then select either highest to lowest or vice versa.
They have plenty of warm bridge pickups, and they all seem to be high output too.
Asgaroth
New member
Guys/Gals I do enormously appreciate your comments!
Below is the sound of the Gibson SG standard (498?)- but I do prefer Mayonez for the final recording - it's just more comfortable for me. That is why I'm looking to update pickups.
I would look at DiMarzio Pandemonium but it's only F spaced. I have a fixed bridge.
https://soundcloud.com/lotik/dawn-o...d&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Below is the sound of the Gibson SG standard (498?)- but I do prefer Mayonez for the final recording - it's just more comfortable for me. That is why I'm looking to update pickups.
I would look at DiMarzio Pandemonium but it's only F spaced. I have a fixed bridge.
https://soundcloud.com/lotik/dawn-o...d&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
nienturi
Active member
I would certainly go for something darker. Like Dİmarzio Igno or Tone Zone.
https://www.tonejourney.com/post/dimarzio-igno-dp285-review
https://www.tonejourney.com/post/dimarzio-tone-zone-dp155-review
https://www.tonejourney.com/post/dimarzio-igno-dp285-review
https://www.tonejourney.com/post/dimarzio-tone-zone-dp155-review
Similar threads
