Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
- Thread starter WICKED LESTER
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Guitarist
Mesa-ologist
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
I've always wanted to give DiMarzio a good fair shot, but I'm so familiar with the SD line of pickups that it's hard to switch. With Duncan, I know what I'm looking for and can buy pickups with confidence. With DiMarzio, it's sort of like starting ALL OVER.
Anyone else in this position?
I've always wanted to give DiMarzio a good fair shot, but I'm so familiar with the SD line of pickups that it's hard to switch. With Duncan, I know what I'm looking for and can buy pickups with confidence. With DiMarzio, it's sort of like starting ALL OVER.
Anyone else in this position?
pinto79
New member
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
I'm in the opposite position. I've become very familiar with a handfull for DiMarzios and I now feel kind of lost with SD's except the HotRail series because they are still the best rails (although I do like the FastTrack2 I put in my buddy's Charvel...)
However I find that my biggest hang-up with Duncans now is the cosmetics. I've come to prefer the matte finish of the bobbins DiMarzio use and the more frequent use of allen-screw pole pieces. Ibanez RG's just seem to look wrong with slot screws... But my Charvel 750XL looks better with traditional styles buckers when I don't have it's covers on.
My last stumbling block with duncans is their EQ's being more "Scooped" in the mids, which is hard to overcome with my amp.
But like Xssive said, the pup has to be right for the guitar. Regardless of the Mfg...
Guitarist said:
I'm in the opposite position. I've become very familiar with a handfull for DiMarzios and I now feel kind of lost with SD's except the HotRail series because they are still the best rails (although I do like the FastTrack2 I put in my buddy's Charvel...)
However I find that my biggest hang-up with Duncans now is the cosmetics. I've come to prefer the matte finish of the bobbins DiMarzio use and the more frequent use of allen-screw pole pieces. Ibanez RG's just seem to look wrong with slot screws... But my Charvel 750XL looks better with traditional styles buckers when I don't have it's covers on.
My last stumbling block with duncans is their EQ's being more "Scooped" in the mids, which is hard to overcome with my amp.
But like Xssive said, the pup has to be right for the guitar. Regardless of the Mfg...
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
I've got one Dimarzio that I use, an ancient Super Distortion that I got in '79 or '80. I built a guit back then with an Oak body and a birds-eye maple Boogie Bodies neck (I under stand the neck is quite valuable now, but I don’t know why). It was loaded with 3 super distortions. Only one survived, I'm not sure how. It's quite trashed; I’ve replaced the wires, and burned one of the coils. The guitar is on it's 3rd or 4th body, an alder Strat style, the SD is in the bridge & 2 Duncan single coils are in the mid & neck positions. The SD sounds good to me, & splits to make a good Strat noise.
Personally, I think the Super Distortion is Dimarzio's best pickup, in the right guitar. I had the SD in my Tele copy before I converted it to P-90s, & I thought it had a nice, brite hot tone. But when I tried it in my Guild S-300D (which was originally equipped with a Super distortion and a Dimarzio PAF), Ithought the SD sounded shrill (I also thought the PAF sounded muddy).
I had a Dimarzio Pre-BS Tele pickup that I tried in my Benelectro, which is another mahogany bodied guitar, & thought it was too dark (almost dank), & went back to a Duncan JD.
Haven’t tried any other Dimarzios.
I've got one Dimarzio that I use, an ancient Super Distortion that I got in '79 or '80. I built a guit back then with an Oak body and a birds-eye maple Boogie Bodies neck (I under stand the neck is quite valuable now, but I don’t know why). It was loaded with 3 super distortions. Only one survived, I'm not sure how. It's quite trashed; I’ve replaced the wires, and burned one of the coils. The guitar is on it's 3rd or 4th body, an alder Strat style, the SD is in the bridge & 2 Duncan single coils are in the mid & neck positions. The SD sounds good to me, & splits to make a good Strat noise.
Personally, I think the Super Distortion is Dimarzio's best pickup, in the right guitar. I had the SD in my Tele copy before I converted it to P-90s, & I thought it had a nice, brite hot tone. But when I tried it in my Guild S-300D (which was originally equipped with a Super distortion and a Dimarzio PAF), Ithought the SD sounded shrill (I also thought the PAF sounded muddy).
I had a Dimarzio Pre-BS Tele pickup that I tried in my Benelectro, which is another mahogany bodied guitar, & thought it was too dark (almost dank), & went back to a Duncan JD.
Haven’t tried any other Dimarzios.
Butch Snyder
ObsoleteChickenPickingologist
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
The Pre B-1 is an okay pickup IMO. It's their original Telecaster replacement pickup for bridge position. It's similar to the Duncan STL-2 Hot model. I like the STL-2 better. It just seems like the STL-2 has more "heart" in it...
Dangerine49 said:
The Pre B-1 is an okay pickup IMO. It's their original Telecaster replacement pickup for bridge position. It's similar to the Duncan STL-2 Hot model. I like the STL-2 better. It just seems like the STL-2 has more "heart" in it...
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
I'm with Mike here...
In the general sense I find Duncans more compressed sounding...not as "wide" or "open", with slightly better touch dynamics and volume rolloff/cleanup..they seem more focused in the middle frequencies regardless if its a scoopy c5 or a middy CC or JB....jes the overall tone of a Duncan is mid heavy (talkin humbuckers here).
Some DiMarzio's sound awesome...some don't to my ears, but again, alot of it is pup/guitar/amp combo and the pup brand itself cannot always be singled out as the culprit to sucky tone.
In fact...and I HATE to admit this, cos I cannot friggin stand the band and their music/image but it's really tough to beat Ace Frehleys LP/SuperD/Marshall tone
:ducks:
A SuperD equipped Gibson drivin a NMV Marshall , IMO is THE sound of 70's hard rock/metal. Paul Chapman's early UFO work is another good example: Firebird with a SuperD and Marshall's. As is Adrian Smith's early work in Iron Maiden. Start throwin a SuperD through a more modern super high gain amp though, and they get squirelly...that pup is made to take a kinda "tame" amp (by todays standards) over the top..fatten it up..make it scream.
Duncans tend to hold to the more vintage sounds of the 50s/60s..even the hotter sounding Duncans seem to be minor variations on that theme. That is not a slam mind you, jes an observation.
I've had good CS from DiMarzio, but must admit on the whole, as far how to run a company, I don't think they hold a candle to Duncan.
One other thing I do prefer from DiMarzio is that they offer a wider variety of outputs and tones. Right now I cannot find what I want in the duncan line for my Firebird & Les Paul output and EQ-wise, so I ordered DiMarzios for them.
Ultimately for me...it's about sound..tone. If Duncans can get it for me..awesome. If Dimarzio's can...awesome...if neither can, then I'll find someone who can. Ultimate loyalty is to my ears, not to whether one can produce double creams or not.
XSSIVE said:
I'm with Mike here...
In the general sense I find Duncans more compressed sounding...not as "wide" or "open", with slightly better touch dynamics and volume rolloff/cleanup..they seem more focused in the middle frequencies regardless if its a scoopy c5 or a middy CC or JB....jes the overall tone of a Duncan is mid heavy (talkin humbuckers here).
Some DiMarzio's sound awesome...some don't to my ears, but again, alot of it is pup/guitar/amp combo and the pup brand itself cannot always be singled out as the culprit to sucky tone.
In fact...and I HATE to admit this, cos I cannot friggin stand the band and their music/image but it's really tough to beat Ace Frehleys LP/SuperD/Marshall tone
:ducks:
A SuperD equipped Gibson drivin a NMV Marshall , IMO is THE sound of 70's hard rock/metal. Paul Chapman's early UFO work is another good example: Firebird with a SuperD and Marshall's. As is Adrian Smith's early work in Iron Maiden. Start throwin a SuperD through a more modern super high gain amp though, and they get squirelly...that pup is made to take a kinda "tame" amp (by todays standards) over the top..fatten it up..make it scream.
Duncans tend to hold to the more vintage sounds of the 50s/60s..even the hotter sounding Duncans seem to be minor variations on that theme. That is not a slam mind you, jes an observation.
I've had good CS from DiMarzio, but must admit on the whole, as far how to run a company, I don't think they hold a candle to Duncan.
One other thing I do prefer from DiMarzio is that they offer a wider variety of outputs and tones. Right now I cannot find what I want in the duncan line for my Firebird & Les Paul output and EQ-wise, so I ordered DiMarzios for them.
Ultimately for me...it's about sound..tone. If Duncans can get it for me..awesome. If Dimarzio's can...awesome...if neither can, then I'll find someone who can. Ultimate loyalty is to my ears, not to whether one can produce double creams or not.
shreder75
New member
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
I'm not a big fan of dimarzio..although I do like the FRED the few times I've noodled around with an ibanez in a guitar center...
my other guitar player has super distortions..and my JB sounds alot better..he's even interested in getting one and he's been using the dimarzios for years...
I replaced the dimarzios in my Axis with duncan pups...I just think they're alot better..less generic sounding...more reactive and less sterile...
just my opinion though =)
I'm not a big fan of dimarzio..although I do like the FRED the few times I've noodled around with an ibanez in a guitar center...
my other guitar player has super distortions..and my JB sounds alot better..he's even interested in getting one and he's been using the dimarzios for years...
I replaced the dimarzios in my Axis with duncan pups...I just think they're alot better..less generic sounding...more reactive and less sterile...
just my opinion though =)
:naughty:
smashed39
New member
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
I tghink Dimarzios are what they are the 2nd best passive pickup. They have some good pickups but I like most duncans better. more raw unproccessed and real. Dimarzios are very effective for shredding though. EMG's are the best active pickup
I tghink Dimarzios are what they are the 2nd best passive pickup. They have some good pickups but I like most duncans better. more raw unproccessed and real. Dimarzios are very effective for shredding though. EMG's are the best active pickup
pinto79
New member
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
I did kind-of a side-by-side of a few pups yesterday. I'm trying to help a friend with a feedback problem with his 5150 combo, so I took 3 of my guitars down to his practice space and we tried them out. First was my Strat with a Full Shred. Wow... the guts and balls and grit and overtones and just wow...
Next we tried my RG750 with a Super Distortion and it was huge too, but a lot smoother, so thus the Full Shred seemed louder. Both had great tone, but the Full Shred had a little "extra".
Last we plugged in my Jackson PS-2 that has an Evolution. Holy jumpin sheepdip... smooth but ballsy with just the right amount of overtones and a tightness to the bottom end that I have never heard from this pup before. Notes sang and burned as they sustained. Wow...
I'm not sure if we totally solved his feedback problem, but I've decided that a tube amp is a must for me...
I did kind-of a side-by-side of a few pups yesterday. I'm trying to help a friend with a feedback problem with his 5150 combo, so I took 3 of my guitars down to his practice space and we tried them out. First was my Strat with a Full Shred. Wow... the guts and balls and grit and overtones and just wow...
Next we tried my RG750 with a Super Distortion and it was huge too, but a lot smoother, so thus the Full Shred seemed louder. Both had great tone, but the Full Shred had a little "extra".
Last we plugged in my Jackson PS-2 that has an Evolution. Holy jumpin sheepdip... smooth but ballsy with just the right amount of overtones and a tightness to the bottom end that I have never heard from this pup before. Notes sang and burned as they sustained. Wow...
I'm not sure if we totally solved his feedback problem, but I've decided that a tube amp is a must for me...
jalguitarman
Junior Member
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
It has been a while since i have had a dimarzio equipped guitar but likely i will again as i have a much better guitat than what i had the dimarzios installed in, and so many of my fave players use them, but i also love duncans too. I got my guild bluesbird back in may 2001 and was just amazed by the sound of that guitar, much of that being the difference between basswood and the maple/ mohogany combo (sorry i just don"t like basswood). the 59s that came in it were sweet and i really liked them but ineed more guts for where my head is at now. so much really depends on the guitar and the amp. Let us not forget that the kind and guage of strings you use and the guage of pick can also make a BIG difference in your sound as well, and i think that part of the equation is not given the attention it needs when you are getting your sound together. GOD BLESS!!!!!!
It has been a while since i have had a dimarzio equipped guitar but likely i will again as i have a much better guitat than what i had the dimarzios installed in, and so many of my fave players use them, but i also love duncans too. I got my guild bluesbird back in may 2001 and was just amazed by the sound of that guitar, much of that being the difference between basswood and the maple/ mohogany combo (sorry i just don"t like basswood). the 59s that came in it were sweet and i really liked them but ineed more guts for where my head is at now. so much really depends on the guitar and the amp. Let us not forget that the kind and guage of strings you use and the guage of pick can also make a BIG difference in your sound as well, and i think that part of the equation is not given the attention it needs when you are getting your sound together. GOD BLESS!!!!!!
T
theodie
Guest
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
I like the Super distortion and the Breed quite alot!!!
I like the Super distortion and the Breed quite alot!!!
Nite_Maresz_25
on Elm Streetologist
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
Wow, then if thats the case, DiMarzio must make some good-great stuff. I still think the double cream trademark is stupid though.Moonsorrow said:
Biu
New member
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
I love DiMarzio~!!! They are my favorite pickup company and the Humbucker From Hell is my holy grail pup, it is just sooooo...fitting to my style
I generally find DiMarzios to be typically suited for more modern-styled lead guitarists, with very open sounding tones, and SD as sort of the traditional "standard" in classic (by classic, I mean popular) guitar tones.
When I feel like it though, I will bust out my '59/DD. For me, I enjoy my HFHs for sounding like "me" and soloing. When I switch over to Duncans, it's sort of like anything goes because they are so good at capturing the tones you hear on records and radio.
I love DiMarzio~!!! They are my favorite pickup company and the Humbucker From Hell is my holy grail pup, it is just sooooo...fitting to my style
I generally find DiMarzios to be typically suited for more modern-styled lead guitarists, with very open sounding tones, and SD as sort of the traditional "standard" in classic (by classic, I mean popular) guitar tones.
When I feel like it though, I will bust out my '59/DD. For me, I enjoy my HFHs for sounding like "me" and soloing. When I switch over to Duncans, it's sort of like anything goes because they are so good at capturing the tones you hear on records and radio.
Re: Who here really likes the dimarzio stuff?
Generally speaking, DiMarzio stuff is not my cup of tea as its all too "modern" sounding for me. However, I do like a few things they make:
I have a double-creme set of Virtual PAFs in my Goldtop. To my way of thinking, all the superior, after market pickup manufacturers such as Duncan, Fralin, etc, etc, all have their own concept of what the 'ultimate' PAF is supposed to sound and respond like. So, based on the individual manufacturer, by necessity, there are going to be many tonal variations and combinations thereof to be found in what they feel nails the PAF HB in all its glory. On top of this, these manufacturers all have several variations in terms of a weak, a strong, an old and/or a new 'ultimate' PAF.
Up there with all the rest, the DiMarzio VPAFs easily hold their own in the PAF vein with some interesting tonalities in their mix as well. The bottom line is that I like them a lot and they cover in their own right many of the PAF qualities I desire. However, just as a great Strat cannot mimic a great LP and vice-versa, no one model humbucker will ever cover all my tonal requirements.
As for DiMarzio single coils, I like and use the Class of 55 Strat pickup for its sweet, bell clarity, certainly in a great Strat vein and, it also posseses excellent blending capabilities. I also like and use the Pre B1 Tele pickup. To my ear, it sounds like a nice but not over the top P-90. It has outstanding string separation and gets rid of any 'anemia' common to so many Tele bridge pickups, while still retaining the Tele vibe with new found sustain.
YMMV
Generally speaking, DiMarzio stuff is not my cup of tea as its all too "modern" sounding for me. However, I do like a few things they make:
I have a double-creme set of Virtual PAFs in my Goldtop. To my way of thinking, all the superior, after market pickup manufacturers such as Duncan, Fralin, etc, etc, all have their own concept of what the 'ultimate' PAF is supposed to sound and respond like. So, based on the individual manufacturer, by necessity, there are going to be many tonal variations and combinations thereof to be found in what they feel nails the PAF HB in all its glory. On top of this, these manufacturers all have several variations in terms of a weak, a strong, an old and/or a new 'ultimate' PAF.
Up there with all the rest, the DiMarzio VPAFs easily hold their own in the PAF vein with some interesting tonalities in their mix as well. The bottom line is that I like them a lot and they cover in their own right many of the PAF qualities I desire. However, just as a great Strat cannot mimic a great LP and vice-versa, no one model humbucker will ever cover all my tonal requirements.
As for DiMarzio single coils, I like and use the Class of 55 Strat pickup for its sweet, bell clarity, certainly in a great Strat vein and, it also posseses excellent blending capabilities. I also like and use the Pre B1 Tele pickup. To my ear, it sounds like a nice but not over the top P-90. It has outstanding string separation and gets rid of any 'anemia' common to so many Tele bridge pickups, while still retaining the Tele vibe with new found sustain.
YMMV
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