Neck pup for Dinarzio Super3

[MYLILSS]

Ok so I have a super 3 bridge pup from Dimarzio. What is a good neck pickup to pair with it ? I don’t like mixing brands so I’d like to stay with Dimarzio, but I’m not normally one to use this brand so I’m not very familiar with their offerings. Yes I know they have descriptions on the site lol, but I’m talking real world actual use.

 

[stratjacket]

Humbucker From Hell is one of my all time favorite neck pickups, works great. The Super 2 is a great neck pickup too. Deactivator Neck is good as well, but I’d really recommend to try the Humbucker From Hell.

 

[Kelly]

Air Norton if you like shredding, 36th anniversary if you need more high end.

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

Paf Pro

 

[Dave L]

Well, what a good pairing is to begin with can be a tricky question. Some guys want a huge difference to cover more bases, some feel that versatility is having basically the same tone and output in all positions.

If we´re talking Dimarzio neck humbuckers in general, I have used and enjoyed the PAF Pro, the PAF 59 (which is the latest of various "true vintage" offerings) and the Air Norton. But the only guitar I´ve had a Super 3 in has a HSS layout so it´s not really apples to apples.

 

[Rex Rocker]

I would go with the Super 2. Or the D-Activator.

I'd be afraid the Super 3 would greatly overpower all the PAF options suggested as well as the HBFH.

 

[Will Onyx]

The Super 3 I had sounded really thick and mid heavy. I’d look for a neck pickup that is similar.

That’s a tough one to pair.

 

[stratjacket]

I’ve used the Super3 in bridge with a Super 2 in the neck in a PRS CE24. As a matter of luck, I used that combo in this review.

Fast forward to about 55 secs into the video:

 

[MYLILSS]

Thanks for the info fellas ! The super 3 seems to be a hard one to pair a good neck pup with, because it seems to overpower the traditional choices, which is why I ask. That super 2 might be the way to go for me … I’ll check all these options out. Thanks !

 

[Gitfiddler]

I have a paf 36th ann in neck of alder strat with regular super distortion in bridge. No loss in power switching and i cant be happier (though would like to try paf pro in neck just to compare). I have a direct mounted air norton in the neck of an all mahogany guitar and dont like it as much as the paf. Apples and oranges though

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

Thanks for the info fellas ! The super 3 seems to be a hard one to pair a good neck pup with, because it seems to overpower the traditional choices, which is why I ask. That super 2 might be the way to go for me … I’ll check all these options out. Thanks !

A friend of mine has a Chubtone with a Super 3 in the bridge and a Paf Pro in the neck. Sounds bloody good and the Super 3 doesn't overpower the Paf Pro at all.

 

[Matte23]

I'm agree with Gitfiddler and NaturalBornBoy, for my experience I would put in a Paf Pro or a PAF36th!

 

[nigelpkay]

Go for the PAF Pro, it’s got the same black pole pieces as the Super 3 so they match! Should also hang better with it than the regular PAF.
I did not like the Humbucker from Hell, it’s kind of glassy, bright, thin, and sterile.

 

[MYLILSS]

Go for the PAF Pro, it’s got the same black pole pieces as the Super 3 so they match! Should also hang better with it than the regular PAF.
I did not like the Humbucker from Hell, it’s kind of glassy, bright, thin, and sterile.

Sorry, late reply, but I just now saw this. My super 3 actually has chrome pole pieces. I ordered some and swapped them out so it would look a little more traditional lol. The PAF pro will get chrome poles too unless they offer it that way

 

[Ramon Yepes]

I've got a super 3 paired with an evolution neck on my ash Charvel old yella & it's a beast !!!
It took me a while though, the gravity storm neck also was my GO TO but really the evolution neck makes a great combo with the super 3 !!!

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

Super 2 at the neck. It was designed in the same era with the Super 3 in mind as a possible bridge option. Or a Super Distortion, or course.

I dig the D Activator neck quite a bit, although it is VERY bright and matches perfectly with the also bright bridge version. I have it matched with a B.C. Rich ST24 with a Super Dist bridge / D Activator neck and it's awesome, although the Super 3's rolled off top end is a long way from it, might be too much of a stretch...

 

[Speeddemon]

I would personally stay very far away from the PAF Pro, as it's the pick up that exudes the complaint about most Dimarzio pickups the hardest; that vocal, cocked wah-sound.

I have plenty of experience with the following Dimarzios as neck pickups:
-Super Distortion/Dual Sound neck: powerful, plenty of great hard rock/metal tones, but split tone is wimpy/thin.
-Evo Neck: focussed, clear, pretty powerful, tight 'n bright, not really recommended if you have a thin sounding guitar though.
-Air Norton neck: Great, allround, shreddy/liquidy leads. GREAT, bluesy, characterful split tone. Orientation of the pickup matters; screw-poles towards bridge for a bit more brightness (that's how I have it in a Les Paul. In my Charvel So-Cal I have it in the standard orientation.)
-36th Anniv PAF DP103: A classic true PAF sound. Quite mid-oriented, but not nasal (like the PAF Pro). Split tone is so-so.
-Breed Neck: a beefy, fuller PAF sound, with some jangly top-end. Best choice for mahogany body/ebony FB. Grrrreat split tone. (think clean interlude of Master of Puppets).

 

[BlueParfait]

I wonder what OP ended up with, but I use the PAF Joe with the Super 3

It sounds amazing