MetalThrasher
Well-known member
Anyone here have experience with the Dimarzio Megadrive (DP107) pickup? For some reason this looks like a pickup I might like. How would it be for 80's 90's thrash metal with a little bit of Death mixed in?
D Sonic is brighter and more mid-forward. Between the two I preferred the D Sonic at least in the guitars I used.How would you compare the Crunch Lab to the D Sonic? I have experience with a Crunch Lab. At the end of the day, which Dimarzio would be close to a Duncan SH-5 pickup?
Does the Megadrive really compare to an 81? If so, I might be interested! That's what the D-Activator was supposed to do, so I bought one and it wasn't even close to an 81!I think the Megadrive was first discontinued because of the air norton (or was it Steves Special?) which sounds very close. But because of demand, dimarzio kept the Megadrive in production.
I do have the megadrive in one of my guitars and I really like it. It‘s my goto pup for high gain. Articulate, clear and very 80ies. Some describe it as the passive version of an EMG 81.
I have no real experience with the EMG81. I saw videos of a dude playing Slayer riffs, boosted with an OD808 and stating it was the passive version of an EMG81 for him. To me, it sounded accurate but less artificial than what I hear from active pups. Rumors say the MD was used on seasons in the abyss by King too.Does the Megadrive really compare to an 81? If so, I might be interested! That's what the D-Activator was supposed to do, so I bought one and it wasn't even close to an 81!
I can’t imagine it sounds anything like an Air Norton or even a Norton, the latter of which to me always sounded and felt like a lower output JB or something - very “left a wah pedal on” sounding although not necessarily in a bad way.I think the Megadrive was first discontinued because of the air norton (or was it Steves Special?) which sounds very close. But because of demand, dimarzio kept the Megadrive in production.
I do have the megadrive in one of my guitars and I really like it. It‘s my goto pup for high gain. Articulate, clear and very 80ies. Some describe it as the passive version of an EMG 81.
Think I was wrong with the Air Norton. I just had a saw a video on YT where the guy was saying it is the Steves Special it sounds similar to.I can’t imagine it sounds anything like an Air Norton or even a Norton, the latter of which to me always sounded and felt like a lower output JB or something - very “left a wah pedal on” sounding although not necessarily in a bad way.
Steve’s Special is one of those black sheep pickups that doesn’t have the typical Dimarzio sound, but that’s probably why I like it. Like the mega drive and d sonic the coils are different and it sound’s noticeably different depending on how you install it. It’s a hard one to explain other than that it’s fairly high output but super clear and articulate, balanced EQ wise with no “wah mids” and no chopped treble. A little bit of balls to it but could also be perceived as kinda boring depending.
Haven't tried the Megadrive, but I seriously doubt it does the 81 thing. No passive does. The 81's magic is in the preamp which rolls of a lot of bottom-end and clips.Does the Megadrive really compare to an 81? If so, I might be interested! That's what the D-Activator was supposed to do, so I bought one and it wasn't even close to an 81!
The OP said he tried it, and didn't think it sounded like an 81. I agree. I mean, I like it. But it doesn't sound like an 81, like, at all.Dimarzio does or did have a pickup that claimed to sound like if you tried to make a passive pickup sound like an active- the D Activator. Never tried one personally.
Oh yeah I forgot he already tried it. I never liked how it sounded in any clips of it I ever heard but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Still never felt compelled to try it myself.The OP said he tried it, and didn't think it sounded like an 81. I agree. I mean, I like it. But it doesn't sound like an 81, like, at all.
Apparently the Steve special is the megadrive successorAnyone here have experience with the Dimarzio Megadrive (DP107) pickup? For some reason this looks like a pickup I might like. How would it be for 80's 90's thrash metal with a little bit of Death mixed in?
Kerry King did use the Megadrive in his BC Rich V's before he switched to the ESP V's with EMG's in 1990-1991.I have no real experience with the EMG81. I saw videos of a dude playing Slayer riffs, boosted with an OD808 and stating it was the passive version of an EMG81 for him. To me, it sounded accurate but less artificial than what I hear from active pups. Rumors say the MD was used on seasons in the abyss by King too.
Keep in mind you get a fatter sound with the blade towards neck. But this isn`t a bad thing when cutting lows with a boost.
I have a couple of Megadrives. Some are vintage, but if you call and ask they'll make you a megadrive right now.