Anyone try the new Dimarzio D Activator X

[yngzaklynch]

http://www.dimarzio.com/site/#/pickups/
????

 

[JamesPeters]

Given that the D Activator is now my favorite bridge pickup for all sorts of music, I wouldn't be surprised if the D Activator X is a really good pickup.

 

[yngzaklynch]

Given that the D Activator is now my favorite bridge pickup for all sorts of music, I wouldn't be surprised if the D Activator X is a really good pickup.

Do you find it overly bright? I had an Ibanez Xiphos for about 20 minutes lol. Sent it back because when using a strap it was balanced so poorly. Anyways I remember it being very shred friendly in sound and feel but I also remember it being kinda bright sounding.

 

[JamesPeters]

It has some brightness, but just enough. Without some brightness it would be dull. I think its brightness is perfect.

Your guitar was probably brighter than you'd have liked. As I always say: you have to try the exact guitar first before knowing what it sounds like. Model, brand, wood type, pickups etc. factor into it but the cuts of wood used in that one guitar (which you can't hear until you play the guitar) factor in just as much if not more.

I buy my guitars after having tried many in the same store through the same amp, and narrowing it down to the ones that sound the best irrespective of brand, cost, looks, and so on. It always works out very well for me.

 

[yngzaklynch]

It has some brightness, but just enough. Without some brightness it would be dull. I think its brightness is perfect.

Your guitar was probably brighter than you'd have liked. As I always say: you have to try the exact guitar first before knowing what it sounds like. Model, brand, wood type, pickups etc. factor into it but the cuts of wood used in that one guitar (which you can't hear until you play the guitar) factor in just as much if not more.

Do you think it's basically a passive equivilent to the EMGs as Dimarzio seems to imply?

 

[JamesPeters]

Do you think it's basically a passive equivilent to the EMGs as Dimarzio seems to imply?

I'd say it has the attributes of EMG that I like, without any attributes of EMG that I dislike. It has smoothness and clarity, has good aggressive/crunchy attack when you hit the strings hard or palm mute, and keeps a more focused sound than most passives at really high volumes. It also sounds more dynamic than EMGs by a considerable margin.

I've periodically gone back to EMGs for their unique flavor, and always regretted the decision after a while. For the heavier music EMGs still make sense to me, but for everything else I'm not a fan of them at all. This pickup on the other hand has managed to become my favorite bridge pickup for all the music I play. I'm actually playing more rock and classic rock sounding stuff nowadays than anything, and I prefer this to using Burstbuckers, Alnico II Pros and the like.

 

[OneArmedScissor]

Very intramasting. Funny how different they all are from each other, and that they still recommend the neck models for certain uses as bridge pickups. I really like how different the bridge D Activator is from other passive humbuckers. It just might be worth it to get all four and swap them around. If the Xs have similar characteristics, then the output and frequency response variations between them might possibly allow you to match them to different guitars.

And as for the overly bright D Activator bridge thing, I don't understand wtf that misconception came from. Look at how they rate its frequency balance on the site. It's one of the most even you will find on there.

 

[JamesPeters]

And as for the overly bright D Activator bridge thing, I don't understand wtf that misconception came from.

I think that first video on the 'net from GuitarWorld or whatever did some damage in that regard. I think the guy didn't mic it very well or used a bright sounding guitar or something.

 

[OneArmedScissor]

Therefore, it MUST be the pickup. The point of the video was the pickup, THUS THERE ARE NO OTHER VARIABLES, EVEN WITHOUT A FRAME OF REFERENCE!!!1!1!!11!!!!