Recommend me some DiMarzios.

[Burn]

I'm looking to get a DiMarzio set for my PRS Custom, but their website sound clips aren't really doing anything for me. I primarily want a tight, agressive bridge pickup that can sing on demand, paired with a super smooth, sweet sounding neck pickup.

I've previously had experience with the D-Sonic, X2N, and the Air Norton. I liked the Air Norton a lot, but found the other two useless. The D-Sonic sounded neutered. It felt like I was playing on rubber bands - it had zero grind no matter how much gain I used. The X2N was the exact opposite. It had too much going on, and just wouldn't clean up. I'm looking for something in between those two.

I have used EMGs and Duncans in the past, and I'm very familiar with most of their models. I'm looking for a different, more modern sound this time around.

Oh and one more thing: I don't like AlNiCo bridge pickups. They sound too soft to my ears.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

the Air Zone and Breed are my 2 favorite Dimarzio bridge pups

 

[guitarslinger]

The Breed is my fav Dimarzio Bridge pickup.

Clean Neck pickup? = Humbucker From Hell.

 

[Burn]

the Air Zone and Breed are my 2 favorite Dimarzio bridge pups

Thanks.

From what I understand, those are very bassy/flubby pickups though. Is that true, or can they in fact get tight?

The Breed is my fav Dimarzio Bridge pickup.

Clean Neck pickup? = Humbucker From Hell.

I'll probably go with Air Norton again for the neck, but I'll look into that as well.

 

[EvilBatman]

Evolutions. The Evo is my favorite DiMarzio pickup. The Evo neck may not fit your bill exactly though. I'd still say give them a whirl. Maybe even the Evo2. I haven't tried that one yet but seems like it would be a winner to my ears.

Maybe give the Distortion 3 a try too. Much tighter than the Distortion at about the same output. Not as murderous as an X2N.

 

[JTyson]

Suhr Aldrich set Done.

 

[maiden_fan]

Suhr Aldrich set Done.

+1 kabillion

 

[Burn]

Evolutions. The Evo is my favorite DiMarzio pickup. The Evo neck may not fit your bill exactly though. I'd still say give them a whirl. Maybe even the Evo2. I haven't tried that one yet but seems like it would be a winner to my ears.

Maybe give the Distortion 3 a try too. Much tighter than the Distortion at about the same output. Not as murderous as an X2N.

The Evolutions do look quite intriguing. Vai uses them, so they must have some great lead sounds. I don't know if I should go with the regular one, or the Evo 2 though. Sometimes trying to improve on a good thing yields poor results...

BTW, you mean the Super 3 by "Distortion 3," right? I'm not sure I want something that hot, but I'll check it out as well.

Suhr Aldrich set Done.

I recently sold a set. Not my thing at all.

Oh and JTyson, that's a stunning guitar on your avatar. Modern Eagle, right?

 

[Code001]

Evo Bridge, Air Norton Neck

 

[ranalli]

I think your best bet is to look at the output and EQs for each pickup on their website. Even from that you can see that the X2N is not going to clean up well.


There's a lot of great Dimarzios out there but I'd say that your best bets would be either the Steve's Special or a Megadrive as most of the other Dimarzios have their highs slightly rolled off and are more on the warm/thick side cutting like the X2N.


I actually thought the X2N was a fantastic pickup...just too hot. If they made that same pickup...just cooler I would have kept it.

 

[JTyson]

Evolutions. The Evo is my favorite DiMarzio pickup. The Evo neck may not fit your bill exactly though. I'd still say give them a whirl. Maybe even the Evo2. I haven't tried that one yet but seems like it would be a winner to my ears.

Maybe give the Distortion 3 a try too. Much tighter than the Distortion at about the same output. Not as murderous as an X2N.

The Evolutions do look quite intriguing. Vai uses them, so they must have some great lead sounds. I don't know if I should go with the regular one, or the Evo 2 though. Sometimes trying to improve on a good thing yields poor results...

BTW, you mean the Super 3 by "Distortion 3," right? I'm not sure I want something that hot, but I'll check it out as well.

Suhr Aldrich set Done.

I recently sold a set. Not my thing at all.

Oh and JTyson, that's a stunning guitar on your avatar. Modern Eagle, right?

Thanks man, dosent mean I can play it Yes, its a ME. I love it

 

[guitarslinger]

The SUper III is one of the hottest pickups I've ever heard. To me, the broad mids of the Super 3 make it distort even more than the X2N, and it's about as hot. WILL NOT CLEAN UP.


I stand by my Breed suggestion.

Actually, why not just go for a Breed Set? (or an Aldrich set? )

 

[Burn]

I think your best bet is to look at the output and EQs for each pickup on their website. Even from that you can see that the X2N is not going to clean up well.


There's a lot of great Dimarzios out there but I'd say that your best bets would be either the Steve's Special or a Megadrive as most of the other Dimarzios have their highs slightly rolled off and are more on the warm/thick side cutting like the X2N.


I actually thought the X2N was a fantastic pickup...just too hot. If they made that same pickup...just cooler I would have kept it.

I was just looking to experiment when I got the X2N. Mostly looking for different sounds, since I'm sick of the same old PAF copies that are meant to appeal to as many guitarists as possible.

I don't necessarily want a super bright pickup. Just something that sounds tight and modern. I'll probably give the Evo a whirl. My guitar is very dark sounding, so I'm thinking it could be a good match.

The SUper III is one of the hottest pickups I've ever heard. To me, the broad mids of the Super 3 make it distort even more than the X2N, and it's about as hot. WILL NOT CLEAN UP.


I stand by my Breed suggestion.

Actually, why not just go for a Breed Set? (or an Aldrich set? )

I hear you. How defined do the Breeds sound though? Like I said, I'm avoiding the "vintage vibe" thing right now.

 

[Szar]

B: Tone Zone
N: Air Norton

 

[ranalli]

The SUper III is one of the hottest pickups I've ever heard. To me, the broad mids of the Super 3 make it distort even more than the X2N, and it's about as hot. WILL NOT CLEAN UP.


I stand by my Breed suggestion.

Actually, why not just go for a Breed Set? (or an Aldrich set? )

The Super3 is nowhere near as hot as the X2N. It's about equally as hot as a Super Distortion just EQ'd slightly differently. It's not heavy on the highs at all so if it seems you're not getting great cleans that's probably why. It cleans up....it's just not a real preferable sound without the top end that most other pickups have.


On the flipside though, this is one of the meatiest yet aggressive pickups I've heard. I prefer it much more than the ToneZone which has way too much bass/mids for nearly every application IMO...and that combined with an Alnico magnet just doesn't work at all for me....way too bassy and loose.

 

[Burn]

I prefer it much more than the ToneZone which has way too much bass/mids for nearly every application IMO...and that combined with an Alnico magnet just doesn't work at all for me....way too bassy and loose.

The Tone Zone sounds like something I'd want to avoid. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[mrp5150]

I recommend you stay away from them.

 

[Burn]

I recommend you stay away from them.

From what? DiMarzios?

 

[mrp5150]

I recommend you stay away from them.

From what? DiMarzios?

Yeah, I hate them. They're on par with stock Ibanez pickups IMO.

 

[tcrash]

B: Tone Zone
N: Air Norton

Thats what I'm talking about.
I have these in a singlecut,
I have a Tone Zone / Paf Pro combo in another guitar.
Great w/ a superswitch for some, single coil - series/parallel tones