What are the "best" Dimarzio Humbuckers for Hard Rock?

[zz666]

I'm thinking of changing my SD in my Charvel to an Aldrich. I have one in my LP and it's my favorite pickup.
Dig the SD, but I think the Aldrich will give me that extra 10% I'm missing.

 

[sixstringking713]

Is the duncan distortion similar to the dimarzio super distortion?

well... they're both mid heavy and very 'ceramic sounding'
their voicings are different, though
the dimarzio is fatter and has a less aggressive top
both have a shitload of output and compression
I personally liked the old dimarzio k10 (70's version of the super 2) better than the super distortion
it has a lower dc reading (around 9k), but has just as much output, but with less compression and much more articulation
cuts better than the super distortion

Well after reading up on the specs of both, it appears they dont seem that similar spec wise according to their manufacturer description..
SH-6 Duncan Distortion
Four Con.
Neck: 12.7 k
Bridge: 16.6 k
Neck: 6.5 KHz
Bridge: 5.5 KHz Ceramic Bar

5 Bass / 8 Mid / 9 Treble

vs

Dimarzio Super Distortion:
Wiring: 4 Conductor
Magnet: Ceramic
DC Resistance: 13.68 Kohm

Bass: 8.0 / Mid: 7.5 / Treble: 5.5



I hated how shrill the SD Distortion sounded (and it was even in a LES PAUL ) so the fact dimarzio lists the tone more bass heavy, it may work with my strat. Does anyone have experience specifically with the same guitar swapping between dimarzio tonezone and super distortion to describe the differences?

 

[zz666]

I wouldnt call the SD shrill at all, Ive also tried it in A Les Paul, they've always sounded pretty fat to my ears

 

[bwill81]

I have the Tone Zone in 6 Jacksons (5 Soloist, 1 Dinky), and I couldn't be happier with them. They sound great to me. My only knock on them, is that they don't clean up as well as I would like. For the neck PU's in a HH configuration, I use PAF Pros or Air Nortons. I prefer the Air Nortons though.

 

[NinjaRaf]

Im a big fan of the dominion and the breed. Ive got a dominion in my ninja. Sounds awesome.

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

Is the duncan distortion similar to the dimarzio super distortion?

well... they're both mid heavy and very 'ceramic sounding'
their voicings are different, though
the dimarzio is fatter and has a less aggressive top
both have a shitload of output and compression
I personally liked the old dimarzio k10 (70's version of the super 2) better than the super distortion
it has a lower dc reading (around 9k), but has just as much output, but with less compression and much more articulation
cuts better than the super distortion

The Super Distortion is not "ceramic" sounding at all to me. It is very fat/warm. If you back it off the strings a bit, it is a really open and dynamic pup. The only thing that someone might not gel with is the signature Dimarzio mid-voicing.........kind of wah sounding. I hate the Duncan Distortion on the other hand as its a much different sounding pup.

 

[electrophonic.tonic]

I hated how shrill the SD Distortion sounded (and it was even in a LES PAUL ) so the fact dimarzio lists the tone more bass heavy, it may work with my strat. Does anyone have experience specifically with the same guitar swapping between dimarzio tonezone and super distortion to describe the differences?

I've also heard that the bridge makes a difference as well. For example, Graphtech saddles can sound bright, etc. I've personally never swapped bridges/saddles on a guitar to hear for myself though. Just another (probably unnecessary ) thing to think about

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I hated how shrill the SD Distortion sounded (and it was even in a LES PAUL ) so the fact dimarzio lists the tone more bass heavy, it may work with my strat. Does anyone have experience specifically with the same guitar swapping between dimarzio tonezone and super distortion to describe the differences?

I've also heard that the bridge makes a difference as well. For example, Graphtech saddles can sound bright, etc. I've personally never swapped bridges/saddles on a guitar to hear for myself though. Just another (probably unnecessary ) thing to think about

No i'm with you on this one.. i have a snappy strat and i still haven't done this though i want to try and see if it tames it a bit. Problem with all these Bass-Mid-Treble ratings is that you never really know until you drop the pup in your guitar. Some guitars just work better with some pups because of how they are voiced. They do give you a guideline from which to make an educated guess though.

 

[rupe]

I have a love/hate relationship with the Tone Zone...sounds great in some guitars and beyond awful in others. By the sound of yours, it could be a good match.
Another Dimarzio that I like for for bright and/or scooped sounding guitars is the Super 3...a very underrated pickup IMO. Hot yet articulate and very fat sounding in high gain situations.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I have an old green super 3 kicking around.. I remember not liking it but that was because it was in a mahogany guitar that was darker. Total tone mismatch there. I think i'll dig it up and throw it in the brightest guitar i have and see what happens. Thanks for reminding me about that one! (I'll just spray paint it black first though!)

 

[9ball]

I'm extremely happy with the satriani set in my RG520. Mo'joe bridge/paf joe neck in a mahogany rg w/a maple neck.

 

[projectx102]

I have super distortions in both my guitars. They really respond well to plexi/Marshall inspired circuits.

Definitely. My superstrats and Plexi love the Super D.

 

[Badronald]

I'm extremely happy with the satriani set in my RG520. Mo'joe bridge/paf joe neck in a mahogany rg w/a maple neck.

Yeah, I've had a few JS pickups and they do sound great.

 

[Kelly]

Air Norton/AT-1 combo is great.

 

[Anonymous]

For the tones I like, the Super Distortion is king. My favorite pickup in strat style guitars by a long shot. The Aldrich is a cool pickup, but for me, I prefer the frequency response of the Super D...

Steve

 

[geetarmikey]

Not many people seem to use it, but I really like the Air Zone in my LP. Lots of definition, but not too harsh on clean and sounds very articulate through any sort of lightly to heavily distorted amp.

I would recommend the Liquifire in the neck - it's very warm and not too much of a gain monster!

 

[Lord Toneking]

I wasn't a fan of the super distortion. I replaced it with a Norton and couldn't be happier

I think the Norton is way overlooked pickup

 

[racerevlon]

I have a love/hate relationship with the Tone Zone...sounds great in some guitars and beyond awful in others. By the sound of yours, it could be a good match.
Another Dimarzio that I like for for bright and/or scooped sounding guitars is the Super 3...a very underrated pickup IMO. Hot yet articulate and very fat sounding in high gain situations.

^^^This Exactly. Stay away from Tone Zone in a strat...

 

[racerevlon]

Norton is definitely overlooked far too much. Really has the best of everything. Has sounded great in every guitar where I've installed. Just stay away from Tone Zone initially. Like others have said, it's a love/hate. I have one in the bridge of my Charvel So Cal and it's "acceptable." When string change time comes the TZ is gone and a Norton is going in. Another heavily overlooked pickup is the Steve Morse Bridge model.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Norton is definitely overlooked far too much. Really has the best of everything. Has sounded great in every guitar where I've installed. Just stay away from Tone Zone initially. Like others have said, it's a love/hate. I have one in the bridge of my Charvel So Cal and it's "acceptable." When string change time comes the TZ is gone and a Norton is going in. Another heavily overlooked pickup is the Steve Morse Bridge model.

How does it work in a brighter axe?