Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?

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Offline Ricey

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Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« on: April 29, 2018, 02:00:48 PM »
I have an early 90's Charvel Fusion Plus with a Duncan Custom in the bridge position.  I like the sound, but it is the regular spaced version and my guitar has a Floyd bridge, so I would like to replace it with an F-spaced pup.  I would like the closest DiMarzio equivalent, as I am planning on going with an Evolution or Gravity Storm Neck and would like to keep it in the family.  Duncan does not seem to offer as wide of a selection of higher output neck pups as DiMarzio and I need a higher output neck pup to match better with the higher output bridge pup and that also splits well.  This particular guitar is my 80's Hair Band/EVH Super Strat.  Ash body, rosewood board, maple neck, Floyd, but with 24.75" "Gibson" scale length.
« Last Edit: April 29, 2018, 02:04:21 PM by Ricey »

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Offline DarthPhineas

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2018, 06:07:38 PM »
There is nothing I can think of in the current DMZ menu. The Super D sort of comes to mind as possibly the closest.

Looking for something that’s “high gain”can be a slippery slope at times. Some players get bone crushing tones from vintage-voiced pups and simply make the amp do the work.
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Offline Ricey

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2018, 09:35:48 PM »
I had a Super D in a Super Strat style guitar about 30 years ago.  It sounded pretty good and I seem to remember it had a very convincing single coil tone when split too. Maybe I will have to revisit it.  Just checking to see if DiMarzio might  have come up with additional options in the intervening years?  I guess if it is good enough for Phil Collen, it should do me fine.  He seems to get a pretty decent tone!  Would the Super2 be the best match in the neck position?
« Last Edit: April 29, 2018, 09:37:54 PM by Ricey »

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Offline DarthPhineas

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2018, 10:41:04 PM »
Ace Frehley and Tom Scholz also use the Super D.

The Super 2 has its fans. Depends on what you’re looking for. Some people like the PAF Pro in the neck with a Super D.
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Offline Orkhan Julfa

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2018, 07:59:20 AM »
I heard old DiMarzio Megadrive close to Duncan Custom

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Offline Ricey

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2018, 01:28:34 PM »
Never heard of that one?

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Offline DarthPhineas

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Offline Ricey

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2018, 10:13:15 PM »
Looks pretty cool!

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Offline DarthPhineas

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2018, 06:42:41 AM »
Looks pretty cool!


Have not done a back to back comparison of the two. Can’t really recall the similarities.

The Custom is pretty much a PAF character that’s wound very hot and has a ceramic magnet thrown in for more focus and bite. The more I look at DMZ’s menu, I’m sticking with the Super D recommendation. And that’s just something kinda sorta maybe close. There’s really nothing all that similar.
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Offline darkbluemurder

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2018, 11:05:36 AM »
I have played the Di Marzio SD and the Duncan Custom in the same Les Paul but not back to back. SD has more output but not much more. Custom is more refined overall. What I disliked a bit about the Custom was a certain hole in the midrange which was most apparent when playing double stops on the D and G strings. The SD did not have this.

Overall I prefer the Duncan Custom 5 over both of them.

Cheers Stephan
Area 67, Area 58, Area 61, VV Pro 54, Injectors, VV HB2, Virtual Solo, SDS-1, Area T, Area Hot T, Area T 615, Virtual Hot T, Chopper T, Bluesbucker, Breed set, Air Norton, Super Distortion, DLX+ set, DLX-90, DP240, DP198, DP168, VPAF b, AT-1, Mo' Joe, FRED, Super 2; GS b

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Offline Orkhan Julfa

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2018, 06:09:52 AM »
Never heard of that one?


http://darthphineas.com/2015/11/dimarzio-megadrive-dp107/
Good article as always! By the way. How it compares with Evo 2 or Evolution bridge?

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Offline DarthPhineas

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2018, 10:17:27 AM »
Never heard of that one?


http://darthphineas.com/2015/11/dimarzio-megadrive-dp107/
Good article as always! By the way. How it compares with Evo 2 or Evolution bridge?


Haven’t gotten to the Evo line yet.
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Offline DavidSchwab

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #12 on: May 17, 2018, 10:36:35 PM »
Ace Frehley and Tom Scholz also use the Super D.

Lots and lots of people used them back in the day. Al DiMeola used them too. 

Still a great pickup.



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Strangeman86

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Re: Which DiMarzio is closest to SD Custom?
« Reply #13 on: May 22, 2018, 11:38:17 AM »
Custom and Mega Drive are pretty comparable (I've owned both).  I think the Custom is a bit brighter though.