DiMarzio Forum

DimarzioForum.Com => The Pickup Place => Topic started by: nienturi on January 06, 2024, 01:20:18 AM

Title: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: nienturi on January 06, 2024, 01:20:18 AM
So this is my tribute to my favourite Dimarzio; Virtual Hot PAF

https://www.tonejourney.com/post/dimarzio-virtual-hot-paf-dp214-review

Hope you like my review and hope dimarzio will bring Virtual series humbuckers back someday :)
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: buddroyce on January 06, 2024, 09:59:08 PM
I always loved the Virtual Hot PAF. Thanks for the review man!
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: Vaughn on January 07, 2024, 12:05:01 AM
Awesome review!
Thanks
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: nienturi on January 08, 2024, 12:28:07 AM
I always loved the Virtual Hot PAF. Thanks for the review man!
Awesome review!
Thanks

Thank you both :)
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: kookaburra on January 13, 2024, 12:45:44 PM
You had me at excited for a minute!

Well written review.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: nienturi on January 15, 2024, 08:10:00 AM
You had me at excited for a minute!

Well written review.

Thank you. I have a passion for moderate output bridge humbuckers. VHP is truely one of my top 3.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: DonaldR on January 15, 2024, 08:29:21 PM
Good review!
I don't understand why such a praised product can be discontinued be Dimarzio.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: nienturi on January 16, 2024, 12:40:20 AM
Good review!
I don't understand why such a praised product can be discontinued be Dimarzio.

As far as i understand for marketing 36th Annv. Series better. That's all the logic behind it, i believe.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: Vaughn on May 12, 2025, 09:37:07 AM
Did they make a specific neck VHP?
Thanks
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: nienturi on May 12, 2025, 09:41:39 AM
Did they make a specific neck VHP?
Thanks

Nope. There were only Virtual PAF neck
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: Vaughn on May 12, 2025, 12:41:13 PM
I have this , going to use it in the bridge of my ‘87 Charvel Model 2
( Are my pics viewable?)
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: nienturi on May 13, 2025, 01:31:32 AM
I have this , going to use it in the bridge of my ‘87 Charvel Model 2
( Are my pics viewable?)

I have seen this on reverb but it makes me curious. Mine has nickel silver baseplate. Like this;
(https://medias.audiofanzine.com/images/normal/dimarzio-dp214-virtual-hot-paf-2214151.jpg)
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: Schneidas on October 08, 2025, 06:59:41 AM
Yes, I have a DP214 with brass plate and the plastic tubing is also the standard black and not clear as usual.
I bought this from an online retailer. When I asked DiMarzio, why my DP214 has golden brass plate and black plastic wire tubeing (not sure of the exact term for this part of the humbucker) they replied with:

"The pickup is authentic. It is an OEM version of the DP214 that was made for LAG Guitars."
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: nienturi on October 08, 2025, 07:01:57 AM
Yes, I have a DP214 with brass plate and the plastic tubing is also the standard black and not clear as usual.
I bought this from an online retailer. When I asked DiMarzio, why my DP214 has golden brass plate and black plastic wire tubeing (not sure of the exact term for this part of the humbucker) they replied with:

"The pickup is authentic. It is an OEM version of the DP214 that was made for LAG Guitars."

Really? For LAG Guitars? Now, we got to find what LAG models have that pickup :)
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: nienturi on October 09, 2025, 02:36:16 AM
I have found it. It is LAG Imperator I3000. VHP was used as a neck pickup for that model.

https://en.audiofanzine.com/lp-shaped-guitar/lag/imperator-3000-qm/
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: headcrash on October 09, 2025, 04:51:16 AM
To me it looks like LAG doesn’t build electrical guitars anymore and Musicgooddeal bought off some of their stock of DiMarzio Pickups.
It seems, they still have some DP 214‘s in stock: go to their website and type dp214 in the search - et voila. But I have no idea if they ship to overseas…

I have a DP 214 F-Spaced, with brass baseplate, black coating, and it came with a chrome cover, which I removed, because I don’t like covers.
I think it also came „stock“ with no threads in its lugs. It’s cable is equipped with a white heat shrink marked with „B“, similar to the custom pickups in EBMM EvH and Axis guitars.
I don’t use it, these days I’m more into higher output pickups (again), but I am reluctant to sell it, because it’s so damn good, and I’m afraid I’d regret it ;D


Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: headcrash on October 09, 2025, 05:01:28 AM
Pics
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: nienturi on October 09, 2025, 08:02:22 AM
It's always good to see another VHP :)
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: Schneidas on October 14, 2025, 04:06:43 AM
Yes, here's mine I bought.
Nice black matte cover, brass back, black plastic wire tubing and F-Spaced.

I removed the cover and it had double black bobbins, which I prefer. I also removed the wax on top of the bobbins (as DiMarzio double-wax pots after installing the cover).
If I had a black Les Paul Custom, I would have used it with the the black matte cover and would have installed gold screws - I just love that look in a black LP Custom (I had one like this 10 years ago).

The DCR of mine measures at 9.33K
Title: Re: Dimarzio Virtual Hot PAF (DP214) Review
Post by: nienturi on October 15, 2025, 04:00:10 AM
Yes, here's mine I bought.
Nice black matte cover, brass back, black plastic wire tubing and F-Spaced.

I removed the cover and it had double black bobbins, which I prefer. I also removed the wax on top of the bobbins (as DiMarzio double-wax pots after installing the cover).
If I had a black Les Paul Custom, I would have used it with the the black matte cover and would have installed gold screws - I just love that look in a black LP Custom (I had one like this 10 years ago).

The DCR of mine measures at 9.33K

Awesome :)