DiMarzio Air Classic

DiMarzio Inc, Air Classic, Humbucker (Neck, AND Bridge)

I installed these pickups in my "kick around" guitar - a "Greg Bennett" (Samick) AV-3. I replaced both (bridge and neck) pickups with the respective "Air Classics" from DiMarzio in "Standard Humbucking Series Wiring".

I replaced the pickups on the AV-3 because it is a very well made, and very inexpensive Les Paul CLONE. I liked the guitar's non-electronic hardware (tuners, tone pots, switches) - as well as how it played. I liked the original pickups too - however, they were very neutral. Meaning, they sounded average in all categories (treble, mids, bass, either position). I wanted pickups that sounded a couple notches above average so my "nice playing cheap guitar" sounded as good as it played. (My other guitar is an American Dlx Strat, and have owned other premium guitars, and a Les Paul Studio at one point).

The output level is strong, with lots of head room. Very dynamic. Breaks up nicely through my tube-amp when playing lightly, with plenty of room to dig into the strings for expression. What really impressed me was the bridge pickup - it sounded awesome! I'm not a big fan of bridge pups with screaming treble.. I prefer bassey warmth. It's much more usable for my preferences. The neck pup is awesome too--it is VERY clear and doesn't get muddy when playing loud and low.

I play mostly rock and jazz.

Ok here's what I find interesting about these pickups:

The low-end of the neck pickup seems to have an abundance of warmth. My Les Paul (with Burstbucker Pros) were warmer in the mid-range.

What fascinates me is - when the switch is in the middle position (neck and bridge combined), the pups ring out and sound more similar to my strat then a les paul!

I've been playing for a number of years, I'm a keyboardist as well. I like both tube and solid state amps - both for different reasons.

I am very happy with these pickups and I will keep them. I will also install additional switches (or potentiometers with push/pull switches) so I can take advantage of the various wiring configurations.

I am extremely satisfied because it gave my cheap guitar an authentic vintage vibe. Whenever I purchase a cheap guitar, I expect to swap some of the hardware to make it "complete". I also realize that a cheap guitar that plays like a dream, will sometimes require a bit of experimentation with new hardware until the results are satisfactory. I'm satisfied. I WAS going to put Gibson pups in, however, at that point - I may as well drop a few bills on a no-thirlls LP studio.

Alnico 5 passive humbucker.
8.35 k for the neck pickup

What model guitar or bass did you install this in?: Squier Tele Custom and an Oscar Schmidt oe-30 DL.
What position is it in?: Neck position on both guitars
What pickup are you replacing?: Stock pickups on both instruments
Other pickups installed on the instrument?: Dimarzio D-Activator bridge on the Tele, Seymour Duncan SH-11 Custom Custom on the oe-30.
Any artists using this pickup?: Irrelevant, but probably a lot of people.
Reason for changing the pickup?: I dislike the character of cheap ceramic humbuckers.

What's the output level like?: Mild. Good for letting the amp do the work. Good headroom.
What amps and effects are you using it with?: I use a Blackheart BH5-112 5 watt combo with a 25W Weber Load Dump attenuator. Signal chain is guitar > Danelectro Fish & Chips EQ > Digitech RP0 > Amp
Tone - Bassy, middy, muddy, trebly, balanced?: Big and warm rounder low end, chimey and bell-like high end. Slightly softened midrange. It has a very open, very warm sound.
What style of music do you play? Is this a good match? I like this pickup for blues and blues rock, and anything clean. More gain can really muddy up the low end, especially on the semi-hollow guitar. Great lead tone, though. Oddly enough, this pickup goes really well in the tele with the D-Activator.
For which positions is this pickup (un)suitable?: I took this pickup out of the semi-hollow, it was too boomy for rhythm with any gain and didn't compliment the Custom Custom pickup.

If it was destroyed or stolen, would you buy it again or get something else?: If gone from the tele, i would get the D-activtor neck, just to see how well it works with it's intended matching pickup.
How long have you been playing? What other gear do you own?: Hobbyist for 7 years. I have another Squier Tele with Fender Nocaster reissue pickups, and a Mexican Strat with '57/'62s.
What do you love about it? What do you hate?: I love the headroom, and the alnico V chime. I dislike the rounder bass, it can be too warm sometimes.
Did you compare it to other products? Which ones? Why did you choose this one? I looked on Dimarzio's website for a long time, comparing specs to other PAFs. I wanted to try the "aged" tone.
Anything you wish it had?: Slightly tighter bass
Are you satisfied with this pickup or still searching for <b>that</b> sound? I would like to experiment with more modern PAF sounds.
Anything else you'd like to share?: Despite my issues with it being so boomy sometimes, the solo tone really does kill. This pickup seems suited to solid body, brighter guitars. Let your amp do the work.

Alnico V magnet, nickel cover (on mine anyway), bridge position, DC resistance 8.62K ohms, Output 226mV

Installed in the bridge position of a '59 replica LP, replacing a Seymour Duncan Antiquity. Another Antiquity remains in the neck. Bridge Antiquity was too honky & raspy, lacking balls and definition in crunch settings, particularily for rhythm.

Important Point: this pickup must be set CLOSE to the strings in order for you to really hear what it's capable of. The many reviewers complaining of it sounding weak and twangy have most likely set it to the same height as whatever pup they replaced, which was probably hotter to begin with. If you're installing the Air Classic in the bridge, raise the pickup as high as it can go without choking the strings and you'll hit the sweet spot. The impressive thing is that it retains its clarity. By contrast, a hot pickup like the Duncan JB has to be set quite far from the strings or it's in the mud zone. In their respective sweet spots there is no perceivable difference in output and the Air Classic is still a lot clearer to my ears.
I play anything that's rock'n'roll. I like a PAF vibe, but primarily play loud and dirty like Angus etc. If that sounds like you, then you'll probably dig this pickup too.

I've been playing for many many years & have lots of gear, but that's not even important.
I prefer this pickup to S. Duncan's various PAF attempts, which are either too honky, erudite & expensive (Seth Lover, Antiquity), too mid-scooped & sterile ('59, APH-1) or too bright and cheesy (Pearly Gates). Plus Duncans all sound a bit too McDonalds to me. But that's just my opinion, you may not agree as is your right.

Humbucker with a Nickle silver cover. 8.1K 4-conductor wire, passive.

1994 Les Paul Standard, used in the bridge position. This replaced a stock 498T Gibson pickup. 498T was to shrill & trebly, no body at all.

Much like a lower output 498T in regards to having no body at all. Very thin and shrill sounding, I was very dissapointed. If you like a trebly sounding PAF type, this would be up your alley. Personally, I don't want my LP to sound like a Gretsch, not that a Gretsch is a bad thing, but this is a Les Paul. Might make a decent neck pup, but I'm not keeping it around long enough to find out. I know PAFs' are supposed to be on the bright and crunchy side, but this is rediculous. Sorry, DiMarzio this one is not a keeper, perhaps it's just a bad one that I purchased.

Overall in one word.... "NEXT!"

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Schecter USA Custom PT
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Rio Grande BBQ
Other pickups on guitar: Virtual PAF - neck
Artists using this pickup: Van Gogh, Picasso, he he he
You musical style(s): bluesy hard rock, some funk, some twang
Reason for pickup change: Needed a clearer and more open sound, less midrange focus

Perceived output level: Classic PAF output
Tone: sweet and clear, even a little bright and chimey, nice smooth lead voice but not as thick as many humbuckers
Sonic evaluation: I play an older Schecter, from back when they were an American custom shop. It's a PT type, basically a tele with humbuckers. Maple neck and a zebrawood body, which makes it sound very tight and focused, kinda middy. It's going through a late 70's Marshall JMP or an old Fender Deville 2x12, and particularly through the JMP the midrange becomes even more pronounced so I needed a pickup that would open the sound up, more about clarity than power. If you're looking foe a milkshake thick Boston kinda tone, look elsewhere. If you love a bit of sparkle in your chunk, a little twang in your scream, then go for it.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play bluesy riffy rock, usually with medium gain - Bits of Zakk Wylde, Billy Gibbons, Jimmy Page, Slash, Martin Barre

Comments: I've been playing for 18 years and I think I'd replace this if it were stolen. I'm happy and will not be swapping this one. It replaced a Rio Grande BBQ which was the first replacement I tried. It was too middy for my guitar/amp situation, althuogh a very good PU. PU swapping is risky. It can be an endless road once you get started, always looking for THE sound. Let's be honest, most of it comes from you. Find a PU that fits your style, put it in a guitar you dig through a good amp and spend your time working on your playing not your gear. There's no such thing as the holy grail Pickup, but this one sounds great to me.

Pickup features: passive, neck humbucker.
Impedence or other specs: dunno. i dont think its much.

Model of guitar or bass: 1992 les paul standard
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: gibson 490T
Other pickups on guitar: duncan distortion
Artists using this pickup: lots of shredders, i guess.
You musical style(s): heavy rock, indie, post-rock
Reason for pickup change: the stock 490 in the gibson was dull and lifeless. to be frank, the guitar itself was dull and lifeless. i was hoping for something that would "wake up" the tone of the guitar.

Perceived output level: middle? not super saturated, and not "dig in the speaker cabinet to find the notes"
Tone: very clear. bell like, and chimey. what i was going for. harmonicly complex, but not clashing. notes ring out true. very balanced in the neck position. not overly boomy
Sonic evaluation: i played this guitar/pickup combo through several amps and speaker combinations. this was the 3rd try at getting a "dog" gibson les paul to sing like it should with a set of pickups. one other key element people seem to overlook is guitar cables. my signal chain is typically guitar -> cord -> amp. thats pretty much the way i like it. nothing to color the sound. for the daily player amp, i use a soldano decatone head through an orange 4x12 cabinet with vintage 30's. for cables i used solid cables (got turned on to them from A sharp music). and now finally the rig sounds like it should. full and musically rich without that "wet blanket over the cabinet" problem. friggin' 3D sounding. i A/B'ed this guitar in a recording studio with the new pickups against my prized vintage 1977 les paul, and several others including a gold top with fralins in it, and this guitar with the dimarzio in the neck beat them all. on tape it sounded clear and bell like with excellent note definition.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: stoner rock, post rock, and a bit of metal

Comments: i'm looking to replace all my humbucker equipped gibsons with this pickup in the neck. though i dont think the charms of this pickup would have been as evident with a regular amp/guitar cable setup. clarity and tone are what im going for. not uber death. more sludge and ridiculous harmonic overtones. think high on fire.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez EDR 170
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez Powersound stock pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio Cruiser (Middle) Dimarzio Airzone (Bridge)
Artists using this pickup: Me, Reb Beach, Greg Howe, John Norum, Brett Garsed.
You musical style(s): Rock, Metal, Funk, Blues, Jazz
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickup sounded thin and dull.

Perceived output level: Output of the Classic is medium, good match for a hot bridge pickup.
Tone: The Air classic neck pickup has a great clear, warm tone when using distortion and works well with clean sounds.
Sonic evaluation: I am currently using an Ibanez EDR guitar plugged into a Boss CS-3 and then into my RogerLinn Adrenalinn II effects box. When using some of the cleaner low output modeled amps, the Air classic has a lovely warm sound which has great definition and clarity, add some distortion and the sound still remains clean. Its great for clean rythmn work or mellower lead tones, ideal for Jazz and Blues. I can also get a warmer version of my main lead sound with this pickup which is great for the slower stuff I play.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, Metal, Blues, Jazz, Funk.

Comments: The Air Classic will be the my neck pickup of choice for any other guitar I purchase in the future. It delivers a great warm tone with clarity and expression. Coupled with my Cruiser pickup in the middle I can get so many sounds out of my guitar. It has less output as say an Air Norton (Which I nearly went for) but I think thats a good thing as if you want output, you'd use your bridge pickup. Overall, This is one great sounding neck pickup

Pickup features: passive humbucking
Impedence or other specs: bridge position

Model of guitar or bass: Carvin DC127
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock C22N
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio Air Zone
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, Metal
Reason for pickup change: stock pickups suck. too thin sounding.

Perceived output level: just slightly hotter than a PAF
Tone: Well balanced, smooth tone.
Sonic evaluation: Firts off, this is a bridge pickup that I am using in the neck position. I did this for two reasons: 1. the guitar is trebly by nature, 2. I wanted to match it to the higher output Air Zone in the bridge. This combo rocks. The Air classic is well balanced and can get you that glassy neck pickup sound running clean or a warm brown sound with an overdriven amp. I use a Rocktron Voodu Valve into a Mesa/Boogie 50/50 power amp.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: rock, metal

Comments: I would defintely replace this pickup with the same model if I lost it somehow (kinda hard when it is bolted to the guitar). My other guitar has an Air Norton in the neck for higher output and thicker sound with more mids. I almost think it is too much. The Air Classic Bridge in the neck position it just right. You aren't playing heavy rhythms with the neck pickup, you use it for added dynamics for clean passages and an alternate solo tone. This pickup does it, but you wouldn't want a super-hot bridge pickup with it or it would sound too out of whack.

Pickup features: Humbuckers
Impedence or other specs: Passive Pickup

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul Standard
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Dimarzio PAF & Super Distortion
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Classic Rock
Reason for pickup change: Wanted an overall better sounding pickup

Perceived output level: same as PAF
Tone: very balanced
Sonic evaluation: I'm playing through a Crate Vintage Club 30 amp

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: I think this is MY pickup/s I get the great LP tone, no mud, smooth and creamy distortion extremely musical cleans. very very balanced pickup. don't see changing these in the bear future. It took 3 pickup changes to finally find my TONE.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Explorer with Korina body (so they say..)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Rio Grande BBQ, Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates, DiMarzio PAF Pro
Other pickups on guitar: DiMarzio Paf Pro neckposition
Artists using this pickup: Me...?
You musical style(s): Hard rock, a little Zakk Wylde, some Kiss, a lot of 80?s influences
Reason for pickup change: Looking for a dynamic pickup with attitude that doesn?t have boosted mids, that works with my modified Marshall. Trying to duplicate the sound of my Gibson Les Paul with a Gibson ?57 Classic Plus in the bridge position

Perceived output level: Accoding to specs its a low-to mid output PU, but it has dynamics that makes it sustain all over the place
Tone: Balanced. Lacks maybe a little bit bass and some punch in the treble area, for my taste
Sonic evaluation: I use a modified Marshall. We copied the preamp so i use to preamps in series. I have 5 preamp tubes. It gives my nice gain that doesn?t break up the tone. We also modified the tonecontrols so i could get more bass. It?s a real middy amp, like most Marshalls. I turn the mid control all the way down. Don?t use anything but my amp for distortion. I play with distortion most of the time. I like lots of treble and thight bass.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: We play a variaty of hard rock/Metall with the emphasis on the 80?s, people tell me. The pickup works well both in neck and bridge position

Comments: Don?t no. So far it?s the best sounding PU of the above previously tested. the BBQ were too middy and lacked trebled. The Pearly Gates seemed to "dead" in my guitar. It never came alive. Didn?t work on my Explorer. The PAF Pro has got the right output, the right treble, but lacks bass and have a "honky" mid sound that sounds like a wahwah pedal put in the middle position. It works in some guitars, not on this one.. or my Les Paul.
The Air Classic was a complete surprise to me. I had in a box, bought for about 9$!! When i bought the Explorer i wanted it to have a more brutal sound than my Les Paul. It would become my Metal axe. Search through the Harmony Central and finally chose the BBQ. But it doesn?t work with my rig. You know it?s a combo of the wood in the guitar, quality of hardware (tuners, bridge), string lenght, amp and speaker. A pickup that sounded good in one guitar, can sound awful in another.
The search for the ultimate sound continues. So far i learned that i should:
Stay away from really high output PU:s with boosted midrange, since i got all the mid i need from my amp.
I should concentrate on PU:s with mid to mid + output with boosted bass and treble. The next PU:s i?m about to try is the new Seymour Duncan SH-14, which is based on the 59-model. It supposed to have a little more output than the 59 with more bass and low mids. Sounds like the PU for me! If that doesn?t work i will try the DiMarzio Steves Special. It?s got nearly the same output as the PAF Pro and low mids. Tried it on my Les Paul and it didn?t work for me there, but might be a good choise for my Explorer. But until then, i will probably stick with the Air Classic. Try it, it might surprise you!!