DiMarzio Super Distortion

Pickup features: humbucking passive
Impedence or other specs: creme colored bobbins

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard Flametop
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan '59
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan '59 neck
Artists using this pickup: Ace Frehley, and probably that dude who plays guitar for Boston.
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, metal.
Reason for pickup change: '59 had nice tone but lacked power.

Perceived output level: A lot hotter than my '59
Tone: bassy, and at times, annoyingly middy.
Sonic evaluation: Epiphone Les Paul Standard through a Line 6 Spider 210, which is an overrated amp.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For metal, I suppose this pickup would sound great through a Marshall jcm800. Actually, having seen Kiss in concert 3 time with Ace Frehley on lead guitar(the 3 best shows I've ever seen, period) I can safely say this pickup sounds incredible through A marshall 100 watt tube stack. Unfortunately my amp sucks. I never tried playing this thing through another amp. If I had I probably would not have replaced it with the Duncan JB I eventually chose. But listen to any Kiss or Boston album from the 70's and come to your own conclusion.

Comments: I cant see a theif carrying around a soldering kit, so unless they stole my guitar(in which case I'd track 'em down and beat em senseless) they wouldn't get the pickup. As I stated previously I had this replaced with a JB. That's in another reveiw. I've been playing for almost 11 years and have owned several peices of gear(Line 6 POD 2.0, Marshall vs15, Fender Princeton 65-a great amp-kicking myself for selling it, several fender, epiphome and peavey axes)and this to my ears was a disappointment. I was going for a more organic sound and didn't want a ceramic pickup. I could be wrong but I don't think the JB'S are ceramic. I wished the SD had the polepeices that are adjustable using a phillip head screwdriver. It just looks cooler.

Pickup features: Passive
Impedence or other specs: Check the web site

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson SL-2
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Tone Zone
Other pickups on guitar: Air Norton
Artists using this pickup: Me, Don't care who else.
You musical style(s): 80's and new Rock
Reason for pickup change: Tone zone was way too midrangy and muffled in a live band situation.

Perceived output level: Hot, Just right
Tone: Very balanced and Crunchy
Sonic evaluation: I use a Jackson Soloist through a Marshall DSL 50.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: 80's type rock and some new stuff like Fuel and Disturbed. This pickup covers just about everything short of death metal.

Comments:
This pickup sounds amazing through my rig! It is very crisp and crunchy sounding with just the right amount of highs. The tonezone sounded really good as long as I was in my bedroom at lower levels, but the minute I started playing with a band it was muddy as can be and when I used Drop D tunning that was a real mess.
The only thing I don't like is that is does not sound good when playing clean. In my opinion, it doesn't clean up well with the volume turned down either.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 13.8k

Model of guitar or bass: 1995 Am. Std. Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: JB Jr.
Other pickups on guitar: PAF Pro
Artists using this pickup: No one should
You musical style(s): heavy
Reason for pickup change: wanted to try something different

Perceived output level: this thing is a high output pickup for sure
Tone: badly emphasized mids and very muddy lowend
Sonic evaluation: I run a HH Strat, SSS Strat, Tele, and an Ibanez RG into a 1976 Marshall JMP 2204. This thing sucks, not worth buying at all. I took the JB Jr. that it replaced, jimmyed it into the tele and bought a full sized JB. The SD is currently sitting on the floor in my jam room. I got kicked around a shit load.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play heavier music in a band situation and mostly blues on my own

Comments: don't buy this pickup, I can't emphasize this enough. If you don't think a medium output humbucker has enough gain, you're not digging into the strings enough

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: According to Dimarzio's SIte the following: Wiring Standard four conductor

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez PGM 30
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Ibanez .. Can't remember the model, but at Ibanez's site..
Other pickups on guitar: Another Humbucker in the neck and a single coil in the mid, but I un hooked them..
Artists using this pickup: Hell I dont' know.. Loads of the 70's guys..
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues and Metal
Reason for pickup change: The stock Ibanez pickup was way too middy

Perceived output level: Pretty hot.. Too me tis Hotter than a medium output, but not ultra hot like the Duncan Distortion or the EMG
Tone: With my current setup I think it's bassy..
Sonic evaluation: I stuck this pickup in after about a week with my stock Ibanez pickup which had the right amount of output, and is a pretty decent pickup really, but way too middy and a little brittle sounding.. Then AFTER I stuck the Dimarzio Distortion in, I blocked the trem totally with wood on both sides of the trem block and did a good setup.. Now the guitar just sings, but it's too bassy now! Of course, I think Basswood and RG type Ibanez guitars are bassy but with the trems it bleeds the bass away, so it makes sense to have a pickup like the Tone Zone (Another really good pickup which I had in an RG 470 and I liked it even better) or the Super Distortion.. That said, I want a pickup that can clean up better since this guitar ONLY has a volume knob which I prefer.. Now I also had to lower the pickup about a 1/4" away from the strings.. This helped a lot and I'm close to the sound I want, but it's a still a tad hot as far as pickups go, but of course I thought I'd need this originally.. I play thru either a Tech 21 Tri Ac (Great device) or thru a VAMP Behringer (Great digital device for recording and thru the PA) directly to the computer or to a PA.. They both work great.. The Tri Ac being an all Anolog device without the hassle of tubes.. and the Behringer being all digital, cheaper than a POD and sounds much better too me..and is great for recording when you might need delay, or reverb, effects, etc..

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mostly bluesy hard rock such as Thin LIzzy, Ted Nugent, Lynard Skynard, Motly Crue, Poisen, etc..etc.. 80's stuff.. The 80's rocked... We played our instruments..

Comments: I'd give this pickup an 8 out of a 10 .. I think it would be too bassy in an LP Type guitar, or short scalled all mahogany type guitar.. too..

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: it's black

Model of guitar or bass: g+l legacy
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: duncan jb - emg -81 -duncan single coil
Other pickups on guitar: two empty holes leading to the belly of the beast
Artists using this pickup: rayz hell
You musical style(s): hard rock - melodic metal
Reason for pickup change: This guitar is a one of a kind so of course I had to mess with it. I am not a collector-I am a low cash rocker- so I "F" with what I have- out of boredom - much like the amazon grey parrot - he pulls his red tail feathers out because he is bored - left dreary and grey,he has no choice but to learn curse words, and mimic the sound of a garbage truck.

Perceived output level: If you are tired of the," pick-up scene", and just want the real deal - put this thing in your guitar and kill.
Tone: some people call it muddy -I think it blends the notes together warm and sweet
Sonic evaluation: I have used x2n, emg-81,paf,duncan jb, hot rails, 59 jr.The super distortion rules rock for me. It has everything -cool bass unique mids, and not too bright highs.
This is the second legacy that I have installed this pick-up in - I can't believe I waited so long to try the originol metal pick-up. I am retarded.
I play straight into a 1997 dual recto into a recto 2-12. "vintage to modern", diode ps mode- No effects. people are stunned- always by my sound - I switched from a 4-12 because of transportation but now dig the visciousness of the recto 2-12 - it will kill you!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: metal-hard rock -female vocal -no not jewel -janis - this pick is classic metal - no good for country or jazz but I would use it anyway because, well I don't play country or jazz well use it for any style

Comments: I will never bother with hyped up crap anymore,
I love - really love my sound - might get a plexi reissue for the coolness of it all- did you guys and chicks see the "how the west was won"- zep dvd -holy shi..............! It is unreal dudes - a must -disc 2
later ray h. of RAYZ HELL -NYC

Pickup features: humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: /
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: /
Other pickups on guitar: /
Artists using this pickup: /
You musical style(s): /
Reason for pickup change: /

Perceived output level: the most balanced pickup i have ever played - amazing sound
Tone: bassy yet balanced
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: perfect for anything rock, from ballads to death metal.

Comments: i would buy two of them if it were stolen.
i play thru an ADA MP-1, and this pickup has a really growly yet balanced tone, thick basses, and a bit less mids and trebles. great open sound with long sustain, huge 'chugga-chugga' ballsy tone with easy harmonics.
not very clean (that's why DiMarzio made the Dual Sound, that is a splitable Super Distortion), but absolutely great for anything else.
that's my fave at all, more than the PAF Pro and the Tone Zone.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ???????

Model of guitar or bass: Charvel Model 2
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock J90B I think. It is a covered passive pickup.
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: I know of Phil Collen back in the Pyromania days, Ace Frehly, I heard Curt Cobain, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith ( Iron Maiden ) and alot of other metal guitarists of the 80's.
You musical style(s): 80's metal, 70's rock, Death, Thrash, Speed Metal, Nu-Metal, Punk and anything else able to be played with high levels of distortion.
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickup was a little watered down and becoming microphonic. I took the cover off of it and it made a little differnce, but not enough. I have seen alot of used Charvel Model 2's with a DiMarzio Super Distortion in them and thought that it must be the way to go. I have a Seymour Duncan Distortion in another guitar and figured I would try something different....................

Perceived output level: Good enough, but not as high output as a Seymour Duncan Distortion........read on.
Tone: Alot of mids, good EQ between the highs and lows. Pretty balanced. Great sustain.
Sonic evaluation: I in no way bought this pickup to emulate a big stars sound. I like to try new gear and I am kinda new to upgrading pickups. Like I said above, I dropped this pickup in a vintage Charvel Model 2 ( around 1987 to 1989 ). I am playing through a Morely Wah, BOSS Distortion, DOD EQ and DOD Delay into a CRATE GX212. My rig is a pretty good for evaluating pickups. It lets the pickup tell you whats up. It is taking a little getting used to. In my opinion the DiMarzio pickups have a compressed sound to them as compared to the raw grinding wild tone of the Seymour Duncans. It gives a great tight rhythem sound and a clean, uncluttered lead sound. I'm liking it more and more. It seems to be fitting in with my other stuff. It has it's place as far as sound. My other guitars are equipped with Seymour Duncans, one Invader and one Distortion and they both have a distinct sound. This one gives me the 80's tone and shreds nice.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: So far it's good for the bridge. I don't know where else it would sound good. It does the 80's sound well and that is primarilly what I play.

Comments: I like the sound of the Duncan model a little better, but this DiMarzio seems to compress the sound alot better. My conclusion is that this pickup is a little better at covering all the bases that the Duncan can't. It's a good pickup to have in the arsenal. I would recomend it to the guy who wants to wake up a good guitar equipped with bad pickups or whatever. If your a KISS fan then this is the pickup for you. It would probably shine through better going through a tube amp, but then again thats what it was designed for. It's a good pickup all around.

Pickup features: passive 4 conductor humbucker
Impedence or other specs: donno

Model of guitar or bass: Squier Strat HSH
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 500T
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio Tone zone, stock single
Artists using this pickup: don care
You musical style(s): Heavy metal, hard rock
Reason for pickup change: Enjoy discover new tones

Perceived output level: standard high output.
Tone: tight low, crunchy mid, sweet high......screams!!!!!
Sonic evaluation: Squier Strat into Korg Ax100G into Boss EQ into Peavey 65 combo

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: this baby suits Classic heavy metal, hard rock, but not for some hardcore

Comments: stolen? nonsense. I've been tried a few EMG 81,S,SV and gibson 496R, 500t and fender strat. all are great for certain purpose, EMG sounds sterile,it has mad power like nuts but i'm looking for the "tone", Gibsons sounds really sweet and powerful,might be my ultimate choice, whereas dimarzio is good for hot solo classic tone, the SD is powerful but not stupidly powered, its like classic tone with modern power. but the humcancelling is not that satisfying, this can be solve by using some noise reduction stuff. If u like some classic rock or metal tone this is a great option, for hi power roaring, EMG is good, for soulful Gibson edge tone...long live Gibson.

Pickup features: Hot mega output Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: dunno

Model of guitar or bass: ESP (whatever model I dunno got it used from a bud)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: wimpy, crap stock shit
Other pickups on guitar: somethin' in the neck I never use
Artists using this pickup: all the godsssss
You musical style(s): Thrash metal, Speed-metal, Black Metal, Death-Metal, anything that fuckin' rips
Reason for pickup change: The fuckin'weak-ass crap stock shit pickup didn't do it for me

Perceived output level: Fuckin' hot as hell!
Tone: fuckin' whump yo' ass midrange
Sonic evaluation: Runnin' this shit into a Dimebag Randall Warhead with just a fuckin' wah and boost pedal to make the leads just fuckin' wail

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I fuckin' slam it onstage and I need a hot as hell pickup to give my amp a kick in the ass

Comments: Tunrs your guitar into a fuckin' monster. Forget the active EMG crap, put this fucker in and crank it! Kicks your amp's ass into the thrash zone. Molten metal. Keep slammin' it bros..

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 13 ohms

Model of guitar or bass: strat copy
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock washburn
Other pickups on guitar: 2 carvin h60's. Stacked humbuckers
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock and Blues
Reason for pickup change: wimpy stock pickup

Perceived output level: high output. more than the paf pro.
Tone: mid peak, good bass and less highs
Sonic evaluation: washburn strat copy and pv rage 158 combo

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: rock/metal -good match . blues-alittle to much but ok. good for bridge only

Comments: If stolen I would replace. I've been playing for 7 years. I also own a zoom 505, a Q tube combo amp, a dano dist pedal, a Schecter
T-1 and a Pv t-60.