Product: Dragonfire Zebra
Price Paid: US $18
Submitted
01/18/2005
at
03:57pm
by
Johnny Z
Features
:
Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: Split coil 8/16 ohm
Instrument
:
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Bridge
Other pickups on guitar: Stock neck and Dragonfire Texas Blues middle position
Artists using this pickup: I don't know any yet, but they will soon!
You musical style(s): Vintage Rock, Blues and Finger Style Jazz, Some Country
Reason for pickup change: This guitar is my backup Strat, I wanted it to be able to cover all my needs, It's hotrodded to fit most my playing styles.
Sound
:
No Opinion
Perceived output level: High output, strong midrange crunch. A bit louder than the Texas Blues in the middle position which is louder than the stock neck pup. In the cut coil position it is bright enough to surf with The Ventures and just twangy enough to chicken pick all night in Nashville.
Tone: Here is the secret to good tone with this pickup, be sure you have a reverse polarity pickup in the middle. Put the cream half of the pickup next to the bridge the single coil side 8 ohms (red wire) you want the middle pup poles reverse polarity of the neck and bridge pups also helps with hum-canceling. The white wire is the hot 16 ohm side so put in a switch and have both, I like the push/pull type.
Sonic evaluation: I use this guitar with a '75 Fender Twin Reverb and a '99 Blues Jr. Sometimes effects, delay and some overdrive, this pickup almost overdrives its self, good for Lead work and ZZ Top stuff.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I mostly play Rock on this guitar but have used for Blues and even a little Jazz, but I have a better guitar for Jazz so this is my backup for most everything.
Overall Rating
:
10
Comments: I couldn't think of a better pickup at any price. I've used tons of combinations of setups and spent way more on lesser pickups ovet the last 25 years. I'm glad I found these. I wouldn't use it for Jazz but it is a great rock pup and it really sounds good clean through my Twin. Reminds me of a DiMarzio Super Distortion I had in a BC Rich back in the 80's. If you want to save some money this is a great value, I plan to buy another, maybe a set for my next project guitar.
