Having owned and played Dimarzio Super Distortions from the 70s through today, I can say there is absolutely no difference in sound, just buy a new one and save a ton of money
Thank you very much for sharing your stories! This video gives me confidence and peace of mind that my guitar got good ones, so I can focus more on the things outside the guitar. My Tokai LS-120V 1981 (MIJ Les Paul clone) has 2 of DP103 as original equipment. I have played the guitar since 1982. I like the tones and flexibility very much as I play funk, jazz, fusion and some rock and blues. So many stories of replacement PAF type pups always make me wonder if I ever change the original DiMarzio's with such hand-made boutique premium pups, then I can get closer "burst" sound. But whenever I look at my baby, the pups are really part of the guitar with good memories, so I can't take them apart. Rather I am digging in my sound by different ways, amp setting, pedals, shield cables, or even power cable of amp, and of course my own picking / fingering techniques. There are so many potential factors to exhaust before jumping on changing the pups.
Of the other pickups from earlier in the video, which are your next favourites? I would think the Gib '57 Classics would give the old Dim DP103's a run for their money?
Which begs the question. Why can't Dimarzio make them like they used to? Anyway, I found my sweet spot with the Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates set. Love them. I also have an MIJ Epiphone with a recent 36th PAF set, which has the DP103 in the neck. The neck sounds pretty good by itself but I hate the middle and bridge positions. I'm going to either put another DP103 in the bridge or just change them out entirely for something else.
I recently bought a B.C. Rich Seagull that has the same pickup config as your Westbury; DP103 in the neck and a DP100 in the bridge. There were very few of these Seagulls made, and at least half of them left the shop with Guild pickups. I never cared much for the Guilds so I was jazzed that this example was built with DiMarzios. Now, after hearing that this combo is your choice of pickups; Wow, I'm set!!
The super distortion 2 had alot less output then the super distortion . It designed with a bright eq and being lower in output and having a ceramic magnet makes its very bright in some guitars . Its nakes a killer neck pickup and a great middle pickup for a 3 pickup les paul custom.
The Super 2 is a great neck pickup. I love it. But I'd never use it in the bridge. I pair it with a Super Distortion, Dual Sound, Super 3, D Activator X, or X2N.
I got a fantastic deal on some ~70s Dimarzio pickups for my jazz bass (Mexi Fender, 60th anniv) a few years ago. They were even cream colored as I wanted. And they absolutely transformed that bass. Zero hum at any blend of volume settings and such a sweet, musical, big tone. I plan on trying some DiMarzios in my HH Tele "Bass VI" soon, since the stock pickups are super muddy.
The super distortion in the bridge and super 2 in neck is a killer combo . Jerry garcia used both super distortion and the super 2 . Some of his guitars had dimarzio dual sound pickups which was a super distortion that could be coil split latter on he started using the super 2 in some guitars
How you doing my man? First time watching your video and great stuff. I have a 1998 Gibson R9 with a monster flame top that wants to reach out and burn you 😁. My guitar has Lindy Fralin modern paf pickups unpotted A4 magnets on it and RS 50s wiring in it. I love the sound very much clean but the distortion is ok but not quite happy. I play a lot of 80s rock,hard rock, metal, and thrash metal. Of course I have metal guitars for that type of music but when playing Scorpions, Dio, kiss,and so on my metal guitars are meant to play metal. My R9 comes close to does Scorpions tones but not close. So I purchased a set of Dimarzio super distortion for bridge and paf pro for neck. I've never played Dimarzio pickups before so will be a great fit? Sorry for such a long comment but it seems like a lot of people with custom shop R9 think that it should be left alone original.
As a matter of fact. Historically in the 70’s that was the most popular swap. Listen to Ozzy / Randy tracks to get a feel for that tone. It was a custom but a good tone demo for those pups!
@@USTTRM my man thank you so much you for your response and I'm going to pull the trigger. If for some reason I can't bond with them I can always go back 😄👍🏼
been browsing ebay and reverb for these...the 80's 90's are affordable and have plastic coated wires, the 70's are closer to 3oobux and have braided wires...is there a difference??? how do they sound in a les paul wish you would have demoed...thanks man
At one point a 59 paf were going for 5000 dollars a piece the ones from 61 for 2000 grand are less desirable than the ones from 59 becuase by 61 changes were made to them. The paf from 61 are identical in spec to the early patent sticker pickups from 1962 and early 63. You can get 62 and 63 patent number pickups for much less than 2000 a piece . You can get sets of early patent number pickups for 1200 to 1500 a set and the only difftemce between them and the 1961 paf is the sticker on the bottom.
I've been happy enough with my stock pickups on my guitars, I don't know what any of them are, if I'm after a certain tone I grab a certain guitar. I have 3 guitars with active pickups and just don't play them. Not a hater of actives but for whatever reason I'm just never looking for those tones, go figure. I'm definitely not going down the pickups rabbit hole, I would be stuck indefinitely, LOL :)
Yes I have a bass with active pickups and never use it either. AP design was another outcome of the 1970s drive to get more output out of the instrument, one that you either love or hate.
Yes those old DP103 PAFs are great - is it you who keeps out-bidding me on eBay?? The new DP103 is really a Mk2, I don't know if it's better but it's not *the same*.
Not sure why your autofocus keeps doing some strange stuff - unless it is following your hand. I wish I had a suggestion to fix that. I think Brad may have had a similar issue once upon a time, and he may know how to fix that. Sorry I don't know how to mention that privately instead of public comments.
No, its worth pointing out. Yeah it driving me nuts, after a bit of online consulting I have been informed that I need to buy another lighting rig to do something like this \_/ with the bottom line being me and the side lines being a light source. I will figure it out and I apologize to all for it!
Ok well I hate ceramic pickups I get a guitar with them I immediately toss them in the trash. However I have this tele partscaster HH birdseye maple neck and fingerboard, mahogany body with you guessed it birds eye maple cap 3 tone sunburst. I have les Paul's and usa strats and teles a PRS, a few gretschs I love them all but I keep coming back to this Frankenstein parts-caster with aftermarket pickups. I will get a new guitar and the parts-caster goes in the case and probably for like a year or so. Then I do my routine pull out all the guitars clean and restring them all (gotta plug them in briefly too) And what oh out comes the parts-caster I plug it straight into my 2204 and an hour goes by what the F*** lol I hate ceramic pickups with a passion they just have no life but guess what's in my parts-caster? Yup possibly a 1st year run because it has square ears and NO label on the back so 1971-72?? DIMARZIO DP100 (which is a F***ing ceramic pickup) in the bridge and a 1992 Dimarzio from hell in the neck position (alnico5 magnet) MY LORD that is a match made in heaven. From blistering hell's bell AC/DC to looking out for number one BTO straight into my 2204 out to a 1960b 412 no gates EQs pedals nothing. Simply the guitar and amp. IF You have never used a dimarzio humbucker from hell and you like your 103s man o man for fun drop a vintage DP156 humbucker from hell in the neck of your next les paul style HH build forget the SD2 I'm telling you it will be your next new love affair pickup combination. I cant speak for the new reproductions I have never owned one but my 1992-3 DP156 is awesome in the neck. And hey it like a dp100 or 103 wont break your wallet lol Cheers I hate ceramic pickups but I do agree dimarzio got it right in the 70s with DP100 whether it be materials or how they constructed them the new dp100s sound like crap in comparison
The quest for tone is never finished!
Thank you JP for help shaping today's episode!
@@USTTRM my pleasure and privilege
i realize I'm kinda randomly asking but do anybody know a good place to watch new series online ?
@Keegan Heath flixportal =)
@Atticus Johan thanks, I went there and it seems to work :) I really appreciate it !!
Having owned and played Dimarzio Super Distortions from the 70s through today, I can say there is absolutely no difference in sound, just buy a new one and save a ton of money
If you like whatcha see, like and share it! I and my cat thank you!
Master Class! Thanks for sharing your experience and opinion, Real Talk, Common Sense advice here. Thanks again!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you very much for sharing your stories! This video gives me confidence and peace of mind that my guitar got good ones, so I can focus more on the things outside the guitar. My Tokai LS-120V 1981 (MIJ Les Paul clone) has 2 of DP103 as original equipment. I have played the guitar since 1982. I like the tones and flexibility very much as I play funk, jazz, fusion and some rock and blues. So many stories of replacement PAF type pups always make me wonder if I ever change the original DiMarzio's with such hand-made boutique premium pups, then I can get closer "burst" sound. But whenever I look at my baby, the pups are really part of the guitar with good memories, so I can't take them apart. Rather I am digging in my sound by different ways, amp setting, pedals, shield cables, or even power cable of amp, and of course my own picking / fingering techniques. There are so many potential factors to exhaust before jumping on changing the pups.
Thanks for your watching!
Of the other pickups from earlier in the video, which are your next favourites?
I would think the Gib '57 Classics would give the old Dim DP103's a run for their money?
Which begs the question. Why can't Dimarzio make them like they used to? Anyway, I found my sweet spot with the Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates set. Love them.
I also have an MIJ Epiphone with a recent 36th PAF set, which has the DP103 in the neck. The neck sounds pretty good by itself but I hate the middle and bridge positions. I'm going to either put another DP103 in the bridge or just change them out entirely for something else.
Vaughn Skow, out of Nashville (and here on TH-cam) does some "custom vintage" winding as well and has some comparison videos.
I recently bought a B.C. Rich Seagull that has the same pickup config as your Westbury; DP103 in the neck and a DP100 in the bridge. There were very few of these Seagulls made, and at least half of them left the shop with Guild pickups. I never cared much for the Guilds so I was jazzed that this example was built with DiMarzios. Now, after hearing that this combo is your choice of pickups; Wow, I'm set!!
The super distortion 2 had alot less output then the super distortion . It designed with a bright eq and being lower in output and having a ceramic magnet makes its very bright in some guitars . Its nakes a killer neck pickup and a great middle pickup for a 3 pickup les paul custom.
The Super 2 is a great neck pickup. I love it. But I'd never use it in the bridge. I pair it with a Super Distortion, Dual Sound, Super 3, D Activator X, or X2N.
@@angusorvid8840 I have super 2 in my bridge and it's very bright and very tight, it might not be my final choice but it's really fun for a while.
Hi wots the output of the pickups in your copper top les Paul??
7.6 range.
Cool. I have a 70’s dimarzio single coil in the bridge of my strat. Sounds great
I got a fantastic deal on some ~70s Dimarzio pickups for my jazz bass (Mexi Fender, 60th anniv) a few years ago. They were even cream colored as I wanted. And they absolutely transformed that bass. Zero hum at any blend of volume settings and such a sweet, musical, big tone.
I plan on trying some DiMarzios in my HH Tele "Bass VI" soon, since the stock pickups are super muddy.
Yes I forgot to mention the low noise of these pickups!
@@USTTRM any suggestion on a pair for my "Bass VI"? Definitely a Super 2 sounds like a winner, but not sure for the other one.
I put a one as my bridge pickup on my tele in 1975. It sounds awesome..bottom 3 strings are really clean and fat.
The super distortion in the bridge and super 2 in neck is a killer combo . Jerry garcia used both super distortion and the super 2 . Some of his guitars had dimarzio dual sound pickups which was a super distortion that could be coil split latter on he started using the super 2 in some guitars
Great comment. I use same pickup set and play hard rock to metal.
How you doing my man? First time watching your video and great stuff. I have a 1998 Gibson R9 with a monster flame top that wants to reach out and burn you 😁. My guitar has Lindy Fralin modern paf pickups unpotted A4 magnets on it and RS 50s wiring in it. I love the sound very much clean but the distortion is ok but not quite happy. I play a lot of 80s rock,hard rock, metal, and thrash metal. Of course I have metal guitars for that type of music but when playing Scorpions, Dio, kiss,and so on my metal guitars are meant to play metal. My R9 comes close to does Scorpions tones but not close. So I purchased a set of Dimarzio super distortion for bridge and paf pro for neck. I've never played Dimarzio pickups before so will be a great fit? Sorry for such a long comment but it seems like a lot of people with custom shop R9 think that it should be left alone original.
Absolutely. One of the things that made these popular is their versatility. Welcome to the party by the way!
As a matter of fact. Historically in the 70’s that was the most popular swap. Listen to Ozzy / Randy tracks to get a feel for that tone. It was a custom but a good tone demo for those pups!
@@USTTRM my man thank you so much you for your response and I'm going to pull the trigger. If for some reason I can't bond with them I can always go back 😄👍🏼
EXCELLENT VIDEO, glad I found your channel I subscribed.
been browsing ebay and reverb for these...the 80's 90's are affordable and have plastic coated wires, the 70's are closer to 3oobux and have braided wires...is there a difference??? how do they sound in a les paul wish you would have demoed...thanks man
At one point a 59 paf were going for 5000 dollars a piece the ones from 61 for 2000 grand are less desirable than the ones from 59 becuase by 61 changes were made to them. The paf from 61 are identical in spec to the early patent sticker pickups from 1962 and early 63. You can get 62 and 63 patent number pickups for much less than 2000 a piece . You can get sets of early patent number pickups for 1200 to 1500 a set and the only difftemce between them and the 1961 paf is the sticker on the bottom.
Did I just loose an Ebay auction to you?
Would be cool the hear the thing
fantastic presentation
Thanks for the visit
I've been happy enough with my stock pickups on my guitars, I don't know what any of them are, if I'm after a certain tone I grab a certain guitar. I have 3 guitars with active pickups and just don't play them. Not a hater of actives but for whatever reason I'm just never looking for those tones, go figure. I'm definitely not going down the pickups rabbit hole, I would be stuck indefinitely, LOL :)
Yes I have a bass with active pickups and never use it either. AP design was another outcome of the 1970s
drive to get more output out of the instrument, one that you either love or hate.
@@USTTRM I like the idea but it just has not been practical for me, :)
i have a aria pro 2 ( cardinal) from matsumoku ( near same shape than your guitar ) and there is dimarzio too ! very cool guitar !
Yes I know that one! Very cool guitar! What year is it?
@@USTTRM mine is from 1981 !
Yes those old DP103 PAFs are great - is it you who keeps out-bidding me on eBay?? The new DP103 is really a Mk2, I don't know if it's better but it's not *the same*.
Doyle Coils Rule Supreme..
Not sure why your autofocus keeps doing some strange stuff - unless it is following your hand. I wish I had a suggestion to fix that. I think Brad may have had a similar issue once upon a time, and he may know how to fix that. Sorry I don't know how to mention that privately instead of public comments.
No, its worth pointing out. Yeah it driving me nuts, after a bit of online consulting I have been informed that I need to buy another lighting rig to do something like this \_/ with the bottom line being me and the side lines being a light source. I will figure it out and I apologize to all for it!
Hey Mike! Great video. This is a piece of really good knowledge share. Where can I get some T.J PUP's I bet they would be purrfect...
Actually he is trying to collect enough whiskers to get 5000 winds on a bobbin...
@@USTTRM LOL
I like em old dimarzio in double cream.
wtf man, 15 minutes and no demo at all? lame
Ok well I hate ceramic pickups I get a guitar with them I immediately toss them in the trash.
However
I have this tele partscaster HH birdseye maple neck and fingerboard, mahogany body with you guessed it birds eye maple cap 3 tone sunburst. I have les Paul's and usa strats and teles a PRS, a few gretschs I love them all but I keep coming back to this Frankenstein parts-caster with aftermarket pickups. I will get a new guitar and the parts-caster goes in the case and probably for like a year or so. Then I do my routine pull out all the guitars clean and restring them all
(gotta plug them in briefly too)
And what oh out comes the parts-caster I plug it straight into my 2204 and an hour goes by what the F*** lol
I hate ceramic pickups with a passion they just have no life but guess what's in my parts-caster? Yup possibly a 1st year run because it has square ears and NO label on the back so 1971-72?? DIMARZIO DP100 (which is a F***ing ceramic pickup) in the bridge and a 1992 Dimarzio from hell in the neck position (alnico5 magnet) MY LORD that is a match made in heaven.
From blistering hell's bell AC/DC to looking out for number one BTO straight into my 2204 out to a 1960b 412 no gates EQs pedals nothing. Simply the guitar and amp.
IF
You have never used a dimarzio humbucker from hell and you like your 103s man o man for fun drop a vintage DP156 humbucker from hell in the neck of your next les paul style HH build forget the SD2 I'm telling you it will be your next new love affair pickup combination.
I cant speak for the new reproductions I have never owned one but my 1992-3 DP156 is awesome in the neck. And hey it like a dp100 or 103 wont break your wallet lol
Cheers
I hate ceramic pickups but I do agree dimarzio got it right in the 70s with DP100 whether it be materials or how they constructed them the new dp100s sound like crap in comparison