I plan to get the
D Sonic for my Schecter C-1 eventually. As for DiMarzio I also got a Breed in the bridge of my Ibanez MFM2.
I had a D Activator X lying around, which I never used, so I sold it to our lead guitarist.
He installed it in a cheap Jackson Strat style starter's model, dunno which wood it's made of. It'd probably be way better in something more expensive, but for what I can tell the pickup sounds very cutting, even though the DiMarzio chart only says 4/10 on treble. A little muddy and undefined with high gain settings when playing rather unusual chord voicings, but gives a nice chug for palm muted power chords.
No ice-pickey sound on soloing, cause the treble is pretty smooth.
The D Sonic has less output, more treble, sounds brighter and more open. It'll probably retain more clarity under high gain mode than the D-A X.
You most likely know that installing the D Sonic with the solid bar towards bridge is recommended for rhythm and down-tuning, while polepieces towards bridge is recommended for a more solo-orientated playing.
I don't really like the band, but listen to the song "Don't Stay" by Linkin Park on YouTube or something. That song was recorded with the D Sonic.
I think that both pickups would suit your needs, but personally I'd go with the D Sonic, cause it's not too overpowering. But that's just me.
Also check out the Breed bridge model! It sounds fat and its midrange focus makes for singing leads. Maybe it'd be a bit too warm sounding for your tastes, though (at least in a mahogany axe like mine). But an overall great humbucker!
