Dimarzio Super 3 (DP-152) Picking Feeding back a lot

D1m3b4g2 · #1 10-18-2009, 05:23 PM

Hi

I play a customised Jem with a Dimarzio Super 3 pickup, from what I can see it's the hottest pickup going from Dimarzio with a whopping 25k ohm DC resistance and a 435 (anyone know the units dimarzio use to quantify this number?) on the chart, compared to a 404 for the evolution bridge.

One thing I've noticed with the pickup is the level of feedback created by it is stupid, not harmonic feedback, nothing useful, just a horrible high pitched scream that appears the second nothing is played on the instrument.

Switch to the neck pickup on the guitar (sd full shred neck) and we have silence when I'm not playing. Stick a fender strat with hotrails into the same setup, silence when nothing is played. It's pretty much garaunteed to be the pickup.

Two things, one could this be the wiring? I wired the SD into the thing but I've not ever looked at in detail or wired the DP-152, it was already in there when I got the guitar. Could "bad wiring" cause this issue? I'm not convinced bad grounding or wiring would be the cause of screeching feedback but I'm not an expert, so let me know.

Another suggestion was perhaps the pickup was old and had become microphonic to the environment and may need repotting? Again I'm not sure if this would create nasty feedback. So perhaps a new super 3 would work? I do love the tone and hotness it gives with the harmonics.

Or, option number 2 is the pickup just too rediculously hot and you good people out there think I should just buy another pickup and go for that option? I was considering putting normal evo bridge into the thing, or maybe a full shred bridge pickup to compliment the neck.

So, any suggestions plz?

Paul

barbarelaxe · #2 10-18-2009, 05:29 PM

There must be something wrong with the pickup or the wiring. I'm using a super 3 as well and theres no such problem. even at a pretty high volume for a bedroom, sitting in front of the amp, with a lot of gain there is no unwanted feedback.
And there is no noticable volume change when I switch to the evolution in the neck.

MarkE · #3 10-18-2009, 05:31 PM

Terrible, screechy feedback does suggest a microphonic pickup, yes. Time to boil up some wax...

D1m3b4g2 · #4 10-18-2009, 05:43 PM

Ah so screechy feedback suggests the pickup may be microphonic... bugger, thanks for the quick reply

I'm not entirely sure where this leaves me, I've never repotted a pickup before although I should imagine it would be potentially easy enough to dip a pickup in, although I may just shell out for a new one.

Just for info, it's a custom jem going into a POD XT Live as a pre-amp then the clean channel of a marshall TSL 100. The clean channel IS being driven as well as the pre-amp but I've found this matters not if the pickup is decent! Plus I get all sorts of nice overtones and screams

However, it's only nice when you can control it

Having to switch to the neck pickup to play bits and bobs just to cut the feedback is rather disheartening.

MarkE · #5 10-18-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D1m3b4g2

I'm not entirely sure where this leaves me, I've never repotted a pickup before although I should imagine it would be potentially easy enough to dip a pickup in, although I may just shell out for a new one.

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/dip.htm

Got to be worth a go - if it doesn't work then you can buy a new pickup as you say. If it does work - bonus, you saved £70.

toneboy · #6 10-18-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D1m3b4g2

I play a customised Jem with a Dimarzio Super 3 pickup, from what I can see it's the hottest pickup going from Dimarzio with a whopping 25k ohm DC resistance and a 435 (anyone know the units dimarzio use to quantify this number?) on the chart, compared to a 404 for the evolution bridge.

Dimarzio makes pickups with more output. The X2N is at the top with the D-Activator X bridge coming in 2nd and the D-Activator Bridge coming in 3rd.

Dimarzio measures the output of their pickups in millivolts which is the only accurate way to actually measure output - in voltage.

Thrash · #7 10-19-2009, 11:04 PM

My Super 3 is quiet, don't give up on the Model, try a new one. I'd check with Dimarzio, they can be pretty good at replacing them.

D1m3b4g2 · #8 10-21-2009, 04:56 AM

toneboy, yah I did notice there were higher output pickups after writing that before
I've actually got 3 xiphos guitars with the d-activators in them and they've never screeched at me quite like that before.

I did however give up a little and go for a set of standard evos and a new centre pickup... when I read that the super 3 is a pickup designed for mid scoop it had to go to be honest, I play in a very iron maiden esque sounding band (or at least I use this guitar in that particular band) so a pickup with mid scoops in mind isn't really what I'm after.

Regardless, the final result is attached, thanks for all your help.
I might give that guide a go to repot the super 3

http://www.dimebag.me.uk/Jems/Swirl/DSCN1047.JPG
http://www.dimebag.me.uk/Jems/Swirl/DSCN1049.JPG

toshiro · #9 10-21-2009, 11:35 AM

Sounds like there was something seriously wrong with either the pickup or the wiring.

I wouldn't say the Super 3 is designed with mid scoops in mind. It just has tons and tons of mids, so that if you do scoop a bit it's not going to make everything all hollow.

Oh well, you seem to like brighter pickups like the D-Activator and Evolution, so the S-3 probably just wasn't for you.