DiMarzio Super 3 DP-152F

[Crazy_Guitar]

I'm thinking of replacing the DiMarzio Tone Zone in my J-Custom RG for a brighter pickup.
I thought of the Super 3. I know it's high output, but I might set it up lower.

What do you think?

[Crazy_Guitar]

C'mon guys! 36 views and no replies?

[Shredragrammaton]

Hey bro

Im also considering a super 2/ super 3 in the neck position on my charvel , and a superdistortion in the bridge.

Cant say ive tried them , but ive played through a tonezone and air norton for a few months. Didnt like the tonezone, kindof muddy attack.

But yea as soon as i get them ill let you know, good luck !

[Crazy_Guitar]

Thanks Shredragrammaton!

[toshiro]

I wouldn't say the Super 3 is brighter than a Tone Zone. It's tighter and way more compressed. In fact it the most compressed sounding pickup I've ever owned, even more than some actives.

I do like the Super 3 though, don't get me wrong.

If you're looking for something similar, but less compression and more highs, The Breed Bridge would fit the bill perfectly.

[Crazy_Guitar]

Not really. I'm looking for a brighter pickup than the TZ. And with added dynamics, like the Evo 2 or the Duncan JB.
Wouldn't want to repeat these pickups, too...

The Breed might be an option, actually!
What about the Evolution bridge, direct mount? D-Sonic? Crunch Lab?

[toshiro]

I don't like the Evo, too shrill, and the JB is too wooly, so not much opinion there..

Maybe a Norton? They used to advertise it as a mix of a Tone Zone and a Fred. It's definitely brighter with more touch control.

[D1m3b4g2]

I used a Super 3 in a custom guitar for a while now, it was actually fairly decent but you have to take note of what it says on the Dimarzio site, what the features of the tone actually are.

It says on there that if you're planning on cutting mids with a big scoop the pickup is great for big bottom end and high trebble. If that is what you're after it's a great pickup, sadly I'm in a band where I require a lot of cutting mids so it's not suitable and I've gone back to the original evolutions.

I thought the harmonics and the brights were very, very similar to the evo, if not a bit brighter on the top end (hence the stronger prescence of the trebble), but one thing I did notice was the pickup would not cut through quite as well as the evo because it lacks a little power and clarity around middle...

If you're playing in a nu metal style band where the guitar lines are booming chords and rhythm, maybe bottom end riff driven with a bit of solos going on the super 3 will be great. However if you want more of an "english" tone dont bother. For a good mid sound to the guitar, if it needs to cut through the mix of other guitar to solo or just for greater mid prescence, I wouldnt recommend it.

[toshiro]

Originally Posted by D1m3b4g2

I used a Super 3 in a custom guitar for a while now, it was actually fairly decent but you have to take note of what it says on the Dimarzio site, what the features of the tone actually are.

It says on there that if you're planning on cutting mids with a big scoop the pickup is great for big bottom end and high trebble. If that is what you're after it's a great pickup, sadly I'm in a band where I require a lot of cutting mids so it's not suitable and I've gone back to the original evolutions.

I thought the harmonics and the brights were very, very similar to the evo, if not a bit brighter on the top end (hence the stronger prescence of the trebble), but one thing I did notice was the pickup would not cut through quite as well as the evo because it lacks a little power and clarity around middle...

If you're playing in a nu metal style band where the guitar lines are booming chords and rhythm, maybe bottom end riff driven with a bit of solos going on the super 3 will be great. However if you want more of an "english" tone dont bother. For a good mid sound to the guitar, if it needs to cut through the mix of other guitar to solo or just for greater mid prescence, I wouldnt recommend it.

I don't scoop very hard if at all, and have none of the issues you have with the Super 3. Mine is also a very dark pickup, almost like a neck pickup tone in the highs, absolutely nothing like an Evolution... It's almost exactly like a Breed, only more compressed with higher output and slightly less highs.

Really, this is more about your amp than the pickup, I would say. If you're running something like a Mesa this is not the pickup for you.

Definitely not a numetal pickup, IMO. Every last endorsed Dimarzio user of it is a lead player. The actual Dimarzio line is: "The Super 3™ pickup’s smooth highs allow you to turn up your amp's treble and presence without fear of thinning out your sound, and the crunchy mids ensure you won't get lost in the mix."

[Crazy_Guitar]

I'm running a Carvin Quad-X Amp and a Peavey Classic 50/50.
That's kinda close, tonewise, to a M/B Mk.4.

I got really curious about the Breed! That's mainly because I'm not very much into "megavoltage monsters". I'd prefer a low high-output pickup. (Get the picture? )

D1m3b4g2: I love the JB! Currently, I have 3 JBs on other guitars. It's my 2nd favourite pickup, right afther the Evo 2.

I wish I could do an A/B between the Breed and the Super 3... but I guess I'll just have to choose!

[AKJC1977]

Ya know guys this is all just good proof that guitar makers should offer on their mid to upper level guitars any pickup combination that the individual desire's to the public (average Jo Player) available for no big custom charge taking in consideration that the pickups are within the average cost. And if ya want to pay a bit more for say active or custom handwound that is your option. They would still be making their killing as they get all that stuff at or well below wholesale. The tiny amount of trouble and cost would set that company way apart. I wish I owned one, Everyone knows if ya treat everyone special word spreads quick. Just my opinion. AKJC

[racerevlon]

The Super 3 is my bridge pickup of choice--just like the Dimarzio site says, it's like a Super Distortion with an EQ curve that favors metal instead of rock. I've got just about every Dimarzio pickup in one guitar or another--have you checked out the new Crunch Lab? I've got it in the bridge of an RG (with the accompanying LiquiFire neck model) and they sound awesome through everything so far. I'll be doing a review, so stay tuned.

[Thrash]

I have owned all the pickups spoke of in this thread, many in the same guitar (except crunch lab). The Super 3 is very tight, compressed and has enough highs, it's not the (Dark Pickup) everyone says it is. It is closer to an Evo than it is a Breed. I have it in a Gibson Explorer and a Super Distortion in a Gibson V. The SD has more bottom and is more open. Super 3 tighter, more compressed, great for tight prog ot thrash and lead work.

I like both pups. I think you may want to look at a super distortion or an evo 2, both would be a bit brighter than a tone zone. Norton would be a good choice if you didn't want a higher output model.

[Shreddy Krueger]

Is your J Custom basswood?

I've had good luck with the Super 3, it's not a bright pickup at all though...

Like racerevlon said it's EQ's mor more metal so you can crank your treble & bass more. Especially if you scoop your mids alot it brings back alot of the life in the midrange of your tone..