DiMarzio D Activator Humbucker Set BlackFor 43mm Nut (1-11/16")

Comments about DiMarzio D Activator Humbucker Set:

I recently bought a set of these D Activators for a lower model Ibanez RG I own to replace the stock V7 and V8 humbuckers that came in the guitar (which werent bad to be honest)due to me wanting more growl,high end and volume. These fit the bill perfectly and have added some brightness to a basswood guitar. I cant say enough about the tone and definition that comes out of these. They burn through the red channel on my Mesa Rectifier but another thing they do real well is sound great clean! Just a great set that has plenty of thump. Well done Dimarzio and thank you MF for great service as always!

Comments about DiMarzio D Activator Humbucker Set:

I bought this set of pickups to replace the stock Alnico pickups in my mahogany body Epiphone Les Paul Standard. The pickups that come with the Epis are nothing to complain about but more of a "jack of all trades, master of none" type deal.

I play a lot of metal, specifically melodic death metal, and wanted to get as close as I could do that classic Gothenburg sound while still using passive pickups and not being stuck with just one sound (as I do play a wide variety of genres as well).

I have always admired Ibanez guitars and noticed that, when not using their own pickups, generally go with DiMarzio, so, I decided to check them out as my starting point.

Well, you can see where my ending point was. After a long talk with some of the guys over at the DiMarzio forums, I came to the conclusion to try these out. The only other DiMarzios I was interested in getting would have been the PAF 36th and the Crunch Lab or a set of Dominions. However, both, I felt, were a little too strong in the lower spectrum. The Les Paul stock pickups that I already had (at least the bridge) was too bassy to begin with and I wanted to get a more mid to high, hot sound. I love my mids and I love my highs, and these have both.

The only other pickup that I was considering getting would have been a set of Seymour Duncan Distortions but I felt these were not quite as dynamic.

I had my techie install them for me so, I cannot comment on the installation but I assume it was a breeze and even he complimented on the nice hot sound they had. Pinch harmonics pickup very easily now and the sustain lasts tremendously longer than my old pickups. The neck pickup is very hot and mainly the only one I play on (as I play lead) but that's how it was with my old set any way. I do play on the middle sometimes and it almost has a hot single-coil sound with more fullness. The bridge pickup is very good for rhythm but was a little bassier than I expected so not too tremendously good for hot, screaming leads, but definitely good for hammer-on rolls and sweep picking.

These pickups are also very articulate and clean. I can strum a full chord with the gain cranked up and still distinguish each individual note while still retaining heat and distortion. Bassy trilled notes are very articulate and do not get lost in the mix, and notes have a lot of punch to them.

I will say that these are still a jack-of-all-trades style pickup but much more skilled in certain areas than my previous ones. I am very happy with them and have no regrets at all. I would easily stick these in my next guitar. If you are looking for something hot, articulate, punchy, but still like playing a slightly wider range of genres, I think you can't go wrong here, especially for the price. With a coupon and a sale, I paid about 100$ for these here as opposed to being twice that much normally. I do not think I could have got a better deal.

Thank you for excellent pickups, DiMarzio.

Comments about DiMarzio D Activator Humbucker Set:

I bought these to replace the stock pickups in my RGD320 (Ibanez's VK series pickups, pretty weak for my tastes) I had replaced the stock ones in my 7-string S series with the Crunch Lab and LiquiFire, but decided I wanted something with a little more bite, scream, and overall output than those two this time, so I decided to try the D Activators.

Holy cow! My RGD320 went from a lifeless dud to a SCREAMER! Lots of output, which is something I like. The installation is just as involved as any other pickup swap, so be prepared for some soldering.

The bridge pickup has some serious bite and amazing clarity for how high-gain it is. The low end is beautifully tight, never muddies up. The neck pickup has welcome warmth while still retaining pick dynamics and articulation. It's a beautiful pair, really.

I play and record professionally, everything from Pink Floyd to Joe Satriani to Metallica to Meshuggah, and I feel like these pickups can cover it all. Definitely made the RDG stage- and studio-ready in my book.

Comments about DiMarzio D Activator Humbucker Set:

I like the packaging, plastic jewel cases, they came each in their own jewel case, and were clearly marked F Spaces, and were shrinked wraped together.
These pickups have a wide open brite powerful sound, they do not seem warm to me at all. I compare them to an EMG 81/60 as not being as warm smooth, but more choppy high mids. they are even more brite and choppy then then a a Super 3, to me they I don't like them as much as my EMG 81/60, or DiMarzio Super 3/H 3,

If you are looking for a metal sound, and I mean literally make the guitar sound as though it was made of metal, then these are for you... If yopu want a smooth growl I suggest the EMG 81/60, or Dimarzio Super 3 / and maybe an evo neck IDK..

If you want a Pantera Dime sound, these are not for you... I suggest a lower mid range pup for that.. maybe a d Activator X IDK.
These pickups have no flaw, they sound great, if you like the fore mentioned features I rated.. the qualite is spot on, wired up great, no lack of wire. Coil were wound great. even came with an allen/hex wrench to remove studs.. also came with mounting screws, and springs.
Well worth the savings vs. buying seperately.. as a combe you can't go wrong.

Comments about DiMarzio D Activator Humbucker Set:

I'm an active guatarist and about to be playing on stage again... So glad I'll be performing with the D Activators! I strongly prefer and reccomend the D Activators over any active pick ups due to the soulful feel, tonality and ritchness of depth; From B.B. King to Cannibal Corpse, to finding that tone you've been searching for for years, you CAN achieve that with the D activators!!! Great job Dimarzio!!!

-Trey Brown
Huntsville, AL
I'd give them 11 stars if I could... LOL..These are great pick ups! Been practicing music for 17 years... These are some of the BEST pick ups out there for high gain and clean styles of music. I own an Agile 3000 Prestige... Mahagony body and neck... Ebony fret board.

The D Activators really utilize the tonality of the mahagony. A full, organic sound.. Works well with light overdriven tones, crisp cleans, and high gain tones.. Great looking pick ups as well....
The D Activators are truly toneful and inspiring.... Utilizing the string reverberation through the mahagony, sustain for days... I'm a Death Metal Head but I enjoy classic blues as well. The D Activators allow me to enjoy the best of both these worlds.. Rolling the volume and tone knobs backs produce an amazing soulful tone... Very organic and smooth.. High gain distortion remains smooth, articulate... Great harmonics, natural and pinch... Chest thumping low end as well if you wish.Cleans are warm yet crisp. Clear and responsive with sensitivity to touch... Depending on your amp set up...
For the price you are going to get A LOT more than you think... A great deal.. the full tonal pakage..

Comments about DiMarzio D Activator Humbucker Set:

I bought this pickup to replace the Duncan Designed pickups in a Jackson KVX10 I had bought. The original ones sounded weak and really maded the guitar sound lousy when played alomng with some of the higher end guitars I own. The D Activators make this guitar sound incredible. I highly recomend them for anyone looking for a pickup that is going to sound good distorted. Also for anyone who is wondering how hard it is to replace your own pickups, this was the first time I ever touched a soldering iron and while it did take me a while to do it is absolutely something you can do yourself. I would recomend having a second set of hands around since my biggest problem we holding everythign togather while I tried to solder it.

Comments about DiMarzio D Activator Humbucker Set:

Great look, awesome tone, great price, get it. You won't be disappointed. P.S. It only comes with the humbuckers and wires for it, as well as an instruction paper for installing.
These pickups are the best. They fit in basicly every genre of music. The cleans are very, basicly, straight up clean. With little distortion, it gives a 70's type of tone for rock and roll. With full on distortion, it gives heavy chuggs and riffs and still gives clarity in chords. Use both humbuckers for an alternative type sound.
For these high output ceramic humbuckers at this price, its a great value.