DiMarzio question

[Scooter]

Hey guys, A friend of mine more or less gave me a set of pickups, and I'm going to try them out in my DXMG. I have an X2N and a Steve's Special. My question is: Which one in the bridge? I was thinking the X2N, but want an opinion or two. I wanted hotter pups in it, and since they were 'free'..... well you know. I just don't know which one to put where, and not in someone else' guitar,
I know they're both hot pups, and I've wanted to try them, but a lil' nudge here for what to put where.
Specs are: Gun Metal Gray DXMG, I'm changing the hardware to chrome, and the new pups are both Zebra's, black and cream. Kind of an '80s vibe looks wise.

Thanks, as always.

EDIT- Hey Grim-I will try BKP's next!

[6string40]

They're truly both meant to be used in the bridge only. The Steve is a scooped pickup, so it may be way too muddy in the neck. Swap them back and forth and see what you like...experiment and see which combo you like, if any. If neither work in the neck, sell the one you like less in the bridge and grab another used Dimarzio for the neck.

[Scooter]

Thanks man, I went ahead and ordered a PAF pro for the neck, after a little research. Hopefully it'll be here in a few days. I keep hearing about these pups, never tried them. Been stuck on SD forever. I'm hoping that the guitar isn't a tone dog (the EMGHZ's I just don't care for, but I'm worried I have a turd.) I have several sets of pups to try, but the DiMarzios will go in first.

[MartinBarre]

You wanted a hotter pickup than the X2N?

Why?


X2N and a PAF Pro neck will be awesome, and hot enough for anything.

[wilkinsi]

I was previously led to believe to X2N sounded more like an EMG 81. I never liked the EMG 81, so I went for Super Distortion and PAF Pro. Having said that, the Evolution has more low end.

[Grim]

I'm with 6string40 on this one, Those are both bridge pickups. I can see why the X2N would be equated to the 81. And yes, the SS is scooped and I would find it muddy in the neck. The PAF Pro is awesome though.

[Scooter]

Well, the guy who gave me the pups called right after I finished on the forum this morning, he had a PAF in his 'ditty' box, cream and black zebra to boot. Put them in, and I will say I am definately sold. Just for S&G's I tried the SS in the neck anyway, you guys were right (of course) and found it too bright on the cleans, not too bad on distortion, but not to my liking. Put the PAF in and got a great combo. The X2N is really a great pickup, very bright, tight and articulate. I'm really satisfied with it. I think chrome hardware will make it look even better. Thanks again guys.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

gald you like the X2N. Its a great pickup. I can't remember what wood the your guitar is but if it was basswood I would recommend the Steve's Special over the X2N. But the opposite if it is alder.

[Newc]

If the X2N is comparable to the 81, then it should go in the neck (if you're not worried about pristine cleans).


As far as the HZs are concerned, if they're the H3 model, they have a ceramic magnet in them which you can use for magnet swapping with various Duncans (59, CC, C5, JB, Jazz, etc).

[Scooter]

Dreamland_Rebel: It's a basswood body, I'm pretty sure. I may swap them out again just to try.

Newc: They are H3, and I did not know that about the magnets. Cool.

Thanks!

[toejam]

The X2N blows away the 81. The X2N is great in the bridge, and the Steve's Special should sound great matched up in the neck with it.