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Post subject: DiMarzio Area Pickgaurd...
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:21 pm
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Hi Folks,
Been looking at a lot of pups lately to replace the ones in my '09 MIM Strat. At first I was thinking of getting the Clapton setup of SCN or VN with the 25db mid-boost circuit. Looked like a winner but then read many things both pro and con on the VN and the SCNs. So I started reading reviews on the DiMarzios....happened to be surfing the Info hi=way and came across the complete prewired pickgaurd by DiMarzio...
"The DiMarzio Area Model Prewired Pickguard is for electric guitars with standard 11-hole pickguards. It's got an Area '58 pickup in the neck, Area '67 in the middle position, and an Area '61 at the bridge."

So I'm wondering how many others may have bought this pg and also how they like it?

Looking to play Blues and Classic Rock...no metal stuff. Too old for that...8^)

-T


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Post subject: Re: DiMarzio Area Pickgaurd...
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 12:52 pm
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tyronne wrote:
Hi Folks,
Been looking at a lot of pups lately to replace the ones in my '09 MIM Strat. At first I was thinking of getting the Clapton setup of SCN or VN with the 25db mid-boost circuit. Looked like a winner but then read many things both pro and con on the VN and the SCNs. So I started reading reviews on the DiMarzios....happened to be surfing the Info hi=way and came across the complete prewired pickgaurd by DiMarzio...
"The DiMarzio Area Model Prewired Pickguard is for electric guitars with standard 11-hole pickguards. It's got an Area '58 pickup in the neck, Area '67 in the middle position, and an Area '61 at the bridge."

So I'm wondering how many others may have bought this pg and also how they like it?

Looking to play Blues and Classic Rock...no metal stuff. Too old for that...8^)

-T


I use this combo and play exactly what you are planning on using it for. Yes, I'm too old for that other stuff too. IMHO, I think this combo is the absolute best on the planet! The only differences are, I have the 67 in the neck, 58 in the middle and obtained the pickups separately, not on a prewired pickguard and installed them myself.

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Post subject: Re: DiMarzio Area Pickgaurd...
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 4:52 pm
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Martian wrote:
tyronne wrote:
Hi Folks,
Been looking at a lot of pups lately to replace the ones in my '09 MIM Strat. At first I was thinking of getting the Clapton setup of SCN or VN with the 25db mid-boost circuit. Looked like a winner but then read many things both pro and con on the VN and the SCNs. So I started reading reviews on the DiMarzios....happened to be surfing the Info hi=way and came across the complete prewired pickgaurd by DiMarzio...
"The DiMarzio Area Model Prewired Pickguard is for electric guitars with standard 11-hole pickguards. It's got an Area '58 pickup in the neck, Area '67 in the middle position, and an Area '61 at the bridge."

So I'm wondering how many others may have bought this pg and also how they like it?

Looking to play Blues and Classic Rock...no metal stuff. Too old for that...8^)

-T


I use this combo and play exactly what you are planning on using it for. Yes, I'm too old for that other stuff too. IMHO, I think this combo is the absolute best on the planet! The only differences are, I have the 67 in the neck, 58 in the middle and obtained the pickups separately, not on a prewired pickguard and installed them myself.


Martian,
Thanks for the reply! Haven't pulled the trigger on this yet but I hope the pre-wired set comes with enough slack so if I want to try moving the neck and middle pups as you have them, I can.

The more I read about the DeMarzio set, the more I like.
Just need to find the $$$

-T


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Post subject: Re: DiMarzio Area Pickgaurd...
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:40 pm
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tyronne wrote:

Thanks for the reply! Haven't pulled the trigger on this yet but I hope the pre-wired set comes with enough slack so if I want to try moving the neck and middle pups as you have them, I can.

The more I read about the DeMarzio set, the more I like.
Just need to find the $$$

-T


You're quite welcome.

Even if there isn't enough slack, you could always splice.

I think I tried every premium pickup and combo on the planet until I started piecing this particular combo together. Originally, I had 58/58/61 and they sounded fantastic except the neck pickup was just a tiny, tiny bit 'farty'. So, I threw in the 67 and that sealed it!

I know what you mean about the money. What makes it worse is the fact that the DiMarzio Area series pickups are getting more popular by the day. So, most dealers are steadily increasing their prices on them in general and even moreso for the most popular ones within the series itself (which just happen to be these three). And this is in spite of the fact that DiMarzio hasn't increased their prices to the dealers in years.

On the up side, their resale value doesn't command what Duncans, Kinmans, etc. do. So, they are out there where the average price for used is about $40 and they are always being traded too. In my case, I traded for the 58 and 61, I bought the other 58 used for $35 and traded that for the 67. I did it one at a time and it took me about two months. Every so often I'll see a loaded pickguard going for an average of $160. The deals are out there, just keep your eye out for them!

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Post subject: Re: DiMarzio Area Pickgaurd...
Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:27 pm
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Martian wrote:

Every so often I'll see a loaded pickguard going for an average of $160. The deals are out there, just keep your eye out for them!



oops i just bought my loaded pickguard for $260 .... unfortuantely I don't have the time to wait for something used I'm heading home soon so I opted for new...
Cheers
Hisham

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Post subject: Re: DiMarzio Area Pickgaurd...
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:13 am
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Martian wrote:
tyronne wrote:

Thanks for the reply! Haven't pulled the trigger on this yet but I hope the pre-wired set comes with enough slack so if I want to try moving the neck and middle pups as you have them, I can.

The more I read about the DeMarzio set, the more I like.
Just need to find the $$$

-T


You're quite welcome.

Even if there isn't enough slack, you could always splice.

I think I tried every premium pickup and combo on the planet until I started piecing this particular combo together. Originally, I had 58/58/61 and they sounded fantastic except the neck pickup was just a tiny, tiny bit 'farty'. So, I threw in the 67 and that sealed it!

I know what you mean about the money. What makes it worse is the fact that the DiMarzio Area series pickups are getting more popular by the day. So, most dealers are steadily increasing their prices on them in general and even moreso for the most popular ones within the series itself (which just happen to be these three). And this is in spite of the fact that DiMarzio hasn't increased their prices to the dealers in years.

On the up side, their resale value doesn't command what Duncans, Kinmans, etc. do. So, they are out there where the average price for used is about $40 and they are always being traded too. In my case, I traded for the 58 and 61, I bought the other 58 used for $35 and traded that for the 67. I did it one at a time and it took me about two months. Every so often I'll see a loaded pickguard going for an average of $160. The deals are out there, just keep your eye out for them!


Martian,

Thanks for the reply...didn't think of the "splicing" option. Duh! So simple...I'll keep that in mind.

Somewhat related...well it is about pickups so it's related...the stock pickups on my MIM HSS strat have the magnetic pole pieces staggered in a somewhat circular shape with the D and G string poles closest to the strings. I notice that the "G" string sounds louder than the "B" and especially high "E" strings. Are these poles something that can be adjusted or should I just leave them alone? I have no idea if they are "glued" or somehow securely fixed to the pickup. I don't want to break them.

I have adjusted the pickup height in various ways...from the "stock" as it came out of the box, thru the "nickel" method and recommended settings in Mr. Erlewine's books and now that I'm more comfortable, just tweaking on my own. Still, the "G" string sounds loudest and "E" weakest. Pretty sure because of the pole pattern.

-T


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Post subject: Re: DiMarzio Area Pickgaurd...
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 8:09 am
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tyronne wrote:
Martian,

Thanks for the reply...didn't think of the "splicing" option. Duh! So simple...I'll keep that in mind.

Somewhat related...well it is about pickups so it's related...the stock pickups on my MIM HSS strat have the magnetic pole pieces staggered in a somewhat circular shape with the D and G string poles closest to the strings. I notice that the "G" string sounds louder than the "B" and especially high "E" strings. Are these poles something that can be adjusted or should I just leave them alone? I have no idea if they are "glued" or somehow securely fixed to the pickup. I don't want to break them.

I have adjusted the pickup height in various ways...from the "stock" as it came out of the box, thru the "nickel" method and recommended settings in Mr. Erlewine's books and now that I'm more comfortable, just tweaking on my own. Still, the "G" string sounds loudest and "E" weakest. Pretty sure because of the pole pattern.

-T


You're quite welcome.

If your bobbins are not plastic and look like some kind of compressed cardboard, chances are, the polepieces CANNOT be adjusted without damaging the coils so don't even think about it.

If your pickups' bobbins are plastic (which the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor that they are), you MIGHT be able to but here's the thing:

If your bobbins have two bar magnets across the bottoms of each of them, this is a tricky task for an, "armchair tech" to adjust the polepieces without having the pickups begin falling apart on you. Even though the polepieces can be finger manipulated up or down to your requirements as they do not come in direct contact with the bobbin, the glue holding the bar magnets onto the bottom of the pickup can let loose, releasing the magnet and oftentimes, the polepieces too so, you'll have to consider these possibilities and if it does happen, ensure that when you do reglue the magnet(s), the polarity is correct and the polepieces are exactly where you want them.

Now, if the bobbins do not have the magnet bars and the polepieces themselves are the magnets (you'll see six small square holes on the bottom of the bobbin as a 'giveaway'), you can simply push any and all polepieces up or down per your requirements as they do not come in direct contact with the bobbin either.

In either case, once you've adjusted the polepieces, from the bottom, just give each pickup a little bit of heat from a hair blow dryer to remelt the glue and/or wax which will firm up the polepieces in place where you've adjusted them and fill in any air gaps thus preventing any microphonic activity. As with anything, too much is no good as it can melt and distort the bobbin which in turn, can mess up the coil itself.

If any kind of brute force is required to move these polepieces, you will also be running the risk of distorting the bobbin and in turn, upsetting the coil regardless of whether it is in direct contact with the polepieces or not. Although pickups are not 'mystical' things, they are inherently frail, even the best made ones. So be very careful and again, consider any unusual resistance as a sign to leave well enough alone.

My gut of gut says here that I must state that I've told you how to do it but I must reiterate: ANY kind of slip up and you've permanently damaged the pickup(s).

Good luck.

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