Blue Velvet
Bridge

Great single-coil sound with a few improvements: this is the pickup for the player who loves true single-coil sound. We wanted to capture that sound and improve the one thing that's always been a problem: string balance. The vintage magnet stagger wasn't made for light strings with a plain G, so we recalibrated it in order to make the strings balance better. The Blue Velvet also features a new winding technique that gives the guitar attack, while keeping that famous single-coil sound.

Recommended For: All positions, but particularly recommended for bridge position

Tech Talk: The DP171 is a bridge' pickup mainly in relation to the DP170 and the DP119, because it's got a little more power and midrange punch than they do. These qualities can be really useful in the neck and middle positions as well, particularly if your guitar is a liitle thin-sounding. Strictly speaking, the calibrated magnet stagger isn't authentic vintage, and neither is the Blue Velvets' ability to reverse phase by wiring black hot and white ground, but both of these are important factors that will improve performance for many players.

Great single-coil sound with a few improvements: this is the pickup for the player who loves true single-coil sound. We wanted to capture that sound and improve the one thing that's always been a problem: string balance. The vintage magnet stagger wasn't made for light strings with a plain G, so we recalibrated it in order to make the strings balance better. The Blue Velvet also features a new winding technique that gives the guitar attack, while keeping that famous single-coil sound.

Recommended For: All positions, but particularly recommended for neck and middle positions on rosewood fingerboard guitars.

Tech Talk: The 1950s and early '60s produced a wide range of subtley different single-coils. One particular 'flavor' that we really like has a unique tonal balance - very clean & bright bass strings with relatively warm-sounding treble strings. This is what we modeled the DP170 after. Strictly speaking, the calibrated magnet stagger isn't "authentic vintage", and neither is the Blue Velvets' ability to reverse phase by wiring black hot and white ground, but both of these are important factors that will improve performance for many players

The ChopperTM adds more grunt to the concept of the Fast Track 1TM. Louder, with more balls in the mids and low-end, the ChopperTM still maintains the kick and high-end of true single-coils. It shares the same side-by-side coils and twin-blade construction as the Fast Track1TM, as well as no misaligned poles or string-pull problems. The ChopperTM works hard as a strong bridge pickup to pump your amp's front-end. Add a pair of Fast Track 1TM pickups in the neck and middle for a very large, beefy 3x single-coil sound.

Recommended For: All positions.

Tech Talk: Excellent choice to fatten tone and increase power of Strat® bridge position. Can be part of calibrated set with 2 Fast Track 1TM's or Cruiser (DP187) neck and Fast Track 1TM (middle).

The Class of '55TM features all the twang and glassy clarity of the best vintage single-coils. It has the elusive quack necessary for convincing neck/middle and bridge/middle pickup combination sounds. Unlike many surviving originals from the '50s, the Class of '55TM won't squeal at volume or double as an unwanted vocal mike, thanks to modern wax-dipping technology.

This is the pickup for moderate output vintage tone with maximum ping and sparkling definition for classic sounds in any position through American or British tube amps. Set the level on the amp all the way up and use the guitar's volume knob to control the amount of grit in the signal. It creates a sound so rich, you'd think it came with its own reverb.

Recommended For: All positions.

Tech Talk: If you're well versed in Stratology, you know that there were several distinctive vintage single-coil sounds. The Class of '55TM is the glassy-twang type - very pure and cutting. It's a very articulate neck sound and all-around country pickup in all positions.

All that single-coil sound, and none of the noise.... No humbucking pickup sounds exactly like a vintage single-coil, but the Cruiser is about the closest you can come. We make one coil the woofer, and the other the tweeter. This extends the range of the noise-canceling design, and allows us to enhance the best qualities of each coil while fine tuning the output. We call this our "dual-resonance" design, and it's patented. There is less magnetic-pull, and it still sounds clean, clear and bright. The DP187 is the Tele version of the same pickup.

Recommended For: Bridge position with DP186 or Virtual Vintage models in neck & middle, or neck & middle with hotter bridge like Fast Track 1, Chopper, Pro Track or full-size humbuckers.

Tech Talk: The obvious question about the Cruiser is "How real is the sound?" Our feeling is that the unwound strings (E, B & G) are very close, and the wound strings (D, A & low E) are a little fatter-sounding than a true single-coil. This is really effective for getting big-sounding chords, because high and low strings sound more spread out from each other. Having a total magnet pull that's about 40% less than standard single-coils also means the Cruiser can be adjusted much closer to the strings for more power than stock pickups can achieve.

All that single-coil sound, and none of the noise.... No humbucking pickup sounds exactly like a vintage single-coil, but the Cruiser® is about the closest you can come. We make one coil the woofer, and the other the tweeter. This extends the range of the noise-canceling design, and allows us to enhance the best qualities of each coil while fine tuning the output. We call this our dual-resonance design, and it's patented. There is less magnetic-pull, and it still sounds clean, clear and bright.

Recommended For: Neck position with DP187 , or neck & middle with hotter bridge like Fast Track 1TM, ChopperTM, Pro TrackTM or full-size humbuckers.

Tech Talk: The obvious question about the Cruiser® is How real is the sound? Our feeling is that the unwound strings (E, B & G) are very close, and the wound strings (D, A & low E) are a little fatter-sounding than a true single-coil. This is really effective for getting big-sounding chords, because high and low strings sound more spread out from each other. Having a total magnet pull that's about 40% less than standard single-coils also means the Cruiser® can be adjusted much closer to the strings for more power than stock pickups can achieve.

With hum-cancelling side-by-side coils and twin-blade pole pieces,the Fast Track 1TM dishes out solid single-coil tone with some distinct advantages. The blade's magnetic field is continuous from end to end - no more strings misaligned over individual poles. There's also less string - pull, eliminating the out of tune sound caused when magnetic pull messes with the string vibration.

Most important is the sound. The Fast Track 1TM has the same open top- end as a single-coil with a tighter- more focussed bass response. Picking dynamics are intact too: Fast TrackTMs speak with the sensitivity of your favorite single-coil, only about twice as loud.

If you use a hot bridge humbucker, try a Fast Track 1TM in the middle and neck positions. The Fast Track 1's enhanced output will better match the bucker's volume for smoother transition from one pickup position to another. You can put a whole set of Fast Track 1TM pickups in a Strat style guitar for louder, tougher tone. Different combinations of Fast Track1TM, ChopperTM, and Fast Track 2TM, pickups can add guts and drive to any 3x single-coil guitar. The DP381 is the Tele® bridge version.

Recommended For: All basic Strat®-type replacement situations. The dual radiussed blade polepieces will handle all string-spacing requirements, and the magnetic field creates a very even string-to-string balance.

Tech Talk: For any situation where single-coil sound with higher power and hum-cancellation is required. Can be used in any position in a standard Strat setup. Also combines with bridge humbuckers such as PAF®, PAF Pro®, Fred®, Air ClassicTM, Air ZoneTM, NortonTM, and Tone ZoneTM.

Like a ChopperTM on vitamins, the Fast Track 2TM is a pedal-to-the-floor, side-by-side, twin-blade monster. It's got three times the output of an average single-coil, with a huge mid-range punch. The Fast Track 2TM is a bridge-position-only pickup with a powerful crunch and grind designed right in. It's particularly useful when you need a tightly focussed jolt of power to crank your amplifier into rich overdrive.

Mix the Fast Track 2TM with Fast Track 1TM and ChopperTM pickup for an extremely hot, tight sound from any guitar with three single-coil pickups. The DP182T is the Tele® version of the same pickup.

Recommended For: Bridge position for all Strat-style guitars. The dual-blade polepieces can handle all string-spacing options.

Tech Talk: To get some sense of the Fast Track 2TM, it's best to think of it as a Strat®-sized version of the Super Distortion® or Super 3TM, the two pickups it most closely resembles. Using a 500K volume control will open up the top end, and we recommend this value. The best neck & middle pickup combinations with the 2 would be relatively hot models like the Fast Track 1TM and ChopperTM. You can also mix it with Strat®ier models like the Virtual VintageTM line, if you're prepared for the jump in power of the bridge position.

Add kick to the bridge position of any 3x single coil guitar without sacrificing its original personality with an FS - 1TM. Youll get hotter output that lets you punch up the dirt by simply switching the selector to the FS -1TM. A mid - range EQ boost flattens the overall sound for a more driving lead position tone. Combine the FS -1TM with a pair of Class of '55TM pickups in the middle and neck positions for a guitar with balanced tone and output between lead and rhythm positions. For bigger, more aggressive sound with excellent single - coil snap, load your guitar with FS - 1TMs in all three positions.

Recommended For: All positions, or bridge position with standard single-coils in neck & middle.

Tech Talk: We didnt design the FS-1TM with a vintage sound in mind, but if youre trying to get a blues sound from the bridge position of a maple-neck Strat® , youll be very happy with the extra mids and bass, and the sound still cleans up when the volume is rolled down.

Warmer and slightly more powerful than an HS-1TM, HS-2TM pickups are solid neck and middle position choices for guitars with a full-size humbucker in the bridge position. The HS-2TM pickups natural tone blends well with humbuckers, making a smooth transition when switching from rhythm to single-note picking. Using the HS-2TM also eliminates the annoying problem of switching from a quiet humbucking to a noisy single-coil pickup. A little-known secret about the HS-2 : Eric Johnson has discovered that wiring an HS-2TM for single-coil operation creates one of the best vintage tones around.

Like all HSTM series pickups, low noise, hum-cancelling HS-2TMs work well through high-gain racks and amps where any pickup noise is multiplied through preamps and effects chains.

Recommended For: All positions.

Tech Talk: In the classic Strat configuration, the HS-2TM works in all 3 positions. It can also be part of a calibrated set, with the HS-1TM (neck), HS-2 (middle) and HS-3 (bridge). The HS-2TM also works in H-S-H combinations, recommended with PAF Pro®, Fred, Air ClassicTM and Humbucker From Hell® in neck and bridge positions.

We EQed the HS-3TM with a broad low-end while gently rolling back the top. The result is warmth without a glaring high-end; just right for the guitar that needs more body and less screech. The HS-3TM hum-free design lends itself to any performance situation. Try HS-3 pickups in a recording environment-no more dumping your best solo because of single-coil noise on the track.

The smooth tone curves of the HS-3TM produces a sweet over-drive tone without jagged edges. Coupled with the more glassy, transparent sound of HS-1TM or HS-2TM pickups in the neck and middle positions, HS-3TM pickups add a warmer, fatter tone to round out your sound.

Recommended For: All positions.

Tech Talk: Works well in all 3 positions on Strat for slightly warmer-than-usual Strat sound. Also works well as bridge pickup with HS-1TM (neck) and HS-2TM (middle). Combines in middle and neck positions with bridge humbuckers like PAF Pro, PAF , Air ClassicTM, NortonTM.

It's warm, it's friendly, it sounds like a vintage humbucker and will drop right into your Stratocaster. The Pro TrackTM has enough power for any pickup position, and the 2 nickel-plated blades mean there won't be any problems with string-alignment or dropouts. In the bridge position, this is a great blues pickup: combine it with a Cruiser (neck) and a Fast Track 1 (middle) for a solid mix. Pair 2 Pro TrackTMs in the neck and middle positions with a Fast Track 2TM by the bridge for a heavy, yet versatile metal sound.

Recommended For: All positions.

Tech Talk: Recently we've heard from several players who need to play some jazz numbers without switching guitars, and they say the Pro Track is an excellent neck pickup. If you install a push-pull pot, you can switch the coils from series to parallel, which will add a more single-coil type sound while still cancelling hum.

The difference between a vintage Strat bridge pickup sound and a classic Broadcaster or Tele tone is mostly a matter of attack and definition--the Strat stings and screams, while the Tele punches and sings. We thought it would be neat to have a Strat pickup that does both, and this is it. The punch comes from the bottom-loaded Power Plate, the sting from custom coil-winding and the Blue Velvet magnet stagger, and a unique mid-range growl that's a result of a hand-calibrated magnet structure. Try a Red Velvet bridge pickup with a pair of Blue Velvets for a sound that's both classic and new.

Recommended For: All positions.

Tech Talk: One of the obvious effects of mounting a plate on the bottom of a pickup is to boost the magnetic field. We wanted the bigger sound that the plate provides, but we didn't want any increased magnet-pull, so we calibrate the magnetic field of every Red Velvet after it's assembled. The Red Velvet was originally designed for the bridge position, but it will also work well in the neck and middle spots, where it can be combined with a bridge humbucker like the Air Classic (DP191F).

It might look like a Strat guitar pickup, but the DIMSS-1 adds balls, gain and warmth reminiscent of the best old soapbar pickups. The adjustable pole pieces dont pull as hard as regular rod magnets, so you can get the pickup closer to the strings for stronger output. The highs are less exaggerated and the bottom is deeper than most singles for a rounder, darker tone. If your guitars bridge position sound is too edgy, without the push needed to drive your amp, remedy the situation with an DIMSS-1. Add a pair of Class of 55 pickups for sparkle, or a Class of 55 in the neck and an FS-1 in the middle for even tone choices.

Recommended For: Bridge position.

Tech Talk: The bar magnets that power the DIMSS-1 are ceramic, but the sound and feel are very similar to Alnico-equipped soapbars, partly due to the big steel polepieces and spacer bar. This type of magnet structure also has noticeably less magnetic pull than standard rod-magnet pickups, even though the output is very high for a single-coil.

As every experienced Strat player knows, magnet pull is both a problem and a fact of life. Alnico 5 rod magnets exert a strong influence on guitar strings. If they get too close, you'll lose sustain and have tuning problems. Even so, Alnico 5 is part of the essential Strat sound of the 50s and 60s. We wanted to retain the sound and reduce the problem, and the VirtuAL 2TM series is the result. All VirtuAL 2TM models use a special precision-ground Alnico 2 alloy with 45% less magnet pull than Alnico 5 magnets and VirtuAL Vintage¨ technology to eliminate noise.

The VirtuAL 2TM neck model has warm lows, open mids and transparent highs. The low magnetic field gives a feeling of 'air' around the sound, which is particularly striking for chords and clean tones. Distorted tones have more enhanced harmonics and a singing quality on high notes.

Recommended For: Highly recommended for neck position on all Strats with light strings, high-gain amps and/or distortion pedals. Also effective in middle & bridge positions for classic Strat sound.

Tech Talk: Although Alnico 2 has much less magnetic strength than Alnico 5, the VirtuAL 2TM is not weaker than standard Alnico 5-equipped pickups. Actually, the VirtuAL 2TM has more useable power because it can be adjusted closer to the strings with no ill effects. This quality also allows the VirtuAL 2TM to be combined easily with all other Virtual VintageTM models.

As every experienced Strat player knows, magnet pull is both a problem and a fact of life. Alnico 5 rod magnets exert a strong influence on guitar strings. If they get too close, you'll lose sustain and have tuning problems. Even so, Alnico 5 is part of the essential Strat sound of the 50s and 60s. We wanted to retain the sound and reduce the problem, and the VirtuAL 2TM series is the result. All VirtuAL 2TM models use a special precision-ground Alnico 2 alloy with 45% less magnet pull than Alnico 5 magnets and Virtual Vintage® technology to eliminate noise.

The VirtuAL 2TM middle pickup has a round, musical tonality. It's very sensitive to variations in pick attack and right-hand string length positioning, making it capable of producing a wide range of sound and interacting effectively with neck & bridge positions.

Recommended For: Maple fingerboards, swamp ash, alder or basswood bodies. Highly recommended with light strings.

Tech Talk: Although you can see that the VirtuAL 2TM Middle has higher resistance than the neck model, the neck model is actually a little louder and more aggressive. We did it this way because many players are using the neck pickup extensively for overdriven soloing, and are reserving the middle pickup more exclusively for clean tones, a la Eric Johnson. With that in mind, the middle pickup was designed to have a very even frequency response to better reproduce full chords and arpeggios. It's also a good neck pickup if you need a warm, clean tone in front.

As every experienced Strat player knows, magnet pull is both a problem and a fact of life. Alnico 5 rod magnets exert a strong influence on guitar strings. If they get too close, you'll lose sustain and have tuning problems. Even so, Alnico 5 is part of the essential Strat sound of the 50s and 60s. We wanted to retain the sound and reduce the problem, and the VirtuAL 2TM series is the result. All VirtuAL 2TM models use a special precision-ground Alnico 2 alloy with 45% less magnet pull than Alnico 5 magnets and Virtual Vintage® technology to eliminate noise.

The VirtuAL 2TM Bridge model is the perfect compliment to the VirtuAL 2TM neck and middle pickups if you like a tight, punchy sound with lots of cut. While Alnico 2 reduces string pull and increases sustain in the neck and middle positions, in the bridge position it enhances pick attack and definition, particularly on the low strings.

Recommended For: Rosewood fingerboards, alder, ash and basswood bodies.

Tech Talk: The VirtuAL 2TM Bridge model has a very raw, aggressive sound, particularly when it's adjusted close to the strings. The low magnetic field creates an almost glassy tone quality, but the specific Alnico 2 alloy we've used adds warmth and body to the sound, so high notes don't get thin & brittle. The overall sound is very focussed. If you'd prefer a bridge sound with more mids and lows, try the Virtual Vintage® Solo (DP404), which can also be effectively matched with the VirtuAL 2TM neck & middle models.

It's a rare and fortunate player who's had the opportunity to play a great 50s or early 60s Strat. That's the player we had in mind with the Virtual VintageTM 2.1, because that's the player who really knows if a pickup measures up to vintage standards. In every way, the 2.1 will stand the comparison. It even has resistance, impedance and inductance specs like the best 50s pickups, and it was designed to work with the original 250K controls. Obviously, we don't expect a player to take the original pickups out of a 50s guitar, but if you've got a great Strat from any era and want to experience the real deal (with no noiseand less string pull, from special Alnico 2 magnets), the Virtual VintageTM 2.1 is it.

Recommended For: All positions.

Tech Talk: We feel very strongly that this pickup reproduces the sound and feel of the best single-coils from the 1950s, so we've replaced the original Virtual VintageTM Standard (DP401) with the 2.1. At the same distance from the strings as you'd normally adjust a pickup with full-strength Alnico 5 magnets, the 2.1 has the same power as a pickup from the 50s. However, because we're using AL 2 magnets with about 40% less pull, you can increase the power by adjusting the 2.1 closer to the strings without affecting string vibration or intonation. We've included pickup height recommendations with the 2.1 instructions.

We know some great players who own Strats from the Fifties and Sixties. None of them would dream of changing the original pickups, but they still say they wish the bridge pickup was a little louder and warmer. That's the point of the Virtual VintageTM 2.2. It's the perfect match for a pair of Virtual VintageTM 2.1s in the neck and middle positions. It's also a great neck and middle pickup itself for a brighter-sounding guitar with a swamp ash body and maple neck., where it can be combined with any of the other Virtual VintageTM models in the bridge position.

Recommended For: All positions.

Tech Talk: Like the Virtual VintageTM 2.1, the '2.2 was designed to work with 250K controls. At the same distance from the strings as you'd normally adjust a pickup with full-strength Alnico 5 magnets, the 2.2 has the same power as a pickup from the early 60s. However, because we're using AL 2 magnets with about 40% less pull, you can increase the power by adjusting the 2.2 closer to the strings without affecting string vibration or intonation. We've included pickup height recommendations with the 2.2 instructions.

The Virtual VIntage '54 (DP405) is the pickup for the experienced player who wants the darker, sweet sound of the oldest Strats. Where the Virtual VIntage (DP401) is glassy,the '54 sounds more bell-like, and fattens up with a hard pick attack. We particularly recommend it for maple-neck guitars. A DP405 in the neck position, DP406 in the middle and a DP402 bridge make for a fine, modern blues sound.

Recommended For: All positions. Particularly recommended for neck and middle positions in maple neck and/or swamp ash bodies.

Tech Talk: The VV 54 is based on early 50s Strat pickups that had a unique, flutey tone (the ones we heard were from 54, but they crop up in other years too). They were almost as bright as the more usual variety, but with more tonal depth. They also give with a hard pick attack. These are good choices to emphasize the subtleties of the Strat, rather than the more jangly aspect. The compression that occurs with a hard pick attack is particularly effective with good tube amps and overdrive pedals.Like the DP401, we recommend using 500K controls for best results. For an even bigger and brighter sound, try our 1Meg tone control.

The Virtual VIntage '54 is the pickup for the experienced player who wants the darker, sweet sound of the oldest Strats. Where the Virtual VIntage (DP401) is glassy,the '54 sounds more bell-like, and fattens up with a hard pick attack. We particularly recommend it for maple-neck guitars. A DP405 in the neck position, DP406 in the middle and a DP402 bridge make for a fine, modern blues sound.

Recommended For: All positions. Particularly recommended for bridge position in maple neck and/or swamp ash bodies.

Tech Talk: Like the VV 54 neck model, the 54 bridge is based on early 50s Strat pickups that had a unique, flutey tone. They were almost as bright as the more usual variety, but with more tonal depth. They also give with a hard pick attack. The 54 bridge is slightly louder and warmer sounding than the 54 neck, so you can also use it in the neck and middle positions of brighter-sounding Strats: combined with a Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues or Solo in the bridge position, its a great traditional blues sound.Like the DP401, we recommend using 500K controls for best results. For an even bigger and brighter sound, try our 1Meg tone control.

The new DiMarzio Virtual Vintage Strat replacement pickups are extraordinary. In side-by- side comparisons, the sound of the Virtual Vintage is almost identical to an original pre-'63 Strat pickup. The difference is that we have eliminated the noise. We've kept all the attack, tone and feel that make Strats so famous and highly valued. What's more, we've preserved the original single-coil look. This is the pickup that everyone who loves the Strat sound has been waiting for.

If vintage is your goal but hum has always gotten in your way, the search is over. Virtually.

Recommended For: All positions.

Tech Talk: The Blues model is a more muscular pickup than the standard DP401. Unlike thinner-sounding single-coils, it stands up to hard picking - the sound seems to expand through an overdriven amp instead of shrinking away. This quality is really useful for the neck position, particularly if you have a thin-sounding guitar or use light-gauge strings. With warmer-sounding guitars, it's a strong, tough-sounding bridge pickup. Like the DP401, we recommend using 500K controls for best results. For an even bigger and brighter sound, try our 1Meg tone control.

The main difference between the Heavy Blues and the other Virtual VIntage® models is less in terms of tone than power - it's more intense . High notes are fatter, and lows have more kick. You can install the Heavy Blues in all 3 pickup positions, but we've also found that a Blues in the neck position, a Vintage in the middle and a Heavy Blues in the bridge spot will create a very neat combination of warm neck, fat bridge and bright 2 & 4 notch position sounds.

Recommended For: Bridge position, but can be used in neck & middle with hotter bridge models like the Virtual Vintage Solo, Chopper or Pro Track.

Tech Talk: Bridge position, but can be used in neck & middle with hotter bridge models like the Virtual Vintage Solo, Chopper or Pro Track.

The main difference between the Heavy Blues and the other Virtual VIntage® models is less in terms of tone than power - it's more intense . High notes are fatter, and lows have more kick. You can install the Heavy Blues in all 3 pickup positions, but we've also found that a Blues in the neck position, a Vintage in the middle and a Heavy Blues in the bridge spot will create a very neat combination of warm neck, fat bridge and bright 2 & 4 notch position sounds.

Recommended For: Bridge position, but can be used in neck & middle with hotter bridge models like the Virtual Vintage Solo, Chopper or Pro Track.

Tech Talk: Bridge position, but can be used in neck & middle with hotter bridge models like the Virtual Vintage Solo, Chopper or Pro Track.

The Virtual Vintage Solo is our high-power lead pickup. The sound is both fatter and more raw than the rest of the Virtual Vintage familymore like a cross between a fat Strat sound and a P-90 soapbar tone. Designed primarily for the bridge position, it's also recommended as a neck pickup for jazz guitarists.

Recommended For: Bridge position primarily, but can be used in neck & middle

Tech Talk: This is an excellent pickup for fattening up the Strat bridge position without sounding like a standard humbucker. The Solo has enough power to balance with standard-output pickups in the neck and middle positions, but it will still clean up with an overdriven amp when the volume is rolled down. We strongly recommend a 500K volume control to get maximum performance from the Solo. If it's wired to a tone control as well, try our 1Meg tone (EP1202).