D-Sonic Petrucci versus the original - opinions please

[eliot323]

Hi there
What is the general feeling about the D-Sonic equipped Pets versus the original PUPs?

Are there any other changes to the model or was it just the pickup?

I'm thinking about getting a fully loaded original JP6 but just wanted some other opinions before I take the plunge...I do like my D-Sonics

 

[Bungo]

It may be my ears or general use of too much distortion but I can barely tell the difference!

Haven't compared them at full 'band' volume yet so maybe differences will become apparent then?

Eh? Wassat? Pardon?

PS Just PM'ed you eliot.

 

[jeffrey]

I will probably be in the minority here, but I prefer the original JP bridge pickup.

I find the D-Sonic a bit too 'woofy' and borderline muddy at times. The original one seemed a bit clearer and cut better.

I guess experimenting with the D-Sonic could yield similar results (ie: lowering the pickup farther away from the strings), but as I do not own one I cannot experiment with it.

 

[Progdude]

I had the d sonic in another guitar and it was too muddy. I kept thinking I was on the neck pickup!

I might try it with my Cough Ibanez Cough...

 

[Lou]

I have installed the Dsonic in both my JP's. For a few weeks, I had one with the Dsonic and the other stock and A/B'd them quite a bit. The D Sonic adds some mids and works great for solos. It also beefs up the bottom end for chording. I like it.

 

[brusdon]

I personally think the d-sonic gives a lot more clarity in the sound of the guitar, especially in the lower range. This ultimately means less tolerance, and so forces you to play well and not slack. Otherwise it sounds like you're playing a well-trained cat.

 

[Herector]

I was just about to post my review of the comparison between the two pickups and I saw this thread, so here´s my opinion:

First of all, the differences are small, not that you cannot tell the differences but they are similar pickups for similar styles, for the same guy, so if you like one you are going to like the other or viceversa. That being said, I do prefer the new D-Sonic pickup, but it´s like I tell you I was also happy with the Steve´s special. Now to the differences:

The Low end on the Steve´s Special (old bridge pickup) is more "Bloomy" or "loose" think Ibanez RG guitar kind of low end (no wonder which guitar John used to have hahaa); the new D-Sonic has a more tight low end, that in my opinion sounds better for palm muted distortion rhythms, less nu metal sound and more "Black era" metal. Take into account that I installed in a JP7 so I have the blade facing to the bridge, and I think that contributes to the tight sound.

Now to the high-end, this where I think the D-Sonic makes the most improvement, the high notes are thicker with an almost "liquid" quality to them. My other guitar is a Parker Fly Classic, that has a Mahogany body, so with the JP7 being a Basswood guitar I always felt the high soloing notes were a little thin (compared to a Mahogany guitar) I guess this why John is so excited with his new "Alder-Mahogany block new guitar body". So in my opinion the D-Sonic gives you a high end you would expect from a warmer sounding wood, which for me is great.

In general, I am very happy with these improvements, but as I said in the beginning these are subtle differences, and the general character of the pickup it´s the same, so if you like one, you are going to like the other.

 

[eliot323]

Thanks for the opinions - I just wanted to be sure there wasn't a huge difference between the two.

 

[jeffrey]

Hrm, interesting.

My experiences with it are almost the exact opposite of those posted here.