[nathrizarri]

Hey guys i came with an another disgussion.. Both pickups are pretty good for me but i cannot choose one.. You know i want to make a perfect choice.. For output levels, X2N is stronger than D activator.. For sound characteristics, X2N has 6.5 on treble, 6.5 on mid, and 5.5 on bass.. D activator has 6.5 on treble, 6 on mid, 6 on bass.. As you can see D activator's bass tones are stronger than x2n.. Both of them are made by ceramic magnets.. Can some one tell me the difference between them when playing? which one is better at harmonics which one is better at palm muting which one is more clear, less noisy than other?.. I am waiting for everyone's ideas on them..

[HamBungler]

It depends on what type of sound you'd like. The D-Activators are very trebly, I think the Bass characteristics could have been better though, so they might be exaggerated in the tone chart. I have an X2N-7 and its a pretty even sounding pickup with great mids, treble and bass. The main difference is the Output, the X2N is their highest output pickup so the X2N would most likely be louder and have a greater reaction to high-gain tones than the D-Activator, not to say that the D-Activator is not high output by any means, it will just be slightly less profound than the X2N. They are both very good pickups and I think you'd enjoy either one, and if you don't like one of them you can exchange it for the other by sending back the other one to DiMarzio.

[nathrizarri]

hmm what about harmonics? i heard the examples on dimarzio's site and i really liked first to two.. especially second.. I am talking about X2N of course In Ibanez's site, there is a video that introduces Ibanez XPT700 with D activators.. Muhammed was testing it but it sounded too trebly to me too.. I usually play solos but i want to have a good rhythm sound too

[D-EJ915]

This is the X2N

[Edroz]

do you mean bridge D Activator? that is the one you're describing according to the eq you posted.
anyway, i've had a lot of experience with both pickups in different guitars... they're both equally good with harmonics and muting. these pickups are like night and day tonewise.

DA7 bridge: very tight, clear with just the right amount of grit and VERY quiet. this is the 2nd hottest dimarzio pickup made, but it doesn't feel like it is, very controllable and responsive and adapts to different styles nicely. cleans are worlds better than the X2N7. i like to think of this pickup as a cross between a Dimarzio Super Distortion and EMG 81 rolled together.

X2N7 : all frequencies are right up in your face. this pickup is a litter clearer than the DA7 but alot noisier. bass response can be a little overwhelming depending on how close it is to the strings. higher notes have a very harsh ice pickey quality to them. cleans are kinda blah, even split imo.
all in all this pickup has a distinct voice and it does what IT wants to do, and that is METAL! i really like the X2N7 alot, but sometimes i feel like i have to fight with it to do what I want.
to me, the X2N7 shines with low to moderate gain amps (JCM800 etc...), but it's just TOO much for modern high gain amps and digital amps. works great with solid state (not digital! BIG difference) too.

[LEWY7777777]

Having played both pickups I can tell you: They are both distinctly different. The D-activator7 has a smoother midrange shape but both crunchy and what I like to call 'spongy' playable feel to the sounds. The harmonics come effortlessly , whereas in the case of the X2N7 the midrange 'shape' is extremely crisp and well in the case of mine required alot more technique & finness to squeeze out pinch harmonics. My test was through digital preamp and power section that mimic the power output section of a tube amp.(line6) Still TOO digital for the X2N.

[navab]

Originally Posted by D-EJ915

This is the X2N

Is that first part Wage Slaves by All Shall Perish?

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I went to GC in Tacoma today & played a new white Ibanez V loaded with D-Activators. I played it through a Peavey JSX, and I was quite impressed, on all 3 channels also.

They're very well matched in output levels, characteristics, & overall tone.

Soloing fast passages on the neck pickup was articulate & defined. It had a PAF characteristic but with more treble.

The bridge was an equally pleasing experience for me. Chords had the oomph I'd been missing in some previous pickups, but it also had the definition I was looking for, kinda like an Evolution with more output.

On the crunch channel, I had the gain at about 12-oclock, with the tone controls almost flat between 1 & 3-oclock.

On the Lead channel, just about the same, but gain at 3-oclock, and the mids pulled back to about 11-12-oclock.

When using both pickups for clean, I still favor the "inner-coils" setup ala Petrucci like I have on my RG7620, but this setup on the Ibby V pulled it off.
I had the clean channel set just about flat with all tone controls on around 1-oclock.

Overall, I can see myself getting a set of these down the road one I build the next TFS6, as the current TFS has a single in the neck housing an Air Norton "S".

I'd be real interested in getting a set for the RG7620 sooner than later though.

[D-EJ915]

Originally Posted by navab

Is that first part Wage Slaves by All Shall Perish?

why yes...it is, lol

[nathrizarri]

Sorry I mean BRIDGE D Activator.. I have a marshall valvestate 100(combo) and b.c.rich bronze warlock.. I am planning to buy an Ibanez XPT700.. That's because I am trying to find the difference between them.. I play DEATH METAL.. Especially NECROPHAGIST..