DiMarzio Super Distortion Wiring Diagram: Unlock Legendary Tone With This Simple Guide
The DiMarzio Super Distortion. A name whispered with reverence in the guitar world. Known for its powerful output, thick sustain, and aggressive character, this humbucker has graced the guitars of countless iconic musicians, shaping the sound of rock and metal for decades. But achieving that legendary tone hinges on one crucial element: correct wiring. This guide provides a clear and concise walkthrough, empowering you to confidently install and wire your DiMarzio Super Distortion, unlocking its full sonic potential.
This article is designed to help you understand the different wiring options available for your DiMarzio Super Distortion, ensuring you can tailor its sound to your specific playing style and guitar setup. We’ll cover the basics, demystify the wiring diagram, and equip you with the knowledge you need to get your guitar screaming.
Understanding the DiMarzio Super Distortion
Before diving into the wiring diagrams, it’s essential to understand the core components of the DiMarzio Super Distortion and its functionality. This humbucker is a dual-coil pickup, meaning it consists of two individual coils of wire wrapped around magnets. When these coils are activated by the strings’ vibrations, they generate an electrical signal that is then amplified by your guitar amplifier.
- High Output: The Super Distortion boasts a high output, delivering a powerful signal that drives your amplifier into overdrive with ease.
- Thick and Punchy Tone: Known for its thick, focused low-end and aggressive mids, the Super Distortion excels in rock, metal, and hard rock genres.
- Versatile: While primarily a rock and metal pickup, the Super Distortion can be tamed for cleaner tones with proper volume control and amp settings.
- Four-Conductor Wiring: The Super Distortion typically comes with a four-conductor wire configuration, offering various wiring options for enhanced versatility.
Decoding the DiMarzio Super Distortion Wiring Diagram
The DiMarzio Super Distortion, like most humbuckers, utilizes a four-conductor wiring scheme. This allows for different wiring configurations beyond the standard humbucker setup. Understanding these wires and their functions is crucial for successful installation. Here’s a breakdown:
- Hot (Red): This wire is the primary signal output. It carries the positive signal from the pickup.
- Black (Hot/Start): This wire is the start of the second coil, often used in series wiring.
- White (Finish): This wire is the finish of the first coil.
- Green (Ground/Finish): This wire is the finish of the second coil, typically connected to ground.
- Bare (Ground): This wire is the bare ground wire and should be connected to ground (e.g., the back of a volume pot).
Key to the Wiring Diagram:
- Connect the Hot (Red) wire to the switch or volume pot where you want your signal to originate.
- Green and Bare wires are typically soldered together and grounded.
- Black and White wires are used for coil splitting, series/parallel wiring, and other configurations.
Wiring Options for Your DiMarzio Super Distortion
The four-conductor wiring allows for several wiring options, offering a range of tonal possibilities:
Standard Humbucker (Series): This is the most common configuration, providing the full, powerful sound the Super Distortion is known for. Connect the hot wire (Red) to the switch or volume pot. Connect the black and white wires together and insulate them. Ground the green and bare wires.
- Advantages: Maximum output, thick tone, ideal for rock and metal.
Coil Splitting: Allows you to split the humbucker into a single-coil pickup, providing a brighter, thinner sound. Connect the hot wire (Red) to the switch or volume pot. Connect the green wire to ground. The black and white wires connect to a switch (e.g., a push/pull pot) to activate the coil split.
- Advantages: Versatility, access to brighter, single-coil tones, ideal for clean sounds and alternative genres.
Parallel Wiring: This configuration reduces the output and brightens the tone, resulting in a more articulate sound. Connect the hot wire (Red) to the switch or volume pot. Connect the green and white wires together and then to ground.
- Advantages: Reduced output, brighter tone, more articulate sound, can be beneficial for certain playing styles or genres.
Phase Reversal: This wiring option inverts the phase of one of the coils, creating a thinner, more hollow sound. This is usually done with a switch.
- Advantages: Unique and interesting tonal possibilities, good for certain genres, can be used to create a “wah” effect with the right amp settings.
Step-by-Step Wiring Guide (Standard Humbucker Series)
This guide provides a basic wiring procedure for the standard series humbucker configuration.
- Prepare Your Guitar: Remove the strings and any existing pickups from your guitar. Ensure the cavities are clean and free of debris.
- Identify the Wires: Locate the four-conductor wires and the bare ground wire on your DiMarzio Super Distortion.
- Connect the Hot Wire (Red): Solder the red wire to the appropriate lug on your switch or volume pot (usually the output lug).
- Ground the Green and Bare Wires: Solder the green and bare wires together. Then, connect them to ground (e.g., the back of a volume pot or the ground lug of the output jack).
- Insulate the Black and White Wires: Solder the black and white wires together. Use electrical tape or heat shrink tubing to insulate the connection.
- Test the Pickup: Reinstall the strings and plug your guitar into an amplifier. Tap the pickup with a metal object to verify the signal.
- Secure the Pickup: Once everything is working correctly, secure the pickup in the pickup ring or cavity.
Troubleshooting Common Wiring Issues
- No Sound: Double-check all connections. Ensure the hot wire is connected to the correct output lug. Verify that the ground wires are properly connected to ground.
- Thin or Weak Sound: Ensure the correct wiring configuration is used. Double-check the connections for any loose or faulty solder joints.
- Buzzing or Hum: Check for proper grounding. Make sure all ground wires are connected to a common ground point. Ensure the pickup cavity is shielded (using copper tape or shielding paint) to reduce interference.
- Out of Phase Sound: Double-check the wiring. You may need to reverse the polarity of one of the coils.
Conclusion
Wiring your DiMarzio Super Distortion can seem daunting, but with the right information and a little patience, it’s a manageable task. By following this guide, you can confidently wire your Super Distortion, unlocking its legendary tone and customizing it to your specific needs. Remember to always double-check your connections, test your work, and consult a professional if you’re unsure about any step. Now go forth and unleash the sonic fury of your DiMarzio Super Distortion!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use any wiring diagram for my DiMarzio Super Distortion? Yes, but it’s best to use a diagram specific to your guitar’s configuration (e.g., one volume, two volumes, etc.). DiMarzio and other online resources offer diagrams for various setups.
What gauge wire should I use? The standard gauge wire used in guitar wiring is 22-24 AWG.
What tools do I need? You’ll need a soldering iron, solder, wire strippers/cutters, a multimeter (helpful for testing), electrical tape or heat shrink tubing, and a screwdriver.
What if I want to coil split my Super Distortion? You’ll need a switch (e.g., a push/pull pot) to activate the coil split. The wiring diagram will show you how to connect the black and white wires to the switch.
Can I damage my pickup by wiring it incorrectly? While it’s unlikely to permanently damage the pickup with incorrect wiring, always double-check your connections. If you’re unsure, consult a professional.
