DiMarzio D ACTIVATOR vs EMG 81 - Bridge Pickup Guitar Tone Comparison Demo
Compare
DiMarzio D Activator vs DiMarzio FRED
DiMarzio D Activator
bridge humbucker
82 match
high confidence
DiMarzio FRED
humbucker
Compared with the DiMarzio D Activator, the DiMarzio FRED has an Alnico V magnet (warmer, smoother).
Specs side by side
differs marks specs where they part ways| Spec | DiMarzio D Activator | DiMarzio FRED |
|---|---|---|
| DC resistancediffers | 11.41k | 10.38k |
| Inductancediffers | 4.56 H (measured, 1 reading) | 4.48 H (compiled) |
| Magnetdiffers | Ceramic | Alnico 5 |
| Coil | Hum-cancelling | Hum-cancelling |
| Bass (tone chart)differs | 5.5 / 10 | 4.5 / 10 |
| Mids (tone chart)differs | 6 / 10 | 5 / 10 |
| Treble (tone chart)differs | 4 / 10 | 5.5 / 10 |
| Slotdiffers | bridge humbucker | humbucker |
| Traits | vintage output, tight & aggressive | vintage output |
How close on each spec
100 means identical on that spec. The score weighs these, and counts anything we couldn't compare as a typical difference. How scoring works
Output
97
measured inductance
Magnet
45
Ceramic vs Alnico 5
Coil
100
same coil type
Brightness
75
tone charts on the same scale
Mids
83
tone charts on the same scale
Bass
83
tone charts on the same scale
Videos
DiMarzio D Activator
DiMarzio D Activator pickup demo song by High Z Productions
DiMarzio FRED
DiMarzio FRED vs PAF PRO - Passive Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo
DiMarzio FRED vs Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 - Passive Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo
What players and reviewers say
On the DiMarzio D Activator
“That's cool, well it sounds like the D-Activator must be a pretty rippin pickup for tight/articulate gainy tones!.”
“But right now, I want an aggressive midrange emphasis, or else, I would keep the D Activator in there..”
On the DiMarzio FRED
“The fred is more vocal and more articulate,the screaming Demon sounds more direct and cuts better!”
“The Fred has better note separation and definition than the Demon.”