review title:
Subject
Killer Harmonics and Very Quiet
By: Satisfied4tmp from Maryland
Submitted: 5/27/2009
Product Rating
The D Activator bridge is not covered and/or vacuum sealed, but it's matte finish IMO is perfect for a long life. It doesn't run on batteries; those have a tendency to eventually run down and degrade tone.
I've had D Activators in my main axe for a whole year + and they have stood up over this period.
Your general opinion of this product.
I feel this bridge pickup is good for high clarity and punchy music, when high output is required. Obviously a great alternative to active pickups.
Tonally it might not suit everyone, but for the characteristics it displays, it may even persuade the most discriminating of tone hunters.
It's all about it's focused attack. Not about it's tone necessarily as it is about it's attack. The treble strings are nothing but metal lines leading to Pinch Harmonic City. Pretty heavy sounding, but not the heaviest.
Pretty balanced sounding, but when you hit the treble strings, it can feel like the treble frequency is more present, but that really isn't the case I'd say. Not too dark and not too bright. Very hot. Tube amps are going to get the full measure of the attack. It works well with solidstate amps too. Not too thick these pickups, but also not too thin. Very nice sustain. The D Activator has alot of headroom, so the initial attack of the strings effect doesn't diminish because the pickups design can't handle the info. The 'active' pickup tone is clean and open sounding and has a nice tone under heavy gain.
Matte. It's just a nice, long wearing finish. I prefer it over a polished finish.
Everything was up to par. Both neck and bridge pickups.