NGD Charvel DK24 - and, a question about D-activators series/parallel sound!!

[diogoguitar]

TL;DR: yay NGD and how do you like the sound of series/parallel of D-activators?

Yay! So I finally pulled the trigger on a DK24. This is my first MIM guitar.

In several occasions, I was between the DK24 and other guitars, I ended up opting for other guitars. But I always thought the DK24 could be good for me. It turns out it is good!

It did need some fret edge treatment, but that was expected. Fortunately, it didn't need any fretboard edge treatment... this would be a major drawback for me bc this is a finished fb.

One thing is, while the bridge pu SD Full Shred is really articulate and well balanced, it's not as hot as a JB or a Dimarzio Tone Zone.
I have a pair of D-activators that I was planning to put on this guitar, but this one has a bunch of wiring that does all kinds of tricks (inner coils, outer coils and series/parallel switch).
I like the series/parallel sound of the current setup... will D-activator sound good in parallel? Anyone knows?

this is after the fretwork was done

 

[jl-austin]

I have a D-activator in an Ibanez Genesis (position 2 is parallel I think). The D-activator is buttery smooth, but to me it's a very bland pickup. In parallel it is very bright, very single sounding. I just don't like it.

My favorite combo for splitting, and parallel is the Nazgul / Sent set (which I have in an Okeme Charvel DK24).

 

[groverj3]

Honestly, I love the Full Shred.

 

[kmanick]

I've got the Tonezone and a Breed Neck in this one with 2 push pull volume pots, 3 way switch sounds incredible, the Full shred is so bland

 

[diogoguitar]

I've got the Tonezone and a Breed Neck in this one with 2 push pull volume pots, 3 way switch sounds incredible, the Full shred is so bland
View attachment 123441

Wow, what a gorgeous guitar!!!
Was the Tone Zone hotter than the SD Full Shred? I have a Tone Zone laying around... I could install it instead

 

[HoneyNut]

Wow, what a gorgeous guitar!!!
Was the Tone Zone hotter than the SD Full Shred? I have a Tone Zone laying around... I could install it instead

The Tone Zone is hotter than the Full Shred IME. But the Full Shred cuts through like a knife.

They are both subjectively polar opposites. The Tone Zone is a thick sounding pickup. It's on the deep / warm side. Whereas the Full Shred is more cutting and bright as you can tell.


What I didn't like about the Tone Zone is that it was a little muddy at certain eq settings. It has the power, but lacks the bite. Yes, it is fun to play smooth leads on. However, it has a Dimarzio character which I do like it for. Since I dont strictly play metal, I might revisit this pickup.

The Full Shred, was great once I got hang of its brightness - the trick was to use more bass on the amp, and it sounded great. But turning up the bass on the amp meant compromising my settings for my neck pickup. At that time I just replaced the Full Shred, whereas I wouldve probably installed a brighter neck pickup instead.

 

[Estilo]

Congrats! Didn't need fret levelling? The recent batches of DK24s in my country has the HHs 10% cheaper than the HSS', is this the same everywhere?

 

[kmanick]

Wow, what a gorgeous guitar!!!
Was the Tone Zone hotter than the SD Full Shred? I have a Tone Zone laying around... I could install it instead

yes much fuller and less "fizz", I'm not a fan of the Full Shred , I pulled it out of my Infinity Blue DK as well, and dropped in an Aldrich, Huge Improvement.
My gigging rig is a Splawn SuperSport EL334. that head has tones of top end to it so warmer pickups always work well through it.

 

[diogoguitar]

yes much fuller and less "fizz", I'm not a fan of the Full Shred , I pulled it out of my Infinity Blue DK as well, and dropped in an Aldrich, Huge Improvement.
My gigging rig is a Splawn SuperSport EL334. that head has tones of top end to it so warmer pickups always work well through it.
View attachment 123475

Ah, I see, thanks!!! I also have an Aldrich on a Alder-bodied guitar, so if I get a suhr pickup, I might get an Aldrich covered so it sounds a bit different than uncovered then. Btw this color is stunning! Wow!

 

[diogoguitar]

Congrats! Didn't need fret levelling? The recent batches of DK24s in my country has the HHs 10% cheaper than the HSS', is this the same everywhere?

Surprisingly, no! I had already budgeted time for a fret level, since 9 out 10 MIM guitars I played in stores badly needed one.

I used a fret rocker and didn't see any dead spots... playing around the neck didn't find any buzz either. But the guitar needed more rounded fret edges. Like, really. But I had it done.

The one thing I did appreciate is the fretboard is rolled... that way I don't need to worry about having to roll it myself and scuff the finish.

Here she is after the fret end treatment (and yes, it's a left handed model)