Description
Steve Vai never sits still, and neither does his gear. When he came to DiMarzio for pickups to match a new take on his signature JEM, the brief was clear: keep the high output he’s known for, but round off the top-end aggression for something warmer and more earthy. The result is the Dark Matter 2™ Bridge (DP268F), an F-spaced ceramic humbucker built for players who want punch without the piercing edge.
Most high-output pickups earn their volume by getting a little wild up top. Dark Matter 2™ takes a different route — it’s engineered with a deliberate softness in the highs, so you get clarity and low-end weight without mud or shrillness creeping in. Clean tones stay pristine and articulate, while pushing into overdrive reveals a thick, controlled saturation that never turns brittle. It’s a modern voice that trades raw scream for a more composed kind of power.
Visually, the Bridge model carries a custom laser-cut grill with an interlocking gear pattern, giving it a distinct look to match its distinct tone. It’s the same pickup found stock in the new Ibanez JEM Woody, now available on its own for anyone rebuilding their bridge position.
- Wiring: 4-conductor
- Magnet: Ceramic
- Output: 330 mV
- DC Resistance: 9.19 kOhm
- Year introduced: 2016
- Patent: 5908998
If your current bridge pickup gives you output but no nuance, this is worth a listen.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.