Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $118
Standard/Professional
$99
$200+
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Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab - Bridge". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Elevate your guitar's sound with the DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab - Bridge, a powerhouse pickup designed in collaboration with progressive metal virtuoso John Petrucci. This humbucker is not just about high-output; it's about delivering a sound that's big, bold, and beautifully balanced. The Crunch Lab is engineered to articulate every note with precision, making it ideal for both studio recordings and live performances. Whether you're riffing through Dream Theater's catalog or crafting your own symphonic metal masterpiece, this pickup offers a sound that's neither muddy nor thin, ensuring clarity even through the most gain-heavy setups.
What sets the Crunch Lab apart is its custom winding and ceramic magnets, crafting a sound that's uniquely crunchy and punchy. With a voicing that's open in the lows and mids, it allows your chords to resonate with body and presence, adding depth to your music. This pickup's versatility is further enhanced by its 4-wire construction, offering you the flexibility to experiment with various wiring configurations. Designed to replace standard bridge pickups, it fits seamlessly into most guitars, making it an easy upgrade for those seeking to push their tonal boundaries.
Key Features:
- High power output for dynamic sound
- 4-Wire construction for versatile wiring options
- Ceramic magnets for a sharp, high-output tone
- Designed specifically for the bridge position
- Created in collaboration with John Petrucci for a signature tone
- Standard spacing suitable for most guitars
Product specs
| Type | Humbucker |
| Position | Bridge |
| Active/Passive | Passive |
| Magnet Material | Ceramic |
| Number of Conductors | 4 wire plus ground |
| DC Resistance | 11.03K |
| Connectivity | Soldered |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Covering | Uncovered |
FAQs
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What type of magnet does the DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab use?
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The DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab uses a ceramic magnet, which provides a powerful and focused tone, ideal for high-gain applications.
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Is the DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab suitable for all guitar types?
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The DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab is designed for 6-string electric guitars and is specifically intended for the bridge position, offering a tight, aggressive sound.
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Does the DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab require a battery?
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No, the DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab is a passive pickup and does not require a battery, making it easy to install and maintain.
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How is the DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab wired?
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The DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab features 4-conductor wiring, allowing for versatile wiring options, including coil splitting and series/parallel configurations.
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What kind of tone can I expect from the DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab?
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The DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab offers a tight and aggressive tone with a strong midrange, making it ideal for metal and hard rock genres.
Videos
Guitar Sound Lab
DiMarzio Crunch Lab DP228 vs Tone Zone DP155 pickup demo Marshall Lead tone
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent clarity and punch for tight rhythms and leads.
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Performs well across diverse genres from jazz to death metal.
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High output level ideal for metal and hard rock, but versatile enough for other styles.
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Great low-end retention even on guitars with thinner bodies.
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Easy installation with clear manual provided.
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Notable sustain and articulation for individual notes.
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Effective for low tunings, maintaining clarity down to drop G.
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Balanced low mids and clear high mids for a powerful EQ profile.
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Capable of achieving sparkling clean tones with minimal noise.
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Enhances tonal options, significantly improving guitar sound quality.
CONS
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High output may not suit all players, especially those preferring blues.
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Not the cleanest for "Fender-like" tones, minor noise present.
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More tailored towards metal genres, less suitable for vintage blues.
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab - Bridge.
Features and functionality
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The DiMarzio Crunch Lab DP228 enhances tone clarity, resolving muddiness found in stock pickups, particularly beneficial for genres requiring distinct note articulation.
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Mods and upgrades
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A common upgrade is pairing the DiMarzio Crunch Lab DP228 with a DiMarzio DP193BK Air Norton in the neck for versatile clean tones.
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Installing a high-output DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab in the bridge paired with Power Slinkys (.011 - .048) is favored for drop-C tuning in metal/hardcore genres.
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Setup and maintenance
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Owners often send guitars for complete fret jobs and electronic upgrades to eliminate humming noise, ensuring modern performance standards.
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Use cases and applications
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The upgraded Ibanez RG 270 featuring the Crunch Lab is described as ideal for modern metal, providing a clear and powerful sound profile.
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The DP228 Crunch Lab is noted for its specialized application as a secondary guitar for metal and hardcore, emphasizing its preference in non-versatile, genre-specific setups.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 6 Ratings
Artist usage
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In this video, John Petrucci demonstrates his signature Crunch Lab and Liquifire pickups.
Album Usage
The DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab - Bridge has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use DiMarzio DP228 Crunch Lab - Bridge, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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