DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S Strat Humbucker Pickup

4.5 (26)

$99.00

5.0 (5)

$90.00 17 available New

$65.00 4 available Used

4.5 (41)

$106.00

Average Price: $92

Budget/Beginner

$99

$200+

Price Tier

In the Electric Guitar Pickups category, DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S Strat Humbucker Pickup is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S Strat Humbucker Pickup". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the power of your guitar with the DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S Strat Humbucker Pickup. Designed to bring out the best in your instrument, this pickup is a game-changer for any serious musician. It provides a high-output, powerful tone, taking your guitar's sound to a whole new level. With its ceramic magnets, you can expect a clear and articulate sound that cuts through any mix.

This single-coil pickup is also designed to eliminate hum, ensuring that your tone stays clean and pure, no matter how high you crank the volume. And the best part? It fits perfectly in the bridge position of your guitar, making it a seamless addition to your setup. Coming in a sleek, sophisticated black color, it effortlessly blends with any guitar design.

Don't let its size fool you, the DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S Strat Humbucker Pickup may be small, but it delivers a punch that's sure to impress.

Key Features:

High-output tone with ceramic magnets
Eliminates hum for clean, pure sound
Perfect fit for the bridge position
Sleek black color that blends with any guitar design
Compact size, but delivers powerful sound

Product specs

Available since	July 2006
Aktive	No
Passive	Yes
Wiring	4-Conductor
Output	High
Pickup Cover	Yes
Colour	Black
Position	Bridge
Telecaster	No
Stratocaster	Yes
Other	No

FAQs

Is the DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S suitable for Stratocaster guitars?: Yes, the DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S is specifically designed for Stratocaster guitars, offering high output and a powerful sound suitable for rock and metal genres.
What is the wiring configuration of the DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S?: The DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S features a 4-conductor wiring configuration, allowing for versatile wiring options such as coil splitting and series/parallel switching.
Is the DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S an active or passive pickup?: The DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S is a passive pickup, meaning it does not require a battery and is known for its robust and dynamic output.
Can the DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S be used in the bridge position?: Yes, the DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S is designed for the bridge position, providing high output and a thick, powerful tone ideal for lead playing.
What kind of tonal characteristics can I expect from the DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S?: The DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S delivers a strong, aggressive sound with enhanced midrange and treble frequencies, making it well-suited for heavy rock and metal styles.

Videos

Add video

Tiloy D'Alessio

DiMarzio DP-218 Super Distortion S (Bridge) ... Gary Moore "Style"

Tiloy D'Alessio

Dimarzio DP218 Bridge & Neck pickups on Strat (HD)

Daniel Carr

Custom Stratocaster Test - Dimarzio Super Distortion DP218, Fender Custom Shop '69, Fender '57/'62

AmericanDinosaur

Can the Dimarzio DP 218 Super Distortion S do Metal?

Graxilol

Dimarzio Super Distortion S DP218 Bridge DP184 The Chopper Middle Yamaha YG-1212 Specs Review Demo

YamahaRGXTT guitar channel

Reviews

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PROS

Delivers creamy drive tones perfect for rock and roll
Easy installation with minimal soldering required
Bright, loud, yet capable of dark, evil tones
Excellent tone range surpasses many other pickups
Great for achieving midrangey sound in the bridge position
Works well with an equalizer pedal for metal tones
Ideal for Strat-style guitars without needing a new scratch guard
Quiet operation enhances overall performance

CONS

May not match full-sized humbucker output levels for metal
Can sound too abrasive in alder-bodied Strat guitars
Some users find it middle-heavy, affecting tone balance

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S Strat Humbucker Pickup.

Features and functionality

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The DiMarzio Super Distortion often pushes even clean channels to break up due to its high output, which can be mitigated by adjusting the guitar's volume knob.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Adding a switch to wire the pickup in parallel can reduce output to 1/4th, providing more headroom and a single coil-like sound without buzz.
Source
0 0

The DiMarzio Super Distortion S DP218 is recommended for those converting single-coil spaces to humbuckers without routing, retaining similar tonal qualities to full-sized versions.
Source

Comparisons

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Users note the DiMarzio Super Distortion has 13.5K ohms compared to typical humbuckers around 8K, highlighting its higher output and impact on clean tones.
Source
0 0

A JB Jr. pickup is cited as an alternative to the Super Distortion, offering a similar output and tonal profile when used in a Strat setup.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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Lowering pickup height, suggested at 2.5mm, can help manage volume and tone clarity, preventing unwanted distortion.
Source
0 0

Concerns about string spacing alignment with pickup poles are highlighted, emphasizing the need for careful selection to avoid mismatches.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The Super Distortion is ideal for players seeking maximum distortion with control via the guitar's knobs, mimicking a built-in distortion pedal effect.
Source
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Players report that the Super Distortion significantly enhances pedal performance, particularly with distortion pedals like the Boss DS1.
Source
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The Super Distortion is noted for its effectiveness in achieving tones similar to those of Kurt Cobain, especially when used in a Jaguar setup inspired by Cobain's style.
Source

User experience

0 0

Users with woodworking experience find routing guitar bodies challenging, suggesting it may not be suitable for beginners without prior experience.
Source

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

marc_michael_moser

214

about 7 years ago

Reliable decision to replace a thin sounding single coil

I use it in my Fender Mustang as bridge pick-up.

Artist usage

Add artist

Kurt Cobain

Singer, Guitarist

Nirvana

Verified via YouTube

Kurt Cobain used this Pickup in his Fender Stratocaster Guitar. In the Smells like Teen Spirit Video Live at Reading you can see the pickup at 0:48 in Bridge Position. But he used a white Pickup , not a black as you can see in the picture.

Alexander Pushnoy

Singer, Guitarist

Verified via Photo

In a 2018 Instagram post, Alexander Pushnoy mentioned replacing his bridge pickup with the DiMarzio DP218 Super Distortion S Strat Humbucker Pickup.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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