Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $118
Standard/Professional
$99
$200+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 2 merchants for "DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash the beast in your guitar with the DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker. Designed with the legendary Steve Vai, this high-output pickup gives your instrument an aggressive and powerful tone. Its ceramic magnets and dual-resonance configuration, a patented technology by DiMarzio, takes your guitar's sound to an entirely new universe by producing harmonic overtones like no other.
This humbucker is not for the faint-hearted. It's designed to produce a sound that will cut through even the densest mix, making it perfect for both live performances and studio recordings. Plus, it's versatile enough to work with almost all solidbody guitars and most semi-hollowbody guitars. So, whether you're playing on a bolt-on neck or a set-neck guitar, the DP159 Evolution will add punch and definition to your sound.
Key Features:
- Developed in collaboration with Steve Vai
- High-output pickup for an aggressive and powerful tone
- Features DiMarzio's patented dual-resonance configuration
- Produces harmonic overtones unlike conventional humbuckers
- Ideal for both live performances and studio recordings
- Works with almost all solidbody guitars and most semi-hollowbody guitars
- Adds punch and definition to your sound
Product specs
| Type | Humbucker |
| Position | Bridge |
| Active/Passive | Passive |
| Magnet Material | Ceramic |
| Number of Conductors | 4 wire plus ground |
| DC Resistance | 13.84K |
| Connectivity | Soldered |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Covering | Uncovered |
FAQs
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What kind of tone can I expect from the DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker?
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The DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker delivers a high-output, aggressive tone with pronounced midrange and tight bass, ideal for rock and metal genres.
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Is the DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker suitable for high-gain applications?
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Yes, the DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker is designed for high-gain applications, providing clarity and articulation even at high distortion levels.
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What type of magnet is used in the DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker?
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The DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker uses a ceramic magnet, contributing to its powerful and bright sound character.
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How many conductors does the DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker have?
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The DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker features a 4-conductor wiring plus ground, allowing for various wiring configurations, including coil-splitting.
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Is the DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker compatible with 6-string guitars?
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Yes, the DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker is designed specifically for 6-string electric guitars.
Videos
Wubaii 翔翔翔
Dimarzio Evolution Pickup, Neck & Bridge
Reviews
PROS
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Delivers a dynamic and versatile sound ideal for various styles
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Exceptional harmonic clarity, especially for lead guitar work
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Distinctive black pole aesthetics complement guitar hardware
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Easy to achieve rich sound with minimal setup changes
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Offers a noticeable improvement over stock pickups
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Strong bass response and precision
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Excellent for enhancing sustain and note definition
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Works well in both high-gain and clean settings
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Adds significant tonal color and bite to the guitar
CONS
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Installation can be complex and time-consuming
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May reveal playing imperfections; not forgiving for sloppy technique
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Some users find the sound less defined for fast metal riffs
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about DiMarzio DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker.
Comparisons
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The DP159 Evolution Bridge pickup is described as requiring a specific playing style, lacking bite, and having an aggressive tone compared to other options.
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Bare Knuckle pickups are frequently cited as superior for hard rock and metal, providing a benchmark against DiMarzio for those styles.
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The DP159 Evolution is noted for its clear tone similar to the D Activator, but with less body and more emphasis on harmonics.
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Dimarzio Evolutions (dp158 + dp159) are favored over Quantum pickups for tighter, more defined high-gain tones, suitable for Metallica and Slayer styles.
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Mods and upgrades
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The John Petrucci DiMarzio combo, consisting of the Crunchlab and Liquifire, is highly recommended for versatility across different music genres.
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Handmade pickups from MHD offer customization to exact specs, potentially delivering unique tones with personalized adjustments, but lack the color options of DiMarzio.
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Irongear Hammerheads are recommended as a budget-friendly alternative to DiMarzio, offering comparable quality for metal-focused Ibanez guitars.
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Adjusting pickup height is suggested as a simple first step to improve tone, as it significantly affects sound quality and clarity.
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Use cases and applications
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The Evolution Bridge pickup is suited for playing bands like Coheed and Cambria, Breaking Benjamin, and Rise Against, offering crunchy distortion and deep clean tones.
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The DiMarzio Evolution DP159 is praised for its exceptional clarity, particularly in high-gain settings, though it may not excel for down-tuned styles alone.
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The 7-string version of the Evolution DP159 is highly regarded for clarity, especially when tuned to B standard, as used by Vogg from Decapitated.
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While not ideal for solo down-tuned play, the Evolution DP159 performs well in a mix, maintaining note separation.
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The Dimarzio Pegasus/Sentient pair is noted for its tonal variety, providing a wider overhead than the Nazgul for diverse music styles.
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Fishman Fluence pickups are highlighted for their versatility, accommodating both hot active and vintage sounds with the included push-pull pots.
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Features and functionality
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Owners mention the Evolution DP159 provides clarity in complex chord passages, making it suitable for intricate playing styles.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings
800
Well its dimarzio
Don't like the brand. I use them because they are standard in my charvel san dimas
Artist usage
Add artist
In this video, Steve Vai was seen using his signature DiMarzio Evolution bridge pickup in his Ibanez JEM7V.
Nita rocks a DiMarzio Evolution in the neck of her RG320Z.
They're included in his signature Ibanez Iceman STM2. He talks about it in his Rig Rundown at 13:45.
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 DP159 Evolution Bridge Humbucker, it is most commonly used with the following gear.