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Sweetwater
4.5 (22)
$99.00
Amazon
4.8 (123)
$99.00
Reverb
5.0 (12)
$99.00 New
$175.00 Used
zZounds
5.0 (8)
$99.00
Thomann
4.8 (78)
$106.00

Average Price: $113

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Based on price data from 3 merchants for "DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion, a guitar pickup that was born to rock. This high-output humbucker is an ode to the 70's and 80's hard rock era, designed to push your tube amplifier into overdrive. With its rich, fat tone, and thick, boosted mids, this pickup is perfect for any musician looking to add a touch of vintage rock to their sound.

The DP100 Super Distortion has a heritage that can't be ignored. It's the pickup that started it all, with many of the iconic rock guitar sounds of the past being produced by this very model. But don't let its legacy fool you; this pickup is far from outdated. Artists from various genres, from Al DiMeola and Frank Gambale to Iron Maiden and Ace Frehley, have chosen the Super Distortion as a crucial part of their signature sound.

Ideal for solidbody guitars, the DP100 Super Distortion is primarily a bridge position pickup, but it also shines in the neck position with lower-gain amplifiers. The pickup features a versatile 4-conductor wiring, allowing for various tonal options including coil splitting for a Strat-like tone and parallel wiring for a humbucking, yet slightly more hollow sound.

Key Features:

  • High-output humbucker pickup
  • Designed for solidbody guitars
  • Primarily used in the bridge position
  • Versatile 4-conductor wiring
  • Ceramic magnets
  • Output: 425
  • DC resistance: 13.68
  • Tone guide: Treble: 5.5, Mid: 7.5, Bass: 8
  • Emphasized mids for a vintage hard rock sound
  • Coil splitting and parallel wiring options
  • Colour: Black

Product specs

Type Humbucker
Position Bridge, Neck
Active/Passive Passive
Magnet Material Ceramic
Number of Conductors 4 wire plus ground
DC Resistance 13.68K
Connectivity Soldered
Number of Strings 6
Covering Uncovered

FAQs

What type of music is the DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion best suited for?

The DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion is ideal for rock and metal genres, offering high output and powerful midrange tones that cut through the mix, making it a favorite for heavy riffing and lead solos.

Can the DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion be used in both bridge and neck positions?

Yes, the DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion is versatile enough to be used in both bridge and neck positions, providing consistent high output and tonal characteristics across different guitar setups.

What kind of magnet does the DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion use?

The DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion utilizes a ceramic magnet, which contributes to its high output and aggressive tonal profile, making it suitable for heavy and distorted guitar sounds.

Is the DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion suitable for a 6-string guitar?

Yes, the DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion is designed for 6-string guitars, ensuring optimal performance and tonal response for standard guitar setups.

How is the DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion wired for installation?

The DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion features a 4-wire plus ground configuration, allowing for versatile wiring options, including coil-splitting and series/parallel setups for expanded tonal possibilities.

LarryDiMarzio

LarryDiMarzio

Phil Collen for DiMarzio Super Distortion Pickup

Video thumbnail for Phil Collen for DiMarzio Super Distortion Pickup by LarryDiMarzio

Phil Collen for DiMarzio Super Distortion Pickup

LarryDiMarzio

LarryDiMarzio

Video thumbnail for DiMarzio SUPER DISTORTION vs Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 - Passive Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Demo by Mike Stamper

DiMarzio SUPER DISTORTION vs Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 - Passive Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Demo

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

Video thumbnail for '77 Ibanez Les Paul (2350) with DiMarzio Super Distortions by Steve from Boston

'77 Ibanez Les Paul (2350) with DiMarzio Super Distortions

Steve from Boston

Steve from Boston

Video thumbnail for THE LEGENDARY DIMARZIO SUPER DISTORTION PICKUP! by Xander Raymond Charles

THE LEGENDARY DIMARZIO SUPER DISTORTION PICKUP!

Xander Raymond Charles

Xander Raymond Charles

Video thumbnail for DiMarzio SUPER DISTORTION vs TONE ZONE - Passive Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo by Mike Stamper

DiMarzio SUPER DISTORTION vs TONE ZONE - Passive Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

Video thumbnail for DiMarzio SUPER DISTORTION vs Seymour Duncan DISTORTION SH-6 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison by Mike Stamper

DiMarzio SUPER DISTORTION vs Seymour Duncan DISTORTION SH-6 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

Video thumbnail for DiMarzio PAF PRO vs SUPER DISTORTION - Passive Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo by Mike Stamper

DiMarzio PAF PRO vs SUPER DISTORTION - Passive Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

Video thumbnail for Vintage DiMarzio Super Distortion vs New DiMarzio Super Distortion by gwEm’s gwEmbassy

Vintage DiMarzio Super Distortion vs New DiMarzio Super Distortion

gwEm’s gwEmbassy

gwEm’s gwEmbassy

Video thumbnail for DiMarzio SUPER 3 vs SUPER DISTORTION - Passive Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo by Mike Stamper

DiMarzio SUPER 3 vs SUPER DISTORTION - Passive Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

Video thumbnail for Luke Gallagher - DiMarzio Super Distortion (New Pickups) by Luke Gallagher

Luke Gallagher - DiMarzio Super Distortion (New Pickups)

Luke Gallagher

Luke Gallagher

Reviews

PROS

  • Classic rock and metal tone, used by iconic bands and artists

  • Versatile with great clean, crunch, and distortion tones

  • Fat, dynamic sound with excellent sustain

  • High note articulation and string separation

  • Sensitive to EQ adjustments, adaptable across various genres

  • Excellent for thick, chunky rhythm and screamy lead tones

  • Rich in harmonics, enhances both chords and single notes

  • Compatible with various guitar models and setups

  • Improves the overall sound and playability of lower-end guitars

  • Easy installation with multiple wiring options

CONS

  • Can be too thin and brittle with inadequate bass response for some

  • Requires careful height adjustment for optimal sound

  • Mismatched string alignment can affect sound quality if not F-spaced

  • Wiring color conventions differ from some other brands, leading to installation errors

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion.

Use cases and applications

  • A user successfully installed the DiMarzio Super Distortion in both the bridge and neck positions without experiencing muddiness, indicating its versatility across positions.

    Source
  • Using the neck position with the Super Distortion can effectively capture the tone of solos in Dismember covers, indicating its utility for specific musical styles.

    Source
  • The Super Distortion is praised for its performance in H-P90 setups, combining humbucker and P90 characteristics for a versatile sound.

    Source
  • The Super Distortion is linked to heavy 70s and 80s sounds, prominently used by Ace Frehley, offering a distinct "Ace vibe."

    Source

Comparisons

  • The DiMarzio Super 2 is mentioned as the neck version of the Super Distortion, offering high output power comparable to the X2N in the bridge position.

    Source
  • Compared to a stock Bridge P90, the Super Distortion offers a slightly brighter clean tone and increased output, especially noticeable with overdrive.

    Source
  • The DiMarzio Super Distortion uses a powerful ceramic magnet and hot winding, contrasting with the smoother, clearer tones of a PAF 36th Anniversary which uses A5 magnets.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Super Distortion is primarily designed as a bridge pickup, but users have found it effective in the neck position for certain styles, such as metal solos.

    Source
  • The pickup enhances the "out of phase" effect in the 2nd and 4th switch settings on guitars like the Yamaha RSS02T.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Users interested in swapping pickups in guitars, such as an Aria Pro II, should verify cavity and routing compatibility for proper installation.

    Source
  • An owner considered installing a Super Distortion in the middle position of an Ibanez Iceman, alongside a PAF DP103 in the neck.

    Source

User experience

  • One user successfully integrated Super Distortions in both mid and neck positions of an Epi Ace LP, emphasizing versatile use across guitar setups.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Dimarzio Super Distortion Review DP100

tonejourney.com

The DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion is lauded for its iconic status and versatile performance across genres like rock, jazz, and metal. It delivers thick, boosted mids and a classic sound that has graced countless records for over 50 years. While not the cleanest humbucker, it shines with bold, meaty tones and balances well against competitors like the Seymour Duncan JB. The pickup excels in high-output scenarios but may lack in treble richness, requiring careful setup. Overall, it's a cornerstone for those seeking a classic high-power sound, though its tonal character might not suit everyone's taste.

positive

Super Distortion DP100 Review: Thousands of players have used the Super Distortion for 45 years,... | DiMarzio | Pickups | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion humbucker is a classic for a reason. Its ability to transform a Gibson Les Paul with thick lows, crunchy mids, and fat highs makes it a versatile choice for rock and metal guitarists. The review praises its reliability, durability, and the way it breathes new life into guitars with less dynamic stock pickups. However, the bass is described as prominent but not super tight, which might not suit those seeking extra-tight lows for thrash or speed metal. Overall, its open sound and well-rounded character maintain the pickup's legendary status among guitarists, especially for those who relish a "hot vintage" setup.

positive

DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 - Darth Phineas

darthphineas.com

The DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion is a classic rock staple known for its high output and presence in iconic albums. While praised for its strong mids and manageable highs, some may find its low-end not as pronounced as the legends suggest. Its versatility spans rock to metal, but it introduces a noticeable compression. The pickup's compatibility varies across setups, working well with clean settings when dialed back but potentially overpowering weaker single-coils. Though not without detractors who reminisce about its vintage tone, it remains a reliable choice for diverse rock genres.

Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 12 Reviews and 50 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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jimmarchi1

growing on me

A crusty old pair of double-cream 80s super distortions came in my vintage washburn. At first I had weird feelings about them, but they are growing on me quite a bit. This is one seriously mean humbucker. The bridge cops a lot of 80s hard rock sounds that are difficult to get with PAF style pickups. I find myself breaking into early priest licks all the time with this guy. I wouldn't say the sound is 'me', but its not bad and I get why these pickups have been so popular for so long with hard rockers and post-EVH soloist types.

The neck pickup is awful though. Mud city!

UPDATE: I just spent an hour and a half riffing through a blazing loud AC4 and 2x12 cab. I was rocking all sort of heavy Queen riffs on the bridge position... "Stone Cold Crazy", "we will rock you", "brighton rock", "gimmee the prize (from highlander, dude)", "I'm in love with my car", "Death on Two Legs" and on and on... the enormous output was really fun and gave me that extra push over the cliff to rip it up on the riffiest section with my guitar volume gunned. I need to touch up the wiring for coil taps, a phase switch on 1 pickup and a master series/parallel to get the most common brian may tones, but these super distortion really hit a vox in just the right way to do late 70s and early 80s Queen stuff, and that's a big deal to me. Also, the guitar they're in is very red-specialish in its own unique way. I think some humbcker covers with Adeson Trisonic coils hiding inside, epoxied in place might take this guitar over the top for BM tone, but the super distortions are right there copping s a lot of my favorite bridge/middle sounds from Queens arena days just riding the volume on the bridge pickup.

emma_june
hamnotthefood

Meh

I have the wrong pots, so it’s a bit muddy and quacky in a bad way. I hope that it’s just non matching pots.

sandra_lee

My favorite humbucker

I have this in my Jag-Stang and it's my absolute favorite humbucker. It has amazing tonal characteristics and such a nice warm low end sound. It's so smooth, I am always amazed that it's a 70s humbucker andI I've never heard anything better than it.

axe2084

GODLY Distortion!!

There's a reason that everyone's been using these pickups - especially all my influences for starting guitar in the first place.

And now, I know. They're incredible!! SO clear!!

themonoazul

I have it on 2 of my main guitars!!

I have two custom guitars, an Ibanez RG370 DXZL and a custom Partcaster, both of them have Super Distortion in the bridge, sounds killer, you can play everything on them!!

bthompson2020
patrick_belanger

A legend!

The first hot rodded humbucker, used since the 70's, the perfect blend of power and tone.Thick mids, fat highs and big lows. plays well in any tuning.

skylinerr

Love em

I always have been a DiMarzio guy I love the x2ns i have used them ages but I tried a super distortion in the jag

Genres:
L

Classic hard rock tone

I bought this to replace the stock pickups of a Jackson King V. It sounds killer as a bridge pickup. Can be matched to Super 2 and PAF in neck position.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kurt Cobain uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Kurt Cobain

Singer, Guitarist

Nirvana

...
Verified via Guitar World

"Apparently Cobain developed a taste for Fender guitars just prior to recording Nevermind. "I like guitars in the Fender style because they have skinny necks," said Cobain in a late 1991 interview. "I've resorted to Japanese-made Fender Stratocasters because they're the most available left-handed guitars." During this period, he also acquired a left-handed '65 Jaguar that had a DiMarzio Super Distortion humbucker in the bridge position and a DiMarzio PAF in the neck position in place of the guitar's stock single-coil pickups. These modifications were made before Cobain purchased the guitar."

See how Kirk Hammett uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Kirk Hammett

Guitarist

Metallica

...
Verified via YouTube

Kirk Hammett used a DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion as the bridge pickup in his 1978 Fender Stratocaster, as confirmed in the Gibson TV episode "The Collection: Kirk Hammett of Metallica."

See how Dimebag Darrell uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Dimebag Darrell

Guitarist

Pantera

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video, we see the real guitar Dimebag where the presenter explains the guitar characteristics, and that part of it shows that it uses Super Distortion of Dimarzio in the neck position.

See how Paul Gilbert uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Paul Gilbert

Guitarist

Racer X

...
Verified via Photo

From a DiMarzio Facebook post:

“I bought my first Super Distortion® pickup when I was 13 years old. I loved the power and the sound, so I've been using DiMarzio pickups ever since. I love DiMarzio pickups!” -PAUL GILBERT

See how Randy Rhoads uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Randy Rhoads

Guitarist

Ozzy Osbourne

...
Verified via Premierguitar

in this article, karl sandoval himself says that the bridge pickup of randy's polka dot v was a dimarzio super distortion.

this article from Vintage Guitar also says he used the super distortion https://www.vintageguitar.com/9495/randy-rhoads/

See how Pat Smear uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Pat Smear

Guitarist

Nirvana

...
Verified

The super distortion pickup was used on pat's white hagstrom III, it is also one of his favorite pickups.

See how Rivers Cuomo uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Rivers Cuomo

Singer, Guitarist

Weezer

...
Verified via Weezerpedia

Rivers Cuomo used a cream DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion pickup in the neck position of his Custom Warmoth Stratocasters, as documented on Weezerpedia.

See how Lee Ranaldo uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Lee Ranaldo

Singer, Guitarist

Sonic Youth

...
Verified via Sonicyouth

This website covers Sonic Youth's November, 1992 interview appearence in Guitar World magazine, in the interview Ranaldo mentions that most of his Jaguar/Jazzmaster guitars are modified with DiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers in the neck position.

NOTES

I think this is the second SY article in Guitar World, and it's an excellent read! All 3 guitarists are interviewed and discuss the recording of Dirty and associated gear/tunings/etc, along with the band's influence on other bands and the cost of vintage Jazzmasters, Kim's perceived frontwoman status, and which record was noisier: Goo or Dirty?. There is also a sub-article digging deeper into the band's Dirty era gear.

GEAR MENTIONED The article mentions multiple guitars:

THURSTON

  • several Fender Jazzmasters (1) (2) (3) (4)

  • one Fender Jaguar

  • two Tele copies (1) (2)

  • Turbo Rat

"I don't know anything about guitars or amps, I just know I need a 100-watt tube head."

  • Marshall head

  • Peavey Roadmaster head

  • a few new Marshall cabs

LEE

  • 3 early-70s Fender Telecaster Deluxes (1) (2) (3)

  • Fender Jaguars (1) (2)

  • Fender Jazzmasters (1)

  • Travis Bean

  • Gibson SG

Lee specifies that most of his Jaguars/Jazzmasters have DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups in the neck position.

  • Cry Baby wah

  • MXR Phase Shifter

  • DOD Analog Delay

  • DOD Digital Delay

  • MESA/Boogie Mark III

  • Marshall 4x12 cab

  • vintage Orange head

KIM

  • Gibson Thunderbird

  • B.C. Rich [Mockingbird] bass

  • '64 Fender P-bass

  • Eterna

KIM (re: BC Rich bass): "That bass always stays in tune. You can throw it on the ground, walk on it - anything. It sounds horrible; it has no tone whatsoever. But it's really loud. Then I have an old '64 P-bass, which I bought because I thought I'd record with it. And I did use it on one song. It's really easy to play, but I missed the Thunderbird's low end."

KIM (re: "Creme Brulee"): "Yeah, it was just me. I just started playing something and Steve was playing along. Thurston was just doing some feedback on the guitar, making some weird sounds. And Lee turned on the tape machine. So we recorded it in our eight-track studio at our rehearsal space."

  • Turbo Rat

  • Dunlop Jimi Hendrix octave fuzz

  • MESA/Boogie amp w/ 18-inch bass cab and 4x12 guitar cab.

For the Dirty recording sessions, both of Kim's cabs were miked, and she also sent a clean DI straight from her bass to the board.

KIM: "That's the basic setup. Then I have this other box, a Hendrix octave divider that I use to get ultra-distortion, like on "100%" "Stalker" and "Theresa's Sound World". Actually, it just works like an extra distortion pedal."

See how Dave Murray uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Dave Murray

Guitarist

Iron Maiden

...
Verified via Dimarzio

On the official website for DiMarzio, amongst a list of Murray's pickups, we can see the DiMarzio Super Distortion.

See how Adrian Smith uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Adrian Smith

Guitarist

Iron Maiden

...
Verified via Photo

On this page, on Dimarzio's official website, it says that Adrian uses Dimarzio Super Distortion pickups.

See how Mick Mars uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

Mick Mars

Guitarist

Mötley Crüe

...
Verified via Woodytone

Used on his Gibson Custom Les Paul in the early 80's

See how John 5 uses DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion

John 5

Guitarist

Marilyn Manson

...
Verified via YouTube

In the Rig Rundown with Premier Guitar, John 5 confirms that he uses a DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion pickup in the bridge position.

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 DP100 Super Distortion, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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