Sonically, the DiMarzio Bluesbucker follows in the footsteps of the legendary P-90 single coil, a pickup that is known for its characteristic fat sound and has shaped the sound of various Les Paul and SG models throughout the years. The Bluesbucker allows guitarists to enjoy the P-90 sound with all of the inherent tonal characteristics but without any of the hum or unwanted interference that plagued the original design. As a result, this pickup offers the best of both worlds: A retro sound (despite the use of ceramic magnets) together with a modern level of performance. And because it has the standard humbucker format, it can be installed without needing any modifications to the guitar.
Unlike an actual P-90 single coil, the DiMarzio DP163 Bluesbucker looks like an ordinary humbucker. However, only the coil with the polepiece screws is "active", while the second coil serves to eliminate unwanted noise. As a result, the pickup precisely captures the dynamics of your playing, emphasising the midrange with a subtle bass presence and a treble response that delivers plenty of detail without sounding too harsh. The Bluesbucker features four-conductor wiring, and its medium output level makes it suitable for many different styles of music - from Blues and Country to Rock and Hard Rock - and it can be used in either the bridge or neck position. The sound can be further modified by flipping the pickup around and thus changing the position of the active coil – though this of course places the screws on the opposite side of the pickup.
The DiMarzio DP163 Bluesbucker is ideal for guitarists who find regular single coil pickups too thin and brittle-sounding and perhaps also find conventional humbuckers to be lacking in brightness. Thanks to its design, this pickup is the perfect solution for achieving the legendary P-90 sound on a guitar with humbucker routing without having to compromise in terms of looks. And players who want to get the sound of a typical single coil out of this pickup can split it without losing too much volume, as the second coil does not contribute much to the pickup's output. Those who prefer a more open sound can also install two of these pickups so that they are connected in parallel when the pickup switch is in the middle position.
In 1972, Larry DiMarzio created the first ever interchangeable pickup system for electric guitars. He went on to found the company and gave it its name. The New York-based manufacturer has long since become one of the largest suppliers in the field and provides guitarists and bassists with a comprehensive selection of pickups and other accessories. DiMarzio also works intensively with renowned artists such as Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Steve Lukather, Paul Gilbert, Steve Morse and Billy Sheehan, as well as renowned manufacturers such as Ibanez and Music Man.
Players of Les Paul-style guitars who are looking for a vintage sound without the noise problems associated with the classic P-90 design will find an affordable solution in the DiMarzio DP163 Bluesbucker. Blues guitarists who play clean or slightly crunchy sounds will benefit from the increased dynamic range that this pickup delivers compared to humbucking designs, and Country players who favour humbucker-equipped Telecaster-style guitars can drop in a Bluesbucker in order to achieve a less bassy sound. The Bluesbucker is also a great choice for modding inexpensive Rock guitars, as it allows the player to shape both the tonal quality and the timbre.