When Larry DiMarzio founded DiMarzio in 1972, he didn’t just start another guitar accessory company—he sparked a revolution in electric guitar tone. From hot-rodded humbuckers to genre-defining single coils, DiMarzio pickups have shaped the sound of rock, metal, and beyond for over five decades. Let’s take a look at the company’s groundbreaking history and its lasting impact on guitar music.
The Birth of Aftermarket Pickups
In the late 1960s and early ’70s, most guitarists were stuck with whatever pickups came stock in their instruments. If you wanted a hotter signal or a different tone, your options were extremely limited. That changed when Larry DiMarzio, a guitarist and electronics tinkerer from Brooklyn, began experimenting with pickup rewinds and custom designs.
The result was the DiMarzio Super Distortion, introduced in 1972—the first mass-market aftermarket replacement pickup. With its ceramic magnets and overwound coils, it offered significantly higher output than traditional pickups, perfect for driving amps into natural overdrive and distortion. It quickly gained favor among hard rock and early metal players looking for more aggression and sustain.
Key Innovations
1. Super Distortion (1972):
The pickup that started it all. With its high output and midrange push, it became the go-to for players like Ace Frehley (KISS), Paul Stanley, and Al Di Meola.
2. Dual Sound & Coil Splitting:
DiMarzio introduced coil-splitting options early on, allowing humbuckers to mimic single-coil tones. This versatility was a major selling point for studio players and gigging guitarists.
3. X2N (1979):
One of the most powerful pickups ever built, the X2N catered to extreme metal and shred players, with razor-sharp highs and massive output.
4. Signature Models:
DiMarzio led the way in signature pickups, collaborating with artists to capture their unique tones. Steve Vai’s Evolution and Joe Satriani’s Mo’ Joe pickups are examples of how closely DiMarzio works with its endorsing artists.
The Golden Age: 1980s Guitar Heroes
The 1980s saw an explosion of DiMarzio-equipped guitars. Brands like Charvel, Ibanez, and Kramer loaded DiMarzio pickups into their high-performance shred machines, favoured by players like:
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Steve Vai – Evolution, Gravity Storm
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Joe Satriani – PAF Joe, Mo’ Joe
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Paul Gilbert – PAF Pro
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John Petrucci (early career) – Steve’s Special and Air Norton
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Yngwie Malmsteen – Early custom work before his Fender signature pickups
The brand became synonymous with innovation, speed, and clarity. Its designs helped usher in the golden age of virtuosic guitar playing.
Expanding the Line
Though known for their humbuckers, DiMarzio also pushed into single coils, P-90s, and acoustic pickups. Notable designs include:
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Area series – noiseless single-coils with vintage tones
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Injector – signature model for Paul Gilbert’s modern single-coil tones
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DP90 and Super 2 – alternatives to classic soapbars and versatile high-end leads
They were also among the first to offer a wide variety of aesthetic options—colourful pickup bobbins, pole piece designs, and creative packaging that stood out in music stores.
DiMarzio Today
Today, DiMarzio remains a family-owned company based in Staten Island, New York. They still hand-make all their pickups in the USA and offer hundreds of options for players of all genres. The brand is still synonymous with tone innovation and continues to serve a wide roster of modern guitarists, including:
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Andy Timmons
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Jake Bowen (Periphery)
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Billy Corgan
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Nita Strauss
Their legacy is evident in nearly every genre where guitar tone matters—from punk to prog metal, jazz to blues.
Final Thoughts
DiMarzio didn’t just build pickups—they built a new way for guitarists to personalize and refine their sound. By pioneering the aftermarket pickup industry and collaborating with some of the world’s greatest players, DiMarzio forever changed the trajectory of electric guitar tone.
Whether you’re chasing vintage warmth or modern punch, DiMarzio likely has a pickup with your name on it—if not literally, then at least in spirit.
