DiMarzio DP189 Tone Zone S AW

So, I finally got the pickup installed in my USA Standard Stratocaster.

It does exactly what it says on the tin, in terms of beefing up a strat bridge tone.

It does not offer the same amount of top end cut of a single coil and is surprisingly "middley" in tone. But, when pushed it does liven up and generate a nice distorted tone that breaks through the mix well in a band situation.

The fourth position, middle and bridge combined does retain that "hollow" strat tone and again is very good at breaking through the mix.

My only negative on the sound would be that as with all ceramic magnets, the breakup can sound a little fizzy if not managed correctly with the EQ and pedals accordingly.

I expected a very trebly tone from this pickup and was pleasantly surprised by how balanced the overall output is. It isn't and never will be the same as a full blown humbucker pickup in my opinion as it doesn't seem to have that "open-ness" that one gets from a nice Alnico 2 magnet. But then again, why would it?