What is the primary benefit of the DiMarzio Area 67?

The primary benefit is its ability to provide vintage late-1960s Stratocaster tones without the 60-cycle hum. It uses Virtual Vintage technology to ensure the pickup is as quiet as a full-sized humbucker.

In which positions is the Area 67 typically installed?

While it can be used in any position, it is particularly favoured for the neck and middle positions. Its bright, clean character is ideal for maintaining clarity in these spots.

Does the Area 67 require a special pickguard?

No, it is designed to fit standard Stratocaster-style pickguards. It shares the same physical footprint as a traditional single-coil pickup.

What colour is the DP419 model?

The DP419 model specified here comes with a white pickup cover. This allows it to blend seamlessly with traditional white or parchment plastic hardware.

Is the Area 67 a high-output pickup?

No, the Area 67 is designed for a bright and clean sound with excellent dynamics. It is considered a vintage-voiced, lower-output pickup compared to modern high-gain models.

How does this pickup handle sustain?

The Area 67 is designed with technology that reduces magnetic string pull. This allows the strings to vibrate more freely, resulting in improved sustain compared to some high-magnet-strength single coils.

Will this pickup eliminate all noise from my guitar?

It eliminates 60-cycle hum, which is the noise inherent to single-coil designs. However, it will not eliminate noise caused by poor grounding or faulty cables elsewhere in your signal chain.

What is the sound character of the '67' compared to other Area models?

The Area 67 is generally brighter and cleaner than the Area 58 or Area 61. It is specifically voiced to replicate the 'chimey' sound of the late 60s.

Can I use this with standard 250k pots?

Yes, standard 250k Ohm potentiometers are typically recommended for this pickup to maintain its vintage tonal balance. Using 500k pots would result in an even brighter sound.

Is this a 'stacked' humbucker?

Yes, it uses a stacked-coil design where one coil sits on top of the other. This allows it to cancel hum while maintaining the narrow magnetic window of a single-coil.

Is the Area 67 good for distorted sounds?

It handles overdrive well, remaining articulate and clear. However, it is primarily chosen for its clean and semi-broken-up tones rather than extreme high-gain metal applications.

What technology does DiMarzio use in this pickup?

It utilizes the same technology found in the DiMarzio Virtual Vintage series. This technology focuses on replicating the harmonic structure of old magnets without the associated noise.

Gear article

DiMarzio DP419 Area 67 Hum Cancelling Strat Pickup

The DiMarzio DP419 Area 67 is a hum-cancelling single-coil replacement pickup designed for Stratocaster-style electric guitars. It utilizes DiMarzio's Virtual Vintage technology to deliver a bright, classic late-1960s tone without the 60-cycle hum associated with traditional single-coil designs.

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Overview and Design

The DiMarzio Area 67 (DP419) is engineered to provide the specific sonic characteristics of a late-1960s Stratocaster pickup while eliminating electromagnetic interference. Housed in a standard single-coil footprint, it is finished in white and intended as a direct drop-in replacement for standard Fender-style pickguards.

The design leverages the same proprietary technology found in the Virtual Vintage series. This allows the pickup to maintain a low-output, high-fidelity response that is highly sensitive to the player's picking dynamics and the instrument's volume control.

Technical Features

The primary innovation of the Area 67 is its hum-cancelling capability. By using a stacked-coil architecture, the DP419 achieves a noise floor comparable to full-size humbuckers. Key technical attributes include:

Hum-Cancellation: Eliminates 60-cycle hum entirely.
Virtual Vintage Technology: Optimized to reduce string pull while maintaining magnetic sensitivity.
Sustain: The design allows for excellent sustain by minimizing the magnetic pull on the strings, which can otherwise dampen vibrations.
Dynamics: Provides a responsive feel that reacts accurately to touch and playing intensity.

Sound Character

The '67' designation refers to the bright and clean sound typical of mid-to-late 1960s pickups. It is characterised by a crisp high-end and a transparent midrange. Unlike many noise-cancelling pickups that can sound compressed or 'dark', the Area 67 maintains a classic 'chime' and 'quack', particularly when used in the neck or middle positions of a Stratocaster.

Suitability and Applications

This pickup is most suitable for guitarists who require vintage single-coil tones but work in environments with significant electrical noise, such as stages with lighting rigs or studios with computer monitors. Its bright character makes it an excellent choice for the neck and middle positions, providing clarity that prevents the sound from becoming muddy.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to standard single-coil pickups, the Area 67 offers the distinct advantage of silent operation. When compared to high-output hum-cancelling models, the Area 67 is notably cleaner and more vintage-voiced. While it lacks the raw output of a dedicated humbucker, it provides a more authentic 'Strat' experience than traditional side-by-side rail pickups.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary benefit of the DiMarzio Area 67?: The primary benefit is its ability to provide vintage late-1960s Stratocaster tones without the 60-cycle hum. It uses Virtual Vintage technology to ensure the pickup is as quiet as a full-sized humbucker.
In which positions is the Area 67 typically installed?: While it can be used in any position, it is particularly favoured for the neck and middle positions. Its bright, clean character is ideal for maintaining clarity in these spots.
Does the Area 67 require a special pickguard?: No, it is designed to fit standard Stratocaster-style pickguards. It shares the same physical footprint as a traditional single-coil pickup.
What colour is the DP419 model?: The DP419 model specified here comes with a white pickup cover. This allows it to blend seamlessly with traditional white or parchment plastic hardware.
Is the Area 67 a high-output pickup?: No, the Area 67 is designed for a bright and clean sound with excellent dynamics. It is considered a vintage-voiced, lower-output pickup compared to modern high-gain models.
How does this pickup handle sustain?: The Area 67 is designed with technology that reduces magnetic string pull. This allows the strings to vibrate more freely, resulting in improved sustain compared to some high-magnet-strength single coils.
Will this pickup eliminate all noise from my guitar?: It eliminates 60-cycle hum, which is the noise inherent to single-coil designs. However, it will not eliminate noise caused by poor grounding or faulty cables elsewhere in your signal chain.
What is the sound character of the '67' compared to other Area models?: The Area 67 is generally brighter and cleaner than the Area 58 or Area 61. It is specifically voiced to replicate the 'chimey' sound of the late 60s.
Can I use this with standard 250k pots?: Yes, standard 250k Ohm potentiometers are typically recommended for this pickup to maintain its vintage tonal balance. Using 500k pots would result in an even brighter sound.
Is this a 'stacked' humbucker?: Yes, it uses a stacked-coil design where one coil sits on top of the other. This allows it to cancel hum while maintaining the narrow magnetic window of a single-coil.
Is the Area 67 good for distorted sounds?: It handles overdrive well, remaining articulate and clear. However, it is primarily chosen for its clean and semi-broken-up tones rather than extreme high-gain metal applications.
What technology does DiMarzio use in this pickup?: It utilizes the same technology found in the DiMarzio Virtual Vintage series. This technology focuses on replicating the harmonic structure of old magnets without the associated noise.