These X2N pickups aren't cutting it

[Matt300ZXT]

This 2nd Warrior I got the other day has wood covers on the pickups. I don't care about trying to remove those and put them on other pickups to preserve originality as it's a niche boutique company most people don't know about, so it's not really pertinent. Anywho, the dual DiMarzio X2Ns just aren't cutting it. 20 years ago I probably would have loved these pickups but I just don't jive with them. The guitar is solid walnut with a mahogany neck and purpleheart fretboard, so I need some good DiMarzio pickups to put in their place. I suppose I could pop in my Duncan pickups I have lying around with a thick layer of dust on their cases I never used, but I fancy some DiMarzios in it. I had a Tone Zone in a USA Charvel and dug it, and I dig this Evolution I have in the bridge of another guitar, but that pickup may be a bit much. What's a good rock n roll DiMarzio to put in the bridge/neck of this guitar that'll be great for playing good ol' guitar rock, solos, classic rock, 80s licks, and maybe some of the 90s stuff?

 

[JohnnyGtar]

2 tricks for those X2N's:

First, play with the height. They need to be a good distance away from the strings.

Second, try them in parallel...they sound reeeeally good in parallel. No need to put a switch in at first, just hardwire them in parallel and see if you like 'em that way. Some people just hardwire them in parallel permanently because they like that tone so much.

 

[Speeddemon]

What's a good rock n roll DiMarzio to put in the bridge/neck of this guitar that'll be great for playing good ol' guitar rock, solos, classic rock, 80s licks, and maybe some of the 90s stuff?

Norton.
It's like a tighter, more behaved Duncan JB, with the same awesome harmonics, but it sounds not as bland when played clean. Also, it splits great!
For a slightly thicker take on this, the DiMarzio AT-1 would be a good one.
I had the ToneZone as well (came stock) in my MIJ Charvel So-Cal, but I found the low-end and low-mids slightly flubby and wanted something tighter.
Oh, and don't forget the good ol' Super Distortion. You'd be surprised how versatile that pickup is and still gives quite a good clean tone, where an X2N would be overpowered.
And for a neck pickup, if you want good clarity=Evo Neck, if you want middy/honky=PAF Pro, if you want juicy=Air Norton.

 

[JackBootedThug]

Not sure how it would work with the wood combo but I’m a custom 5 guy. I found a professional je3 down in VA for $250 in good shape..no my bad…it’s a Kelley….ke3…Mij…