New pick ups

[Doadman]

I play an RGT42 and I love it. I was thinking of upgrading to a Prestige RGT but it is a hell of alot more money that's difficult to justify as I only play at home mostly. Instead I'm thinking of changing the pick ups and have been looking at so DiMarzio's to do the job. I'd like to keep the 5-way selector and possibly introduce coil tapping to broaden the range of sounds available.

For the bridge I'm looking for a distorted sound that has real balls to it. I'm thinking of Tony Iommi, Synyster Gates, Randy Rhoads etc. For the neck position I'd like a more subtle sound. Something that can really sing when used for solos, that is bright and clear but not a thin sound; a sound that doesn't get muddy at all. I like using the neck pick up for solos as it gives a rounder sound and in that respect I suppose I'm thinking of something like Dave Murray. I'd like it to be versatile as I play Metal, Rock and Blues. I anticipate using the neck pu for alot of the Blues sounds I want.

I've played around with the DiMarzio website alot and narrowed it down to these:

Bridge
Either the Super Distortion or the Tone Zone. For what I'm after they seem to be easily the most suitable but which one?

Neck
Either the Air Norton or a PAF Joe. Both seem to be very versatile.

Unlike guitars, it's not like I can easily go out and try them so I'm relying on advice from people who probably know more about this than I do. Which of these would make the best combination for the sounds I'm looking for or are there any alternatives I've not thought of and should?

[Angelo Guitars]

Based on the pickups you listed above, I'd recommend the Tone Zone/Air Norton combo.

I used to use Super Distortion, but prefer Tone Zone to it.

Air Norton is one of my favorite neck pickups from Dimarzio. Very smooth sounding. The E, A, and D strings won't "mush out" when using lots of distortion.

I've not used PAF Joe yet, so I can't comment on it.

[Ozzdoc]

Tone Zone and Air Norton, you won't be dissapointed

[GregCrowe]

If you're looking for a really ballsy crunchy bridge position sound, I'd go with the Super Distortion. The Tone Zone is a decent pickup but it doesn't have the bite, balls and low end crunch of the Super D.

[SE909]

Since you play metal, I would say super distortion for the bridge mate

[Big Red]

Doadman,

I bought a RG320FM a while ago because I didn't have the cash to buy a Prestige. A few months ago I decided to switch the pickups, and like you, had trouble deciding what to get. Since I am a novice, I have been learning the 80's British metal stuff (including Maiden), so I decided to buy a Super Distortion for the bridge. That's what Dave Murray used during the 80's before he switched to Duncan's, that is also what Adrian Smith used from 1986-1988, and that is what Phil Collen used in his old Destroyer. Also, Dave Murray used a regular PAF in the neck position during the 80's, so a more powerfull version would sound just fine.

If your looking for a classic 70's/80's metal tone, then do yourself a favor and buy the Super Distortion for the bridge. I have even been able to pretty much emulate the complex/unique Somewhere In Time guitar tone thanks to this pick-up (and various equipment, of course). I also had put in a PAF Pro in the neck position; it makes for a great combination.

If you want a modern/90's chugga-chugga tone, then go with the Tone Zone and the Air Norton. John Petrucci used the Tone Zone for the Images and Words album, and the Air Norton for the following albums: Awake, A Change Of Seasons, Falling Into Infinity, Scenes From A Memory.

I hope this helps.

[mi2tom]

Originally Posted by Ozzdoc

Tone Zone and Air Norton, you won't be dissapointed

+1

[Ozzdoc]

YEA!!!! I got my RG550 back, with the Pink Tone Zone and Air Norton.

I got some new knobs from Allparts that I just put in. There Green, Yellow and for the pickup selector purple. I got a top for the middle single coil and its yellow. It looks freakin sweet.

IT SOUNDS AWSOME!!! Freakin screamin leads and sick, tight rythm. The Air Norton it just buetiful....thats all I can say haha...

[GlassCasket]

if you want a real balls to the wall pickup may i suggest a X2N i have them in all my ibanez's