PAF Pro in JEM77DY -> ??? Tone Zone / Breed / EVO ?

Sadegh · #1 10-12-2002, 08:23 AM

Hi there! I have a JEM77DY, maple fingerboard with PAF Pro's. I'm playing over a Marshall JMP-1 and 9005 poweramp. For my taste, the bridge pu misses just a little output, harmonics and sounds a little thin.
I like a clear sound, definition and some agression. No mud and also clear chords, but also want to cut throught with solo's. I'm already looking for PU for a long time, but have no idea what should be best: Tone Zone, Breed, Evo...
I like van Halen's sound and Gilberts sound, but is the Tone Zone to artificial, would the Breed be a better option and more sensitive, clear? or to smooth?
No idea! If anybody could give me some adivice, I'd be grateful!

dcord · #2 10-12-2002, 10:07 AM

IMHO, the Tone Zone is the ultimate pickup for basswood guitars. They aren't smooth by any means, they're raw and ballsy, with tons of harmonics.

I've never heard a Breed, so I can't help you there.

I don't care for Evolutions in basswood because, to me, they're too bright. Imagine staring at the sun for an hour - that bright. They were designed for alder bodied guitars. I'm sure tons of people will disagree with me on that.

In the end, it really comes down to what YOU like. DiMarzio has a generous return policy, so try one or two...

~d~

Lonely Raven · #3 10-12-2002, 10:38 AM

I have the Tone Zone in one guitar, and the EVOs in two guitars.

I'd have to say the Tone Zone is much like the old Van Halen sound,
very evenly voiced harmonics (hehe, hidden joke there).

And I honestly feel that the EVO is like a passive EMG pickup. At first
I hated it because it sounded too "artificial" as you put it, but after
compairing it to all the other pickups in my fleet of guitars, I realized
subtle improvements like better texture, more powerfull harmonics,
and pick articulation.

Both are excellent pickups and I would highly recommend either!

I'm honestly not sure about the Breed. I've only had time to play with it
at Guitar Center in a DBK. I've not gotten around to buying myself a DBK
yet.

kennydoe · #4 10-13-2002, 04:20 AM

I have used the PAF/Evo combination in three different guitars and I love it.

I suggest a hotter output pickup for the middle position too.

~Kenny

CrossingStar · #5 10-13-2002, 06:10 PM

Although I haven't tried the Tone Zone in an Ibanez, I did try it and found it had tons of low end. Too much for me.

Sadegh · #6 10-14-2002, 01:51 PM

I think dcord is right about the Evo... I've also got a maple neck.. basswood body and the pickups are mounted to the pickguard.. so, it'll probably have to much highs.
Tone Zone and Eddy... I also really like Eddy's sound.... as Vai's. But is the Tone Zone sensitive to dynamics in playing? The Breed... will it sound to smooth? Will chords sound "open"/clear? The local stores don't have real Ibanezes anymore to try!!!
If I'd enough mony... I'd buy them alll!!!! the Tone Zone, Evo, Breed and X2N!!!! Including guitars! But... I don't... I'll put a new one in my JEM77DY and the PAF Pro in my backup guitar: Yamaha RGX 612A with alder (I think) body and rosewood fredwood... it has active electronics... I wonder what that'll do to the PAF Pro... if not good... I'll get rid of those electronics!

sniperfrommars1 · #7 10-14-2002, 03:07 PM

The tone zone is quite sensitive to dynamics in your playing. But you might like a steves special more as it has a bit more bottom end.

Sadegh · #8 10-16-2002, 10:59 AM

SS... probably to less mids, as the guitar on itself already hasn't got much.
Nobody really tried the Breeds?

Vaibanez · #9 10-16-2002, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadegh

Nobody really tried the Breeds?

Any one who has owned or owns a DBK can comment on the Breeds. I liked them very much in mine when I had it. I was able to get that DeGarmo sound right out of the case. Very nice.

I want it back...

ripl3y · #10 10-16-2002, 03:29 PM

I have a DBK and I do like the Breeds.

It's difficult to describe a pickup definatively because we all have different setups and playing styles, but I find the Breed sits some way between and Evo and a Paf.

Notes have clarity and definition, i.e. not too shrill and not too bassy, sort of a middle road, I find the bass strings cut through really well, they have that booming sound you want but they don't get mushy.
To me the treble strings just sound smooth with a little bit of edge.

Harmonics are good, as is note seperation (as long as you don't use too much drive)

Steve used the Breeds on "Blood & Tears" from "Ultrazone" I believe, so that may give you some idea.

I'd also recommend emailing Dimarzio.
I did this once, telling them what rig I had, what guitar and what tone I wanted to achieve and they mailed me back recommending a pickup with the characters I was looking for.

gl

Steve

Knightmeir · #11 10-16-2002, 05:02 PM

The breeds are nice... and I was actually considering dropping some EVOs in my DBK just for the hell of it to see how it would sound. ALl I can say is, experiment : D

Drew · #12 10-16-2002, 09:01 PM

I used the 7-string Tone Zone in both basswood and mahogany, and while it was useable in basswood, i may be the minority here in saying i found it useless in mahogany. I mean, good, chunky rhythm tone... but NO high end definition. Clean, it was horrible. i mean, if you like the sound of a les paul, maybe it's your thing, but if you want a tight, clear pickup, i'd say pass. Like i said, better in basswood, and actually fairly well balanced there, but doesn't sound like it's what you're looking for.

Never really researched all the 6-string options from dimarzio, but there's tons out there. You might want to try e-mailing them.

Also, don't dismiss Seymour Duncan- i know ex-dimarzio players who swear by them. I guess the thing is dimarzios handle effects better and maintain clarity through heavy processing, but SD's, well... I think a guy summed it up nicely once by saying straight into the amp, the difference between duncans and dimarzios is like standing in the room with your amp, as opposed to listening from the next one over. an exaggeration, perhaps, but worht checking out.

-drew

sebastian · #13 10-17-2002, 11:31 PM

Are you talking about the old Eddie tone or the new one?
The old Eddie tone is that PAF Pro sound.
The Tone Zone is very full of lows and highs, not much mid like the old Eddie tone.
The Tone Zone is more of a Thrash PU.
The Breed is the Vai sound, even more than the EVOs.
If you want the old Eddie sound, just tweek your rig.
I own all of these PUs and - FRED - Steve's special - many different Fender PUs - Air Zone - Air Norton etc.

If you rig is sounding thin a new PU wont fix the problem.
Are you using a straight 4x12 cab?
Turn up the base and pull down the mids a little.
Keep the treble and the presence at the same level all the time.

Turn some nobs and see what happens.

Sebastian

Sadegh · #14 10-18-2002, 07:21 AM

I'm using a Marshall JMP-1 and a 9005 poweramp (2x50W) through a Marshall 1922 2x12" cab.
I get the idea that the Breed is a little to smooth.. not really agressive... he used it on Blood and Tears... a smooth song...
The PAF Pro has a nice sound... but just to little output to drive the JMP-1 and it doesn't really cut through.
Paul uses Tone Zone to, van Halen's new sound is made with something like the Tone Zone in the MusicMan Axis (now the Peavey's)... I suppose it doesn't sound that artificial.
I think you're right about the PAF Pro, it get's close to old van Halen sound...

rty13ibz98 · #15 10-18-2002, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebastian

Are you talking about the old Eddie tone or the new one?
The old Eddie tone is that PAF Pro sound.
The Tone Zone is very full of lows and highs, not much mid like the old Eddie tone.
The Tone Zone is more of a Thrash PU.
The Breed is the Vai sound, even more than the EVOs.
If you want the old Eddie sound, just tweek your rig.
I own all of these PUs and - FRED - Steve's special - many different Fender PUs - Air Zone - Air Norton etc.

If you rig is sounding thin a new PU wont fix the problem.
Are you using a straight 4x12 cab?
Turn up the base and pull down the mids a little.
Keep the treble and the presence at the same level all the time.

Turn some nobs and see what happens.

Sebastian

tone zone...thrash? no way. i guess you could, but THE thrash pickup is the emg 81. nezt is the invader and after that is the x2n. the tone zone is more like a JB. the staple of the line for just a bit over the top tone and technique. evos are nice, but basswood will choke any pickup. i agree with D on the evo alder connection, but for basswood, tone zones make the wood tolerable. i mainly use TZs for mahogany guitars. its my favorite bridge pickup as far. no real opinions on the breed, just played them at sam ash on a dbk, but that was a long time ago. i remember that the tone was fatter than the regular evos, but not as hot, which is good and bad. with that said, it was a very good tone from it. not like my TZs. i use mainly the air norton and tone zone combo, but have had tons of different pickup configurations and brands. for what you want, the TZ sounds right. it is possibly the most versatile production bridge pickup in the industry.

rich