Tone Zone or Evolution HEEEEELP!!! can't decide - BFP bridge

Courjan · #1 04-16-2002, 07:11 AM

* Since the day I have gotten my Ibanez JPM, my BFP has seen little action. That's why I have decided to revive this baby by changing the bridge pup. I do not dislike the tone of the PAFPro, it's just the lack of power and crunch that disturbs me. (BTW I bow in reverence to the PAFPro in the neck. So problem with that one)
* I know that most BFP owners have done this mod and the most popular replacement choices were ToneZone and Evolution as I have seen. I want to know how the two pups sound in the BFP.
So, any owners of modded BFPs with the above pickups, could you describe your tone and land me a little advice. I have a hunch that my axe will turn into a very versatile monster after this mod.

**jono** · #2 04-16-2002, 09:20 AM

I can't offer help directly as I don't own a BFP. But in my maple necked RGs where I've changed pickups to one of the two you're considering I've gone for the Evolution. I was going directly for the modern "Vai" sound and think that the Evo makes all the difference.

In general I think the Tone Zone lends a more "neutral" character to the tone, not sounding particularly like any one guitarist, whereas the Evo's do give you a big step towards sounding pretty much like Steve.

BUT... I'm also very fond of the PAF Pro in the bridge position so you may want to disregard my opinion on this matter entirely

Skarekrough · #3 04-16-2002, 02:13 PM

The TZ and Evos are both good choices....great pickups but very different.

The TZ is more of an "all out" sort of pickup. *It has plenty of output without distorting really easily. *Lots of highs and mids on it. *The sucker will cut through damned near any sound and room. *Artificial harmonics can be hauled out damned near anywhere with it. *It's a real straight-ahead ass-kicker of a pickup.

The Evolutions are kind of the Dr. Jekyll to the TZs Mr. Hyde (is that analogy right?). *The Evos are VERY well balanced tonally and lend themselves to the full range of notes consistently. *Highs cut well but aren't overly-dramatic. *Lows are very tight and defined. *Output is big but not unwieldy. *Artifical Harmonics can be hauled out all over with a decent amount of work and skill.

Both are excellent pickups. *I like the TZ in a live situation because it's a great pickup for those little tricks that can be used to cover up mistakes. *The Evolutions are great for studio work but certainly hold their own in a live setting.

The cool thing to remember about Dimarzio is that you do have a return period with them. *Buy them, install them and play the heck out of them and see what you think.

Skarekrough · #4 04-16-2002, 02:20 PM

The TZ and Evos are both good choices....great pickups but very different.

The TZ is more of an "all out" sort of pickup. *It has plenty of output without distorting really easily. *Lots of highs and mids on it. *The sucker will cut through damned near any sound and room. *Artificial harmonics can be hauled out damned near anywhere with it. *It's a real straight-ahead ass-kicker of a pickup.

The Evolutions are kind of the Dr. Jekyll to the TZs Mr. Hyde (is that analogy right?). *The Evos are VERY well balanced tonally and lend themselves to the full range of notes consistently. *Highs cut well but aren't overly-dramatic. *Lows are very tight and defined. *Output is big but not unwieldy. *Artifical Harmonics can be hauled out all over with a decent amount of work and skill.

Both are excellent pickups. *I like the TZ in a live situation because it's a great pickup for those little tricks that can be used to cover up mistakes. *The Evolutions are great for studio work but certainly hold their own in a live setting.

The cool thing to remember about Dimarzio is that you do have a return period with them. *Buy them, install them and play the heck out of them and see what you think.

musicdr · #5 04-16-2002, 02:40 PM

I preferred the TZ in the maple fretboard guitars I have owned(rg770dlx,DY jem),Seemed to even out the bright nature of maple.Depends on what you are playing through too.I use both in guitars with rosewood,ebony boards.

CrossingStar · #6 04-16-2002, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Skarekrough on 1:20 pm on April 16, 2002

The TZ is more of an "all out" sort of pickup. *It has plenty of output without distorting really easily. *Lots of highs and mids on it. *

I think the heavy low end is the TZ's main sound. That's what I heard in it(& didn't like). I mean it might have lots of highs & mids but when I tried it they would've been drowned out by the insane low end.

rgr · #7 04-17-2002, 03:11 PM

I agree with Xing, the TZ was way too bass heavy (read muddy) for me, try a Norton, it has the highs and mids of a TZ with tighter mids. *

Forgot to mention, the Breeds rock too and are in the middle of the 2 extremes you have mentioned.

(Edited by rgr at 12:12 pm on April 17, 2002)

**cerealk** · #8 04-17-2002, 03:27 PM

I added a TZ to my '92 BFP and it sounds great. *The Evolution is a very different sounding pick-up but I prefer the TZ.
It really made my BFP sound better after I changed it. *One thing though...do consider changing the neck PAF pro too as the output is much less than the TZ and maybe an Air Norton may make a better combination with the TZ.

I like the low end!

Cheers

Simon

jem777az · #9 04-17-2002, 06:54 PM

I have a Tone Zone/Air Norton combo in my 777DY. *Although I liked the PAF-Pro's, I love the Tone Zone. *Cuts through the mix very well and sounds good with Basswood IMO. *Doesn't have a whole lot of bottom end, but that's OK my Mesa Boogie cabinets have tons of bottom end to make up for it. *

The TZ is much warmer than the EVO IMO. *The EVO sounds like an icepick to the forehead, way to harsh for my tastes.

**jono** · #10 04-17-2002, 07:26 PM

Quote:

cerealk on 2:27 pm on April 17, 2002
One thing though...do consider changing the neck PAF pro too as the output is much less than the TZ and maybe an Air Norton may make a better combination with the TZ.

Ironically the Air Norton has 30mV less output than the PAF Pro!!! I think it's maybe because it's not so focussed on the highs and has a warmer, fuller mid that it sounds more matched to the TZ?

(Edited by jono at 1:28 pm on April 17, 2002)

jeff l · #11 04-18-2002, 10:09 AM

Hey guys,
* * * * * * * What about the "Air Zone" pickup? Isn't it supposed to have the TZ eq curve with a tad less output which would make it more suitable with a high gain amp? Has anyone here tried one? I got that RG-550 Deluxe that's begging for a pickup swap.

7 Dying Trees · #12 04-18-2002, 10:23 AM

if given a choice I'd go for the tone zone. I agree with the "icepick to the forehead" description as well. Evo's are good for processing, but not good for character or warmth. In fact, i am not keen at all on the evo's in my BSB.

Courjan · #13 04-18-2002, 01:11 PM

Actually I usually turn down the presence on my lead tones. I like it sounding nice and smooth, never screechy. *That low-end on the ToneZone will be welcome to me I guess.

But what about rythm playing with a lot of gain? What style of music is the TZ most suitable for. On the DiMarzio site it says anything from blues to heavy metal but is that really the case?

Guitarlos2 · #14 04-18-2002, 07:02 PM

Between the two, id also go with the TZ. *Its a thicker sounding pickup, lots of power and punch. *The TZ probably can handle anything fron blues to metal *(also heavily dependant on what amp your using)The Evolutions sound a little harsh to me with all the high end going on. *

Soloist · #15 04-18-2002, 07:39 PM

The evolutions sounded very thin and harsh when I had them installed in my RG2020X, the very next day they were sent back to dimarzio in exchange for the tone zone and air norton. *I have to say the tone zone is much fuller sounding and has a lot of harmonics, the evolution was horrible in comparison it made me want to beg for my v7/v8's. *Personally I think the tone zone sounds great, of course if you like your jpm's sound so much you could get a steve's special (SS sounds way better than evo's in my opinion) however the steve's special is heavily biased towards metal sounds, your best bet would probably be Tone Zone or maybe a Norton (not the air version)