Al Di Meola Bridge pickup review vs. Tone Zone

frankfalbo · #1 08-07-2004, 03:30 PM

I hardly ever start a topic, probably once a year. But I just got a Dimarzio Al Di Meola bridge pickup. They still make it, but it doesn't appear on any literature or the website (for now anyway) I did a search here and all I found was talk of the neck model, which looks to be a real winner too.

I thought I'd tell you guys about it because lots of us have the same complaint about the Tone Zone. It's too much; too thick. The ADM bridge pickup is very similar to the TZ in tonality, but it's wound to 10.84 and therefore is lower in output. One known TZ "trick" is to lower the pickup down about 1/8". Well then you reduce the attack a little. That's okay if you like that loose sound. But the ADM has that strong and thick type of sound, but you can raise it up for a more up front and sensitive/responsive feel. It's really a fantastic pickup and a wonderful alternative to the TZ. It's lower in output but like the TZ, it's output is spread over a strong frequency range, so it seems louder than it is. Plus you can run it close to the strings with great results. I love it, and wouldn't use a TZ again. It would match well with any of the typical "Jemsite favorite" neck pickups.

Murray · #2 08-08-2004, 04:45 PM

hmm sounds interesting

is there any info on the net about it?

The Euphor · #3 08-08-2004, 05:01 PM

Info on the net.

Ibateur · #4 08-09-2004, 06:14 AM

Uhm Euphor, you seem to have linked back to this thread.

BeastofLove · #5 08-09-2004, 07:15 AM

I believe that was an attempt a being funny...

You should be able to contact DiMarzio and ask them for a spec sheet or brief description... I'm sure they have some literature laying about, and they've always been helpful to me.

-Ben

Murray · #6 08-09-2004, 07:40 AM

lol

yeah dimarzio seems like the best bet

they sohould put it on their site though

Ibateur · #7 08-09-2004, 09:03 AM

Its to late to say LOL, isn't it?

frankfalbo · #8 08-09-2004, 01:30 PM

As for specs, I have an old catalog and it doesn't even list it in the text. It shows it at the end in the tone chart section. Wound to 10.84, description says: PAF sound with more lows & mids, output 275 millivolts (buts seems louder than that) model #DP202. The tone guide says 5/8/8. It's the old numbers so the Tone Zone says 6/8/9 on that same chart. I played it this weekend and it solidified in my mind how great it was. The highs are "better" than a TZ because the output is lower and therefore the whole sound is cleaner. So even though the TZ highs are "1 digit" higher on their tone chart, they have to compete with that "9" in the bass, and thats where it starts to sound too thick.

BeastofLove · #9 08-09-2004, 01:45 PM

Thanks for the info... sounds like a really cool pickup to try out!
-Ben

Ibateur · #10 08-10-2004, 09:03 AM

http://www.harmony-central.com/Guita...iMeola-01.html

power freak · #11 08-13-2004, 05:52 PM

One question: Does it have the "vocalness" of the TZ or not?

frankfalbo · #12 08-13-2004, 06:34 PM

Of all the Dimarzio's I wouldn't consider the TZ to have much of a vocal quality. When I think of a vocal quality I'm thinking more along the lines of the Fred, Norton, and Double Whammy, or even the PAF Pro. I see the Tone Zone as posessing that quality in there within the mids, but to me the TZ is an "all frequencies loud-all the time" pickup, and that's what makes it sound thick and also what detracts from the openness and "vocalness" of the sound. So when guys back them away from the strings it's to tame it down a bit. If that's not your perception of the TZ, then the ADM isn't right for you. So if you're happy with the TZ the AMD is not an "improvement" for everyone. The ADM is good IMHO for those who have tried the TZ and had all the standard complaints with it. I've been here for years and I keep hearing the same complaints over and over again, and the only solution offered is to drop it down. And most of the time that still doesn't fix it for the person. So there's obviously something about the way DiMarzio is marketing the TZ, and they way its described that causes people to purchase it that aren't right for it. The Al Di Meola if anything it has more of a vocal quality than the TZ because it's not so high output and you can run it closer to the strings for a more responsive feel. But the tone is very similar to the TZ (to me) and I guess I feel like the ADM delivers what the catalog description and hype lead you to believe about the TZ. I hope that makes sense.

So the short answer is: Yes it absolutely does!