D-Sonic and PAF Joe Evaluation

lyconxero · #1 02-03-2006, 10:39 PM

I got these two pickups installed in my S470DX today and I've gotta say that I'm very impressed. I have the D-Sonic in the bridge and the PAF Joe in the neck and the guitar just sounds PHENOMINAL right now. I can barely put it down to write this post, but I know that if I don't I'll forget to do it.

The D-Sonic in the bridge position (with the blade towards the bridge) is such a great pickup. I can only describe the sound as being similar to an EMG 81 but with more life. It's really clear and articulate even with my guitar in Drop C tuning. It can sing, it can squeel, and it can sure as hell SCREAM! Dimarzio did something very right with this pickup because it is just PERFECT in the bridge and it really brought my guitar to life.

The PAF Joe in the neck position is a good Dimarzio pickup as well. It's not quite as good as my favorite neck pickup (the EMG 85) but it is up there. It has great leads and a nice full, rich tone. The only reason why it looses to the EMG 85 is that it's not quite as clean as the EMG 85 in the neck with full volume. The pickup actually reminds me of a cross between a PAF Pro and an Air Norton.

Split together, these pickups work even better than I would've thought. They produce a GREAT split tone and the volume drop is negligible. In fact, the volume stays pretty constant in all three positions (I have it wired on a 3 way switch right now) and I will definitely use all three positions frequently with the bridge being used the most frequently because it kicks sooo much A$$.

All in all, I would say that I'm satisfied with the PAF Joe in the neck and VERY HAPPY with the D-Sonic in the bridge. I would recommend the D-Sonic to anyone and everyone, especially if you play in drop tunings. I would just say to make sure to install the bar towards the bridge REGARDLESS because the pickup doesn't sound nearly as good turned the other way around. Also, I have found that this pickup really kills if you back off the gain on your amp a little bit. I normally play with the gain on my amp at 8/11 but I turned it down to 6/11 and it really lets the pickup speak. It's a high output pickup anyway, so it doesn't need as much gain to make the signal break up.

j.arledge · #2 02-03-2006, 11:45 PM

the d-soinc is one hell of a pickup . I highly recommend it to everyone looking for clear powerful pickup with good overall responce over the sound range. It isn't just for drop tunning , switch it around that makes a huge difference . It is like an edgy more powerful tone zone that cuts and has clarity . I love it , i am definatly going to get another one .

lyconxero · #3 02-04-2006, 02:36 AM

I know that it's not just for drop tunings but even if you're playing in standard tuning I would still face the bar towards the bridge. I tried facing the bar the other way just for the hell of it to see what the sound was like and it wasn't good. It was like putting a pickup that was designed to be in the neck position in the bridge. Of course, if that's the kind of tone that you want then by all means experiment with it. I love this pickup, though. It has a lot better clarity than the Tone Zone and it is definitely edgy.

Now I'm wondering what this pickup would sound like in the neck position. I know that the Tone Zone actually makes for a nice neck pickup so I'm thinking that this one would as well (in one direction or another). If anyone has tried this, let me know how it worked out.

shredfreak · #4 02-04-2006, 06:42 AM

Sounds very much like pickup I've been looking for. Maybe I should try one. Do you know if it has any similarities to Duncan Dimebucker?

Shredcows · #5 02-04-2006, 09:08 AM

How's the harmonics and dynamics of the D-Sonic?

I love the TZ's harmonics and dynamics... but it was too flabbly. The Breed bridge had a tighter low end, but harmonics weren't that good. So now I'm on a Double Whammy.

pedalinbob · #6 02-04-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shredcows

How's the harmonics and dynamics of the D-Sonic?

I love the TZ's harmonics and dynamics... but it was too flabbly. The Breed bridge had a tighter low end, but harmonics weren't that good. So now I'm on a Double Whammy.

I am curious as well.

It is hard to find a pickup with a good balance of power, tightness, warmth, clarity and harmonics. I am still searching!

Bob

Shredcows · #7 02-04-2006, 11:02 AM

pedalinbob... you are so right...
I've been thru too many pups for my bridge humbucker. Breed bridge, X2N, Tonezone, Breed neck, PAF Joe and now, its a Double Whammy. Ugh. And I don't have the Dimarzio 30 day exchange here.

lyconxero · #8 02-04-2006, 12:37 PM

I don't remember playing with a Dimebucker before, I can't compare it to that. The pickup does have a very tight sound with power and clarity. The harmonics also sound really good for it to be a passive pickup. The thing that I've noticed on this guitar is that the harmonics are a lot clearer than they are on my RG with EMGs. It's like the kind of tone that you would want to record with. Honestly, I think Dimarzio should take this same technology and make a 7 string version of this pickup because it just seems like it has all the characteristics that I would look for in a 7 string pickup.

Thrash · #9 02-04-2006, 12:44 PM

I can't beleive you compaired the Paf Joe to a EMG 85. I have both and there's no compairson. The 85 is sterile and the Joe is warm, and round. I guess your rig might effect the sound of your pups but on my amps the Joe is by far a better pickup. EMGs are great for metal but when I want tone I go back to my Dimarzios.

Code001 · #10 02-04-2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyconxero

Honestly, I think Dimarzio should take this same technology and make a 7 string version of this pickup because it just seems like it has all the characteristics that I would look for in a 7 string pickup.

Dimarzio is releasing a 7 string D-Sonic, along with a X2N7.

carlos grijalva · #11 02-04-2006, 01:56 PM

Can anyone post some samples of each?

j.arledge · #12 02-04-2006, 03:25 PM

this a clip i recorded while screwing around . the guitar has a d-soinc in the bridge and paf pro in the neck . it is dropped d and the amp is a 5150 .

http://www.podsafeaudio.com/jamroom/...mode=song_hifi

lyconxero · #13 02-05-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrash

I can't beleive you compaired the Paf Joe to a EMG 85. I have both and there's no compairson. The 85 is sterile and the Joe is warm, and round. I guess your rig might effect the sound of your pups but on my amps the Joe is by far a better pickup. EMGs are great for metal but when I want tone I go back to my Dimarzios.

That's very possible. All I know is that with my rig, the EMG 85 sounds great both clean and distorted. The clean with the EMG 85 in the neck is great for rhythm and dark-sounding melodies and distorted it's like the perfect shred neck pickup. Also, the PAF Joe can't touch the EMG 85 when it comes to sustain. But, to each their own. I've still got some more messing around to do with the pickup.

lyconxero · #14 02-05-2006, 12:27 AM

Here are a few crappy sound samples that I just did messing around.

http://clt.astate.edu/statonm/Audio/test.wav

http://clt.astate.edu/statonm/Audio/test2.wav

With the first one, I tried recording via a crappy PC mic from my amp. With the second, I tried recording from the record out of my amp into my computer. The only problem with the latter option is that my computer has a really crappy sound card so the quality goes to hell. The pickup rocks, though. Definitely one of my favorite bridge pickups.

Shredcows · #15 02-05-2006, 01:56 AM

Ugh... this is why ppl have different guitars!!! I want my S520EX to be killer at lead (dynamics!!!!) AND rhythm (CHUGG!!!) and its not working out....

That D-Sonic does sound very clear and chunky! = Great for rhythm!

D-Sonic 7 when I get my hands on that RG7621... Hehehe...