Evolutions are "unforgiving" -- what does this mean?

RedTiger · #1 11-19-2009, 10:28 AM

You sometimes hear that Evolutions are "unforgiving". Even Dimarzio's own summary says they are "not for the inexperienced".

What the hell is this supposed to mean? It sounds like a marketing gimmick to me, like if you use them and sound good, you MUST be good.

Is there any truth to the idea that they will somehow expose sloppy playing more than another pickup?

blackspy · #2 11-19-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTiger

You sometimes hear that Evolutions are "unforgiving". Even Dimarzio's own summary says they are "not for the inexperienced".

What the hell is this supposed to mean? It sounds like a marketing gimmick to me, like if you use them and sound good, you MUST be good.

Is there any truth to the idea that they will somehow expose sloppy playing more than another pickup?

Usually that just means that they're clear and articulate. Sometimes people say that when referring to quiet pickups as well. No extra noise, and will push through every tiny nuance of your playing. If you're sloppy, it will come through loud and clear.

speedy mcfeely · #3 11-19-2009, 10:39 AM

The EQ is very clear. You hear the attack a lot more, thus making mistakes more obvious. However if you are spot on with your playing it is a very satisfying pickup.

nickcoumbe · #4 11-19-2009, 10:50 AM

Clear, clean tone, and in the neck, quite dark. Exactly as the guys above say, you hear everything, even if you don't want to!

They are also best suited to driving a valve amp. Many people don't like the sound through transistor amps, and I feel that they don't bring out the best.

Personally I like them. I actually find that I play better on Evo's as I am trying much harder.

Sickbean · #5 11-19-2009, 10:52 AM

Cornford Amps are exactly the same in this respect.

RedTiger · #6 11-19-2009, 12:08 PM

Sounds cool. I like to use modeling amps since I'm playing (and hopefully recording in the future, stay tuned for that!

) at apartment volume levels. The modeling amps are modeling tube amps and currently I'm using the Dimarzio/IBZ pickups which are supposed to be high output. They sound ok to me, no adverse quality due to high output + SS modeling a tube amp, so I think I'm fine there.

I'm very, very hard on myself about ANY extraneous noise when playing. When you play the guitar, other strings are going to vibrate and make noise, which is normal since you're touching it! I'm obsessive making sure that all of this is muted and cannot be heard through the amp. In that regard, Evolutions sound like they'd be awesome.

What do you all think about them in basswood? I've researched and read mixed comments, but I've also seen/heard videos of a very good player using them in an RG 1570 and they sound great, which to me is a good sign.

EDIT: I'm considering a full set -- neck, matching single coil, and bridge.

LuredMaul · #7 11-19-2009, 01:50 PM

Try the Evo 2 bridge in basswood.
To me Basswood already has a good amount of topend to it;when you add Evolution it's like being stabbed in the nasal cavity with an icepick ( not that I've ever felt that firsthand). Evo2 has a lowered 5-6khz range which tames the upper mid and highs. but still has all the Evo for you to enjoy.

AirZone was also good in basswood with a modeler.

PortlandAxe · #8 11-19-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTiger

I'm obsessive making sure that all of this is muted and cannot be heard through the amp. In that regard, Evolutions sound like they'd be awesome.

Yep, it sounds like you're going to love the Evolutions. Aside from their absolute clarity, I personally just like their tone and their output level. They seem to agree more with the types of sounds that I'm trying to achieve.

However, I've not heard them in a basswood body (only alder), so I'm not sure how different it will be for you.

RedTiger · #9 11-19-2009, 02:15 PM

Evo 2 is my fall-back. I want to try the regular Evolution first.
I don't mind a lot of treble. I prefer the basic tone to be bright and out in front. To me, a bright tone can be tamed with amp EQ and preserve the inherent bite. Brightness can be tamed, muddiness cannot.

Actually, my other contender is PAF Pro neck/bridge and FS-1 for the single coil. I'm just really afraid of the PAF in the bridge. I have a Strat with one in the bridge. Sounds great for almost everything...try a nice, chunky palm muted powerchord? It sounds ok, but not as good as I'd like it to.

Orochimaru · #10 11-19-2009, 02:30 PM

I love The Evolution DP 159 (bridge version) in neck. I could kill for that sound.

lebo · #11 11-21-2009, 07:52 PM

no evolution,go with evo2 deffinitly!!!Evolutions are too much trebly,noisey,and legato isnt that smooth in basswood as is with alder,believe me i try a lots of combinations.I have in second guitar loaded tone zone and it sound amazing.Try evo2,tone zove,d-sonic,exelent choise.

nickcoumbe · #12 11-22-2009, 09:25 AM

To be honest I have EVO 2 in basswood and it is good. The EVO original was designed more for Alder though, which is a different sounding wood.

However if you have good control of your tone etc, then you should be fine. You can always swop them around!

**jono** · #13 11-22-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTiger

Sounds cool. I like to use modeling amps since I'm playing (and hopefully recording in the future, stay tuned for that!

) at apartment volume levels. The modeling amps are modeling tube amps and currently I'm using the Dimarzio/IBZ pickups which are supposed to be high output. They sound ok to me, no adverse quality due to high output + SS modeling a tube amp, so I think I'm fine there.

I'm very, very hard on myself about ANY extraneous noise when playing. When you play the guitar, other strings are going to vibrate and make noise, which is normal since you're touching it! I'm obsessive making sure that all of this is muted and cannot be heard through the amp. In that regard, Evolutions sound like they'd be awesome.

What do you all think about them in basswood? I've researched and read mixed comments, but I've also seen/heard videos of a very good player using them in an RG 1570 and they sound great, which to me is a good sign.

EDIT: I'm considering a full set -- neck, matching single coil, and bridge.

The thing to consider when you think about Evo's in basswood, is the JEM10

Personally it's my favourite bridge pickup and I've tried lots of pickups. But you do hear everything, it's crisp, clear, articulated and you hear every nuance but also every mistake. But like Nick said, you do play harder, I guess it gives back everything you put into it.

Oh what the F***, it sounds great

Go buy one, see what we mean, and if you don't agree you could either swap it, or sell it in the classifieds here and probably not lose too much cash

Foulacy · #14 11-23-2009, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTiger

Sounds cool. I like to use modeling amps since I'm playing (and hopefully recording in the future, stay tuned for that!

) at apartment volume levels. The modeling amps are modeling tube amps and currently I'm using the Dimarzio/IBZ pickups which are supposed to be high output. They sound ok to me, no adverse quality due to high output + SS modeling a tube amp, so I think I'm fine there.

I'm very, very hard on myself about ANY extraneous noise when playing. When you play the guitar, other strings are going to vibrate and make noise, which is normal since you're touching it! I'm obsessive making sure that all of this is muted and cannot be heard through the amp. In that regard, Evolutions sound like they'd be awesome.

What do you all think about them in basswood? I've researched and read mixed comments, but I've also seen/heard videos of a very good player using them in an RG 1570 and they sound great, which to me is a good sign.

EDIT: I'm considering a full set -- neck, matching single coil, and bridge.

if you think Dimarzio/IBZ's are high output, wait until you try an evolution... btw, the Dim/IBZ's are honestly super weak, so any pickup would be a substantial power upgrade. but an evo... that's gonna knock your socks off. you will love it.

RedTiger · #15 11-23-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foulacy

if you think Dimarzio/IBZ's are high output, wait until you try an evolution... btw, the Dim/IBZ's are honestly super weak, so any pickup would be a substantial power upgrade. but an evo... that's gonna knock your socks off. you will love it.

I don't think, I know.

"DiMarzio®/IBZ pickups

The DiMarzio®/IBZ pickups in the Ibanez RG2120 and RG2570EX are specifically designed and manufactured by DiMarzio® for Ibanez, and they are not available separately. Like all DiMarzio® pickups, they are made in our New York factory. Both neck and bridge pickups are high-output models. The neck pickup is fairly bright-sounding, similar to a Super 2™ (DP104). The bridge pickup is a little louder and warmer-sounding, and resembles a cross between the Steve Morse Bridge Model™ (DP200) and the Super Distortion® (DP100). The R1 single-coil is warmer-sounding than a typical vintage single-coil, and was designed to work well with the neck and bridge humbuckers when they are in split mode. It has a sound similar to that of the HS-2™ in split-coil mode."

From DiMarzio's website.

With all due respect Foulacy, I thought we'd all be on the same page by now about IBZs. How many years have these things been out? I swear that the whole idea of OEM DiMarzio pickups were the worst idea ever. Its like guitar manufacturers have no clue about how their intended market perceives their products.