Pickup Choice for Petrucci / Gilbert Fan

[nullsys]

Hi all,
I have a hard decision and its running like crazy in my mind.
Im trying to choose my FIRST DiMarzio 3 pickup selection and I would like a lil help if possible,

Gear:
Ibanez RG1570
Laney Twin Combo
Zoom Gt9.2tt Pedal

Influences and Want to Sound Like:
Dream Theater
Paul Gilbert
Satriani
Steve Vai
Mr Big

Well there you have it, my sound really would need to produce Dream Theater stuff but with that cool sound Paul Gilbert has, especially from in Mr Big and his Get Out Of My Yard stuff.

Ive been told ALOT of things but I think ive settled on these choices:

Neck: Air Norton
For that warm, sustain distortion with plenty of harmonics.

Middle: HS-2
Standard sound really.

Bridge: PAF Pro, Steve's Special, Breed, Tone Zone.
Im torn between them, John Petrucci uses Steve's Specials ( or did ) and Satch, Vai and Gilbert uses, or sounds like the others.

Can you make any more recommendations on what best to choose?
DiMarzio recommended Breed or D-Sonic, but I heard the Breed is gritty, the TZ can be muddy and the PAF Pro might not get my Dream THeater sound?

Sorry for long post!

[RSVampire]

I would try the Breed, it's not gritty and it'll probably get you in the range of all of those sounds with a little eq tweaking and some practice.

[CityofBlindingLights]

Petrucci uses the D-Sonic, it's his signiature pickup

Steve's Special has a HUGE mid scoop, it's an amazing pickup, but not sure if that's what you'd want.

For Gilbert tone I'd say Super Distortion, though not sure if that'd get you Dream Theater tone, it's a little thicker than that. Do some research into the DiMarzio Megadrive, it might be what you're looking for.

Anyway my vote goes for the Super Distortion.

[rty13ibz98]

i would go for the regular norton and the super distortion combo. great output and tone. will cover alot of bases and will get you close to most of those guys tones. not exact, but each one of those guys's tones are pretty unique to each other. the norton/SD combo will end up being all purpose rock/metal.


rich

[nullsys]

Yes, Petrucci uses the D-Sonic but im sure he used Steve's Special in the 90's. And I think your right, it might not be versitile.
The D-Sonic is TOO metal for me im afraid lol.

The breed, hmm... I just havnt heard of ANYONE using it that I like, I dont even think Stevie uses it that much anymore.

Yeah, Super Distortion, someone mentioned using it... The name along makes it sound gritty and bitey, I know Gilbert uses them. Any idea on some tracks of his with it on?

As for the norton, NEVER heard one, thats whats putting me off. Whats it like?

I guess you can sum up that I need a warm powerfull tone. Since I have the air norton in the neck, I can use that for the crunchs and not overdriven tones I need coupled with a mid pickup.

Man, this is a difficult choice.

[zEr0]

Breed is the only one that will get you to all those places IMO.

[waylay00]

Gilbert and Petrucci have both used the Tone Zone at one point or another, so I'd go that route. Throw in either a PAF Pro (Gilbert Satch, Vai) or an Air Norton (Petrucci) in the neck, depending on whose tone you prefer more.

[nullsys]

Well, ive become more interested in the Breed.
According to a few reviews its more like a PAF Pro crossed with a Tone Zone, its got the clarity of a Paf but the bass of a Tone Zone without the mud?

If thats what it sounds like im 100% for it.
Anyone got any vai or other songs I can listen to, that arent on the DiMarzio website that is.

[nullsys]

Please tell me this is not what the Breed sounds like?

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/ib...tone/616080592

lol, horrible tone!

[CosmicDebris]

Originally Posted by nullsys

Please tell me this is not what the Breed sounds like?

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/ib...tone/616080592

lol, horrible tone!

I haven't played with that much distortion in years. I guess I am getting old.

[moebius]

Originally Posted by nullsys

Please tell me this is not what the Breed sounds like?

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/ib...tone/616080592

lol, horrible tone!

My breeds sound better than that, may have to do with different woods, or the fact he is playing left handed .

[nullsys]

lol im left handed, how does that not help? lol
What wood are you using?

To me, that sounds tinny and very cheap distortion pedal like, not what im looking for.

[shreddersymphony]

Air Norton + Steve Special.

[moebius]

Originally Posted by nullsys

lol im left handed, how does that not help? lol
What wood are you using?

To me, that sounds tinny and very cheap distortion pedal like, not what im looking for.

The breeds I have are in my JS-100 which is basswood. They have a great classic tone.

[evolvedmb]

Originally Posted by shreddersymphony

Air Norton + Steve Special.

That's my combo for my next project jem body. I'm also going with an evo middle pup as well, but I wanted the Petrucci vibe for the most part.