TZ suitable for downtuning?

Sweep-it · #1 03-22-2006, 02:14 AM

Hi guys!

How does the Tonezone do in dropped tunings? I'm thinking of putting one in my Droptuning Axe (C tuning).
Will it be muddy as hell, or will the increased bass response help those low notes stay focused?

TheToneZone · #2 03-22-2006, 04:23 AM

NuMetal downtuning? I would say the bottom end is a bit flabby for that. I've never cranked it up through a Mesa Rectalfrier though. It has been my mainstay pickup for atleast 10 years, in numerous guitars, though.

You should be more specific though so far as amps and guitars. I've found it fine in basswood, but in mohagany its strictly a love/hate affair for me. Sometimes I love it, others I hate it

Mike

lyconxero · #3 03-22-2006, 04:52 AM

You should consider the Dimarzio D-Sonic instead of the Tone Zone for drop tunings. I have it in my S470DX and it absolutely KILLS!

Sweep-it · #4 03-22-2006, 11:48 AM

Some details on my setup:

Guitar: Mahogany body with bolt on maple neck + maple fretboard. 24frets, fixed bridge (Schaller 456)
Amp: Peavey XXX

musical styles: mainly death/thrash metal, but I like to dial in some satch tones as well. NuMetal is a definite nono. Clean sounds are NOT important, I've got another guitar just for that.

It's a custom built guitar designed for some quick tuning changes, so it should handle everything from standard tuning to C tuning (I doubt I'll ever go lower than that)

I've already started a similar thread last month, but I didn't really come to a conclusion. I already have a guitar loaded with emg85's which SCREAMS, so now I need the complete opposite: a fat and chunky, yet articulate sound.

Maybe an Airzone would be the better choice? I've heard numerous times, that it has the same characteristics as the TZ, but doesn't get muddy.
Gain/output is not an issue, my amp has more preamp gain than I'll ever need.

Another question: The TZ/AZ + AirNorton combination seems like a very popular choice. Is it a balanced combo? I'm not talking output-whise, but in terms of sound.
I really want to hear the difference, when switching from bridge to neck, and I'm afraid those two might sound too alike, considering their tone charts.

**jaxadam** · #5 03-22-2006, 11:54 AM

I have a basswood/maple/maple with TZ/AN in drop C, and it sounds really good.

rgr · #6 03-22-2006, 12:10 PM

I would second the D-Sonic, it will stay tight at low tunings.

lyconxero · #7 03-22-2006, 04:20 PM

You're going to hear the difference between the two pickups regardless simply because the strings vibrate a lot differently at the bridge than they do at the neck. The Air Zone/Air Norton combo would also be a good place to start. I only suggested the D-Sonic because I have it in my S470DX and it just rocks. The bottom end is tight and crunchy and the pickup is very articulate. It was exactly what I wanted and I'm just glad that I tried it first. With that pickup it is just imperative that you install the bar towards the bridge (this goes for whether you're playing in standard or dropped all the way to hell) because when the pickup is installed the other way it just doesn't sound very good.

Sweep-it · #8 03-23-2006, 01:55 AM

I've never heard the DSonic in Drop Tuning, but a friend uses one in standard tuning.
And to be honest, I don't really like it. Way too sterile for my taste, and not warm enough (even with the bar facing the neck. With the bar towards the bridge it must be even worse).

I kinda like a bit of a flabby low end, that's fine with me. But it shouldn't be all mud.

But going back to my original question: If a pickup has a big bass response, will that help low notes ring more articulate, or is it the other way around? I'm interested in the technical aspect. When I look at the 7 string Dimarzios, I notice, that they're all pretty bass heavy. So I guess it helps if the pup has a good bass reponse to get those low notes out. but I could be all wrong.

lyconxero · #9 03-23-2006, 02:27 AM

Well if you don't like the D-Sonic then I would say to go with something like the Air Zone. It's got plenty of bass and if your amp is going to be doing the overdriving then it shouldn't muddy up. I would still go with the Air Norton for the neck position, though.

Shredcows · #10 03-23-2006, 02:52 AM

the thing is, pups with good bass = no need to boost bass on your amp/eq. To me, it sounds more natural and more "controlled" if you will since your eq is tweaked at the beginning of the chain... rather than after all your efx and gear, tweaked at the end (amp) which to me, its kind of un-natural.

To that extent, I would say, yes, it wouldn't mud up because, there's only so much bass a passive pup can have! Rememeber Passives never add... they only take away. A plus for you when you detune, is that you have the natural bass of detuned strings...

The AirZone is nice... but do consider whether you want more in-your-face like a TZ, or a more warm laid back tone ala AirZone.

Regarding your concern abt similiarity btw Air Zone and Air Norton, other than the standard differences due to diff physicial positions, they would be a very good match. As in, both are smooth (Alnico magnets) and both are round + warm with good fatness. If you wanna hear a more distinct diff, you can try an Evo neck and it would be grittier than the AirZone... anyway, IMO, if you are going for Evo neck, a TZ might match it better...

Shredcows · #11 03-23-2006, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyconxero

You should consider the Dimarzio D-Sonic instead of the Tone Zone for drop tunings. I have it in my S470DX and it absolutely KILLS!

You D-Sonic convert you! Wait a week or so, I'll have Evo neck and Evo 2 in my S520EX. Hehehehe....

lyconxero · #12 03-23-2006, 05:42 AM

I'm actually considering the EVO 2 for the bridge position of my RG321MH. I'm just having trouble finding the bloody pickup because most people don't seem to carry it and if they do then they don't have it in the color that I want (I'm looking for either solid red or a black/white pickup).

Shredcows · #13 03-23-2006, 11:30 AM

Eric's Guitar?

Sweep-it · #14 03-23-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shredcows

the thing is, pups with good bass = no need to boost bass on your amp/eq. To me, it sounds more natural and more "controlled" if you will since your eq is tweaked at the beginning of the chain... rather than after all your efx and gear, tweaked at the end (amp) which to me, its kind of un-natural.

That's exactly the reason why I've been spending the last few months finding the right pickup, and I still haven't decided.
I want the best possible sound, before the signal reaches the amp.

Regarding the neck Pickup: AirNorton vs PAF Pro. I've played the PafPro several times on different guitars, and I always loved it. It has that awesome mid spike, that makes it go "awwww". It's also excellent for sweeping, it really makes those notes flow. I like it a bit muddy on the neck.

On the other hand, everywhere you look people praise the AirNorton as the perfect Neck pickup. But there is one thing bothering me: It's said, that the AN is modern sounding, which kind of bums me out, because I'd prefer a more vintagy type of tone on the neck (For modern sounds I've got my EMG axe)

Too bad I don't know anyone who plays one. If worse comes to worst, I'll order both, and test them out on the same guitar to find my favourite one.

All the other Dimarzios don't seem to appeal to me (except maybe the FRED in the neck position instead of the paf pro)

Drew · #15 03-23-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweep-it

Guitar: Mahogany body with bolt on maple neck + maple fretboard. 24frets, fixed bridge (Schaller 456)
Amp: Peavey XXX

While my experience is with a ToneZone7 which is apparently voiced slightly differently, if you're looking to detune, I would NOT recommend a TZ in mahogany. There's a lot of lower midrange but little true bass, and not enough high end clarity to keep the low notes crisp.

A Steve's Special comes to mind as a great, clear-sounding bridge pickup, and the slight scoop should sound very balanced in mahogany.