Why is the TONE ZONE so popular?

Roadstar · #1 12-07-2006, 01:15 PM

I am confused by its popularity since it is a bit too over the top and very bassy and not very focused and tight unless it is in a all maple or ash guitar
so why is it the go to dimarzio for so many?
even the air zone is kind of dark to me
right now i am hooked on the norton because it has all the good elements of the tone zone and leaves out the bad ones it is a tighter less over the top tone zone really and is much closer to the EVH dimarzio than the tone zone or air zone ever will be
i would like to try a breed since it is said to have more paf- ness to it than the tone zone but i doubt i would like it more than the norton?

the.godfather · #2 12-07-2006, 01:40 PM

To each his own isnt it really.
I love the Tone Zone personally. I just think it has a nice tight sound, with plenty of thickness in there. I'm a big Paul Gilbert fan too, so thats what got me onto them originally.

But I can understand why people dont like them. Each persons taste is different. I mean, the TZ isnt the best at clean sounds, so if your a clean jazz man its not for you.

jm1681 · #3 12-07-2006, 01:41 PM

I don't get it either.

I actually had one in an Ash guitar and I still didn't like it.

Not enough power, WAY too much bass, no clarity to speak of, etc...

Roadstar · #4 12-07-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jm1681

I don't get it either.

I actually had one in an Ash guitar and I still didn't like it.

Not enough power, WAY too much bass, no clarity to speak of, etc...

i feel the norton has way better clarity and even though the output is not as hot on paper it sounds more aggressive than the TZ

jm1681 · #5 12-07-2006, 02:13 PM

Norton in the Bridge position?

For some reason I thought the Norton was intended to be a neck pickup...

buddroyce · #6 12-07-2006, 02:21 PM

No idea why the Tone Zone is so popular. Strangely enough after selling pickups for a decade, the only place I really see the Tone Zone as being the "go to" or most "recommended" pickup is really just here on Jemsite. Generally I've always seen the Duncan JB as the most popular pickup.

I personally like the Tone Zone because of the big thick sound you get from it. However, I don't like it enough to have it installed in every one of my guitars(I recently swapped out the Air Norton and Tone Zone pups in one of my J-Customs for some Wolfgang pickups and I'm plenty happy).

buddroyce · #7 12-07-2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jm1681

Norton in the Bridge position?

For some reason I thought the Norton was intended to be a neck pickup...

It was originally supposed to be a bridge pickup. You're thinking the Air Norton which pretty much has always been a neck pickup.

jm1681 · #8 12-07-2006, 02:29 PM

Thats probably it

zEr0 · #9 12-07-2006, 07:12 PM

I don't like it either.

I wouldn't say it lacks power but there's way too much bass in it for my taste. And I don't really understand how it usually gets installed in mahogany bodied/rosewood boarded guitars. How can you get any clarity out of an instrument like that is beyond me...

Just my 2 cents.

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #10 12-07-2006, 07:44 PM

Because it's a great pup!!! if tweaked right and with a good neck pickup like the Air Norton or Humbucker from hell you got a great combo!!!

(Perhaps that's a bit too JP huh?!?

)

mi2tom · #11 12-07-2006, 10:12 PM

Tone zone is the best!

C.Thep · #12 12-07-2006, 10:51 PM

It's all just a government conspiracy. No one really likes them.

crevis · #13 12-07-2006, 11:27 PM

I love it, tho I think there is a sortof "pablo and petrucci used to use it so ill get one" with some people.

-Rhaab · #14 12-08-2006, 02:14 AM

i have a s470 (mohogany) and i dont like it that much, i dont think it has enough output but i guess thats how you get more dinamics. for me i feel the notes die out / go flat and it sounds more better in basswood than mohogany. i need a pickup with more output and more tight thats not x2n or d-sonic.

**Ayrton** · #15 12-08-2006, 02:33 AM

I am more of a Duncan man myself, but I took the plunge and ordered a Tone Zone/Air Zone combo for one of my alder bodied RGs. I guess I will find out if that was a mistake or not.