X2N bridge / Tone Zone Neck review

[Lefty Robb]

OK, just got done giving the new Jem a run, and let me tell you, this combo freakin' rips like crazy. The X2N reminds me a lot of the output of a EMG but with much more clarity, and the Tone Zone, well, what can I say, JimmyJ and Buddroyce was right, its nuts in the neck, it shreds like a beast without being to muddy or overly creamy like most neck pickups are, it also retains that "Aww" sound that its famous for, and it has a lot more output to really cut thru. The Tone Zone seems to be a perfect match to the X2N for output when switching between the 2, no fiddling with the volume. Both pickups so far seem to like the volume rolled back a little bit, they sorta, umm, warm up a bit when you do that, sorta like less bark but a little more bite, if that makes any sence.

Compared to the 2 Evo's I had in my 470 (basswood as well), these pickups seem to have a lot more life and sound a lot less steril and sharp. Not to mention they have a unique character all to themselves, which the Evo's seem to also lack. This may be due to the fact that is basswood and not Alder, like a lot of the Evo equipt Jems, but thats subjective..

If your bored of all the Evos, PAF's, Super Dis's and Freds out there, I highly suggest giving this combo a run..

something else I forgot to mention, my guitar is H/H so I have the opportunity to use them both at once, and let me tell you, this is one of the most useable tones I have ever heard comming from 2 humbuckers at once, which IMO is a pritty rare thing.

The clean tones will totally shock you too.

[Ant1981]

Excellent. I might give that a go, always wondered what the X2N is like. I bet it gives a valve amp a good kicking. It's always nice to try things, as variety is, after all, the spice of life.

[mi2tom]

Do you have any soundclip to show us lefty? I would love to try this combo too

[Lefty Robb]

I will once I get the guitar properly set up, right now its running on bad intonation..

*EDIT* OK I made a really bad MP3 file showing off the X2N, that will probably make everyone run and hide, or laugh, or both ; however I don't have any place to host it, if anyone knows of a great place that hosts MP3's for free, or has a server and can post it, let me know.

[JimmyJ]

good to hear my message is getting out there!!!

I still LOVE the tonezone in the neck, its the best thing ever!!!!!


-peace

Jim

[Lefty Robb]

Originally Posted by JimmyJ

good to hear my message is getting out there!!!

Well, actually I already knew about it cause of Mike Romeo, but you can still pat yourself on the back..

[Planeflux]

I'm interested in soundclips as well.

[Lefty Robb]

working on it...

[jemplayer55]

Lefty, thanks for the input on the PUP's...... It's nice to hear what others have tried and gives players a much broader baseline to work from when choosing pickup combinations.

[Lefty Robb]

Thanks man. I've always been one of those "outside the box" kinda players anyways, so I'm always up for experimenting, plus I try never really try sound like anyone else, although I still like to get ideas, and mess around with them..

this combo is a full out shred beast, and some people might not be able to tame it, but its worth a try.

[isida.d]

have you tried any drop tunings with this config?

[Lefty Robb]

nope, just standard right now, but I have no doubt that it would work, since Mike Romeo actually plays in D, and, well, yeah....

[isida.d]

mikes a great guitarist and i love his music, however i'm not really familier with the actual point where he started using that config... i just know that he used emg 81/85's for a while and in a instructional video hes using those aswell.

[Lefty Robb]

Originally Posted by isida.d

mikes a great guitarist and i love his music, however i'm not really familier with the actual point where he started using that config... i just know that he used emg 81/85's for a while and in a instructional video hes using those aswell.

He's been using that combo as long as hes been using the EMG's. He mostly used the EMG in the studio, but always used DiMarzios in live situations becasue they cut thru better, well, to him anyways.. Now all his Caprisons are X2N/Tone Zone..


EDIT: Took off the other 2 samples, this ones much better with the new sound card..
http://www.bolt.com/leftyrobb/audio/...em_and/2411309

[crevis]

Originally Posted by Lefty Robb

He's been using that combo as long as hes been using the EMG's. He mostly used the EMG in the studio, but always used DiMarzios in live situations becasue they cut thru better, well, to him anyways.. Now all his Caprisons are X2N/Tone Zone..

Im pretty confident that he started using dimarzios on divine wings of tragedy, you can hear a huge change in his tone on that and the albums after that and the difference on the guitar chapter when he was using emgs (and sounded awful).