X2N or Evo?

Ibanezgrx405 · #1 08-09-2008, 02:46 AM

I want to swap out the the stock pickups on my 20th RG 550 DY. I had the X2N or the Evo in mind. I want a real heavy sound. Something with a lot of good harmonics but i want it to be able to cut through the sound. No muddy sounding crap. Which pickup do you think would be best. Suggestions other than the evo or X2N are also welcome.

alecmm61 · #2 08-09-2008, 02:56 AM

breeds would be good for heavy sounding

Lefty Robb · #3 08-09-2008, 02:59 AM

Tone Zone...

HeavyMetal4Ever · #4 08-09-2008, 10:40 AM

If you look up "Heavy, good harmonics, cutting tone" in the dictionary there's a picture of an Evo pickup.

If you want the same basic thing with a bit more headroom and versatility check out the Evo2.

Rock on!

Crazy_Guitar · #5 08-09-2008, 02:26 PM

Not muddy = no Breed and no Tone Zone.
Lots of harmonics = Evo, Evo2 or Steve's Special.

Are you planning on using clean sounds? If so, forget the X2N.
If clean sound aren't your cup of tea, go with an Evo2. I have one and it is AMAZING! Consider also the Seymour Duncan JB.

Lefty Robb · #6 08-09-2008, 02:43 PM

Evo's are the exact opposite of heavy, and they were designed that way, they are full of nothing but shrilly harmonics and top end. The Tone Zone is the opposite, tons of mids and lows but still stays clear and refined and has plenty of harmonics.

Tubyboulin · #7 08-09-2008, 10:08 PM

Im going to be putting in a Tone Zone in the bridge of my RG in a few days, if you still havent decided by then i can make a video of me playing some stuff on it, if you want me to. From what ive heard (including LeftyRobbs youtube demo) The Tone Zone would be what your looking for, even though lefty has his in the neck. ive heard cleans are basically non-existent with them, though

-Rhaab · #8 08-10-2008, 12:40 AM

I've had no problem with muddiness in tone zone, it also depends on amp and settings.
As for cleans with the tone zone, i don't like them and I think they sound weird in split positions with other pickups. I've never tried it in parallel or single coil though.

CityofBlindingLights · #9 08-10-2008, 01:30 AM

Evolution bridge is defined as "lots of harmonics" because of dual resonance technology, and also "cuts through the mix" because it's got a very shrill, biting sound.

I'd say Evo2, it's a little more versatile and a more tame version of the Evolution that can still go balls to the wall if you need to.

Ibanezgrx405 · #10 08-10-2008, 01:33 AM

ya could you please do that tubyboulin because even if I do decide soon i wont be ordering them right away. Let me know when you get your vid up.

Lefty Robb · #11 08-10-2008, 03:21 AM

Or you could just listen to just about anything by Paul Gilbert

It just makes me laugh though when people speak about how a pickup is muddy or shrilly. We get used to one type of sound from a pickup, change it, and now its muddy, what we don't realize is the pickup is changing the EQ a bit, yes, but its also picking up things about your playing you didn't hear before because you got used to how your fingers reacted with the old pickup. I'd honestly say its about 85% technique and 15% pickup when it comes to your overall tone (not counting all other gear) Also because the EQ changed a little bit, a lot of people don't spend the time to adjust there settings on everything to accommodate the change. I have 1 patch for my basswood X2N guitar and another patch for Mahogany Evo guitar etc etc. Dunno if that makes any sense or not, but thats how I perceive pickups. In the past I've also used a host of other diMarzio's like the Super 3, Fred, PAF Joe and Pro, Super Distortion and to be honest they were all very similar in feel, just each had it only little quirks and characters, and I enjoyed them all, I think my favorite was the Fred and Super Distortion. I really enjoy the X2N as well. I've also had a Evo in 1 basswood and 1 mahogany, yeah, it sounds a little better in the mahogany, but not much, it will be changed out to a Tone Zone shortly.

Pickups are like automobiles, sure they all look different, drive a little different and sound a little different, but in the end they all have 4 wheels and get you from point A to point B in the same.

mi2tom · #12 08-10-2008, 11:47 PM

Evo2 or tone zone you can't go wrong with both of em. I've got both of those in my guitars and will stay in there forever.

Tubyboulin · #13 08-11-2008, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibanezgrx405

ya could you please do that tubyboulin because even if I do decide soon i wont be ordering them right away. Let me know when you get your vid up.

Will do man, you should expect it around wedsday or thursday. If i dont tell you its up by then, send me a PM because i'll have most likely forgoten about it

whats more fun than playing guitar when you get new pickups installed?!?!

Also, + 1 to Lefts wall-o-text there. i had a friend who for nearly a month despised his Mesa f-30 because it didnt sound right with the settings he had on his old amp! haha. He was also convinced that Mids are the work of satan, then complained that he can never hear himself soloing.

Ibanezgrx405 · #14 08-13-2008, 04:39 PM

ok thanks dude

Tubyboulin · #15 08-15-2008, 03:23 AM

Ok, sorry for the delay on the video demo. I will try my best for tommorow! Someone at the shop completely messed up my Edge Pro somehow, either did something to the strings or messed with the spring tension, because as soon as i touch the whammy bar more than 2 times the entire thing just goes out. Ive been hoping its just un-stretched strings but stretching didnt seem to work

ill try to keep the guitar in tune as best i can during the video though. Bending sometimes throws it out too.

Ill tell you this though, Tone Zone = Win.