[Dave J]

Hi,

I currently have a a Dimarzio Fred in the bridge of my first gen RG550. I am considering moving that to the neck position and installing either a Mo Joe, another Fred, or a Norton in the bridge. I really like the Fred in the bridge but it has a bit of that "aw- vowel sound" or ****ed wah sound to it that I would like to have less of for the bridge. I have no hands on experience with the Norton or Mo Joe but from researching I think all 3 are somewhat in the same family, so i wouldn't be too worried about taking a shot at the Norton or Mo Joe, but I would like to see if anyone can tell me which have the least of that ****ed wah sound.

Thanks !!

 

[j.arledge]

Hi,

I currently have a a Dimarzio Fred in the bridge of my first gen RG550. I am considering moving that to the neck position and installing either a Mo Joe, another Fred, or a Norton in the bridge. I really like the Fred in the bridge but it has a bit of that "aw- vowel sound" or ****ed wah sound to it that I would like to have less of for the bridge. I have no hands on experience with the Norton or Mo Joe but from researching I think all 3 are somewhat in the same family, so i wouldn't be too worried about taking a shot at the Norton or Mo Joe, but I would like to see if anyone can tell me which have the least of that ****ed wah sound.

Thanks !!

the norton is kind of like a cross between a tone zone, and a fred. It still has the same feel of a tone zone but with less bass response. I have grown to really dis-like the tone zone over the years as the tone of the pickup is hard to work with imo. It always sounds like a tone zone. If you like the tone zone feel, you will probably like the norton.

The fred in the neck is EXCELLENT. I used it in the bridge and it was ok, i got tired of the the same thing you mentioned. it always sounded the same in the mids, and could be too harsh. It is an outstanding neck pickup and regret not putting it there from the start.

the mo'joe is a good mix of bright, smoother mids, while still having a neutral enough tonal quality to work with imo. I like this pickup and have put it in a couple of guitars over the years.

 

[Dave J]

Thanks for that insight! I like a pickup that I can work with, your descriptions of the Norton make it sound like it has a lot in common with the Tone Zone which is a pickup I have not played but based on many readings of the web didn't have an interest in trying anyway. Since we both got tired of the same mid response of the Fred in the bridge and you like the Mo Joe I will be giving it a shot as well ! Sounds like we are hearing the same things.
Thanks !

 

[FireEagle]

The Norton is definitely less bassy than the Tone Zone, but not too trebly or bright either. Good sounding pickup and pretty versatile. I put one in a mahogany w/maple cap guitar and love it so far.

 

[Dave J]

Thanks for the replies !! Would the Mo Joe be a little to weak in output to balance out with the Fred in the neck? Not sure if it being a 24 fret neck makes too much difference from a 22 fret as far as volume difference. Also was looking at the Satcher8 and the AT-1 but I don't want something too dark. Really wanna stay in the same general feel that the Fred/Mo Joe give and also while I want decent balance between the two pickups I don't want more power than I need in the bridge to play nice with Fred.
Thanks!!