Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

[sonnyblu]

This is a combo that DiMarzio suggests on their web-site for a moderate Blues Rock tone.
My rig: Marshall amps, OCD Dirt box. My instrument is a Ibanez SZ520 and/or a Gibson Smartwood Les Paul.
My normal pickups that I love in these guitars are Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates sets...
They are really perfect. The only reason I'm trying this... other than for the fun of it... Is because of some custom wiring schemes I wish to try.

So I guess what I am really trying to ask is:
What DiMarzio is the closest thing to SD PG's?

Am I close? Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge in Neck?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

I don't know how similar they're gonna be, but I think you'll like those pickups. I'd also recommend that you try the Air Classic set.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

The air norton is really a neck pickup and not a bridge pickup. Do a search on the air norton and you will see that people tend to find it a bit too bright for the bridge.

 

[sonnyblu]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

Yes I definably see this... It (the AN) seems to be one of the most popular neck pickups.
I was going to go all Air Classic... then I saw this strange recommendation there at the DiMarzio site. Using the Air Classic Bridge for the Neck! I figured what the heck...
I just wanted to have a little hotter bridge... I am installing the DiMarzio EP1111 4 Pole 3 way switch... so I can get the outer coils wired in parallel, sudo out of phase Strat sound.
Wanted to wire 5 Pos. P Megaswitch... to much... reversing magnets... etc..

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

I am SOOO NOT A FAN of the Air Norton in the bridge

its way too smooth and buttery - almost like hearing a neck pup. If you want that then just use the neck pup lol. Air Zone or one of their less hotter models is a better idea.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

I like the Norton in the bridge and I can't stand the Air Norton in the bridge. I think it stinks as a bridge pickup. If you're going with Dimarzio, then I also didn't like the Air Classic in the neck. I have one in zebra that I'll sell you cheap. I liked the Virtual PAF better. Lots of guys like the Virtual Hot PAF in the bridge. If you like Pearly Gates, then the Virtual PAF's are probably the closest. I haven't heard the 36th Anniversaries yet, but knowing what I know about their technology and manufacturing techniques, I have to assume it's very much in the ballpark of the Virtual and Air Classic series. That still leaves room for variation though, becuase it's like saying the 59, PG, Seth Lover, and Antiquities are all really similar, and they're not. They're in the same family, but there are extremely listenable differences. Anyway Dimarzio has the real world exchange policy so I'd say just get started on a pair, and then swap them if you're not satisfied.

 

[sonnyblu]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

Yeah, So I'm thinking 'bout a Norton Bridge... Did David Grissom really ever use this pickup?
I find no mention of it anywhere other than at the DiMarzio site. I have always dug his sound... and it is definably a lot nastier than most PRS players.
I know he is using his custom made PRS now...
My style is, for what it's worth, kind of like Grissoms, I like to mistreat and spank some county licks within a nasty blues rock distortion thing all along while throwing even a few Mixolydian lines in for harmonic fun.
But always come home to a Paul Kossoff... Eric Clapton inspired straight thing...
I'm afraid the Air Norton may be too hot and fat for me in the neck... unless I back it way, way down.
We will see... I will post of my findings soon... Thanks for the help guy's as always...

 

[JohnnyGuitarCA]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

Neal Schon also used the Norton.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

I like the Norton in the bridge and I can't stand the Air Norton in the bridge. I think it stinks as a bridge pickup. If you're going with Dimarzio, then I also didn't like the Air Classic in the neck. I have one in zebra that I'll sell you cheap. I liked the Virtual PAF better. Lots of guys like the Virtual Hot PAF in the bridge. If you like Pearly Gates, then the Virtual PAF's are probably the closest. I haven't heard the 36th Anniversaries yet, but knowing what I know about their technology and manufacturing techniques, I have to assume it's very much in the ballpark of the Virtual and Air Classic series. That still leaves room for variation though, becuase it's like saying the 59, PG, Seth Lover, and Antiquities are all really similar, and they're not. They're in the same family, but there are extremely listenable differences. Anyway Dimarzio has the real world exchange policy so I'd say just get started on a pair, and then swap them if you're not satisfied.

I didn't get enough time in with the 36th Anniv model, but I can tell you when I played it and video'd myself, it wasn't a mile off from my Duncans, specifically my APH1's.

It's not as smokey and spongy, they are very open and sweet with a touch of compression, rounded lows, and highs - kinda like a 57 Classic. They have a nice sparkle but NO unique presence like the Pearly's or VPAF. I think the nice thing is the Bridge is wound to 9k such that it's just a nice touch beefy and punchy compared to the neck. With Dimarzios its hard to match some sets because IE if you don't like the Air Classic Bridge, then its hard to find a perfect mate for the neck model if you ask me.

The 36ths have sparkle, chime AND some girth, while sounding VERY vintage. They are somewhere between the 59s, APH, and Pearly's (because they have some girth and 'tude, but lack the presence and the lower mid punch that the PGs have in spades). The tone is very Dimarzio. Hard to explain. Duncans have a classic sorta dry tone to them that sounds old school. The Dimarzio has its own flavor that's a little more slick and modern feeling/sounding. It's NOT night and day, it's a flavor and recipe that the two companies seem to have.

I abandoned the VPAF because I could never find a perfect bridge mate, and then 2 years later they come out with the VHOTPAF darn them! The VPAF is the most unique pup EVER!

 

[sonnyblu]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

Check out this Harry Jacobson sound clip... Air Norton Bridge, Air Classic Neck... through a Chandler Mod 66 Fender Blackface Bassman. http://www.harryj.net/chuckblues.mp3 Sounds nice... I'm sure I'll like the Treble response just like I do with the Pearly Gates. However... I'm still gonna try the regular Norton in the Bridge... for the sake of a nasty ZZ TOP, David Grissom Grunge... I installed everything tonight... just no time to play... :-(

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

Virtual PAF neck and Norton bridge

 

[sonnyblu]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

Well I like them... can't really compare to the PG's yet... yanked all my other wiring too... lol also Waiting to get the Norton Bridge to try it... went ahead and ordered a Air Classic Neck to go along with the Bridge that I have already. I like the Air Norton and the Air Classic both... Not sure how the AN is going to be in the neck... I'm thinking way to HOT but I will give it a try when my reg. Norton Bridge gets here...
All and all I really had fun playing both these pickups today in my Ibanez SZ520.
The AN in the bridge had enough pwr to drive my Bassman clone into leads at about Vol 7-8
The DiMarzio EP1111 4 Pole 3 way switch sounds good also... I'm glad I tried it.
I have been a Strat player forever... 38 years... OMG! and I thought the separate coils in parallel sounded pretty d**n good!

 

[sonnyblu]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

Whoa! Well, I just don't get it... I suppose if you are doing nothing but playing lead the Norton / Air Norton combo might be alright... maybe. Yuck! I did not care for them... Mids and more mids... Yuck... The Norton is fun enough... like the JB for lead... but there is no versatility and the EP1111 is worthless with these two pickups together... I guess I'm too much of a Rhythm/Lead player... needing to do both at the same time too often. Man, I'm glad I ordered the other Air Classic... So I'm gonna go all Air Classics. But in the long run the Pearly Gates WIN hands down on Versatility! I'm gonna trade these Nortons in for something else.

 

[sonnyblu]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

Conversation with myself part III... Anyway, someone my find this dribble useful someday.
Reinstalled my Pearly Gates... I like the Air Classics more! Over all more tonal response and gain. Now I here people say the the VPAF has even more of a open 3D sound than the Air Classics... Well, I gotta hear that... So I'm trading my Norton & Air Norton for VPAF's.
Do they really sound that much better than the Air Classic's? We will see...

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

Told ya you needed to watch out with the Air Norton bridge let alone the Norton and AN combo lol

If you like presence and an almost single coil vibe mixed in the most unique way possible, get the VPAFs. Otherwise stick with the Air Classics. If you want more balls go to the 36th Anniv models

 

[sonnyblu]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

Thanks OlinMusic... Well, you know I had to try... lol Yes! I guess this is the sound that I want... VPAF.
But now I can't find any VPAF's ... maybe a bridge but no necks anywhere...
I hope that DiMarzio has some they will trade me for my Norton's...
I was really surprised when I put my Pearly Gates back in... Sorry SD...
I really dig the Air Classics...

Anyone know where I can find a set of VPAF's?

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

VPAFs and VHPAFs are VERY HARD TO FIND!

I will also add, the VPAF Bridge is kinda twangy. If you want thicker tones get a 36th Anniv, and for rounder tones get the VHPAF

 

[A-Ro]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

VPAFs and VHPAFs are VERY HARD TO FIND!

I will also add, the VPAF Bridge is kinda twangy. If you want thicker tones get a 36th Anniv, and for rounder tones get the VHPAF

VPAF & VHPAF were both replaced by the PAF 36th and the PAF 36th Bridge. The two new 36th anniv. versions are supposed to have the best qualities of both the VPAF and VHPAF.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

VPAF & VHPAF were both replaced by the PAF 36th and the PAF 36th Bridge. The two new 36th anniv. versions are supposed to have the best qualities of both the VPAF and VHPAF.

I know, but then I tried them. VERRRRY different from the VPAFs. Sure trhe vintage vibe is there, but that 3D thing, and the almost single-coil-ish things they can do aren't featured.

If you want a great sounding vintage pup, then you have a good chocie in the 36th Anniv. I made a video A/Bing 36ths and my Alnico 2 Pro's, and I found them VERY similar. If you want a soft, rich A2-ish tone from A5's, then 36ths are a great choice.

 

[A-Ro]

Re: Air Norton Bridge - Air Classic Bridge for Neck?

I made a video A/Bing 36ths and my Alnico 2 Pro's, and I found them VERY similar. If you want a soft, rich A2-ish tone from A5's, then 36ths are a great choice.

Do you have a link to the video?