air zone vs custom-custom?

[roadstar II]

I have a air zone and really like it but how is the CC compared to it?
i set the air zone kind of low away from the strings(1/8th) and it has a tight bass and a ultra fat paf type tone and great harmonics
how different is the duncan CC?

 

[aldu74]

Re: air zone vs custom-custom?

The CC sounds "dirtier", with a looser bottom end and an overall more "organic" sound than the AZ. Harmonics are great on it too.

 

[Aceman]

Re: air zone vs custom-custom?

WAYYYYYYYYYYY different I would suspect based on my ToneZone. But I know a lot of people like the air zone better than the TZ. Interesting question, but I suspect they are two of those apple/oranges pups.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: air zone vs custom-custom?

The Air Zone and TZ are a bit different in tone and feel. The AZ has that fatness to the highs that is VERY responsive to picking dynamics. The AZ is also more open and less "harsh" due to the "air".

I would say, and this is from past experience (NOT A/Bing) that the TZ has a fatness to the lows and a tightness that's quite nice. It's very balanced, and controlled. Like a wild PAF, but as some people say, the AZ is polite, (esp when compared to the Breed)

As the second post said, the CC is a little nasty and loose. It's got round highs, but not as responsive. All duncans have a little bite and spike when spanked in them which can be quite nicefor a rude tone. I think you really have to play with pup height and pole pieces to get the treble you want. The low end is spongy and loose, as opposed to the better tightness on the AZ. I am well aware the AZ is NOT super tight, but in comparison, it is MUCH tighter.

Both are great pups.

 

[Aceman]

Re: air zone vs custom-custom?

I like the TZ description, and your AZ is good too. I wouldn't say the CC is THAT loose. You can get a nice crunch out of the CC...Definitiely not as tight (not even close) to the TZ- which I got for a little nasty factor...and put it in a nasty guitar!

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: air zone vs custom-custom?

Hey I said loose as in loose like a sorority girl, NOT loose like a vegas hooker. Does that work for ya? hahaha

Nah, for NASTY factor the CC has it. I have gigged with it against some racuous drummers and it just makes everything dirty and rock n roll. You cannot take the CC to church on a Sunday morning. The AZ can goto church, as can the C5.

 

[Rick1114]

Re: air zone vs custom-custom?

I can't say anythong about the custom custom, but I just replaced a Duncan Distortion with a Air Zone in my Califonia Fat-Strat. I had only about fifteen minutes to play with the AZ last night and I thought it balanced nicely in the bridge in the strat - much more than the DD. The AZ was much more versatile, especially for clean & lead sounds and seems to all around do everything. My only worry so far is it sounded too "EVH" when used for heavy rhythm playing (no darkness to it), when I like a more Alice in Chains type sound (anyone know what pups he used - he played a strat style guitar no?). I will keep it for a while, but will still be open to experimentation if I can't get the "just right" modern rhythm sound from it. the next logical choice is probably the custom custom or possibly breed neck?

Rick

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: air zone vs custom-custom?

Cantrell did use a JB in his G&L

But his tone has a lot to do with his amps. That's why it was so fat and dark. He used a Bogner Fish, which are AMAZING! He now uses Shivas