Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

[doveman]

OK ... I got my Area '61 today and installed it in the bridge ... with the Area '58s I had in the neck and middle. I had already put down some tracks with the stock G&L Legacy pickups (left) and the Areas (right). The clips are a little harsh because in most cases I left the treble on 10 and the bass on 7 on the Legacy. I usually play with a bit off the treble but I wanted to capture all the highs possible ... you can always back off.

Here you go ... 30 seconds on left G&L Stock followed by 30 seconds on the right Areas ... working from the neck to bridge ... I recorded the neck and neck-middle notch backed off volume to 7-8 on the way.

The playing is just thrown together ... so don't judge me on the licks to harshly. The settings are exactly the same for both guitars ... including the amp. In truth, I'd run the two rigs a bit differently to get the best sounds out of each ... but for a test it gives you an idea.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6620574

I'll give a full review later but I think basically it's like this:

• The Areas are very quiet
• The 1-3-5 position are pretty good ... I think
• The 2-4 lose a little due to the loss of highs within the coils and then between the coils ... but you'd expect the singles to win when they are both noiseless ... a middle Area RWRP with a superswitch disabling the dummy coils when in the middle would probably help. But you have to order from Dimarzio if you wanted to try it. However, when you back the notches off a little they get a bit better.
• Both are a little harsh on the bridge alone ... my 9.5k Fralin probably beats them both. But it has noise too.

 

[pzaxtl]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

That was sweet! Those Area pups are really nice -- good clarity, bite and chime. Considering that they're noiseless, which I'm not overly fond of (unless they're Kinman's) I'd have to say I was impressed. As far as judging your licks harshly, one would have to be a fool to do that -- your playing was exceptionally good for just farting around. Oh, and nice axe, too!

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

The pickups sound fantastic. I didn't pick up on the harshness you mentioned. It just sounded like a bright blues sound to me. I actually think you have it dialed in nicely. Great job!

 

[NoOnesFang13]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

well the 58's sound great to me, and i found the 61 to sound like it was compressed, much like in my guitar (thats why its coming out). I love the sound of the other two, i might just go for a 58 if the VVBlues does not work for me. That notch pos with the 58 61, just makes me cringe. its the 61's fault i assume. Not trying to sound harsh but just my honest opinion.

On another note about the 61 i find that when i pick hard it breaks ups and feels smushed, instead of opening up.

 

[doveman]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

No issue on the feedback ... I purposely recorded both sets of pickups on the exact same settings so that I could hear the difference from just the pickups. I wanted to be able to hear the noise, sustain, tone ... side by side ... so I could decide what to use.

I actually picked some amp settings somewhat in the middle ... not "best" for either set. I think the pups are both nice in their own way ... but different. I will probably leave these new pickups in for a few weeks and see if they "come to me". But I don't think they will ever be interchangeable. Would I satisfied with either set ... probably. They both have advantages and disadvantages. I think there are even some tones in the Areas that are nice that the single coils can't do.

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

Just listened to your clips again. The G&L pickups sounded good. I really liked the 58 & 61 pickups. I don't know if they mesh together perfectly but the sound you're getting is darn good. The Dimarzios sound spunky to me. Nice set.

 

[doveman]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

I'm going to concentrate on finding some good sounds in the Areas ... maybe record something in the next few days where I'm just trying to maximize that guitar with that set of pickups.

 

[doveman]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

Well I finished my test ... original G&L pickups are back in the Legacy. The Areas are good but just can't get used to the sounds.

• Absolutely quiet pickups!
• All the settings 1-5 are smoother than my regular Legacy pickups - which can be good or bad depending on the song I guess.
• The quack in the notch setting between the two is less pronounced than regular pickups ... some might like that better ... some worse. It's like there's a doubling of the noise cancelling ... between the coils on top of the between coils action. Makes for a little less life in the notch settings for me. In fact, I would consider running a SuperSwitch with an RWRP version (available from Dimarzio) and split the pickups when in the notch settings. I think that would help ... if you thought it was a bit too lifeless.
• The "zing" in the notes that people talk about is huge ... makes for a different sound ... some might like ... but it takes away from the Strat-ness.
• The zing seems more pronuounced the harder you hit the string and the higher you set the pickups.
• A nice chime when the volume is backed off a little but as you add volume, you add zing and some of the chime falls away.
• Sustain is good and you can run the pickup closer to the strings before you get the strat-itis effect on the strings. I thought that was nice. The A2s have less pull than my A5s.
• The tone controls don't make as much difference on the Areas. Full range swings had less effect than much smaller changes in the tones with my regular pickups. Some may like this but there are just more sounds in the tone knobs with regular pickups.
• The pickups are about 1/16" taller which is nice on a Legacy since there is more room between the strings and pickguard.

On a good note: I decided to trace my wiring one more time because my shielded Tele has much less noise than the Legacy. Sure enough a loose ground wire. Fixed it and put everything back together and it was almost as quiet as the Tele.

So all's well that ends well ... maybe I'll sell the Areas or something.

 

[shredi]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

that's a beautiful strat and nice clips!!
is it alder?? what's the finish called?

 

[doveman]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

that's a beautiful strat and nice clips!!
is it alder?? what's the finish called?

Thanks ... it's Swamp Ash and a premium finsih called Honeyburst.

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

Well I finished my test ... original G&L pickups are back in the Legacy. The Areas are good but just can't get used to the sounds.

• Absolutely quiet pickups!
• All the settings 1-5 are smoother than my regular Legacy pickups - which can be good or bad depending on the song I guess.
• The quack in the notch setting between the two is less pronounced than regular pickups ... some might like that better ... some worse. It's like there's a doubling of the noise cancelling ... between the coils on top of the between coils action. Makes for a little less life in the notch settings for me. In fact, I would consider running a SuperSwitch with an RWRP version (available from Dimarzio) and split the pickups when in the notch settings. I think that would help ... if you thought it was a bit too lifeless.
• The "zing" in the notes that people talk about is huge ... makes for a different sound ... some might like ... but it takes away from the Strat-ness.
• The zing seems more pronuounced the harder you hit the string and the higher you set the pickups.
• A nice chime when the volume is backed off a little but as you add volume, you add zing and some of the chime falls away.
• Sustain is good and you can run the pickup closer to the strings before you get the strat-itis effect on the strings. I thought that was nice. The A2s have less pull than my A5s.
• The tone controls don't make as much difference on the Areas. Full range swings had less effect than much smaller changes in the tones with my regular pickups. Some may like this but there are just more sounds in the tone knobs with regular pickups.
• The pickups are about 1/16" taller which is nice on a Legacy since there is more room between the strings and pickguard.

On a good note: I decided to trace my wiring one more time because my shielded Tele has much less noise than the Legacy. Sure enough a loose ground wire. Fixed it and put everything back together and it was almost as quiet as the Tele.

So all's well that ends well ... maybe I'll sell the Areas or something.

I'm surprised because the Areas sounded fantastic. Just played a blue G&L Legacy this afternoon. The pickups are very good. Hard to beat. Still the Areas sounded like they had more character. Not as smooth and safe sounding as the G&L.

 

[doveman]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

I don't know what makes that "zing" sound but it's really hard to get used to. To me that's the difference. Sometimes they sound really good ... but the zing sound is always there and sometimes really there ...

The G&L pickups aren't really best described as "safer". Instead they have the Strat overtones and can have quite a bit of edge. I've even gone back to the G&L bridge over the Fralin HO bridge I was using. They are a very balanced set. The noise on 1-3-5 were the only real issue. Finding the ground problem during the test was a blessing though ... it is much better now.

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

I don't know what makes that "zing" sound but it's really hard to get used to. To me that's the difference. Sometimes they sound really good ... but the zing sound is always there and sometimes really there ...

The G&L pickups aren't really best described as "safer". Instead they have the Strat overtones and can have quite a bit of edge. I've even gone back to the G&L bridge over the Fralin HO bridge I was using. They are a very balanced set. The noise on 1-3-5 were the only real issue. Finding the ground problem during the test was a blessing though ... it is much better now.

I don't blame you. The G&L pickups are very good. I like them a lot too. Need someone to take those pickups off your hands?
:deal:

 

[doveman]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

I don't blame you. The G&L pickups are very good. I like them a lot too. Need someone to take those pickups off your hands?
:deal:

I imagine the loss I'll have to take on them will remain pretty much the same for a while. So no advantage to selling them quickly.

Another thing, I wonder if the '67s (high peak version of the '58s) would be any different ... they do have a trade in program at Dimarzio. I imagine they are similar though. I've got a few days to think about it.

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

I imagine the loss I'll have to take on them will remain pretty much the same for a while. So no advantage to selling them quickly.

Another thing, I wonder if the '67s (high peak version of the '58s) would be any different ... they do have a trade in program at Dimarzio. I imagine they are similar though. I've got a few days to think about it.

My friend has a Charvel with Virtual Heavy Blues 2 pickups in it. Don't know what it sounds like in bridge but neck and middle are fantastic. They are not hot pickups but a little more output than the Areas. Tone is a little more rounded and the highs are smoother. Might be worth checking.

 

[doveman]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

Check out my new clip with the old stock pickups in the clips and tips section. I still think those stock G&Ls have got a lot of soul.

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

Check out my new clip with the old stock pickups in the clips and tips section. I still think those stock G&Ls have got a lot of soul.

Sure did, check my comments there. Great post! It's a shame you only got 7 clips on your Soundclick page!

 

[po-boy]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

great looking and sounding guitar - the G&L honeyburst looks awesome and their single coils are very under-rated -

i liked the G&L side better - but i might be biased (i have a 90s 3-bolt legacy with swamp ash body and maple neck) ...

the area pups sounded good but slightly compressed - they don't have that top end shimmer or sparkle or whatever - positions 2 and 4 really favor the G&Ls - i wouldn't mind having a little hotter pup in my bridge position though -

thanks for the clips - i've always wondered what the legacy would sound like with different pups -

 

[doveman]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

Sure did, check my comments there. Great post! It's a shame you only got 7 clips on your Soundclick page!

Thanks. I've recorded over 100 tunes ... most of them covers ... but I stripped everything off of soundclick and I'm starting again. At least, my recording rig finally doesn't have the timing issues ... from being slow. So I'm slowly adding back.

great looking and sounding guitar - the G&L honeyburst looks awesome and their single coils are very under-rated -

i liked the G&L side better - but i might be biased (i have a 90s 3-bolt legacy with swamp ash body and maple neck) ...

the area pups sounded good but slightly compressed - they don't have that top end shimmer or sparkle or whatever - positions 2 and 4 really favor the G&Ls - i wouldn't mind having a little hotter pup in my bridge position though -

thanks for the clips - i've always wondered what the legacy would sound like with different pups -

Like I said ... I like the Legacy's a bit better too. Although the Areas are good, I like the way Tele noiseless setup better. It's the SD Vintage Stacks ... I leave them split most of the time and they sound better split ... but I can switch the noiseless coils in if I need them.

 

[doveman]

Re: Area 58-58-61 Test Clips

Update: I've continued to work with the Area 58-58-61 and they have remained in the G&L Legacy for a few weeks now. I'm getting used to the feel and I think I've been able to get some good tones out of them. While I might try the Area '67 at some point on the neck, I really like the way the '58 middle sounds.

I've posted these elsewhere but in fairness ... I left this hanging ... as if I did not use the Areas. Well, they are still in play. Here's a couple of links that highlight the Areas in a real situation:

Middle Area '58 - first half of this one.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6682569

Bridge Area '61 - in the last half of this one (Xotic RC on that one too). BTW the first half is my schecter Tele with SD Vintage Stacks on the middle setting split ... I love those pickups too.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6704982

When I get some "notch" and "neck" tracks, I'll come back ...