DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
- Thread starter B2D
- Start date
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
This seems to be a recurring question here.
I personally haven't spent enough time with it on lower gain settings. Given how nice it was at higher gain settings, I can't imagine it sounding bad with less.
Another member that posted in this thread reported good things in low/mid gain territory, his reply is probably back a few posts.
This seems to be a recurring question here.
I personally haven't spent enough time with it on lower gain settings. Given how nice it was at higher gain settings, I can't imagine it sounding bad with less.
Another member that posted in this thread reported good things in low/mid gain territory, his reply is probably back a few posts.
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
Arise, thread!!
So just FYI after I took that Afwayu out of my guitar I reinstalled the pickguard with the Air Norton/Crunch Lab set in it and put the CL in so that the bar is now facing the neck instead of the bridge.
It pretty much does what DiMarzio says it does that way... it's louder and fatter that way. The mids get bumped up a bit but interestingly enough not in a way that's annoying, it's just fatter and it seems to "speak" a bit more, so to speak. It's also more resonant this way. Palm mutes on low chords through a loud amp results in a woofy thump that you can feel in your chest. It's just as tight - perhaps even a little tighter - this way as well. The response is somewhat faster this way as well, that probably adds to how tight it feels. Not very much louder, but just enough to notice it. Super ballsy.
The only way I can describe it is that with the bar towards the bridge, it's more of a sharper-edged, more cutting snarling tone, whereas the bar forward yields more of a full roar. Two sides of the same killer coin. Both tones are excellent, and work wonderfully with how my Tremoverb is voiced.
Excellent pickup, all around. One of DiMarzio's best, I feel.
Arise, thread!!
So just FYI after I took that Afwayu out of my guitar I reinstalled the pickguard with the Air Norton/Crunch Lab set in it and put the CL in so that the bar is now facing the neck instead of the bridge.
It pretty much does what DiMarzio says it does that way... it's louder and fatter that way. The mids get bumped up a bit but interestingly enough not in a way that's annoying, it's just fatter and it seems to "speak" a bit more, so to speak. It's also more resonant this way. Palm mutes on low chords through a loud amp results in a woofy thump that you can feel in your chest. It's just as tight - perhaps even a little tighter - this way as well. The response is somewhat faster this way as well, that probably adds to how tight it feels. Not very much louder, but just enough to notice it. Super ballsy.
The only way I can describe it is that with the bar towards the bridge, it's more of a sharper-edged, more cutting snarling tone, whereas the bar forward yields more of a full roar. Two sides of the same killer coin. Both tones are excellent, and work wonderfully with how my Tremoverb is voiced.
Excellent pickup, all around. One of DiMarzio's best, I feel.
Last edited:
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
Im very tempted to try one in my RG570
I have a PATB3 in it now and I love that pup cuz it makes the guitar sound big and fat, but Id like to have this guitar have alil more attititude. Something that has more scream....
Im very tempted to try one in my RG570
I have a PATB3 in it now and I love that pup cuz it makes the guitar sound big and fat, but Id like to have this guitar have alil more attititude. Something that has more scream....
Last edited:
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
This pickup is overall, really hot, very fat and ballsy, and very articulate. The woods of the LP will likely enhance that. Without trying it out it's hard to know. The BFR John Petrucci guitars that music man makes are made of a very similar wood composition, but just about everything else about them is different.
If it were me I'd install it with the bar towards the neck, and then if that's too much after backing the pickup off the strings then flip the bar the other way and see if that helps.
It's a great sounding pickup for heavy rock, so in an LP set up right that would probably pwn face.
This pickup is overall, really hot, very fat and ballsy, and very articulate. The woods of the LP will likely enhance that. Without trying it out it's hard to know. The BFR John Petrucci guitars that music man makes are made of a very similar wood composition, but just about everything else about them is different.
If it were me I'd install it with the bar towards the neck, and then if that's too much after backing the pickup off the strings then flip the bar the other way and see if that helps.
It's a great sounding pickup for heavy rock, so in an LP set up right that would probably pwn face.
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
Great reviews here. Does this pickup sound 'modern?" Most Dimarzios with the exception of the lower output PAF types and the SD have a modern twist to the sound, like they are more suited to playing Vai/Satch/Petrucci and not so much 70's/80's sounds.
Great reviews here. Does this pickup sound 'modern?" Most Dimarzios with the exception of the lower output PAF types and the SD have a modern twist to the sound, like they are more suited to playing Vai/Satch/Petrucci and not so much 70's/80's sounds.
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
Yep, this is a great pickup but if you're looking for vintage-sounding anything, this ain't the one. That said, it kicks tail.
Yep, this is a great pickup but if you're looking for vintage-sounding anything, this ain't the one. That said, it kicks tail.
Franknfilms
New member
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
Seymour Duncan could learn a thing or two from Dimarzio about naming their pickups. Who can resist the call of the "Crunch Lab"? I'm probably going to put one in my Washburn Idol, just wish I could get one used. I'm guessing that will be difficult.
Edit: I found the only one on ebay, $60! Going into my washburn, review and clips will be posted when I have a chance to install.
Seymour Duncan could learn a thing or two from Dimarzio about naming their pickups. Who can resist the call of the "Crunch Lab"? I'm probably going to put one in my Washburn Idol, just wish I could get one used. I'm guessing that will be difficult.
Edit: I found the only one on ebay, $60! Going into my washburn, review and clips will be posted when I have a chance to install.
Last edited:
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
How is it compared to the DSonic?
I tested the Air Zone for a few rehearsals and while it was a good pickup, it really didn't have what i was looking for.
I decided to go the other direction and try a DiMarzio Crunch Lab. I used it during rehearsal tonight and put it through it's paces. I was using my Silhouette Special and my Bogner 101b.
My drummer's first impression?
"Holy crap, your rig is LOUD tonight! What are you trying out now?"
In a nutshell: LOUD, smooth, ballsy, punchy, and dynamic.
I'll get the obvious out right away. This is a VERY loud pickup. Not as loud as the JB8, and not uncontrollable but almost. Very high output. I had to switch the amp to 100W mode in order to get a comfortable amount of headroom and then it was still pushing it occasionally.
In spite of it being loud, it's not compressed sounding. It's very dynamic feeling, reacts well to subtle input, and cleans up well. Under full gain it's extremely ballsy and punchy but never loses its tightness. This was especially appreciated during fast alternate picked palm mutes. It has a nice bloom to the sound when playing full or complex chords. It didn't feel hard or stiff or compressed at all... nice and open and very percussive. On both clean and dirty sounds the lows are big and tight, the mids are crisp and articulate, and the highs are defined but not shrill. Good balanced sound with a slight emphasis on the mids.
I installed it with the bar next to the bridge, where it's supposed to be a little brighter and better for drop tunings. With the bar forward towards the neck it's supposed to be smoother and a little louder. I don't know if I could handle it the other way, as it's already a beast this way! I set the pickup height about where I'd normally have it for something like a JB and had to back it off quite a bit. This pickup is very sensitive to how close it is to the strings as well. I tweaked it until I found the sweet spot for it.
I usually don't go for ceramic magnet pickups but this one really has me impressed. I might try an A8 in it for good measure. I think I'll keep this around a bit and see how it goes.
How is it compared to the DSonic?
Franknfilms
New member
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
My washburn is mahogany body/neck (no maple cap) and rosewood fretboard. When I get the crunchlab installed I'll be sure to report back. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to install blade towards the bridge.
My washburn is mahogany body/neck (no maple cap) and rosewood fretboard. When I get the crunchlab installed I'll be sure to report back. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to install blade towards the bridge.
Frogman
New member
mustaine-who?
New member
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
I installed a CL into my RG550 a few weeks ago (posted a review on here as well) with the bar facing the bridge. I installed a new pickguard over the weekend and switched the bar towards the neck. I like it much better that way. Didn't lose the crunch...but gained more midrange fullness as described above. I'm tuned at D standard...and the PuP just kills. Its everything I wanted the FS to be...and more.
I installed a CL into my RG550 a few weeks ago (posted a review on here as well) with the bar facing the bridge. I installed a new pickguard over the weekend and switched the bar towards the neck. I like it much better that way. Didn't lose the crunch...but gained more midrange fullness as described above. I'm tuned at D standard...and the PuP just kills. Its everything I wanted the FS to be...and more.
Frogman
New member
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
I see in your other review, you make mention of the the PATB3.. I dont know the FS, but do have a PATB3.. How does the CL compare or differ to the 3?
From everything Ive heard, the CL sounds great.. I just dont have much luck with Dimarzios, so Im trying to be as sure as I can before coughing up dough I really dont have..
thanks!
I see in your other review, you make mention of the the PATB3.. I dont know the FS, but do have a PATB3.. How does the CL compare or differ to the 3?
From everything Ive heard, the CL sounds great.. I just dont have much luck with Dimarzios, so Im trying to be as sure as I can before coughing up dough I really dont have..
thanks!
mustaine-who?
New member
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
I have tried all the PATBs in search of a FS killer. Also tried the Demon, Distortion, FS8, and Alt8...and the Dimarzio Steve's Special. Out of all of those I liked the PATB-3 the most...but it just didn't sound modern enough...too PAF-ish. Modern is what I like about the FS. That's the main reason I switched to Dimarzio. And the CL delivered. I highly recommend you try it.
I have tried all the PATBs in search of a FS killer. Also tried the Demon, Distortion, FS8, and Alt8...and the Dimarzio Steve's Special. Out of all of those I liked the PATB-3 the most...but it just didn't sound modern enough...too PAF-ish. Modern is what I like about the FS. That's the main reason I switched to Dimarzio. And the CL delivered. I highly recommend you try it.
oilpit
Active member
Re: DiMarzio Crunch Lab review.
I installed a CL/LF combo in my ash/maple superstrat over the weekend.
Holy crap these things rock...on top of being the most dynamic high output pickup I have ever heard, the CL also has an incredible balance of thick and fat and clear and articulate of any bridge humbucker (except maybe a PAF) I've ever heard. Leads sound huge and vocal, and rhythms sound defined and crunchy.
The LF is equally, if not more awesome...but that's another thread
I installed a CL/LF combo in my ash/maple superstrat over the weekend.
Holy crap these things rock...on top of being the most dynamic high output pickup I have ever heard, the CL also has an incredible balance of thick and fat and clear and articulate of any bridge humbucker (except maybe a PAF) I've ever heard. Leads sound huge and vocal, and rhythms sound defined and crunchy.
The LF is equally, if not more awesome...but that's another thread
Last edited:
Similar threads
