UnderTheFlame83
New member
Super Distortion vs Tone Zone. Which one of these DiMarzio pickups do you prefer and what guitar do you have them in?
DiMarzio Super Distortion vs Tone Zone
- Thread starter UnderTheFlame83
- Start date
I had a tone zone when I was about 15. At the time I was disappointed with it because it didn’t make me play or sound like Paul Gilbert. I think it’d be fun to try again these MANY years later in the right guitar.
I have a Super Distortion now in an ash strat with a Floyd. I like it because I wanted a pretty hot pickup in that guitar.
but in general I think comparing these two pickups is a bit of an apples to oranges scenario.
I have a Super Distortion now in an ash strat with a Floyd. I like it because I wanted a pretty hot pickup in that guitar.
but in general I think comparing these two pickups is a bit of an apples to oranges scenario.
There are probably a million other variables (like the actual guitars, amps, production elements, etc), but to get a bit of a comparison take Paul Gilbert. A lot of Racer X is probably super distortions, and I think a few tracks from Lean Into It and a lot of Bump Ahead is likely tone zones.
ErikH
Well-known member
Super Distortion. It's one of my favorite pickups. I've used it in a Les Paul (of course), a Strat and a dual-humbucker Tele. It excelled in all of them. It sounds great split or in parallel too which makes it crazy versatile for different styles of music.
On the Paul Gilbert thing, he would use the Super Distortion in parallel during the Racer X days.
On the Paul Gilbert thing, he would use the Super Distortion in parallel during the Racer X days.
Juanhanglo
Active member
Id take either, as i love dimarzios.
Super d for more classic sounds and guitars that do not sound thin.
tone zone for thin sounding basswood RG types.
but to be honest, I'd would rather go for a super 3 and breed over the above choices.
i am more of a "find a pickup that balances and addresses any tonal inconsistencies a guitar has" guy.
Super d for more classic sounds and guitars that do not sound thin.
tone zone for thin sounding basswood RG types.
but to be honest, I'd would rather go for a super 3 and breed over the above choices.
i am more of a "find a pickup that balances and addresses any tonal inconsistencies a guitar has" guy.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Haven’t had a Super D in forever, but I like the Air Zone in all the various wood body bolt on neck guitars I’ve used it in.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
I have guitars right now with SuperD's and a TZ. I use/have used them in Strats and Les Paul/Les Paul styles. I really like both.
Hotness: The SuperD is hotter, but not a ton. Both are "hot" pickups
Clarity: The TZ is more clear/articulate, but not a ton.
Thickness: The SuperD is thicker sounding, but not a ton. Both are kind of dense tone.
Compression: The SuperD is a little more compressed, but not a ton. Both are compressed.
Responsiveness: The TZ is a little more responsive to "finger English" or dynamics than the SuperD. The SuperD is that kind of so--hot-it-is-fast/sensitive to respond.
The Tone Zone to me, is like a, but a "little" more of everything. Little more bass, little more mids, little more highs, little more clarity. Maybe a more progressive or refined SuperD. The SuperD is just "that sound" however. When you need that thick, compressed, 70's hard rock tone, you need the SuperD. When you want to play a little more modern sound, the TZ is the way to go.
Currently: SuperD's in two Les Pauls in the bridge, TZ in an Ibanez RG
Hotness: The SuperD is hotter, but not a ton. Both are "hot" pickups
Clarity: The TZ is more clear/articulate, but not a ton.
Thickness: The SuperD is thicker sounding, but not a ton. Both are kind of dense tone.
Compression: The SuperD is a little more compressed, but not a ton. Both are compressed.
Responsiveness: The TZ is a little more responsive to "finger English" or dynamics than the SuperD. The SuperD is that kind of so--hot-it-is-fast/sensitive to respond.
The Tone Zone to me, is like a, but a "little" more of everything. Little more bass, little more mids, little more highs, little more clarity. Maybe a more progressive or refined SuperD. The SuperD is just "that sound" however. When you need that thick, compressed, 70's hard rock tone, you need the SuperD. When you want to play a little more modern sound, the TZ is the way to go.
Currently: SuperD's in two Les Pauls in the bridge, TZ in an Ibanez RG
