DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

[mrfunnyman]

I was thinking about building a clone of an Ernie Ball Music Man EVH model and I was told that the DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton are the pickups that I need to capture the tone of the EVH guitar. Does anybody know anything about these 2 pickups that you can share with me also what SD pups would you compare them to soundwise.

 

[Aceman]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

The tonezone doesn't sound like any SD. It's a classic DiMarzio; tite Bass, big mids, not so much highs. Very compressed, hot, but not scorching. More metal than a superdistortion IMO.

Instead of an EVH guitar, what era of ed are you trying to conjure.

 

[ErikH]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

Those DiMarzios are unique to themselves. Rather than the Tone Zone, I recommend going with the Air Zone. It is much closer to the stock B1 pickup in the EVH/Axis than the Tone Zone, IMO/IME.

The Air Norton is very clear, articulate and does not get muddy (unless run through a muddy amp and then anything sounds muddy). Easily one of the best medium output neck humbuckers out there. The Air Zone has a more open sound to it versus the Tone Zone. Much better for capturing that 90's era EVH vibe. Can even get the classic vibe with the right gear and feel.

Aceman, that era of Ed is clearly the early 90's era.

 

[El CHupacabra]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

What's the magnet in the Air Norton? Sounds like a description i've heard before...

 

[mrfunnyman]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

Actually guys I'm more of a Jerry Cantrell fan than I am EVH dont get me wrong I love EVH, his equipment and his playing but Jerry is a BAMF in his own realm when it comes to guitar playing. I am looking to build a clone of one of the EBMM EVH's that Eddie gave Jerry on the Facelift tour either a gold top EBMM or a transblue EBMM EVH. Thanks for the heads up on the Air Zone pup I'll be sure to check that out. Just check this video out and tell me that guitar aint wicked looking and sounding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9GAEFTeWko

 

[ErikH]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

What's the magnet in the Air Norton? Sounds like a description i've heard before...

Alnico 5.

 

[mrfunnyman]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

ErikH,
What pup would you recommend for the neck pos or is the Air Norton the one I want.

 

[ErikH]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

Actually guys I'm more of a Jerry Cantrell fan than I am EVH dont get me wrong I love EVH, his equipment and his playing but Jerry is a BAMF in his own realm when it comes to guitar playing. I am looking to build a clone of one of the EBMM EVH's that Eddie gave Jerry on the Facelift tour either a gold top EBMM or a transblue EBMM EVH. Thanks for the heads up on the Air Zone pup I'll be sure to check that out. Just check this video out and tell me that guitar aint wicked looking and sounding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9GAEFTeWko

Yeah, Jerry's pretty badass. Saw AIC on the tour they opened up for VH on in 1991. Jerry was playing an EBMM EVH guitar at the show I saw, I do remember that. Man In A Box just ripped that night. I remember it well.

 

[ErikH]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

ErikH,
What pup would you recommend for the neck pos or is the Air Norton the one I want.

You want the Air Norton if you're building a guitar like that. The neck pickup in them, or N1 as it is known, is pretty much an Air Norton.

Don't forget, basswood plus maple cap.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

I was told that the DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton are the pickups that I need to capture the tone of the EVH guitar.

do i dare ask where you got that information? not to knock DMZ, but that sounds like fanboy drivel to me.

what do you want it to sound like?

 

[devastone]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

Those are the closest stock pickups to the ones that DMZ make for the EB/MM EVH and Axis guitars, that's straight from Steve Bulcher. The bridge pup is more in-between the TZ and the AZ, but they always recommend the TZ for that combination.

That said, Rich Roger has an AZ for sale on the DiMarzio forum, http://www.dimarzioforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1933.0

 

[dr. ad]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

that's weird, because between tonezone and airzone would mean it's a 'zone that's half-airbucked and half not.
i'm just suggesting that the OP make his selections based on personal preference rather than anything else; the 'closest we've got' angle doesn't fill me with confidence, even if it is Mr Blutcher

 

[ACH91332]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

Off topic but yes Jerry Cantrell is the sh*t.

The ToneZone is really for buttery smoothness. The AirZone is more open and dynamic because of the lowered output but is very similar to the TZ.

An EVH PU needs to be more PAF esque and not as smooth and buttery.

I'm not too sure what to suggest for an EVH PU. I've never tried to mimic his tone and never really paid too much attention to how he might have been getting his tone. He's got a cool sound but never something that caught my ear. The most iconic guitar tones to me are Malcolm/Angus Young's tone and Slash's tone during the GN'R era, mostly the UYI albums. I know how to achieve those tones? haha

 

[dominus]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

I like both the Air Zone and the Tone Zone, but I'd recommend the AZ, seems to be a little more versatile, and with the right amp, can sound just as heavy.

 

[Willybomb]

Re: DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups

I've just installed a ToneZone/AirNorton combo in a chinese strat copy (it's either agathis or alder, dunno which), and the TZ is a fun pickup for dirty rhythm work. The AN is wired with a mini toggle for series/split/parallel and isn't as good imo. It's ok, but not "WOW".