got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

[roadstar II]

I got a TB-11 and had quite some time to spend with it
i like it but i would not say it is as exciting as the V hot paf or the air zone
the CC has a nice tone bit is not as balanced as the other two
it has great harmonics but tends to stay a bit too "middy"
i had it in a RG 550 which has a all maple neck and i do not use a tone pot.
right now i am torn between the V hot paf and the air zone both of which have a lot more clarity and have fabulous dynamics.
the V hot paf is more open and vintage sounding but the air zone has a thicker paf tone that is addictive it never gets tinny or harsh whereas the V hot paf can get a bit too ice pickey when i nail a high E note bent at the 22 fret or a B bent at the 17th fret
both do the older EVH thing and also will venture into heavier styles.
I use a 5150 amp that is just amazing to me.
a guy named VHoholic told me how to tweak it for a older VH tone and i had great results
so what my problem is both pups sounds great through this amp and have a similar tone with the air zone being the one that has the added fattness and output and seems to have a better versitility overall.
I am looking to hear from others that have tried both or even one of these two pups
thoughts?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

Go with your own instincts.....Sounds like you already pretty much know what pickup sounds good in your guitar!

I'm using the VPAF Hot in the bridge of my SG and it's great also...The VPAF N has been a whole different problem in that it has been too boomy in the lows at any height I set it at...

 

[roadstar II]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

Go with your own instincts.....Sounds like you already pretty much know what pickup sounds good in your guitar!

I'm using the VPAF Hot in the bridge of my SG and it's great also...The VPAF N has been a whole different problem in that it has been too boomy in the lows at any height I set it at...

maybe try the bluesbucker at the neck?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

maybe try the bluesbucker at the neck?

The Bluesbucker is supposed to give you a P90 vibe? Not sure if that's what you're looking for? I'm using the VPAF Neck and I thought about trading it for an Air Classic N,but I have it dialed in pretty good now so I guess I'll keep it..

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

Hmm I love the VPAFs, but I sometimes find the bridge models thin and the neck models lacking in the ability to push when needed (they are sooo geared to a cleaner, sweeter sound).

I have thought of using the Bridge VPAF in the neck. hmmmmmmm

I used to go Tone zone/Vpaf. Now I use an Air Norton and a CC.

Hmmmmmmmm

hmmmmmmm

should I jump back on the Breed or the AZ? or maybe I should actually practice, write songs, and actually do gigs???? hmmmmmmm decisions decisions

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

Hmm I love the VPAFs, but I sometimes find the bridge models thin and the neck models lacking in the ability to push when needed (they are sooo geared to a cleaner, sweeter sound).

I have thought of using the Bridge VPAF in the neck. hmmmmmmm

I used to go Tone zone/Vpaf. Now I use an Air Norton and a CC.

Hmmmmmmmm

hmmmmmmm

should I jump back on the Breed or the AZ? or maybe I should actually practice, write songs, and actually do gigs???? hmmmmmmm decisions decisions

+1

i'd really like to try the Bridge vPAF in one of my guitars as well

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

I'm finding just the opposite with the VPAF Hot in the bridge and the VPAF Neck..The neck pickup is plenty ballsy,articulate,and has plenty of lows and nice chime....

The VPAF Hot has the same characteristics but has more mids...I don't find either of these pickups thin in my SG?

 

[madguitar26]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

try a tom anderson H3 humbucker you wont regret it.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

+1

i'd really like to try the Bridge vPAF in one of my guitars as well

The STD VPAF bridge pickup might be a bit anemic.That's why I went with the VPAF Hot version.

 

[papersoul]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

I agree, the Air Zone is nice and thick but can get muddy. That is a nice thing about the Rio BBQ....it maintain an amazing articulation and clarity even with the thickness. Not my favorite...but a very nice pup!

 

[roadstar II]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

I agree, the Air Zone is nice and thick but can get muddy. That is a nice thing about the Rio BBQ....it maintain an amazing articulation and clarity even with the thickness. Not my favorite...but a very nice pup!

paper in what guitar did you find the AZ muddy?
i cant make the AZ muddy even if i crank the bass on my 5150 amp
i think in a les paul or PRS it may get muddy but in the guitars i like it never goes into a mud tone
i prefer a guitar like the wolfgang or the ibanez rg 550 or the ernie ball axis
all of these are great axes to load with a AZ.
the duncan stuff to me does not jive in these type of guitars.
i think that dimarzio in general are specialty pups in that if you need a ceratin pup to do a certain thing they have a specific model for you
i find them to be much warmer than duncans or other makers pups
in my guitars duncan are vey harsh and lack any real warmth.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: got a CC and what i think of it compared to the air zone and V hot paf

I like the CC, but honestly I haven't ever tried any Dimarzios. Maybe those are two I should check out... I like a little "umph" in the bridge, I don't really want a totally vintage output pup there. What's the output of the VPAF hot like? ( I know what DM's site says, but what do you think personally?)