sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
^^ There's probably a good bit of truth to that.
^^ There's probably a good bit of truth to that.
Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
- Thread starter UberMetalDood
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UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
Ah, good to know. Every time I get a new pickup I want to try it out in a Les Paul. Your description sounds like what I would expect from the AT-1 in an LP since it doesn't have the stand-out presence of other PAF type Dimarzios.
Ah, good to know. Every time I get a new pickup I want to try it out in a Les Paul. Your description sounds like what I would expect from the AT-1 in an LP since it doesn't have the stand-out presence of other PAF type Dimarzios.
MultiCaster
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
I currently have the Mo Joe and Paf Joe in a hardtail, Alder body, maple neck Strat. It sort of has between a hot Tele and les Paul sound. I want some Dimarzio humbuckers that are thicker, with more mids in the bridge and something slightly warmer, with softer highs for the neck pickup. Would the AT-1 or Norton be the next step up in thickness and power in the bridge for a throaty sound without muddy or boomy bass and what would you recommend for the neck position? Something like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX14smq21HE
I currently have the Mo Joe and Paf Joe in a hardtail, Alder body, maple neck Strat. It sort of has between a hot Tele and les Paul sound. I want some Dimarzio humbuckers that are thicker, with more mids in the bridge and something slightly warmer, with softer highs for the neck pickup. Would the AT-1 or Norton be the next step up in thickness and power in the bridge for a throaty sound without muddy or boomy bass and what would you recommend for the neck position? Something like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX14smq21HE
9unslin9er
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
I've heard so many good things about the AT-1.
I wish I was a Strat/Silhouette/RG player. I just don't favor 25.5" scale guitars, and anytime you flub out those strings, you can't get the most out of pickups like the Tone Zone, Air Zone, or Timmons.
Likewise with the Air Norton/Air Norton S. I wish I could make it work in the neck position. It just doesn't work with 24.75" scale guitars.
I'm lucky there's still the Fred and Super Distortion to keep me happy. Very happy.
I've heard so many good things about the AT-1.
I wish I was a Strat/Silhouette/RG player. I just don't favor 25.5" scale guitars, and anytime you flub out those strings, you can't get the most out of pickups like the Tone Zone, Air Zone, or Timmons.
Likewise with the Air Norton/Air Norton S. I wish I could make it work in the neck position. It just doesn't work with 24.75" scale guitars.
I'm lucky there's still the Fred and Super Distortion to keep me happy. Very happy.
darthphineas
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
finally picked up an AT-1 a few months back and put it in a EBMM Axis. it was one of those that took my ears a little bit to get used to, but I'm thinking I like it, at least in that guitar.
to answer multicaster, it's probably the most JB-ish pickup DiMarzio makes, if that helps you decide. some might say it's like a JB on a 250k pot, but I'm not hearing that.
finally picked up an AT-1 a few months back and put it in a EBMM Axis. it was one of those that took my ears a little bit to get used to, but I'm thinking I like it, at least in that guitar.
to answer multicaster, it's probably the most JB-ish pickup DiMarzio makes, if that helps you decide. some might say it's like a JB on a 250k pot, but I'm not hearing that.
MultiCaster
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
I liked the JB in a Strat although it had too much treble with the 500k pots. I never tried it with 250k. Looking at the AT-1 specs, I am concerned about the low E flubbing out. For instance, I did not like the low E with an Alnico Pro II bridge in a Les Paul but the neck Alnico II Pro was fine. I'm wondering if the Norton bridge and 36th neck or a 36th bridge and neck set would get there. Also wondering if the 36th set would be thick enough in the Strat???
I liked the JB in a Strat although it had too much treble with the 500k pots. I never tried it with 250k. Looking at the AT-1 specs, I am concerned about the low E flubbing out. For instance, I did not like the low E with an Alnico Pro II bridge in a Les Paul but the neck Alnico II Pro was fine. I'm wondering if the Norton bridge and 36th neck or a 36th bridge and neck set would get there. Also wondering if the 36th set would be thick enough in the Strat???
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darthphineas
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
the DMZ specs can be a little tricky at times. my experience with the AT-1 is that it's not quite the tone curve that it shows. then again, there's not standard for tone specs across the different pickup makers. I think it'd fit within the "thickness and power" part of what you're talking about, while still be versatile. the low E flub can be fairly relative with people. I like a sound in the lows that's tight and powerful and heavy and clear.... so keep in mind I get that by tweaking in my amp to a JB as the starting point. the basswood/maple body of the EBMM Axis might be a tad brighter than an alder Strat as well. personally, I don't think it's flabby. I also know a lot of guys do dig the AT-1.
the DMZ specs can be a little tricky at times. my experience with the AT-1 is that it's not quite the tone curve that it shows. then again, there's not standard for tone specs across the different pickup makers. I think it'd fit within the "thickness and power" part of what you're talking about, while still be versatile. the low E flub can be fairly relative with people. I like a sound in the lows that's tight and powerful and heavy and clear.... so keep in mind I get that by tweaking in my amp to a JB as the starting point. the basswood/maple body of the EBMM Axis might be a tad brighter than an alder Strat as well. personally, I don't think it's flabby. I also know a lot of guys do dig the AT-1.
RayBarbeeMusic
Active member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
Where the AT-1 and JB comparisons lay is in the harmonic content, which is extremely high in both pickups. I compared them back to back a couple days ago straight into one of my mod amps and the sustained tone of both was jaw droppingly similar. Where they differ the most I think is this: With 500k pots, the JB can be obnoxious in a lot of guitars, the AT-1 is not; a 250k pot tames the obnoxious out of a JB but then it can become a bit tubby in some guitars. At that point it is darker than an AT-1. In away the AT-1 sort of solves the issue with a JB being too piercing with 500k, a tad too dark with 250k. AT-1 with 250k would be too dark for my rig, YMMV. I have 4 or 5 of each installed in various guitars at the moment and a pile more of each that have yet to be installed so I'm pretty familiar with both, and the comparisons are valid, they are both singing, high harmonic content pickups for sure. Take a JB, trim off some of the tendency to be piercing, add a bit of punch in the lows, there is an AT-1.
To my ear the AT-1 has more in common with a JB than it does with a Breed or TZ, while the Breed, TZ, AZ fall into the same family. Both the JB and the AT-1 have that lush harmonic content, like a big ball of sonic cotton, that the Breed/TZ/AZ don't have. Whether that works or not depends on the guitar.
Where the AT-1 and JB comparisons lay is in the harmonic content, which is extremely high in both pickups. I compared them back to back a couple days ago straight into one of my mod amps and the sustained tone of both was jaw droppingly similar. Where they differ the most I think is this: With 500k pots, the JB can be obnoxious in a lot of guitars, the AT-1 is not; a 250k pot tames the obnoxious out of a JB but then it can become a bit tubby in some guitars. At that point it is darker than an AT-1. In away the AT-1 sort of solves the issue with a JB being too piercing with 500k, a tad too dark with 250k. AT-1 with 250k would be too dark for my rig, YMMV. I have 4 or 5 of each installed in various guitars at the moment and a pile more of each that have yet to be installed so I'm pretty familiar with both, and the comparisons are valid, they are both singing, high harmonic content pickups for sure. Take a JB, trim off some of the tendency to be piercing, add a bit of punch in the lows, there is an AT-1.
To my ear the AT-1 has more in common with a JB than it does with a Breed or TZ, while the Breed, TZ, AZ fall into the same family. Both the JB and the AT-1 have that lush harmonic content, like a big ball of sonic cotton, that the Breed/TZ/AZ don't have. Whether that works or not depends on the guitar.
darthphineas
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
that's an awesome run-down. very cool.
that's an awesome run-down. very cool.
MultiCaster
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
Thanks for the detailed review. How does he AT-1 compare to the DP160 Norton? Do you have any similar experience with Dimarzio, full size humbucking, neck pickups that pair with the AT-1 well? Are any sound clips of your amps available?
Thanks for the detailed review. How does he AT-1 compare to the DP160 Norton? Do you have any similar experience with Dimarzio, full size humbucking, neck pickups that pair with the AT-1 well? Are any sound clips of your amps available?
Marco78
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGHJlSJOmM8
From this video I don't think that At-1 and JB are similar pickups honestly. I would to hear this types of videos more often..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGHJlSJOmM8
From this video I don't think that At-1 and JB are similar pickups honestly. I would to hear this types of videos more often..
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RayBarbeeMusic
Active member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
Videos mean boo, actually hearing stuff in a controlled environment means a lot more.
As for the Norton, I only have one in one guitar and it isn't that similar to anything else I have an AT-1 or JB in, so I don't think any comparison would be all that meaningful. Someone else may have them in a more comparable circumstance.
For neck pickups, nowadays I really like mini humbuckers and firebird types, things that either sound like single coils or very close to that with maybe a touch of humbucker. If you are looking for a full sized bucker suggestion, someone else could tell you more as I have got to the point I really don't like full sized buckers in the neck (just far too muddy on low notes), although the Full Shred neck and Lollar El Rayo get honorable mention in certain applications.
Videos mean boo, actually hearing stuff in a controlled environment means a lot more.
As for the Norton, I only have one in one guitar and it isn't that similar to anything else I have an AT-1 or JB in, so I don't think any comparison would be all that meaningful. Someone else may have them in a more comparable circumstance.
For neck pickups, nowadays I really like mini humbuckers and firebird types, things that either sound like single coils or very close to that with maybe a touch of humbucker. If you are looking for a full sized bucker suggestion, someone else could tell you more as I have got to the point I really don't like full sized buckers in the neck (just far too muddy on low notes), although the Full Shred neck and Lollar El Rayo get honorable mention in certain applications.
RolanTHUNDER
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
thread revivial! Haha. How does the AT-1 hold up for full on metal riffing?
thread revivial! Haha. How does the AT-1 hold up for full on metal riffing?
B
Ben1962
Guest
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
Great video, although I hated the music selection. I can not believe how awful the Custom sounded. I know its just a video, but that guitar sounded terrible with the Schecter and the Custom. I was equally surprised by how good the Gibsons held up. The 498t was the winner, hands down, in that video at least. Thats not my opinion only, but was close to unanimous. Thanks for the link
Great video, although I hated the music selection. I can not believe how awful the Custom sounded. I know its just a video, but that guitar sounded terrible with the Schecter and the Custom. I was equally surprised by how good the Gibsons held up. The 498t was the winner, hands down, in that video at least. Thats not my opinion only, but was close to unanimous. Thanks for the link
Teleplayer
Active member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
I dont think the AT-1 is right for modern metal. Its a bit too much vintage sounding, with a lot of harmonic overtones.
Its fine for 80s shred metal, but IMO it doesn't have the right clarity for modern high gain metal styles.
I dont think the AT-1 is right for modern metal. Its a bit too much vintage sounding, with a lot of harmonic overtones.
Its fine for 80s shred metal, but IMO it doesn't have the right clarity for modern high gain metal styles.
Ayrton
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
Sometimes nuance is lost over the internet, so please know there is no malice in this post.
A pickup is an extension of the instrument (guitar in this case). The guitar can be used for whatever type of music. The more gain and effects that are layered on, the less you hear the guitars natural sound. The pickup is merely another layer; it does not define what style of music is played. There are many ingredients needed to go from a clean Jazz tone to a drop tuning metal sound, and a pickup is a small factor in that.
Sometimes nuance is lost over the internet, so please know there is no malice in this post.
A pickup is an extension of the instrument (guitar in this case). The guitar can be used for whatever type of music. The more gain and effects that are layered on, the less you hear the guitars natural sound. The pickup is merely another layer; it does not define what style of music is played. There are many ingredients needed to go from a clean Jazz tone to a drop tuning metal sound, and a pickup is a small factor in that.
Teleplayer
Active member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
What I'm considering is the interaction between the guitar/pickup and the amplifier. If you feed a lot of harmonic overtones (such as produced by a vintage style pickup) into a high gain amp, IMO it is more likely to end up with a poorly defined fizzy tone.
For modern metal I think you would be better off with something like a Duncan Nazgul or Dimarzio Titan, more than say a P90, a Saturday night special, or even the AT-1. Are you able to produce a counter argument and say that a P90 or Saturday night special can be used for modern metal styles?
What I'm considering is the interaction between the guitar/pickup and the amplifier. If you feed a lot of harmonic overtones (such as produced by a vintage style pickup) into a high gain amp, IMO it is more likely to end up with a poorly defined fizzy tone.
For modern metal I think you would be better off with something like a Duncan Nazgul or Dimarzio Titan, more than say a P90, a Saturday night special, or even the AT-1. Are you able to produce a counter argument and say that a P90 or Saturday night special can be used for modern metal styles?
Ayrton
New member
Re: Got my Dimarzio Andy Timmons AT-1 pickup yesterday
My point is this, take whatever rig you feel is the ideal setup for that music (I have no idea for those sounds) and now just replace the pickup. There will be little effect on the overall tone, simply because there are so many other factors involved in such a processed sound.
My point is this, take whatever rig you feel is the ideal setup for that music (I have no idea for those sounds) and now just replace the pickup. There will be little effect on the overall tone, simply because there are so many other factors involved in such a processed sound.
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