How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

[Diego]

Is it like the Custom? Lower output than that? Spiky like a JB? Or smoother? Maybe more aggresive? Is the low-end as massive as the Invader? Tighter than the Invader actually? Too compressed to sound natural? Or what else...?

Feel free to compare them, here. I'm really torn... so many choices! :eek13:

 

[DracoAran]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

I think the closest would be an Invader.

 

[sunnysideup]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

no, invader is closer to Dimarzio X2N. I agree that it's Tonezone is closer to Custom

 

[DracoAran]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

The X2N has a totally different tone curve. Just slightly treble oriented, believe it or not.
The Custom is a little scooped when compared to the TZ also.

The 2 closest pickups tone wise are the PATB-1 and the Invader, with the Invader having a little more output than the TZ.

Just my take though.

 

[aldu74]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

With all due respect, maybe you should consider a better amp before upgrading your pickups.

It's hard to compare them, I find that Duncans and Dimarzios sound very different. I agree with Draco that the one that would come kinda close, although they sound nothing alike, would be the Invader, due to the massive bass & mids, but again, they sound nothing alike. What sound are you going for? Any players' tone you really like?

 

[Mephis]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

With all due respect, maybe you should consider a better amp before upgrading your pickups.

It's hard to compare them, I find that Duncans and Dimarzios sound very different. I agree with Draco that the one that would come kinda close, although they sound nothing alike, would be the Invader, due to the massive bass & mids, but again, they sound nothing alike. What sound are you going for? Any players' tone you really like?

The cube 60's have the some of the best cleans I've heard from an amp. (depends on your taste.)

But they're the worst thing on earth for metal... Dono why you'd be looking for such high output stuff for such a nice clean amp...

Why would you use a high-output pickup on a solid state? You'll only notice a difference in EQ curve.

 

[Colma]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

the tone zone is just the tonezone man! its my fav bridge right now :]

 

[Colma]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

*note

i think the X2N is FAR more balanced than the invader. :] fairly..compressed? not THICK or BASSY..just..compressed.

 

[ranalli]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

THere are no Duncans like the Tone Zone....it's a very dark pickup that can be muddy in a lot of setups....there are so many better DImarzios to choose from that are equally as warm and tighter....don't know why the TZ gets recommended so much....it's like Dimarzio's JB....it's just the first name people toss out.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

I have a Dimarzio Tone Zone in my ESP Mirage Custom. I honestly don't care for it that much. It is too mid rangey and bassy for my tastes. I look for a bright, tight/focused, cutting/awww sounding type of tone with harmonics at disposal. It is a pretty hot pup. If you have a bright sounding guitar acousticaly, go for the TZ. But if your guitar is the least bit mid or bass focused, stay away. When ever I go to solo on the G string, mid frequencies roll over the highs and I just lose definition no matter what.

That's why I'm looking at the Evolution.

 

[Pierre]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

The cube 60's have the some of the best cleans I've heard from an amp. (depends on your taste.)

But they're the worst thing on earth for metal... Dono why you'd be looking for such high output stuff for such a nice clean amp...

Why would you use a high-output pickup on a solid state? You'll only notice a difference in EQ curve.

Not really no...You'd notice the difference just fine. I do all my pickup trials through a POD 2.0.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

I use one for the bridge position on my old Charvel. It's found a home there, since probably 92, although years ago, I originally choose it over a CC, mainly because it matched the guitar's original cosmetics (double creme). I really like the thick aaawww thing it has for distorted soloing on this guitar ....ala Carnal Knowlege era Eddie.

The guitar is all maple, so it's a good match for the bridge position with it's fat low end. I sure do like it better than the Super Distortion the guitar originaly had. Much more woody and less metalic than a Super D, with smoother highs.

The TZ is just fine on all maple neck 25 1/2" scale guitars. I would be cautious about using one with a rosewood finger board, or with Gibson scale length.

 

[Diego]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

Thanks for all the replies guys! :fingersx:

So you guys say the ToneZone is muddy and overpowering? Actually I'd like the tone to be balanced but thick, not compressed, kinda LPish but with a slight cutting edge, letting my amp do the tone curve thing.

I considered a Dimarzio Air Zone, but it's a bit bland it seems... not bright enough. Also I considered the Duncan JB, but it would lack some balls on my guitar apparently. And the Custom seems cool, but I have no experience with it. Invader and X2N seem a bit over the roof, not what I want exactly. I love Marty Friedman's early lead tone, as well as Megadeth's Youthanasia rhythm tone, but that's a Duncan JB on a completely different guitar than mine... so I don't know if it would do.

Output isn't much of a concern. If it sounds good, name it. And I'd say my tone is more hard-rock/early metal oriented rather than 90s metal! I don't care at all for scooped metal tones.

What would you guys recommend? My guitar is a Ibanez RG1550 (basically the same as a good old RG550)

PS:

Actually, I'd love to spend some cash and upgrade my amp to a nice tube setup, but I don't have the budget for that. Besides, I don't think the metal-rock sounds from the Cube are bad! The Recto mode is very buzzy and thin, but I don't use it. The Marshall and 5150 modes are much better. I've even gotten some 'hey dude nice tone there' from fellow musicians with supposedly better gear than mine...

 

[wixedmords]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

I considered a Dimarzio Air Zone, but it's a bit bland it seems... not bright enough. Also I considered the Duncan JB, but it would lack some balls on my guitar apparently.

Brighter than an AZ, thicker than a JB.

Custom Custom, Duncan Distortion, Dimarzio Evo, Evo II.

That will give you a start.

EDIT: If you are looking for some hotter PAF's, look into the Fred, PAF Pro, PAF Joe.

 

[Diego]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

The Custom Custom has been intriguing me as of late...

Isn't a bit too warm for what I'm after? It seems to do perfectly in the bass-mid department. Can the CC do hard-rock/metal rhythm stuff without getting muddy? My guitar is kinda bright to being with. If the CC is what it seems to be, then I should be sold on it! :smokin:

PS: About the bass... is it loose sounding or focused? I fear the CC might be a bit too vintage for what I'm after.

 

[taphappy]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

The tonezone is a tight pickup that is perfect for bright guitars. It also sounds great in the mahogany bodied RG3120. The output isnt too much or too little. It also has a vowel like quality that you can control by your pick attack. It sounds huge and filled in alot of the low end I was missing. I think it sounds great for heavier styles of music like Megadeth or Children of Bodom. I'll add it sounds more cutting than the Invader. The Invader always has this dark haze on the top strings that I didnt like it for soloing.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

The TZ has a 3d-ish quality to it, esp in the rounded highs, which can bite when needed. It has HUGE bass, and growly lower mids. It's tight and aggressive, yet a little loose in the lowest bass ranges. A VERY unique pickup designed for the Ibanez style guitars to make them sound big and full. It worked! Can get a little compressed in some mid gain amps like old Marshalls or Fenders. I used to use it to make low gain amps break up, and it worked well.

I think it's closest to a Custom or CC, but it's really it's own sound.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

I find the TZ to sound a bit like a JB wannabe EXCEPT the midrange spike is in the mid/low range instead of the midhigh and I find it lacking in prescense a bit. However it is not muddy. I liked it, it was pretty smooth and singy too like the JB. It can be a little dark in the wrong guitar.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

....Actually I'd like the tone to be balanced but thick, not compressed, kinda LPish but with a slight cutting edge, letting my amp do the tone curve thing.

I considered a Dimarzio Air Zone, but it's a bit bland it seems... not bright enough. Also I considered the Duncan JB, but it would lack some balls on my guitar apparently....... hard-rock/early metal oriented rather than 90s metal! I don't care at all for scooped metal tones...........

What would you guys recommend? My guitar is a Ibanez RG1550 (basically the same as a good old RG550)....

Actually the Pearly Gates would deliver the above mentioned tonal goals quite well. The PG is not weak sounding in the least. I don't think really you need a hotter wound pickup than the PG to meet these sonic demands.

I'm not real familar with Ibanez, but either a mohogony body or a basswood body would match up well in the mids with a PG.

 

[ranalli]

Re: How would you compare the Dimarzio ToneZone with Duncans?

The tonezone is a tight pickup that is perfect for bright guitars. It also sounds great in the mahogany bodied RG3120. The output isnt too much or too little. It also has a vowel like quality that you can control by your pick attack. It sounds huge and filled in alot of the low end I was missing. I think it sounds great for heavier styles of music like Megadeth or Children of Bodom. I'll add it sounds more cutting than the Invader. The Invader always has this dark haze on the top strings that I didnt like it for soloing.

The TZ is *not* tight compared to other pickups. It maybe tight in your particular setup....but out of all the pickups I've ever tried the Tone Zone was the least tight.

This is why it works well in the brightest of guitars.