Jb jr or little Dimarzio Tone Zone?

papersoul

New member
I have a JB Jr on the way but I forgot about the little Dimarzio Tone Zone, killer pickup....more full than a JB. Anyone compare the two?
 
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Re: Jb jr or little Dimarzio Tone Zone?

I can't speak to the little guys. But, regarding the two big boys:

Highs - JB lots of them. Some say harsh. I say good in a band or a FLoyded Superstrat. Meh in LP types. Tone Zone Less highs than you might want. Pretty thick though, with some sizzle. Some might say fizzy. I say scorching. SuperD has more and clearer highs IMO.

Mids. JB has lot's. Push a little toward the high end. Really cuts in the mix. Tone Zone has lots. In the middle of the mids (or to the bass a touch). Perhaps a wider range of mids than the JB. Doesn't cut as much.

Bass. JB, moderate bass, not loose, not tight. Tight enough IMO. Tone Zone. Lot's of bass, pretty tight.

Overall, the JB is a real serious lead pickup. lot's of punch through the mix, and hot. It can scream and sing (or shriek...). Clarity is a hallmark.

Overall the Tone Zone is hot, tight and thick. lot's of kick in the rhythm department and hot. Distortion is a hallmark.

These pups are good representation, IMO of the difference between Seymour and Larry's ears. Classic SD and DMZ goodness. I am actually more a fan of the TZ than the JB.

I like the SuperD better than either. These are just ultra generalizations. I might choose either depending. The JB is my choice if lead is the game, or cutting through the mix is what I want. The TZ is my go to for rhythm or metal.

And of course, as I have said....In a Floyded Superstrat, JB is 80's all day and all night. The TZ, however, with some organic sizzle and compression is a great way to bring a solid state to life.
 
Re: Jb jr or little Dimarzio Tone Zone?

Don't know the JB but I've got a TZ in the neck of my LP firebrand. I put it there 20 years ago. I run it a lot further from the strings than would be usual but it still has plenty of output. It's a mid heavy pup with a sweet round high end. Never harsh in the treble at all. Playing something like the intro to Sweet Child o Mine is a religious experience on my guitar.
 
Re: Jb jr or little Dimarzio Tone Zone?

JB JR. vs full sized TZ is like comparing a chihuahua and an aligator. Both have 4 legs and teeth. Other than that, meh.

TZ more full, more bass (gobs more), less screechy, smoother, bigger, louder.
 
Re: Jb jr or little Dimarzio Tone Zone?

JB JR. vs full sized TZ is like comparing a chihuahua and an aligator. Both have 4 legs and teeth. Other than that, meh.

TZ more full, more bass (gobs more), less screechy, smoother, bigger, louder.

Who is comparing those pickups? I was talking about the little Tone Zone for a strat. I have used the JB Jr and it is killer in a strat. I don't want it to be as big and ballsy as my full size buckers......that is why I have LPs, SGs, Fat strats and PRS.
 
Re: Jb jr or little Dimarzio Tone Zone?

The Fastrack II is very similar to a full sized JB and is a good match for a JB Jr in the neck. The JB Jr is to bright and thin in the bridge.
 
Re: Jb jr or little Dimarzio Tone Zone?

Who is comparing those pickups? I was talking about the little Tone Zone for a strat.



Same things apply to some degree. TZ-S has a whole lot more mids and low mids, and a much bigger low end. I didn't think it sounded like a full sized TZ.
 
Re: Jb jr or little Dimarzio Tone Zone?

I didn't like the Tone Zone S in my MIJ strat, the Lil Demon sounds fantastic. The TZ was lacking a little definition and clarity for me. Never tried the JB jr though.
 
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