Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

[Guitarist]

I've only had these in for a few hours now and I'm not going to jump to conclusions, but WHOOWEE! These are pretty damn fun to play around with!

The AZ definetely did the trick concerning my need for a fuller sound. The nice round bass response is just great, and it's got quite a voice, too. It screams just like the JB, but the notes are thicker with more sensitivity to attack...again, PRETTY DAMN COOL!

The AN is a very neat neck pickup. Very deep sounding. Like the AZ, very thick and controllable. However, I'm still trying to "open" it up a little more.

Both pickups have incredible sustain and a darker sound than the JB/59 set I previously had in my Soloist. So cool...

I'm a happy camper.

BTW - It's set up with a coil-tap, which we all know is a good thing.

 

[wildstar]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

Cool! What kind of guitar are they in, what types of wood? Amp? I think the AN and AZ combo is un-freakin-believable: smooth, fat, punchy, clear... Big but sweet, very modern but warm. Only problem was that they weren't right for my guitar! Made me want to buy an alder or basswood guitar with a maple neck, just to have these pups.

When I do add a second electric to my arsenal, I know exactly what pups to get for it: AZ/AN.

Rock on.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

Schweet! I have my Air Norton and FRED comming tomorrow, so I'll let you know if I find anything on opening it up.

How aggressive are they compared to the JB/59? Is the Air Norton bassy, boomy, and muddy like the 59?

 

[Rev Donzo]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

does anyone know what the "Air Norton" meant?

I put a set in a Pauly and they were nuttin' to talk trash about--not bad-- even though Di_marzio pissed me off to no end with tha baltened theft of "DOUBLE CREAM BOBBINS".... I can see why they did it -- it was an identy thing -- but it was never theres in the first place. it was GIBSONS.

Because of the industry problems that baby created- I decided 6 years back to have never again used Di Marzio or reccomend Di Marzio or care to try a Di Marzio or now anything about them... I'm sure Larry is good peeps.. I just ain't gettin over that Tradmark thingy ever!--I can't-- that was wrong and against the Universe!

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

does anyone know what the "Air Norton" meant?

I put a set in a Pauly and they were nuttin' to talk trash about--not bad-- even though Di_marzio pissed me off to no end with tha baltened theft of "DOUBLE CREAM BOBBINS".... I can see why they did it -- it was an identy thing -- but it was never theres in the first place. it was GIBSONS.

Because of the industry problems that baby created- I decided 6 years back to have never again used Di Marzio or reccomend Di Marzio or care to try a Di Marzio or now anything about them... I'm sure Larry is good peeps.. I just ain't gettin over that Tradmark thingy ever!--I can't-- that was wrong and against the Universe!

We know, and we've heard this a million times... some of us are happy with DiMarzio's. You can't deny the fact that they fill a large gap in Duncans line, either.

Just leave this out of the thread, please.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

Cool! What kind of guitar are they in, what types of wood? Amp? I think the AN and AZ combo is un-freakin-believable: smooth, fat, punchy, clear... Big but sweet, very modern but warm. Only problem was that they weren't right for my guitar! Made me want to buy an alder or basswood guitar with a maple neck, just to have these pups.

When I do add a second electric to my arsenal, I know exactly what pups to get for it: AZ/AN.

Rock on.

:beerchug: Yeah, my Soloist is composed of alder wings and a maple neck through the body.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

Schweet! I have my Air Norton and FRED comming tomorrow, so I'll let you know if I find anything on opening it up.

How aggressive are they compared to the JB/59? Is the Air Norton bassy, boomy, and muddy like the 59?

I think it's mostly because it's a pretty damn dark pickup, I'm just too used to my ol' 59...but I'm sure playing with the tone control on my guitar and playing around with the EQ on my amp can help that up.

Aggressiveness...hmm...I don't think the AZ is as aggressive as the JB, but it is certainly fatter and meatier sounding.

The AN is bassy, but certainly not boomy (although I never considered the 59 boomy in a super strat). Like I said before, I still need to play around with this one a little more. No doubt, it's easy to get a good sound out of it...but I'm still looking for a more liquid Petrucci type lead.

I prefer the cleans of the JB/59 as opposed to the AZ/AN, especially with both pickups on (the middle position)...they sounded more lively and real. These DiMarzio's sound just a little "hi-fi"...

I guess I was just spoiled starting off on Duncans...

 

[rguser]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

I prefer the cleans of the JB/59 as opposed to the AZ/AN,

bingo!
dimarzio pickups are not as open played clean.
except maybe paf pro in bridge, maybe

 

[walt]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

bingo!
dimarzio pickups are not as open played clean.
except maybe paf pro in bridge, maybe

I think a lot of that depends on the type of pickup you are using. Remember that the Air Norton and Air Zone are the Air versions of the Norton and Tone Zone (both somewhat hot pickups). You really can't compare an Air Norton with a 59 (Air Norton wound at 12.58 and the 59 is wound at 7.43) the Air Zone and JB are closer at 17.49 for the AZ and 16.40 for the JB. A lot may depend on your amps eq and rolling the volume on the guitar up and down to find a decent clean.

 

[ranalli]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

You can't deny the fact that they fill a large gap in Duncans line, either.

That, they certainly do. They have alot of pickups that Duncan doesn't. Duncan really doesn't have many really FAT sounding A5 or ceramic pickups. Another thing I noticed is that most Duncans have a very bright top end that in bright guitars and amps....well they just don't sound good to me. Many Dimarzios roll some of that top end off for a very fat sound that isn't harsh.

 

[wildstar]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

:beerchug: Yeah, my Soloist is composed of alder wings and a maple neck through the body.

There you go! That's exactly the kind of wood those pups are hungry for.

As for the JB/59 comparison - i don't think there is a comparison. Totally different pickups, not intended to do the same thing. I've used all of the pups in question quite a bit, and would describe them this way:

AN: liquid and warm
59n: smooth and chimey

AZ: FFFAAATTTT and sweet
JB: singing, punchy and slightly aggressive - but not metal aggressive, more like AC/DC type aggressive. Sounds like rock and roll.

Of course, YMMV. Just my 2¢

 

[wildstar]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

bingo!
dimarzio pickups are not as open played clean.
except maybe paf pro in bridge, maybe

I agree with Walt. Have you tried the V PAF pickups played clean?

Yummy! Delicious, even. :laugh2:

I think most would agree the low output pups play clean better than hot, in general. Right? So it's not quite fair to say it the way you did... No big deal, not trying to pick a fight. Just wanted to stick up for Dimarzio!

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

Just stuck my Air Norton in...


Dear god I love this pickup. I'm looking into putting one in my 7 string now, too. Percussive and responsive and singing...loving it.


As for opening it up... Clip the tone pot. Trust me, it makes it a hell of a lot better. And this is comming from a guy with it in a mahogany/maple set neck guitar.

 

[Colma]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

i also have a tone zone(bridge ) air norton (neck ) set in a semi-hollow black korina les paul and it sounds pretty nice :]

 

[tfb1990]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

you ARE gonna post clips riiiiight?

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?p=642730#post642730

Clips in clean and under gain.

 

[WICKED LESTER]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

I think the AZ is alright but i will take the duncan stuff over the dimarzios anyday:beerchug:
the dimarzios are too warm they dont have the 'presence and rawness" of the duncans
i am selling a air zone if anyone wants it
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=54388

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

Hopefully clips will be up soon.

 

[wildstar]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

Just stuck my Air Norton in...


Dear god I love this pickup. I'm looking into putting one in my 7 string now, too. Percussive and responsive and singing...loving it.


As for opening it up... Clip the tone pot. Trust me, it makes it a hell of a lot better. And this is comming from a guy with it in a mahogany/maple set neck guitar.

You don't find it too thick and warm for chord work in the neck position? I fell in love with the tone of the AN for leads, but it just wasn't usable for me for chords. And I had it in a schecter C-1 Elite, which is pretty similar to yours.

Clipping the tone pot seems kinda extreme. Sometimes you need to roll back the tone... If you change your mind about the AN on the neck, try a VPAF Bridge in the neck. That's why I'm using now in my Schecter and it's SWEET. The qualities of the AN, without the over-warmth.

My 2¢

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Just Got Air Zone/Air Norton Set Installed!

You don't find it too thick and warm for chord work in the neck position? I fell in love with the tone of the AN for leads, but it just wasn't usable for me for chords. And I had it in a schecter C-1 Elite, which is pretty similar to yours.

Clipping the tone pot seems kinda extreme. Sometimes you need to roll back the tone... If you change your mind about the AN on the neck, try a VPAF Bridge in the neck. That's why I'm using now in my Schecter and it's SWEET. The qualities of the AN, without the over-warmth.

My 2¢

I never chord under gain the neck position. I never do anything but play leads and clean with the neck pickup. I play extreme metal (Death/Black), and if you riff under gain with your neck pickup, all you get is mud.

I hate tone pots, to be honest. I never touch them, and all they do is suck highs and clarity off my bridge pickup. I originally just clipped them because I wanted a better tone out of my bridge pickup, but it helps the neck one out, too.