Question for ErikH or other Air Zone users.

[BigDreamer]

Well, recent developments have put my pickup ordering plans on hold for a short time. So, I'd like clear up the only thing I'm apprehensive about with the pup. That would be the amount of bass.

My question is: Can you dial out some of the bass with your amp's eq, to keep riffs clear? Or is the bass not that noticeable? I just don't want it to consume the notes, ya know.

 

[sufferinrewind]

Re: Question for ErikH or other Air Zone users.

If it's going into the bridge, I don't think you'll need to worry about it that much, unless you have it set real close to the strings. If you like the sound but hate the huge bass and can't dial it out with EQ, angle the pickup to lower the poles on the bass side down a bit more to balance, or just trade it for something else.

If you're getting the SDS-1s along with it that Erik recommended, I don't think you'll need to worry about the bass being overpowering. The SDS-1s have quite a bit of bass, as well.

 

[BigDreamer]

Re: Question for ErikH or other Air Zone users.

Ya, it's not so much an issue about it overpowering the SDS-1. It's more the fact that I usually keep the bass on my Mesa at about 3, and if it has too much bass, there isn't much lower I can go with the knob. But, it will probably be fine, I can try the things you've mentioned. And if I'm still not happy, I'll just exchange it.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Question for ErikH or other Air Zone users.

The bass is easily tamed by adjusting the amp. No worries there. With your Mesa setting on 3, you shouldn't have a problem. On my clips, remember, the bass is on 8 through an 8" speaker, open-back combo. When I take the bass down to 6, you notice it. Sufferinrewind made some good suggestions too, backing off from the strings and/or angling it. Adjusting the pole pieces helps too.

 

[DracoAran]

Re: Question for ErikH or other Air Zone users.

Set your pickup further away from the strings, and then raise the adjustable pole pieces so they are significantly higher than the bobbins. It'll tame the bass right up.

I've also heard about cutting the adjustable screws so they are flush with the backplate underneath.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Question for ErikH or other Air Zone users.

I love the AZ, but keep in mind if you want a more open sorta twang, no matter how you EQ it will always sound kinda full, plump, and chunky in the bass. The bass is a tad loose as well, not ultra tight, but tight enough. So keep that in mind. I tell you this because I see you use a Recto. Mesa is great, but I sometimes feel they have not nailed a way to get a sweet bass going. Many of their amps are a little flubby for my tastes.

Dimarzios, esp the AZ, have quite a modern sound compared to a mid output Duncan.

 

[sufferinrewind]

Re: Question for ErikH or other Air Zone users.

If you find the bass to be too loose and flubbery, use a Tubescreamer. It'll tighten up the sound a bit.

 

[BigDreamer]

Re: Question for ErikH or other Air Zone users.

I guess the only way I'm gonna find out if it will work is to try it. I'm not usually one for higher output pups but the mids are really attractive to me. My backup will probably be a VHPAF if the output makes it feel too lifeless to me. Of course, then I'm not sure if the SDS-1 would still jive with the VHPAF output wise. Any other good backup plans? lol I'm already acting like it's not gonna work.

As you can most likely tell, I think too much.