Replacement for Air Norton in Neck?

[austin]

My Hamer Studio is all set pickup-wise, so it's time to work on my Hamer Diablo II.

It has a Tone Zone in the bridge and an Air Norton in the neck. I have the TZ sounding great, but the Air Norton, while having a nice tone when playing alone, doesn't have enough cut/attack in a mix. I want to keep this guitar all-Dimarzio, so I was thinking I should probably try out a Paf Pro or an Evolutions neck since they seem to have more treble based on Dimarzio's tone charts and similar output. Am I on the right track or would you guys recommend something else (keep it a Dimarzio please)?

-Austin

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Replacement for Air Norton in Neck?

Both the Evo and PAF pro should have more than enough cut for any band mix. The Evo has more powerful harmonics and a more modern aggressive sound. The PAF is a bit more vocal to me.

 

[JohnnyGuitarCA]

Re: Replacement for Air Norton in Neck?

PAF Joe!!!

 

[austin]

Re: Replacement for Air Norton in Neck?

PAF Joe!!!

Could you tell me a bit about the PAF Joe vs. the Paf Pro? For some reason, I was overlooking it.

-Austin

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Replacement for Air Norton in Neck?

Could you tell me a bit about the PAF Joe vs. the Paf Pro? For some reason, I was overlooking it.

-Austin

PAF Joe is gonna be alittle hotter and have more of the Awww sound as Dimarzio likes to say.. I'd say go PAF PRO. I think that is a great neck pickup. not bad in the bridge either, just alittle soft..

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Replacement for Air Norton in Neck?

For 24 fret guitars I like the Dimarzio Breed neck, the PAF Pro, and the Super 2. The Super 2 is pretty hard and cutting, so much to the point that it's harder to get any sweet picking dynamics going. You can't go wrong with the PAF Pro in 24 fretters. It's balanced and clean sounding. The PAF Joe would be great, but to me it's voiced better for a 22 fret guitar. The Breed is a little thicker like the AN, but it has better cut and juicier top end. It's a little underwound compared to the AN. Another part of what you're experiencing is the reduced pick attack and "cut" from an Airbucker. I hear an ambiguous quality to the Airbuckers that works pretty well in the bridge position, but not so well in the neck (for me anyway, your mileage may vary) I've done half-air pickups in the neck, with the neck side coil "un-aired" and they're better for me. But the AN is too hot to de-air. You'll essentially have a Norton which is a thick, nasally bridge pickup.

I would vote the Breed or PAF Pro.

 

[austin]

Re: Replacement for Air Norton in Neck?

Thanks alot guys! I'll stay on the lookout for a Paf Pro.

-Austin

 

[pinto79]

Re: Replacement for Air Norton in Neck?

I'll second the Breed. The PAF Pro would be a good match too, a classic combo akin to the JB/Jazz...

On second thought, the PAF would probably be a perfect match to the TZ... cosmetics and everything...