Steve Vai tone

[Bob Zombie]

Any SD pickups that are close to or equivalent to the Dimarzio Evolutions? Ive never played the Evos but I love Vai's tone with the really focused, tight bass. The reason I want this in a SD is because Dimarzios have crapped out on people I know before so they are saying to stay away from them. Any suggestions?

 

[theodie]

Re: Steve Vai tone

One thing I can say about the Evolutions is that they didnt seem to sound like any other pickup I have ever played. Very original and unique in a good way. I have not heard about Dimarzios crapping out. I have owned numerous dimarzios over the years and had zero problems.

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: Steve Vai tone

Yeah. I was thinking about just buying Evolutions for real.(probably a better solution to my problem :smack: :duh: lol) But then again I've heard Vai's tone comes alot from his amplifiers(still trying to figure out what he uses lol)

 

[Kac]

Re: Steve Vai tone

Yeah, my reccomendation would be go with the evos... My uncle has used them for years with no problems at all.
Rock On :smoker:

 

[dd12939]

Re: Steve Vai tone

http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=VL100&CID=GA Here's his signature Carvin amp...

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Steve Vai tone

I own a Carvin Legacy, and I have to say if you listen to his most recent live performances/dvd's and recordings, the amp really does capture his sound. Like I mean you can hear it, because the amp sounds very unique. Keep in mind though he uses a pile of effects and no pickup or amp will get you to sound like Steve Vai. I got it because it's a great sounding amp and it's UNIQUE and a great value. Some people get them and hate it right away. Some people have a love/hate relationship with them. It's not for the faint of heart or someone expecting marshall or mesa crunch. You really have to fiddle with the knobs. I did two reviews of the Carvin Legacy here, search "carvin legacy review".

Oh I forgot to add, he also uses a Bogner Extacy among other amps, The XTC is what you hear on most of his recordings. The Legacy was modeled loosely after it. And Steve is a whacky guy, Carvin tailored this amp to his liking, so it's kind of whacky and different itself, but I love it.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Steve Vai tone

If it's the EVO sound you are looking for (you love it, or you hate it in case of the EVO set), i only have one advise...
Simply put in some DiMarzio EVO's, cause there is no pickup out there that sounds like it.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Steve Vai tone

BTW:never had quality issues with DiMarzio and i place them often... Not that i had problems with Duncans, but people seem to simply give DiMarzio a bad name here on the Duncan forum, and i have never experienced problems with DiMarzio.

 

[mongrollo]

Re: Steve Vai tone

BTW:never had quality issues with DiMarzio and i place them often... Not that i had problems with Duncans, but people seem to simply give DiMarzio a bad name here on the Duncan forum, and i have never experienced problems with DiMarzio.

I can read on your signature that you have a set of EVO's. How do you describe their tone? I mean, Why do you say their are completely different? Are their versatile?

Just curiosity...

 

[Davey]

Re: Steve Vai tone

i play a jackson rhoads with an evo in the bridge.. it sounds... well, least to say it sounds diferent than anything else. i really cant describe it >.<

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Steve Vai tone

Indeed I agree with Davey, they are really hard to discribe... Best thing is to hear one, experience it yourself, it's the only way to find out if you hate it or love it. Best thing to do is go to an Ibanez retailer and test a JEM equiped with the EVO-set.
I would say they are tight and bright, with added mids, real sensitive as well and not to forget loud.
As i said before it's a tone you either hate or love... Check it out to find out on what side you are ;-)

 

[FretFire]

Re: Steve Vai tone

I've never had a problem with any DiMarzios I've had in my guitars, and I've owned a Fred, PAF Pro, and I still own a Tone Zone and Air Norton.

 

[Boleslaw Gers 666]

Re: Steve Vai tone

I've never had any problems with DiMarzio, either. Evos are the way to go. The cheapest and easiest way to get your favourite guy's tone is to buy his pickups. And seriously, if you had unlimited money on your hands and you were a professional musician, why would you ever use anything other than a Fender amp (if your a single coil guy) or a Marshall? Maybe a Mesa/Boogie would cut it too, but seriously, he is playing a Carvin? He needs to get himself his own JCM800 signature.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Steve Vai tone

And seriously, if you had unlimited money on your hands and you were a professional musician, why would you ever use anything other than a Fender amp (if your a single coil guy) or a Marshall?

Perhaps I prefer a Bogner Uberschall, Diezel VH-4 or Herbert, Peavey XXX or 5150, Framus Cobra, ENGL Powerball, Ashdown Fallen Angel, etc...

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Steve Vai tone

Perhaps I prefer a Bogner Uberschall, Diezel VH-4 or Herbert, Peavey XXX or 5150, Framus Cobra, ENGL Powerball, Ashdown Fallen Angel, etc...

I agree with JB from hell, except maybe for the Ashdown Fallen Angel... Price/Quality compared i was not that blown away by the Fallen Angel, Ashdown is indeed one of the top in producing great bass-amps, but the Fallen Angel (when taking the price in account) was not that special to me. Taste can differ JB, no offense at all mate! ;-)

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Steve Vai tone

I've never had any problems with DiMarzio, either. Evos are the way to go. The cheapest and easiest way to get your favourite guy's tone is to buy his pickups. And seriously, if you had unlimited money on your hands and you were a professional musician, why would you ever use anything other than a Fender amp (if your a single coil guy) or a Marshall? Maybe a Mesa/Boogie would cut it too, but seriously, he is playing a Carvin? He needs to get himself his own JCM800 signature.

The real question is, why would you buy a Marshall or Fender unless you wanted to sound just like everyone else? Which is exactly why Steve Vai has a Carvin Amp. It's tailored to him, very different, and the quality control and overall quality of Carvin is much better than Fender or Marshall. I've never owned a Marshall I was happy with. And I love my Legacy. Don't get hung up on brand names, it only limits you. I'll never buy a Fender or Gibson guitar again for the same reasons, overpriced and disappointing.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Steve Vai tone

The EVO bridge is a great pickup, the neck I didn't care for, it seemed a bit thin and lifeless, but through a rack of effects and a stack, this may be good to maintain clarity

 

[Majestic]

Re: Steve Vai tone

The best way to describe the Evo is "focused".

It's tight, and focused.

Sadly, most who experiment with it in music stores are playing it in a floating Floyd-equipped, super-thin guitar.

I've got one in my hardtail Charvel strat, and it absolutely kills.

May you could look at it as even *more* focused and tight Duncan Custom (if you can believe it), although the Evo has slightly less output.