Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

They are both pickups that are on the darker side with a thicker meatier sound, however, I find the TZ to be too muddy bassy in all but the *brightest* guitars. The SD, on the other hand is a bit tighter to begin with and a touch brighter with more definition IMO.
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

Super Distortion hands down. More crunch than the Tone Zone and much better high's. Doesn't sound as fat as the Tone Zone, which is a good thing. I prefer the SD's voicing much better.
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

Norton or Super III,FTW...

edit:
depend on the guitar/desired results,TZs have their moments,but the SDs been around a long time for a reason...
 
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Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

-Tone Zone at first was awesome -made the Ibanez I had it in sound like a les paul almost -then I found the flub on the lower strings that I couldn't get rid of and eventually couldn't stand.
I was a bit impressed with the cleans for a high output pickup ,but nothing of a single coil caliber -I actually liked it better run in parallel-but it lost some it's balls -
I consider this one a very very mean rhythm pickup mainly -one of the fattest sounds ever IMO -like the PAF pro on steroids

-Super Distortion -havent played one yet (!) However I did play the "knockoff" Carvin version though many years ago (m22 SD I thuink ?)-I found that to be an excellent pickup for clear leads and rhythms and split except too harsh for the Carvin maple guitar it was in ..

-My money would be on the Super Distortion for the better sounding ,more versatile pickup-I think the ceramic would actually make the SD better for high gain clarity and response

I would still pick a PAF pro or VPAF or Air Classic /PAF before those however (might change my mind if I get to try out an "authentic" Super D though)
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

I have had both and I like the TZ much better. The SD seemed, well, just dull and boring, the TZ is fatter, but I like the zing of the A5 on the top end much better than the ceramic SD - that is where my preference for a pup is usually defined.

I often read how a lot of people want a "tighter" sounding pup. I don't care how flabby the low may be, add a distinct and prominent high end to it and that will do it - the rest is the hands.
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

Binnerscot said:
I have had both and I like the TZ much better. The SD seemed, well, just dull and boring, the TZ is fatter, but I like the zing of the A5 on the top end much better than the ceramic SD - that is where my preference for a pup is usually defined.

I often read how a lot of people want a "tighter" sounding pup. I don't care how flabby the low may be, add a distinct and prominent high end to it and that will do it - the rest is the hands.
Click to expand...

But the Tone Zone sounds more brittle in the highs than the Super Distortion doesn't it?
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

edsmith said:
But the Tone Zone sounds more brittle in the highs than the Super Distortion doesn't it?
Click to expand...

Yes, the treble is not high on the Tone Zone. Very rounded high's. The high's are much sharper with the SD and cuts through better.
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

I think the TZ is a better balanced pickup. The bass and mids are much better, and the highs are well rounded. If you're looking for clarity, I suggest the TZ.
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

no offense but neither of those are any good
I am sorry but dimarzio's are of generic quality and tone
stay with duncans or other high quality maker
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

SAVAGE DISTORTION said:
no offense but neither of those are any good
I am sorry but dimarzio's are of generic quality and tone
stay with duncans or other high quality maker
Click to expand...

Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Ace Frehley, Al Di Meola, Adrian Smith, Alex Skolnick, Andy Timmons, Carl Cullpepper, Chris Poland, Dave Murray, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Herman Li, Joe Stump, John Petrucci, Scott Henderson, Vinnie Moore and Vivian Campbell.

They might disagree with you. Please tell us about your experience with Dimarzio pickups and how you came to this conclusion.
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

First, let's not belittle other makers. They are not here to defend themselves. I get tired of having to say that but it's not fair to them.

Now, in the case of the Tone Zone vs. the Super Distortion. In my opinion, the Super Distortion is the better pickup. The highs aren't brittle in either of them so there's no worry there. The Tone Zone definitely sounds fatter but to me it can be a thinner fatter (if that makes any sense). The Super Distortion has this big sound to it all around and it's crunchy too, which I like. The Tone Zone just seems to fatten up the mids some without beefing up the rest equally.

They are constructed differently too. The Super Distortion uses 43AWG wire and a BIG ceramic magnet. That's where it gets its power from, the magnet. The Tone Zone uses the thinner 44AWG wire and an Alnico 5 magnet. Some like the sound of Alnico magnets better. To me, it doesn't matter. It's the whole package that matters.

Which one is more diverse? Well, I think that is up to the player. For me, the Super Distortion is more diverse. I can play blues, rock and metal (my primary styles) no problem. I could probably do the same with the Tone Zone but I don't know if I'd be as happy with the sound.

I find the Tone Zone best suited for basswood bodies where as the Super Distortion packs a wallop in mahogany, alder, ash, basswood, just to name a few.

If you want crunch, go Super Distortion. If you want smoother, go Tone Zone ,or better yet, Air Zone.
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

ErikH said:
First, let's not belittle other makers. They are not here to defend themselves. I get tired of having to say that but it's not fair to them.

Now, in the case of the Tone Zone vs. the Super Distortion. In my opinion, the Super Distortion is the better pickup. The highs aren't brittle in either of them so there's no worry there. The Tone Zone definitely sounds fatter but to me it can be a thinner fatter (if that makes any sense). The Super Distortion has this big sound to it all around and it's crunchy too, which I like. The Tone Zone just seems to fatten up the mids some without beefing up the rest equally.

They are constructed differently too. The Super Distortion uses 43AWG wire and a BIG ceramic magnet. That's where it gets its power from, the magnet. The Tone Zone uses the thinner 44AWG wire and an Alnico 5 magnet. Some like the sound of Alnico magnets better. To me, it doesn't matter. It's the whole package that matters.

Which one is more diverse? Well, I think that is up to the player. For me, the Super Distortion is more diverse. I can play blues, rock and metal (my primary styles) no problem. I could probably do the same with the Tone Zone but I don't know if I'd be as happy with the sound.

I find the Tone Zone best suited for basswood bodies where as the Super Distortion packs a wallop in mahogany, alder, ash, basswood, just to name a few.

If you want crunch, go Super Distortion. If you want smoother, go Tone Zone ,or better yet, Air Zone.
Click to expand...

Wow! You are the only person who can describe the Tone Zone exactly how I wish I could. YES! That is exactly it to me except that I think the highs can be a little brittle at times.

I have been eying the Super 3 for my new Strat. At first I wanted the PAF Pro but I was suspicious that it might be too bright in a Strat. The Super 3 seems to have more of the EQ I am looking for. I really did not want to go with a high output pickup but they seem to have the sound I am after. Can you tell me about the Super 3?
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

I love both the Tone Zone and the Air Zone, and find they both go a long way to make an overly bright guitar become and extremely toneful one. The Air Zone is probably useful in more applications as it's a bit less low-midrange-insane.

The TZ, when split, sounds almost exactly like a hot Tele bridge pickup, which is awesome.
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

I don't have any personal experience with the Super 3 so I can't tell you much other than to listen to some Def Leppard. Phil Collen uses the Super 3 in his Jacksons. You have to take in to account that they are mahogany bodies though.

The PAF Pro is a good bridge pickup in an alder Strat. If you find it too bright, use 250k pots. It's a great neck pickup in a Strat too.
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

I just happen to have one of each - both nestled snuggly in their respective LP's.

Overall the best to me is the SuperD. It's just an all around great hot pup. Much more open, less compressed (especially highs) than the TZ.

But the TZ is one heavy hitter. When thick & compressed is what you need - it will do it for you. I like to play the TZ through solid state. I feel it "tubes' It up a bit.

I like them both - but for different things.
 
Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

I like to play the TZ through solid state. I feel it "tubes' It up a bit.
Click to expand...
You know someone once told me the TZ makes everything sound like a PRS into a Rectifier..
 
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