Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

[Willybomb]

Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

The TZ is, in my mind, a metal/shred pickup, but this is only through mental association with Paul Gilbert being an endorsee back in 1991 as I've never used one, lol..

The SuperD though, which I've had for years, I find it to be a great all round rock pickup. It's rude, a little rough around the edges, but still pretty hi-fi.

Willy.

 

[ranalli]

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.

Only in the absolute brightest of guitars.


Other than that....for clarity....SuperDistortion wins hands down every time from my experience.

Just looking at the charts you can see the SuperDistortion is more balanced....the TZ is pretty much all mids and bass.

 

[ranalli]

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.

You have to listen to Def Leppard after Hysteria though...I don't think he used them before that. But that's not really a good indication of how the SUper3 sounds IMO anyway.


It's really a tighter, more aggressive SuperDistortion with an extra punch in the mids and the highs rolled back a touch more.


If you're looking towards the TZ for high gain stuff....I'd recommend trying the SUper3 first. VERY under-rated pickup.

 

[edsmith]

Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

You have to listen to Def Leppard after Hysteria though...I don't think he used them before that. But that's not really a good indication of how the SUper3 sounds IMO anyway.


It's really a tighter, more aggressive SuperDistortion with an extra punch in the mids and the highs rolled back a touch more.


If you're looking towards the TZ for high gain stuff....I'd recommend trying the SUper3 first. VERY under-rated pickup.

I have narrowed it down to a few pickups now. Surprisingly I am also considering the Full Shred bridge now. The Super 3 is on my list but I have also been weighing it against the Evolution 2. They are all totally different but each have sound that I really like. Along with a couple of other Dimarzios, I will have to make a decision for which sound I need more on this guitar.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

You know someone once told me the TZ makes everything sound like a PRS into a Rectifier..

If that were true we'd all be playing them! I wouldn't go that far - or even close to that statement. I just think the compression on the TZ is a nice thing for some reason. I will also note that it sounds good in my LP copy of questionable wood...a rather bright side LP.

I also agree that it's more of a metal/shred pup and the SuperD is more of a classic rock/Metal pup. But either could do both.

I still like the SuperD all around. Bonus - the superD blended with my 59 neck makes the acoustic sim really sound good! Whoda thought?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

The best bridge pickup I've ever used is a Tone Zone with the metal spacer the poles screw into removed. In effect, it's a half-Air Zone. You get the best qualities of both pickups, plus some.

Adam is right about the TZ/AZ split tone. It's nastiest Tele sound ever, very cool.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

The best bridge pickup I've ever used is a Tone Zone with the metal spacer the poles screw into removed. In effect, it's a half-Air Zone. You get the best qualities of both pickups, plus some.

What do you mean by half air zone...I was gonna throw a demon in that guitar - but I might want to try this! Do tell - how does one accomplish this spacer business?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

Have you ever changed magnets?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

Assuming you have, break the pickup down that far (remove tape & baseplate), then unscrew all 6 screw poles. After that, pull out the metal spacer they were threaded into. Put the poles back into the bobbin, with something non-ferrous (I've used a rubber band or surgical tubing) to keep the magnet off the poles. Reassemble, and you're done

The difference between this and an Air Zone is you still have the slugs touching the magnet, where an AZ has tapered-end slugs.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

When I saw this thread in the "Last post" box thing, it said Super Distortion Vs Tone. I giggled a little.

But from personal experience, I would have to say the tone zone. It does have that PRS thing going on - flubby bass but makes up for it with an absolutely awesome lead tone, and for me lead tone is primary. I just sometimes feel like the Super Distortion (from the few, few times I've played one, mind you, so grain of salt) had a certain sound to it that absolutely regardless of guitar or amp was there, you could hear it. Boxy, big, crunchy, and I didn't find that to be to attractive in a tone, but that's just personal opinion.

 

[ubertwerp]

Re: Super Distortion Versus Tone Zone

Assuming you have, break the pickup down that far (remove tape & baseplate), then unscrew all 6 screw poles. After that, pull out the metal spacer they were threaded into. Put the poles back into the bobbin, with something non-ferrous (I've used a rubber band or surgical tubing) to keep the magnet off the poles. Reassemble, and you're done

The difference between this and an Air Zone is you still have the slugs touching the magnet, where an AZ has tapered-end slugs.

I did this and last year and it worked well -I thought Frank Falbo came up with this mod ?
It's supposed to turn the Tone Zone into an Air Zone
from what I remember -but it did lose some "balls "..
Not as much as running the tone zone in parallel ,but still quite a bit.
Note: You have to be sure too not to damage the wire -it's easy to do .

I think it depends on what rig you have and what style you play ,but I still think the lower output PAF pickups are much more versatile and responsive.
If you want a heavy super fat rhythm gain sound though ,out of a thinner sounding rig -I think the Tone Zone would be a good choice

Otherwise -you may get tired of it like I did .
You may even jump ship to Seymour Duncan like it did .
(Still like Dimarzio though, but not much EMG)

If you want to try to APPROXIMATE the type of sound you might get with the Tone Zone-try to use an EQ in the chain and boost the lower mids to the top turn the bass up past the midpoint and cut the highs a little below the mispoint-this should get you in the ball park with your rig (with high gain of course) -though YMMV

For me -I doubt I'll never go back to high output nor to boosted frequencies through the pickups.That means PAF style ,P90 style or single coils from here on out whether it's blues,metal classical or pop music.