SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
- Thread starter Aceman
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ErikH
Well-known member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
Super Distortion. To me, it has an ideal high power pickup combination. A lower wind than typical but with a powerful magnet. It can be tame, and it can kick you in the teeth. It splits well and is great in parallel.
The Tone Zone is a bit too thick for my tastes. I much prefer the Air Zone which is more open sounding and cleaner.
Super Distortion. To me, it has an ideal high power pickup combination. A lower wind than typical but with a powerful magnet. It can be tame, and it can kick you in the teeth. It splits well and is great in parallel.
The Tone Zone is a bit too thick for my tastes. I much prefer the Air Zone which is more open sounding and cleaner.
surface54
New member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
i really tried to jive with the tone zone. and i did for a while but then after randomly coming back and playing guitar my ears can pickup apart the sound, tone zone was a bit emulated, it was tight but it sounded like the most refined fake guitar sound ive played.
the super distortion still do this day made some of the best power chord sounds ive made. and the leads were also crisp crunchy and raw, just like i like it.
SUPER D!
i really tried to jive with the tone zone. and i did for a while but then after randomly coming back and playing guitar my ears can pickup apart the sound, tone zone was a bit emulated, it was tight but it sounded like the most refined fake guitar sound ive played.
the super distortion still do this day made some of the best power chord sounds ive made. and the leads were also crisp crunchy and raw, just like i like it.
SUPER D!
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
Super Distortion has a more flexible tone since it's a bit brighter, but it really depends on the amp. Got a warmer vintage amp that needs some kick and bite to it? Then the Super Distortion. Got a modern high gain amp you want to warm up? Then the Tone Zone.
Super Distortion has a more flexible tone since it's a bit brighter, but it really depends on the amp. Got a warmer vintage amp that needs some kick and bite to it? Then the Super Distortion. Got a modern high gain amp you want to warm up? Then the Tone Zone.
soulforger
Active member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
I've tried to like the Tone Zone in several guitars and it's just too fat, too much bass and not enough character. The Super Distortion on the other hand has loads of character (70's and early 80's classic metal and hard rock which is EXACTLY what I go for) and I love them. I hadn't used them for a while but earlier this year I picked up a Dean Chicago Flame V, mahogany with maple cap and ebony board, two Super Ds served straight up, neck and bridge and the tone is one of the best I've ever had! Sure the neck is louder but when it's lead time, flip to the neck position and it's an instant, huge, boosted solo tone that is still very articulate. I was tempted to throw them in everything!
I've tried to like the Tone Zone in several guitars and it's just too fat, too much bass and not enough character. The Super Distortion on the other hand has loads of character (70's and early 80's classic metal and hard rock which is EXACTLY what I go for) and I love them. I hadn't used them for a while but earlier this year I picked up a Dean Chicago Flame V, mahogany with maple cap and ebony board, two Super Ds served straight up, neck and bridge and the tone is one of the best I've ever had! Sure the neck is louder but when it's lead time, flip to the neck position and it's an instant, huge, boosted solo tone that is still very articulate. I was tempted to throw them in everything!
Kac
Hootersologist
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
I've never owned a tone zone but have played using them in a super strat before. With my limited experience with it, I did enjoy it and would not have swapped it out of that guitar. That being said I pick the Super Distortion as the winner overall. I've used one in a strat or two over the years and enjoyed it.
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I've never owned a tone zone but have played using them in a super strat before. With my limited experience with it, I did enjoy it and would not have swapped it out of that guitar. That being said I pick the Super Distortion as the winner overall. I've used one in a strat or two over the years and enjoyed it.
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Placemat Jackson
New member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
I like the Tone Zone for the most part. It's kind of a goofball pickup to me though. The first time I tried it I swear it sounded muffled... the old blanket over the speaker sound... However I find I really gotta dial up the presence and treble on my amp to get it to sound right. With the treble and presence tweaked up it is a great sounding pickup. Lot's of bass, but it's still defined and the top end is fat, yet articulate.
I like the Tone Zone for the most part. It's kind of a goofball pickup to me though. The first time I tried it I swear it sounded muffled... the old blanket over the speaker sound... However I find I really gotta dial up the presence and treble on my amp to get it to sound right. With the treble and presence tweaked up it is a great sounding pickup. Lot's of bass, but it's still defined and the top end is fat, yet articulate.
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
The description of the Tone Zone overall sounds more appealing to me, but I'd just say both going by purely speculation. I need to try a few DiMarzios one day.
The description of the Tone Zone overall sounds more appealing to me, but I'd just say both going by purely speculation. I need to try a few DiMarzios one day.
Inder_Cine_Mann
New member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
For me Super D. It just has such an amazing lead guitar sound. Sensitive to picking also.
MUCH more versatile that a TZ.
That being said, the TZ has such a unique sound, and if its what you want, then thats amazing
The Super D can go in more guitars. TZ for me, sounds good in bright guitars. For the most part
Two awesome pickups
For me Super D. It just has such an amazing lead guitar sound. Sensitive to picking also.
MUCH more versatile that a TZ.
That being said, the TZ has such a unique sound, and if its what you want, then thats amazing
The Super D can go in more guitars. TZ for me, sounds good in bright guitars. For the most part
Two awesome pickups
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
'Neither.' For the kid of music I play, my favorite hot bridge PU's are C8's and 498T's with an A8. Hard-hitting with the mids, tight low-end, some bite on top, and still has some alnico character to the sound.
'Neither.' For the kid of music I play, my favorite hot bridge PU's are C8's and 498T's with an A8. Hard-hitting with the mids, tight low-end, some bite on top, and still has some alnico character to the sound.
LonePhantom
New member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
The Tone Zone is tricky, in the wrong guitar it just doesn't work. In the right guitar it is absolutely amazing.
The Tone Zone is tricky, in the wrong guitar it just doesn't work. In the right guitar it is absolutely amazing.
youngthrasher9
New member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
The only time I ever tried a Super Distortion was through a POS Line 6 Spider, so I don't really know what it sounds like. I really want to try one but I already have more pickups than I can fit in guitars.
The only time I ever tried a Super Distortion was through a POS Line 6 Spider, so I don't really know what it sounds like. I really want to try one but I already have more pickups than I can fit in guitars.
75lespaul
New member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
Super Distortion. Because I'm old. I bought a Tone Zone stack off a forum bro here for my drummer, and slapped it in a MIM strat, and the pickup sounds killer in that guitar, I must say. But for all the reasons stated above, I love the Super Distortion. I'd have to say my favorite bridge pickups are the Super Distortion, the Duncan Distortion, and the Brobucker. The Super Distortion because it just seems to bring any guitar to life, and kicks the amp in the face while still remaining "classic" when needed. Splits great, and there is just something about the "sound" of all three of those pickups I love, with the Duncan Distortion being the least warm, but not at ALL in a bad way. Yep, Super D.
Super Distortion. Because I'm old. I bought a Tone Zone stack off a forum bro here for my drummer, and slapped it in a MIM strat, and the pickup sounds killer in that guitar, I must say. But for all the reasons stated above, I love the Super Distortion. I'd have to say my favorite bridge pickups are the Super Distortion, the Duncan Distortion, and the Brobucker. The Super Distortion because it just seems to bring any guitar to life, and kicks the amp in the face while still remaining "classic" when needed. Splits great, and there is just something about the "sound" of all three of those pickups I love, with the Duncan Distortion being the least warm, but not at ALL in a bad way. Yep, Super D.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
MAn - I have almost nothing to add here. we are all on the very same page.
I agree - the SuperD is more open, and has a wider range in every way than the TZ. I'd use it for almost anything from heavy Blues to thrash.
The ToneZone, however - someone said it; It has a thickness and a compression that somehow does something really natural and good for a solid state/digital coldness or flatness or whatever. As I have said, it gives a tubey warmth/sag whatever to my Cube.
SUperD is like a Overdrive-to distortion pedal. ToneZone is a Distortion only Pedal.
The thick deep sound of a TZ is very cool though for where it works (see basswood Ibanez all day long).
That said - AirZone is it's own kind of awesome. Haven't had one in forever...
MAn - I have almost nothing to add here. we are all on the very same page.
I agree - the SuperD is more open, and has a wider range in every way than the TZ. I'd use it for almost anything from heavy Blues to thrash.
The ToneZone, however - someone said it; It has a thickness and a compression that somehow does something really natural and good for a solid state/digital coldness or flatness or whatever. As I have said, it gives a tubey warmth/sag whatever to my Cube.
SUperD is like a Overdrive-to distortion pedal. ToneZone is a Distortion only Pedal.
The thick deep sound of a TZ is very cool though for where it works (see basswood Ibanez all day long).
That said - AirZone is it's own kind of awesome. Haven't had one in forever...
Kais
New member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
I like the tz over SD, to me the tz is like someone said is more for modern type of gain. Which is ideally what I would like. I have a bc-2 sitting in my strat which is a tz with more bass/thicker sound. I can't imagine a better pu for me in that guitar. Tho to be honest, I'd drop a SD on my strat if I didn't find the tz.
I like the tz over SD, to me the tz is like someone said is more for modern type of gain. Which is ideally what I would like. I have a bc-2 sitting in my strat which is a tz with more bass/thicker sound. I can't imagine a better pu for me in that guitar. Tho to be honest, I'd drop a SD on my strat if I didn't find the tz.
Rand-O-Monium
New member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
General purpose,I'm going Super D.
Dig teh TZ also,I've had good exp w/ it.My rack system loves it!
I've got a PAF Pro/TZ combo going in an Alder/Mpl Strat hopefully soon...
So 'Both",pretty much,but the SuperD is more friendly w/more styles of guitar,I guess...
General purpose,I'm going Super D.
Dig teh TZ also,I've had good exp w/ it.My rack system loves it!
I've got a PAF Pro/TZ combo going in an Alder/Mpl Strat hopefully soon...
So 'Both",pretty much,but the SuperD is more friendly w/more styles of guitar,I guess...
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Rand-O-Monium
New member
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
Ace,what LP you got teh TZ in?
Ace,what LP you got teh TZ in?
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: SuperDistortion vs ToneZone?
Super3, but the SuperD isn't that far behind, classic.
Super3, but the SuperD isn't that far behind, classic.
