Tone Chasing Insanity

[FeralDamek]

Hey all, I've asked questions here before, with great results. This is an excellent resource!

My current setup is a Gibson LPC with a Dimarzio AT-1 in the bridge and a SD SH-2 in the neck. I love these pickups.
My signal is split between a PRS Archon 100 and a Diesel VH2 that go through 2 Mesa 4x12's. I'm playing on 10-52's, either EB or NYXL's.

While I don't try to mimic anyone, I am somewhat chasing the Adam Jones Tool tone- but not the early tone. I'm going for the 10,000 days era. The tone here has a lot more bass, while middy- is less so, and seems tighter.

Everyone says get a JB. I have a JB in an LP studio that I own. It's way too loose in my opinion. I tried out a JB with an alnico 8. Too harsh and too compressed. My Dimarzio AT-1 gets me pretty darn close, but I think I need something tighter.

And while I'm aware that most of this tone comes from his amps, I'm too not far off in that department. When I compare the SH-4 vs the AT-1, I hear a big change in the overall tone. I'm thinking the right pickup is the final piece to the puzzle here.

I'm considering trying out the Lace hammer claw or dissonant aggressors in my LP studio. It doesn't hurt that I love Mastodon, lol.

Any advice or suggestions is appreciated.

Thanks!

(PS: I've tried a Marshall superbass, great amp!- but not for my needs)

 

[Nagisa]

Re: Tone Chasing Insanity

Tighter? Sounds like ceramic territory. I would really check into dimarzio pups

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Tone Chasing Insanity

The Suhr Aldrich is sort of along the lines of the JB and AT-1, but it has a bigger, yet tighter bottom-end than the JB, I think.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Tone Chasing Insanity

The Suhr Aldrich is sort of along the lines of the JB and AT-1, but it has a bigger, yet tighter bottom-end than the JB, I think.

+1

Also take a look at the DiMarzio Evolution. I've always thought they sounded like a hotter, tighter JB.

 

[FeralDamek]

Re: Tone Chasing Insanity

Thanks for the advice- I'll look into these two options.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Tone Chasing Insanity

Remember too that Adam jones used a 1979 LP with a dense mahogany body and 3 piece maple neck as his weapon of choice. All aspects that will reduce loose bass issues.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tone Chasing Insanity

I'd also add a Jazz & Custom 5 in there. It gets that tone really well with the right amp.