Tone Zone Equivalent

A

axeripper

New member
What would be the Seymour Duncan equivalent to the Tone Zone? I know the JB is supposed to be the opposite, but I want to know which Seymour sounds most like the Tone Zone.

So far it sounds like the CC or C5, but I never actually played either of these pickups. The C5 looks like the eq is closest and it's alnico V as well, but the sound samples make the CC sound more similar.

I would appreciate some experienced or authorative advice, thanks.
 
Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

My tone zone in mahogany sounds alot like my Duncan Distortion in basswood, But it also sounds like my Invader.:smokin:
 
Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

I think the Invader would be a little closer to the Tone Zone. It's definitely not the Custom 5. I actually replaced the Custom 5 in my Charvel Star with a Tone Zone. I prefer the Tone Zone, it's a little warmer and has more mids. The C5 sounded a little too scooped in the mids for me.
 
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Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

You're comparing a higher-output, ceramic pickup with an alnico V Tone Zone though.

I've heard the Invader before and didn't think it sounded anything like the Tone Zone. The Tone Zone has sooooooooooooooo much more character, and you can't get those kind of harmonics with the invader.

If you look at the specs, the C5 looks comparable except with scooped mids. I had a JB in my Jackson DK2, but it was a little on the bright side for me. I thought the C5 or CC would be ideal.
 
Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

Are you looking for something similar just in sound or in output as well?

I had a couple Invaders some years back, I thought they were pretty warm sounding, had lots of low end and low mids (regardless of the ceramic magnet), which the Tone Zone seems to have to me as well. The Invader actually seems to be pretty close in output to a Tone Zone, the Custom series is a little lower in output.
I also hate the JB, think it's got too much high mids and treble.
 
Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

Yeah, I see what you mean. I just generally hate ceramic pickups (except for Duncan Distortion). They just sound like they're missing something - like all the little tones in between. I've heard that they were "clinical" sounding and have come to the conclusion that this is generally correct.

I don't hate the JB. On the contrary, I love it. It's just not the sound I'm looking for. I find it hard to get the note separation in fast runs that I can get with the Dimarzio.

Listening to audio clips of C5 and CC, it would seem that these are rather close to what I'm looking for, but it's hard to tell unless I can hear some shredding or solo stuff with each.
 
Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

Don't think there is one...

I like the TZ/Mahog, DD/Bass thing though. But that doesn't sound right...
 
Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

Nothing from Duncan is even close.

If you dig the TZ, why not just get another one?
 
Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

Because I like Seymour tones better. I just like the chirp or quack I get from the Dimarzios. It seems to help notes stand out better in fast runs. Also, I just love Seymour Duncan. They are the best pickup company around.
 
Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

Hey what about the PATB Series? The Blues or Standard should get you a really rich and smooth sound across the entire frequency spectrum. The TZ boasts that kind of coverage but it usually ends up being a thick, bricky sound that doesn't "cut" unless you're a one guitar band, and the guitar has all the room in the mix.

I've had several TZ's over the years and I always pull them after a short time. They are just thick and dull to me, I don't know how better to describe it. The only TZ I own is an old one that came with a thicker Alnico magnet. It's taller. That TZ actually has some clarity and cut in the treble range. I believe it's because of the magnet. It seems to me that Dimarzio may have debuted the TZ as a large Alnico magnet pickup, and then went to a standard sized magnet.
 
Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

I actually find that the ToneZone and the JB sound a lot alike. With that main differnce, IMHO, being the added presence in the JB.
 
Re: Tone Zone Equivalent

The TZ actually has an excellent dynamic range. Harmonics are rich, full, and abundant. It's in my top 5 list of all-time best pickups.

To me, Duncans have a little bit more liquidy kind of sound than Dimarzios.
 
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