Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
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Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
The mega drive is out of production, the D-Sonic replaced it, pretty much the same pickup as far as I know, but it was redesigned to be better while tuned in D.
If you want it in standard tuning, just turn the pickup over.
When/If I get an RG350 im looking at, thats going in asap, listen to some linkin park (I cant expect you to do it... But thats the same pickup their guitarist uses.) and joe petrucci. (Did i get his name right?)
The mega drive is out of production, the D-Sonic replaced it, pretty much the same pickup as far as I know, but it was redesigned to be better while tuned in D.
If you want it in standard tuning, just turn the pickup over.
When/If I get an RG350 im looking at, thats going in asap, listen to some linkin park (I cant expect you to do it... But thats the same pickup their guitarist uses.) and joe petrucci. (Did i get his name right?)
SwedeNuck
New member
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
The steve's special and the mega drive are very similar pickups, the mega drive being a little warmer sounding all around and with an alnico 5 instead of a ceramic. The dropsonic may be similar in appearance to the Mega Drive but the soud characteristics are much different.
The steve's special and the mega drive are very similar pickups, the mega drive being a little warmer sounding all around and with an alnico 5 instead of a ceramic. The dropsonic may be similar in appearance to the Mega Drive but the soud characteristics are much different.
fretburner
Well-known member
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
I have the Steve's Special and Air Norton on my RG350DX.
The SS is very heavy when distorted and cleans up very nice (like they say in the website). And, it doesn't mess up the nuances of your picking. It's pretty "sensitive" too (but not that "sensitive" compared to the Evo as they say). The AN is a very nice contrast to the SS, boosted mids versus the SS's scooped. It's awesome switching between the two pups. If you switch a lot like I do, then you're gonna love that combo. And yes, it has great harmonics (for a neck pup), as advertised.
So yeah, go for Steve's Special.
It compliments the PAF Pro well by the way.
Paul Gilbert has the TZ and PP on his main guitars. John Petrucci (when he was with Ibanez) uses the SS/AN combo.
I have the Steve's Special and Air Norton on my RG350DX.
The SS is very heavy when distorted and cleans up very nice (like they say in the website). And, it doesn't mess up the nuances of your picking. It's pretty "sensitive" too (but not that "sensitive" compared to the Evo as they say). The AN is a very nice contrast to the SS, boosted mids versus the SS's scooped. It's awesome switching between the two pups. If you switch a lot like I do, then you're gonna love that combo. And yes, it has great harmonics (for a neck pup), as advertised.
So yeah, go for Steve's Special.
It compliments the PAF Pro well by the way.
Paul Gilbert has the TZ and PP on his main guitars. John Petrucci (when he was with Ibanez) uses the SS/AN combo.
fretburner
Well-known member
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
If I may add, my friend has the TZ on his RG470. It's pretty heavy too (I would say just as heavy as the SS) but is a lot DARKER than the SS. So it's whatever suits you.
If I may add, my friend has the TZ on his RG470. It's pretty heavy too (I would say just as heavy as the SS) but is a lot DARKER than the SS. So it's whatever suits you.
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
Couple of points:
1) The TZ is NOTHING like the JB....NOTHING. The JB is bright and cuts like a knife through any mix because of it's high upper mid presence. The TZ is VERY dark...look at the chart on the Dimarzio site then compare to the JB's chart....not even close. The TZ will beef up ANY guitar and make it sound huge...however, is some guitars and setups it can sound VERY muddy as it is a very thick pickup with an A5 magnet.
2) If you fine the TZ too muddy, try either a Super Distortion and after that a Super 3....those are also very warm and beefy pickups but are much tighter IMO....probably the ceramic mags.
3) The Megadrive is very close to the Steves Special but with a touch more mids or so I'm told from their rep. The D-Sonic looks the same but is very different sounding.
4) Pickups not on their website can be special ordered as Dimarzio still stocks all these...some dealers are really cool though and have them in stock as well such as this guy:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7338446524&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
5) The X2N is a good pickup but is EXTREMELY high in output...hotter than an EMG81. Great sounding pickup...but don't expect any cleans out of it unless you only use one coil.
6) Out of all the pickups mentioned I think the best choice would be the Megadrive as it is very cutting and in your face with a bit more bottom end balls than the JB...however, I'm not discounting others such as the Norton, Fred, etc as I have no experience with those.
Couple of points:
1) The TZ is NOTHING like the JB....NOTHING. The JB is bright and cuts like a knife through any mix because of it's high upper mid presence. The TZ is VERY dark...look at the chart on the Dimarzio site then compare to the JB's chart....not even close. The TZ will beef up ANY guitar and make it sound huge...however, is some guitars and setups it can sound VERY muddy as it is a very thick pickup with an A5 magnet.
2) If you fine the TZ too muddy, try either a Super Distortion and after that a Super 3....those are also very warm and beefy pickups but are much tighter IMO....probably the ceramic mags.
3) The Megadrive is very close to the Steves Special but with a touch more mids or so I'm told from their rep. The D-Sonic looks the same but is very different sounding.
4) Pickups not on their website can be special ordered as Dimarzio still stocks all these...some dealers are really cool though and have them in stock as well such as this guy:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7338446524&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
5) The X2N is a good pickup but is EXTREMELY high in output...hotter than an EMG81. Great sounding pickup...but don't expect any cleans out of it unless you only use one coil.
6) Out of all the pickups mentioned I think the best choice would be the Megadrive as it is very cutting and in your face with a bit more bottom end balls than the JB...however, I'm not discounting others such as the Norton, Fred, etc as I have no experience with those.
WICKED LESTER
New member
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
you want the NORTON DP- 160(regular NORTON NOT the AIR version)
The sound of a Norton® is right between FRED® and The Tone Zone®. It’s got some FRED-like harmonic overtones that can only be described as nasty, with more of the power and mid-range of the heavyweight Tone Zone®. The same patented dual-resonance design used in FRED® and The Tone Zone® delivers a sound that’s hotter and “bigger” than any vintage model, but not as loud as a distortion-class humbucker. Norton® might be our most versatile bridge pickup. Combine it with a wide choice of neck pickups like the Air Classic™, PAF®, PAF Pro® and Air Norton™.
Output in Millivolts: 352
Treble: 5
Mid-Range: 7
Bass: 6.5
DC Resistance: 14.01K
the TZ is not at all like a JB whereas the NORTON is closer to the JB
trust me on this one
Guitarist said:
you want the NORTON DP- 160(regular NORTON NOT the AIR version)
The sound of a Norton® is right between FRED® and The Tone Zone®. It’s got some FRED-like harmonic overtones that can only be described as nasty, with more of the power and mid-range of the heavyweight Tone Zone®. The same patented dual-resonance design used in FRED® and The Tone Zone® delivers a sound that’s hotter and “bigger” than any vintage model, but not as loud as a distortion-class humbucker. Norton® might be our most versatile bridge pickup. Combine it with a wide choice of neck pickups like the Air Classic™, PAF®, PAF Pro® and Air Norton™.
Output in Millivolts: 352
Treble: 5
Mid-Range: 7
Bass: 6.5
DC Resistance: 14.01K
the TZ is not at all like a JB whereas the NORTON is closer to the JB
trust me on this one
EL WHOPPO
New member
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
I dig the Norton. TZ was too muddy, and the FRED reminded me too much of Satch. The Norton was a perfect fit in my basswood Charvel. Retained clarity, while sounding modern.
The Norton replaced a JB ( my favorite pup for alder), which the basswood killed the JB. And the Norton has a little more output than the JB, and it's paired up with a PAF Pro.
I dig the Norton. TZ was too muddy, and the FRED reminded me too much of Satch. The Norton was a perfect fit in my basswood Charvel. Retained clarity, while sounding modern.
The Norton replaced a JB ( my favorite pup for alder), which the basswood killed the JB. And the Norton has a little more output than the JB, and it's paired up with a PAF Pro.
Last edited:
WICKED LESTER
New member
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
the NORTON is real good
it is just a bit more in yer face and has more attitude than a JB
EL WHOPPO said:
the NORTON is real good
it is just a bit more in yer face and has more attitude than a JB
frehleystjohn
New member
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
The Norton is a very killer pickup. I use it in the neck of a Rhoads V (along with a Super Distortion in the bridge.
The Norton is designed for the bridge ofcourse, however I am wikkidly fond of more unconventional pickup setups with higher output than traditional neck pickups.
A Norton in the bridge will certainly give a more JB leaning vibe. And cop cleans better.
What it really boils down to is how much heat you want from the pickup in
relation to the tonal characteristics you want.
The Norton is a very killer pickup. I use it in the neck of a Rhoads V (along with a Super Distortion in the bridge.
The Norton is designed for the bridge ofcourse, however I am wikkidly fond of more unconventional pickup setups with higher output than traditional neck pickups.
A Norton in the bridge will certainly give a more JB leaning vibe. And cop cleans better.
What it really boils down to is how much heat you want from the pickup in
relation to the tonal characteristics you want.
pinto79
New member
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
The MegaDrive is still available as a special order. The D-Sonic does some things similarily but they are different pups...
Mephis said:The mega drive is out of production, the D-Sonic replaced it, pretty much the same pickup as far as I know, but it was redesigned to be better while tuned in D.
If you want it in standard tuning, just turn the pickup over.
When/If I get an RG350 im looking at, thats going in asap, listen to some linkin park (I cant expect you to do it... But thats the same pickup their guitarist uses.) and joe petrucci. (Did i get his name right?)
The MegaDrive is still available as a special order. The D-Sonic does some things similarily but they are different pups...
madguitar26
New member
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
what about the air zone? seems like the TZ without the mudd that everybody complains about.
what about the air zone? seems like the TZ without the mudd that everybody complains about.
\m/(00)\m/
HeadBanginologist
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
definitely the Super D. i had one in my les paul a while back, but i replaced it with a DD. i just wanted 2 duncans in it lol
definitely the Super D. i had one in my les paul a while back, but i replaced it with a DD. i just wanted 2 duncans in it lol
devastone
Well-known member
Re: Your Favorite DiMarzios for a Fat, Crunchy, Modern Sounding Bridge
If you are afraid the TZ will sound muddy, try a Norton, think of it as a TZ with tighter bass, I got that straight from Steve Bulcher who designs there pickups. I called him a few years ago because I bought a TZ and it sounded muddy in the guitar I had it in. The Norton did the trick, it sounded great.
Another good choice would be a Breed, they are great sounding pickups along the same lines.
I've used a TZ in an Ibanez with a maple neck and it sounded great, so, alot does depend on the guitar. I currently have a Steve's Special in another Ibanez with a rosewood neck and I love it, but it is slightly scooped and very clear so I don't know if it would be crunchy enough for you. it's more high output PAF-ish. I do like it's clarity!
$0.02,
Roger
If you are afraid the TZ will sound muddy, try a Norton, think of it as a TZ with tighter bass, I got that straight from Steve Bulcher who designs there pickups. I called him a few years ago because I bought a TZ and it sounded muddy in the guitar I had it in. The Norton did the trick, it sounded great.
Another good choice would be a Breed, they are great sounding pickups along the same lines.
I've used a TZ in an Ibanez with a maple neck and it sounded great, so, alot does depend on the guitar. I currently have a Steve's Special in another Ibanez with a rosewood neck and I love it, but it is slightly scooped and very clear so I don't know if it would be crunchy enough for you. it's more high output PAF-ish. I do like it's clarity!
$0.02,
Roger
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