Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: sharpant on January 14, 2009, 12:04:05 AM

Title: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: sharpant on January 14, 2009, 12:04:05 AM
Hey chaps, i just had my Miracle Man installed and am really upset with it, I've rudely requested for a refund but if i have the choice to swap what would you recommend?

I'm wondering what BKP pickup is closest in tone comparison to the Dimarzio Tone Zone

Here is a clip

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aCuHAfOPlBI

To be honest, i could pretty much get this tone bang on with my Dimarzio Paf Pro's and was really content with them (I can't emphasize how happy i was, but i thought that BKP would give me an even superior tone)

Would i be better sticking with Dimarzio and selling my BKP's ,shameful:(

My guitar is a PGM301 btw

(http://i41.tinypic.com/bhemgn.jpg)

The Tone I'm looking for is from his Get out of my Yard Album
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Philly Q on January 14, 2009, 01:10:52 AM
I'm not that familiar with Gilbert's tones, but I am totally sure there's no BKP pickup that sounds as horrible as the Tone Zone!!  :x

Just wondering, have you actually tried a Tone Zone?   You mentioned on another thread that you like the sound of your PAF Pros, but the TZ is a completely different beast - much hotter and with LOADS more bass and midrange.  Far too much bass and midrange.  It's a boomy, muddy mess.

If you can't find a BKP that suits, you'd be much better off keeping your PAF Pro than getting a TZ (IMO, of course).
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Jonny on January 14, 2009, 01:23:24 AM
Like I said before:

Quote from: Tim
Paul's tone usually comes from quite low output humbuckers with plenty of upper mid hence his great articulation and dynamic tone.He then uses quite a mid heavy tone from his amp to add even more weight to his single note work.Something like the VHII or even a Riff Raff is going to do this really well.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: sharpant on January 14, 2009, 01:30:24 AM
Like I said before:

Quote from: Tim
Paul's tone usually comes from quite low output humbuckers with plenty of upper mid hence his great articulation and dynamic tone.He then uses quite a mid heavy tone from his amp to add even more weight to his single note work.Something like the VHII or even a Riff Raff is going to do this really well.

This is with regards to his new setup

Marshall Vintage Modern

Dimarzio Area 67 pickups

I'm talking with regards to his old

Laney GH100L

Dimarzio Tone Zone/ Paf pro

Philly i cannot state how helpful your reply was, thank you ever so much
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Jonny on January 14, 2009, 01:36:20 AM
Well I'm assuming he was using the Tone Zone at the time that I asked Tim, I got the reply with the VHII.

EDIT: And either way, Tone Zone, VHII, Area 67 - you're still going for Paul Gilbert's sound. And the VHII will do that. I think it's a bit silly going for a Miracle Man for 1. Gilbert stuff, 2. Matching with a Mule. It's like having cranberry juice for the milk substitute for your cereal. You chose a Vintage pickup and a Contemporary pickup, the MM would eat it.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: sharpant on January 14, 2009, 01:57:12 AM
naa

'Paul's Tone usually comes from Low output humbuckers'

The Tone Zone is pretty hot.

I agree with your comments on my pickup choices, maybe when i go BKP again in the future I'll be more wise.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Jonny on January 14, 2009, 02:13:06 AM
But he used PAF PROs in GET OUT OF MY YARD. And Tim is right on PG's tone, his tone doesn't come from high output and a screaming pickup. It's low output, with clarity. Like the VHIIs.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: gingataff on January 14, 2009, 03:14:22 AM
If you're talking about GOOMY the album rather than the track, then its 90% done with  'vintage' (ack!) Ibanez guitars with their original low output pickups, or in some cases replaced with DiMarzio PAF types. I'm fairly sure his double neck uses PAF Pros though (look for the allen heads instead of the slugs and screws of the Tone Zone).
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: ericsabbath on January 14, 2009, 06:42:36 AM
(http://www.impawards.com/2008/posters/be_kind_rewind_ver2.jpg)

 :D
I think you bought the wrong pup for that

the closest model to the tone zone is the miracle man neck version (which is totally different from the bridge model, but as powerful as a tone zone)
the holy diver can get remotely close, but it has way more high end detailing
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: sharpant on January 14, 2009, 08:07:39 AM
Tim has been kind enough to offer pickup swaps, even though I've had the pickups for 2 months (only had them installed 1 day)

That's great customer service for you

I'm happy with the mothers milk so that doesn't need changing

The Mule is a fantastic pickup but I'm looking for something that is predominantly for shred. Clarity in notes when you switch to the neck pickup to alternate pick at speed, I've heard the cold sweat is good for this?

With regards to the Bridge I haven't a clue, will the Nailbomb still be too much for me? I've got a really important day today so i haven't much time to post so I'll add further details later.

Thanks

Anthony
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: gingataff on January 14, 2009, 01:34:05 PM
Nailbombs will be more organic/touch sensitive and warmer than the Miracle Man but still a lot more powerful and aggressive than the PAF Pro. There's a shootout between a PAF Pro and a VHII in a JEM somewhere in the players section which is worth a listen if you haven't already. http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7453.msg93385#msg93385 (http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7453.msg93385#msg93385)
Other than that another chat with Tim should help get you on course.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Nolly on January 14, 2009, 03:19:25 PM
I think phoning Tim is the best thing to do here.
To my mind, the VHIIs would be the pickups I'd go to for that sound, but I've not tried many of the vintage hot range. Perhaps Crawlers could be a good call if you want something in between contemporary and vintage hot.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: dave_mc on January 14, 2009, 07:40:13 PM
cold sweat *should* do the shred thing in the neck- when i asked tim for "decent cleans/good overdrive and shred tones" for the neck, he suggested cold sweat.

but some other pickups (which i haven't tried) would doubtless do it too, and some more have been released since i got mine (painkillers, for example) which may also do it, or may even do it better.

no idea about the bridge, i've only tried the MM.

i think contacting tim would be a good idea, yeah. :)
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: FernandoDuarte on January 14, 2009, 08:01:41 PM
I think you won't like too a Tone Zone equivalent, nor Tone Zone original... If you like the Paf Pros you have and it suits what you want to play, ask to Tim which one is the pickup alike it and you'll have what you wish and see it eats Paf pro in the breakfast with cereals, bananas and milk :lol:

As said on the other thread by me and others guys (and even you) the tone you really want can not be in the kind of pickup you think it would :D

Tell him what you like on the PafPro and what you want different and you'll see light

Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: badgermark on January 14, 2009, 08:22:18 PM
Or just get a tone zone? I really liked mine in a les paul then a sg, if it's what you want ten go for it. BKs are good, but sometimes another manufacturer has exactly what you need.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Jonny on January 14, 2009, 09:34:53 PM
So far from this topic it's been:

Tone Zone = MM
Tone Zone therefore = Bad
You liked the PAF Pros
PAF Pros = VHIIs
You should get PAF Pros or contact Tim for a slight custom wind?

It's that simple really.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: ericsabbath on January 14, 2009, 10:50:48 PM
So far from this topic it's been:

Tone Zone = MM
Tone Zone therefore = Bad
You liked the PAF Pros
PAF Pros = VHIIs
You should get PAF Pros or contact Tim for a slight custom wind?

It's that simple really.

tone zone is similar to the miracle man NECK version (17.5k, alnico 5 magnet)
and it works great in the bridge position
dark and really fat
sounds nothing like the one he didn't like
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: dave_mc on January 14, 2009, 11:48:53 PM
Or just get a tone zone? I really liked mine in a les paul then a sg, if it's what you want ten go for it. BKs are good, but sometimes another manufacturer has exactly what you need.

yeah, definitely. only thing is, i'd try a tone zone first... they're quite a specialist type of pickup, only really works in certain guitars and if you're after a certain type of tone...
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Philly Q on January 15, 2009, 12:21:13 AM
Or just get a tone zone? I really liked mine in a les paul then a sg, if it's what you want ten go for it. BKs are good, but sometimes another manufacturer has exactly what you need.

yeah, definitely. only thing is, i'd try a tone zone first... they're quite a specialist type of pickup, only really works in certain guitars and if you're after a certain type of tone...

I know I'm repeating myself, but if Anthony really likes his PAF Pros I can't see the point of changing to a Tone Zone just because Paul Gilbert has occasionally used one.  Especially without trying it first, as Dave has suggested.

I admit it, I'm biased... I hate the Tone Zone almost as much as Antag hates the Duncan Custom.  It's my least favourite pickup ever.  But I'm not anti-DiMarzio - I've had 20-25 of their pickups over the years and I really liked most of them.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Jonny on January 15, 2009, 12:58:06 AM
I know I'm repeating myself
I think we all are.

Stick with the PAFs.
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Roobubba on January 15, 2009, 05:08:42 PM
Or buy a Black Dog!

:D

But seriously, ask Tim, and state exactly what you like/don't like about the PAF Pro. If there's nothing you didn't like about the PAF Pro, then stick with it, as Philly said!
Changing to a Nailbomb is almost certainly a mistake, in my opinion. It's higher output than a PAF Pro, and will probably be too much for you. My inclination is to suggest looking more in depth at the Vintage Hot range (Black Dog, VHII, etc) rather than the 'contemporary' pickups.
But the best possible advice, if you're dead set on buying another BKP to replace the PAF Pro in the bridge, is to *telephone* Tim and speak to him about it! He's incredibly helpful!

Roo
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: sharpant on January 15, 2009, 05:44:42 PM
Hi guys!

After being unable to have the expenses to try BKP's till i find the one that really suits me I've decided to have the Paf Pro's reinstalled.

I'm not doubting that Tim has an equivalent that sounds just as good and if not better, but I've had experience with the Dimarzio and know that I like it :)

Tim was very helpful in offering me a swap, but i just don't want to take the risk (not got the cash too)

Thanks so much for your replies guys

I'll list the BKP's on the selling forum if that's ok

Edit- Any reason why i can't make a topic over there on the seconds out forum?
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Philly Q on January 15, 2009, 05:55:44 PM
Edit- Any reason why i can't make a topic over there on the seconds out forum?

You need to be a "Flyweight" to post in Seconds Out.

I'm not sure what that is.... 50 posts?  100?  So come on, get posting!  :D
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: sharpant on January 15, 2009, 06:11:09 PM
k Thanks

that's another post :D
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: Dubn 57 Goldtop on January 15, 2009, 08:17:34 PM
wrong thread :guitar4:
Title: Re: Dimarzio Tone Zone Equivalent
Post by: dave_mc on January 15, 2009, 09:05:09 PM

I know I'm repeating myself, but if Anthony really likes his PAF Pros I can't see the point of changing to a Tone Zone just because Paul Gilbert has occasionally used one.  Especially without trying it first, as Dave has suggested.


yeah, definitely. they sound very different. :)