software

I've only had these in for a few hours now and I'm not going to jump to conclusions, but WHOOWEE! These are pretty damn fun to play around with!

The AZ definetely did the trick concerning my need for a fuller sound. The nice round bass response is just great, and it's got quite a voice, too. It screams just like the JB, but the notes are thicker with more sensitivity to attack...again, PRETTY DAMN COOL!

The AN is a very neat neck pickup. Very deep sounding. Like the AZ, very thick and controllable. However, I'm still trying to quot;openquot; it up a little more.

Both pickups have incredible sustain and a darker sound than the JB/59 set I previously had in my Soloist. So cool...

I'm a happy camper.

BTW - It's set up with a coil-tap, which we all know is a good thing.

Cool! What kind of guitar are they in, what types of wood? Amp? I think the AN and AZ combo is un-freakin-believable: smooth, fat, punchy, clear... Big but sweet, very modern but warm. Only problem was that they weren't right for my guitar! Made me want to buy an alder or basswood guitar with a maple neck, just to have these pups.

When I do add a second electric to my arsenal, I know exactly what pups to get for it: AZ/AN.

Rock on.

Schweet! I have my Air Norton and FRED comming tomorrow, so I'll let you know if I find anything on opening it up.

How aggressive are they compared to the JB/59? Is the Air Norton bassy, boomy, and muddy like the 59?

does anyone know what the quot;Air Nortonquot; meant?

I put a set in a Pauly and they were nuttin' to talk trash about--not bad-- even though Di_marzio pissed me off to no end with tha baltened theft of quot;DOUBLE CREAM BOBBINSquot;.... I can see why they did it -- it was an identy thing -- but it was never theres in the first place. it was GIBSONS.

Because of the industry problems that baby created- I decided 6 years back to have never again used Di Marzio or reccomend Di Marzio or care to try a Di Marzio or now anything about them... I'm sure Larry is good peeps.. I just ain't gettin over that Tradmark thingy ever!--I can't-- that was wrong and against the Universe!


Originally Posted by Rev Donzodoes anyone know what the quot;Air Nortonquot; meant?

I put a set in a Pauly and they were nuttin' to talk trash about--not bad-- even though Di_marzio pissed me off to no end with tha baltened theft of quot;DOUBLE CREAM BOBBINSquot;.... I can see why they did it -- it was an identy thing -- but it was never theres in the first place. it was GIBSONS.

Because of the industry problems that baby created- I decided 6 years back to have never again used Di Marzio or reccomend Di Marzio or care to try a Di Marzio or now anything about them... I'm sure Larry is good peeps.. I just ain't gettin over that Tradmark thingy ever!--I can't-- that was wrong and against the Universe!We know, and we've heard this a million times... some of us are happy with DiMarzio's. You can't deny the fact that they fill a large gap in Duncans line, either.

Just leave this out of the thread, please.


Originally Posted by wildstarCool! What kind of guitar are they in, what types of wood? Amp? I think the AN and AZ combo is un-freakin-believable: smooth, fat, punchy, clear... Big but sweet, very modern but warm. Only problem was that they weren't right for my guitar! Made me want to buy an alder or basswood guitar with a maple neck, just to have these pups.

When I do add a second electric to my arsenal, I know exactly what pups to get for it: AZ/AN.

Rock on.
Yeah, my Soloist is composed of alder wings and a maple neck through the body.


Originally Posted by DeadSkinSlayer3Schweet! I have my Air Norton and FRED comming tomorrow, so I'll let you know if I find anything on opening it up.

How aggressive are they compared to the JB/59? Is the Air Norton bassy, boomy, and muddy like the 59?

I think it's mostly because it's a pretty damn dark pickup, I'm just too used to my ol' 59...but I'm sure playing with the tone control on my guitar and playing around with the EQ on my amp can help that up.

Aggressiveness...hmm...I don't think the AZ is as aggressive as the JB, but it is certainly fatter and meatier sounding.

The AN is bassy, but certainly not boomy (although I never considered the 59 boomy in a super strat). Like I said before, I still need to play around with this one a little more. No doubt, it's easy to get a good sound out of it...but I'm still looking for a more liquid Petrucci type lead.

I prefer the cleans of the JB/59 as opposed to the AZ/AN, especially with both pickups on (the middle position)...they sounded more lively and real. These DiMarzio's sound just a little quot;hi-fiquot;...

I guess I was just spoiled starting off on Duncans...


Originally Posted by GuitaristI prefer the cleans of the JB/59 as opposed to the AZ/AN,

bingo!
dimarzio pickups are not as open played clean.
except maybe paf pro in bridge, maybe


Originally Posted by rguserbingo!
dimarzio pickups are not as open played clean.
except maybe paf pro in bridge, maybeI think a lot of that depends on the type of pickup you are using. Remember that the Air Norton and Air Zone are the Air versions of the Norton and Tone Zone (both somewhat hot pickups). You really can't compare an Air Norton with a 59 (Air Norton wound at 12.58 and the 59 is wound at 7.43) the Air Zone and JB are closer at 17.49 for the AZ and 16.40 for the JB. A lot may depend on your amps eq and rolling the volume on the guitar up and down to find a decent clean.


Originally Posted by DeadSkinSlayer3You can't deny the fact that they fill a large gap in Duncans line, either.

That, they certainly do. They have alot of pickups that Duncan doesn't. Duncan really doesn't have many really FAT sounding A5 or ceramic pickups. Another thing I noticed is that most Duncans have a very bright top end that in bright guitars and amps....well they just don't sound good to me. Many Dimarzios roll some of that top end off for a very fat sound that isn't harsh.


Originally Posted by Guitarist

Yeah, my Soloist is composed of alder wings and a maple neck through the body.

There you go! That's exactly the kind of wood those pups are hungry for.

As for the JB/59 comparison - i don't think there is a comparison. Totally different pickups, not intended to do the same thing. I've used all of the pups in question quite a bit, and would describe them this way:

AN: liquid and warm
59n: smooth and chimey

AZ: FFFAAATTTT and sweet
JB: singing, punchy and slightly aggressive - but not metal aggressive, more like AC/DC type aggressive. Sounds like rock and roll.

Of course, YMMV. Just my 2¢


Originally Posted by rguserbingo!
dimarzio pickups are not as open played clean.
except maybe paf pro in bridge, maybe

I agree with Walt. Have you tried the V PAF pickups played clean?

Yummy! Delicious, even.

I think most would agree the low output pups play clean better than hot, in general. Right? So it's not quite fair to say it the way you did... No big deal, not trying to pick a fight. Just wanted to stick up for Dimarzio!

Just stuck my Air Norton in...Dear god I love this pickup. I'm looking into putting one in my 7 string now, too. Percussive and responsive and singing...loving it.As for opening it up... Clip the tone pot. Trust me, it makes it a hell of a lot better. And this is comming from a guy with it in a mahogany/maple set neck guitar.

Yeah, that set is definitely awesome. I have a Tone Zone/Air Norton set in a Mahogany RG and love it, but I've always wanted to try a Air Zone instead. And the Air Norton is one of my favorite pickups.

i also have a tone zone(bridge ) air norton (neck ) set in a semi-hollow black korina les paul and it sounds pretty nice :]

you ARE gonna post clips riiiiight?

from : localhost//forum/showt...730#post642730

Clips in clean and under gain.

I think the AZ is alright but i will take the duncan stuff over the dimarzios anyday
the dimarzios are too warm they dont have the 'presence and rawnessquot; of the duncans
i am selling a air zone if anyone wants it
from : localhost//forum/s...ad.php?t=54388

Hopefully clips will be up soon.


Originally Posted by DeadSkinSlayer3Just stuck my Air Norton in...Dear god I love this pickup. I'm looking into putting one in my 7 string now, too. Percussive and responsive and singing...loving it.As for opening it up... Clip the tone pot. Trust me, it makes it a hell of a lot better. And this is comming from a guy with it in a mahogany/maple set neck guitar.

You don't find it too thick and warm for chord work in the neck position? I fell in love with the tone of the AN for leads, but it just wasn't usable for me for chords. And I had it in a schecter C-1 Elite, which is pretty similar to yours.

Clipping the tone pot seems kinda extreme. Sometimes you need to roll back the tone... If you change your mind about the AN on the neck, try a VPAF Bridge in the neck. That's why I'm using now in my Schecter and it's SWEET. The qualities of the AN, without the over-warmth.

My 2¢