46

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: Review DiMarzio Injectors (Paul Gilbert Signature Singles)

« on: January 01, 2011, 01:52:51 AM »

Good review Bud (oh and happy new year also).  What you have experienced about the Injector bridge is what I have found in the Virtual Vintage Solo (the original one).  I have the VV Solo in 2 of my 3 strats with 54 pros in the neck and middle on one and Area 61s neck and middle on the other.  I like the fact that I can cover most any style with these whcih leads me to my question.  How does the Injector sound next to the Solo?

47

Guitar Lounge / Re: Stratocaster tuning secret

« on: July 14, 2010, 06:51:26 PM »

Thanks WSX3, i didn't know that.  I rely a lot on graphite/graphtech nuts which help greatly.  Changes the tone a bit so unacceptable to some.  I wouldn't say the tone is worse, just different.

You're welcome.  Sharing information is a good thing.  Maybe Budd or City will sticky this for future reference.

48

Guitar Lounge / Stratocaster tuning secret

« on: July 11, 2010, 02:04:58 PM »

I can't remember if I posted this before, but I have done this on 2 of my strats and it works.  My strats stay in tune (except when there is a really bad thunderstorm in the area).  I also have graphite nuts and locking tuners which help.  If you have a strat and can't keep it in tune then try this, it really works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy-F7iSIopA&feature=related

49

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The Tone Zone

« on: June 12, 2010, 09:42:58 PM »

Man I can't believe how much I love this pickup now.  I was a Norton fanantic until I put the TZ in one of my strats.  Lower the mids on your amp and it becomes very articulate.  I can't believe that I almost sold this on ebay before I saw oilpit's video (thanks again for positng that). 

50

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The Tone Zone

« on: April 29, 2010, 04:09:51 PM »

I ran across this video the other day, and imo, it is an awesome example of how the Tone Zone sounds when the "zone" has been found (aka not muddy!)

Sounds awesome!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzVSggrhTAw

Thanks for posting that video.  I almost got rid of a tone zone  but after seeing (and hearing) that video, I'm keeping it now.  1 karma

Update on my Tone Zone experience.

I installed  my black and creme TZ in my homemade Malmsteen strat (with an Air Norton S in the neck and Fast Track 1 middle).  At first I was getting a fairly good tone, but it was kind of "buzzy" to my ears.  I adjusted it up and down 1/4 turn each way and still heard the same "buzzy" tone that I really didn't care for.  I was about to pull it out and put in a spare Norton in it's place when I decided to keep working with it,   I lowered the pickup as low as I dared, then raised it a 1/4 turn at a time, letting it set over night so I can have fresh ears to make sure it was going in the right direction (tone wise).  About a week and half went by with me adjusting the Tone Zone 1/4 turn at a time and then I entered the "Zone".  It was one 1/4 turn that suddenly brought the TZ to life.  It was like a cloak was placed over the amp and was suddenly removed.  Everything sounded alive, the "buzzy" tone that I heard in the beginning was gone and was replaced with a very clean (?) type of overdriven/distortion.  All the notes of any chord were very pronounced and huge sounding.  Leads seem to be very FAT and Round in all the right places.  There are some harmonics, but they are nothing like the Norton or Fred, but they are there.  I look back at this and think that I almost pulled this out of my strat and was going to replace it with a Norton.  I can usually dial a Norton in a couple of hours, but the TZ took me a week and half to find the spot.  Once you are in the spot, you will have roughly 1/8 of a turn to play with but you have to find the spot with the TZ first. 

I have been in love with the Norton for quite some time now, and I'm starting to have some of those same feelings for the Tone Zone (I need more guitars!!)  It's a keeper!   

51

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The Cruiser Bridge Model

« on: April 16, 2010, 08:56:21 AM »

I want to add that if you wire the Cruiser Bridge in the neck in parallel that you get an almost hs-3 / hs-4 type of tone under gain.  I really like it wired this way.

52

The Pickup Place / Re: Fast Track 2 Rocks!

« on: April 08, 2010, 09:22:23 PM »

Glad you like it.  The Fast Track 2 is my favorite bridge rail pup.  If you close your eyes when you play it, it will sound like a full size bucker, Awesome pickup that doesn't get enough credit.

53

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The Tone Zone

« on: April 06, 2010, 12:39:24 PM »

I ran across this video the other day, and imo, it is an awesome example of how the Tone Zone sounds when the "zone" has been found (aka not muddy!)

Sounds awesome!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzVSggrhTAw

Thanks for posting that video.  I almost got rid of a tone zone  but after seeing (and hearing) that video, I'm keeping it now.  1 karma

54

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: Virtual Vintage '54 Pro

« on: February 19, 2010, 08:24:48 PM »

I've had the VV 54 Pro in my Strat (ash body, maple neck, 250K pots with a 330 picofarad treble bleed) for about 5 days now and here are my thoughts so far.

When played clean through a Fender Twin (or the Axe-FX's simulation of it), this pickups sound bright and clear, like a good Strat should, but it doesn't sound too thin. The bass and mids are there but they're not overpowering. When this pickup is combined with an Area 67 (in the middle position), it has that classic glassy Strat tone with just a little more oomph but not too much.

When played with slightly distorted sound (the Axe-FX model of a Marshall Plexi), the Strat characteristics come shining through. It's got that standard vintage Strat tone but again, it's not too thin nor is it too thick.

Finally, when the pedal is put to the metal and it's played through an Ibanez Tube Screamer and Mesa Triaxis (again, the Axe-FX's version of both), the pickup really screams. Please note that I'm using the Tube Screamer sim to not only boost the signal into the Triaxis but I'm also using it to shave off some of the high end as well as add a little midrange (3 dB at 638 Hz) to thicken things up.

Overall, I'm very happy with this pickup so far and I'd recommend it for anyone who wants classic Strat tones with a little more oomph. It's a great alternative to the Area 58 or Area 61.

To add to Matt_B, I also have a 54 pro in the bridge of my strat along with 2 Area 61's neck and middle.  Under gain (I use a boss gt-8, plexi amp model, with a tube screamer) this pup is just incredible!  I first listened to the VV 54 (the original) and was suggested to check it out by James Byrd.  James used the original 54 on Flying beyond the 9 and his tone was great.  The 54 pro is just as good and mixes well with the Area 61s.  This strat does almost every thing in the texas blues/rock to 80's rock/metal.  I really like this combo of the Area 61s and 54 pro, it has me rethinking about replacing my Hs4/HS3 pickups in my other strat with a full set of 54pros.

55

The Trading Post / Re: Awesome Traders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

« on: August 30, 2009, 07:30:17 PM »

I want to add c.thep to our list of honorables.

 

56

The Trading Post / Re: Awesome Traders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

« on: August 21, 2009, 10:25:10 PM »

Thanks bro!  The same back at you and Bud, good folks to do business with!

57

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The Cruiser Bridge Model

« on: August 14, 2009, 10:19:52 PM »

And yes, it would be AWESOME if DiMarzio made silver blades on rail pickups.

or Gold  ....   

58

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The Norton

« on: July 31, 2009, 12:04:52 AM »

disconnect it anyway.

+++1

59

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The Norton

« on: July 13, 2009, 05:01:46 PM »

The Norton is also very good at getting a Jake E Lee type of tone (think Bark at the Moon).  This is hands down my favorite humbucker PERIOD!!!!  If I decide to put buckers in my otner 2 strats, they will be Nortons.

60

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The Norton

« on: May 24, 2009, 06:09:05 PM »

Well, I got to play the Norton last night with the last gig with my band (see time for me to rant).  I usually run my amp hot and control the amount of gain by the volume on the guitar.  I was so freakin happy and played my ass off to the point that I had people coming to me and either wanting me to join their band or want to use me to start a new one.  The tone was fat, well defined and hot.  This is the best pickup that I have played out with.  After the show, the band members gathered around and stated how well the band sounded and ow well I played.  I definately left some pretty big shoes to fill for those guys, I wish them well. PAYBACK!!  Thanks Norton!