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The Pickup Place / Re: Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 05, 2015, 03:19:42 PM »

The Virtual Hot PAF and Virtual PAF Bridge were "replaced" in Dimarzio's lineup by the 36th Anniversary PAF, and the VHPAF and 36th have the same output rating. But they are much different in other regards and are not really all that close to being the same pickup, hence the petitions to Dimarzio to bring back the Virtual PAFs.

I've read the petition (for the VHPAF) here so I know how beloved they are. To be clear though, the 36th Bridge has an output of 285 mv whereas the VHPAF has 265 mv, at least according to the 2006 Dimarzio catalog I referenced.

The 36th is tighter and brighter, while the VHPAF is looser, warmer, and more full down low. No it's not night and day, but the VHPAF is closer to the Air Zone in this regard than the AT-1 is.

It looks like there's still plenty of NOS left on the VHPAF, too. There's an eBay seller with 5 black ones and 1 double cream.

Yeah, I've seen the ones on eBay and while that's encouraging if I really liked the pickup I would need like 11 of them, mostly in double cream

77

The Pickup Place / Re: Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 05, 2015, 06:36:57 AM »

Thanks again Ray. You put that idea to rest for me.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 04, 2015, 11:55:40 AM »

Another great pickup worth considering is the Virtual Hot PAF. It's discontinued, but they show up often enough on the used market to be obtainable. I agree with Ray's gradient list, and I would put the VHPAF right in between the AT-1 and Air Zone.

It's full and fat without being thundering (which I think may be the source of complaint of the Air Zone's similarity to the Tone Zone).

I've thought about getting one of those because folks around here speak so highly of them but to be blunt, I'm afraid if I get one and like I will go crazy trying to find more of them for all my other guitars.

79

The Pickup Place / Re: Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 04, 2015, 07:40:59 AM »

Thanks for the extra info Ray.

I'm going to use the AT-1 or Norton with a either a Breed Neck or 36th PAF so any combination will work for me.

As for the pot value, considering that I like the 36th with a 500K pot I think either the AT-1 or Norton will work for me. I don't mind bright.

80

The Pickup Place / Re: Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 04, 2015, 07:26:26 AM »

Try an Air Zone (which is an air version of the Tone Zone) or an Norton, though I think between the two, AZ is probably closer to what you're looking for.

The Air Zone is too close to a Tone Zone for my tastes.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 02, 2015, 07:05:52 PM »

Ray, thanks for sharing that information. It's exactly what I need to know.

Looks like it's a toss up between the Norton and AT-1 thought I'm still leaning towards the Norton.

Thanks again.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 02, 2015, 04:02:41 PM »

The at-1 is billed as a 36th with more output and mids. The air norton sounds nothing like a paf. It has a unique, hollow tone.

The Tone Zone if often referred to as a PAF on steroids so I can understand if the AT-1 is thought of similarly but it still seems too close to a Tone Zone to be what I want.

As far as the Air Norton sounding "hollow" that is one word that I have never heard used to describe it. Still it's not the one I'm leaning to for the bridge position.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 02, 2015, 03:57:01 PM »

Some other Dimarzio pickups with some PAF properties but more power to consider:

Breed neck
Liquifire

Breed neck looks too bright and too bassy. It would likely be less boomy than a Tone Zone but not by much.

Liquifire looks too dark and the mids might be too much.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 02, 2015, 02:48:05 PM »

If one always contacted Dimarzio when they had a question like then the conversation on this board would be greatly diminished, wouldn't it.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 02, 2015, 07:12:04 AM »

Eh, on paper I'm not seeing the AT-1 as being the solution to what I'm trying to do so it's going to take a bit more convincing than a 4 character response.

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The Pickup Place / Looking to try something between a 36th PAF and Tone Zone

« on: May 01, 2015, 10:21:47 PM »

I'm looking to try a pup that's somewhere between the 36th PAF and Tone Zone and I think that would be a Norton or more specifically a half-aired Norton.

The output level on the PAF is fine and I'd almost lean towards the Air Norton but it seems like a lot of folks don't like it in the bridge. I really like the 36th PAF but I'd like something with a little more oomph and midrange.

Based upon that should I just get a Norton and half-air it or just get an Air Norton? Again bear in mind I generally like the PAF.

Thanks.

87

The Trading Post / Re: WTS: Ibanez PGM301 "Jester"

« on: May 01, 2015, 06:03:24 PM »

Thanks. I sent pix to Paul Gilbert and he said he liked though I can't imagine him buying this one because Ibanez would probably give him one for free.

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The Trading Post / SOLD: Ibanez PGM301 "Jester"

« on: May 01, 2015, 11:11:34 AM »

SOLD

I'm looking to sell a PGM301 that was refinished by Sims Custom Shop (the one in the US) in a graphic I designed called "The Jester". The refin job cost $800 due to it's complexity but the final quality is excellent.

Besides the refin I replaced the factory bridge and tuners with black versions (both Gotoh, like the stock ones) because Cosmo Black wears off too quickly for my tastes. I also changed the pickups to a Dimarzio Tone Zone (bridge), Dimarzio Pro Track (middle) and Dimarzio PAF Joe (neck). The stock strap pins have been replaced with Dunlop strap locks and I'm including a custom made "matching" neon green and orange velvet strap. Original factory case is also included.

Overall condition is excellent with no chips, dents or dings on it and the frets have no perceivable wear. I've got a few guitars and I rotate between them. Currently set up with 9s and plays great. I've been meaning to put this up for sale for a while, to make room for other guitars, and finally got around to it.

Price is $1300 (shipping and insurance included) and I accept USPS money order or PayPal for payment. Not looking for any trades. Please note that I only ship in the continental US.

For reference my eBay name is toneboy2000 and I have a perfect rating of 144.

Any questions let me know.

Here are few pics for your viewing pleasure.

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Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: Review: Injector Neck in the bridge position, Area 61 in the neck position

« on: April 29, 2015, 09:48:20 AM »

Try the 67 in the neck and the 61 in the middle.

Cheers Stephan

I know I'll like the 67 in the neck but why the 61 in the middle? I can understand how that arrangement (Injector Neck in bridge, 61 in the middle and 67 in the neck) might work output-wise but are you thinking of some other reason why this might work?

90

Guitar Lounge / Re: Charvel Pro Mod SO-CAL: How to block tremolo?

« on: April 03, 2015, 12:00:44 PM »

I just tightened the springs until the bridge was against the body, it's still pretty level.

Kids, don't try that at home! 

You've basically put too much tension on the strings, even with a level trem. And probably making dents and pits in the guitar's body by that.

Yeah, I wouldn't do that either.

I don't block my trems but I do set them up for drop only, even the recessed one. To do that I just get something like this - a Trem Stopper.