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The Pickup Place / Re: My Air Zone Review
« on: April 10, 2026, 09:32:30 AM »
Nice review, I like the technical depth and the details in specs! Well done and thanks for sharing. 
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The Pickup Place / Re: Looking for a Neck PU to pair with a Satchur8 - HFH with A8?
« on: April 08, 2026, 11:12:58 AM »
I had awesome results with an Air Norton with ceramic magnet in the neck but would love to have a matching neck pickup with hex screws to pair with the Sachur8.
On paper the Tone Zone is not worlds away from a JB. A JB in the neck was something I liked but to my ears the Tone Zone is way different and probably not to my liking even aired. Maybe it works with a ceramic magnet and aired as neck PU but still looks overwound to me compared to the rest of the bunch.
I didn't like the PAF Pro (too thin sounding) in any guitar in the neck but I also dislike all those Gibson pickups like Burstbucker, 57 Classic or 490R.
The FRED with more mids and harmonics compared to a PAF Pro might do the trick beeing more similiar to a Norton.
I ordered one so I will see in a view weeks.
The Liquid Fire was also on my shortlist but since I tend to aim for dual resonance as a Dimarzio exclusive feature, I rather picked something different. A last candidate might be an Evolution neck but I didn't liked the Evo Bridge and Evo 2 in the guitars I tried them in so I was hesitantly with the neck version.
On paper the Tone Zone is not worlds away from a JB. A JB in the neck was something I liked but to my ears the Tone Zone is way different and probably not to my liking even aired. Maybe it works with a ceramic magnet and aired as neck PU but still looks overwound to me compared to the rest of the bunch.
I didn't like the PAF Pro (too thin sounding) in any guitar in the neck but I also dislike all those Gibson pickups like Burstbucker, 57 Classic or 490R.
The FRED with more mids and harmonics compared to a PAF Pro might do the trick beeing more similiar to a Norton.
I ordered one so I will see in a view weeks.
The Liquid Fire was also on my shortlist but since I tend to aim for dual resonance as a Dimarzio exclusive feature, I rather picked something different. A last candidate might be an Evolution neck but I didn't liked the Evo Bridge and Evo 2 in the guitars I tried them in so I was hesitantly with the neck version.
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The Pickup Place / Re: Looking for a Neck PU to pair with a Satchur8 - HFH with A8?
« on: April 07, 2026, 03:20:27 PM »
That's exactly what I did, I put an A4 magnet into the PAF Pro and a large ceramic magnet into a Tone Zone.
The bass response of the TZ is the only neat result. Compared to the Satchur8 the TZ feels less balanced and although I kind of like the tad more grind it has, it sounds rahter cheap.
Even worse so the PAF Pro. Overall rather boring response and a sound that gets buried in the band mix of a backing track.
I use an Engl 580 Rack preamp with always the same settings which works fine with most of my guitars.
Will try some other EQing but overall the pickup swap with different magnets is a downgrade.
The bass response of the TZ is the only neat result. Compared to the Satchur8 the TZ feels less balanced and although I kind of like the tad more grind it has, it sounds rahter cheap.
Even worse so the PAF Pro. Overall rather boring response and a sound that gets buried in the band mix of a backing track.
I use an Engl 580 Rack preamp with always the same settings which works fine with most of my guitars.
Will try some other EQing but overall the pickup swap with different magnets is a downgrade.
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The Pickup Place / Looking for a Neck PU to pair with a Satchur8 - HFH with A8?
« on: April 04, 2026, 07:30:31 AM »
I recently got a deal on a BC Rich Mockingbird Supreme (shortscale mahogany neck through) that came with PRS Artist pickups that I really disliked.
Since I had a Satchur8 laying around I installed it and it fits the guitar quite nicely - very balanced and I like that it's based on the Norton with hex screws but has an A8 magnet in it to differ a little to my other guitars.
I tried a Bluesbucker which wasn't bad in the neck position but I had the feeling it might fit better in one of my Jacksons.
The Humbucker from Hell went in next and it ain't bad either but doesn't really pair well with the Satchur8. Does anybody have experience with putting a A8 magnet in to lift up the volume?
Or has anyone an opinion if it's a good idea to stick an A8 into a low output pickup like the HFH?
I guess a dual resonance pickup with A5 like the FRED might be worth a try as well but have no expierence with it and some people rage about that pickup.
I have a left over PAF Pro as well but hated it in the guitars I tried it. Some say the FRED is close to it..
Any thougths?
Since I had a Satchur8 laying around I installed it and it fits the guitar quite nicely - very balanced and I like that it's based on the Norton with hex screws but has an A8 magnet in it to differ a little to my other guitars.
I tried a Bluesbucker which wasn't bad in the neck position but I had the feeling it might fit better in one of my Jacksons.
The Humbucker from Hell went in next and it ain't bad either but doesn't really pair well with the Satchur8. Does anybody have experience with putting a A8 magnet in to lift up the volume?
Or has anyone an opinion if it's a good idea to stick an A8 into a low output pickup like the HFH?
I guess a dual resonance pickup with A5 like the FRED might be worth a try as well but have no expierence with it and some people rage about that pickup.
I have a left over PAF Pro as well but hated it in the guitars I tried it. Some say the FRED is close to it..
Any thougths?
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The Pickup Place / Re: Quacky Neck PU for Super 3 Bridge PU?
« on: December 09, 2025, 02:44:46 AM »
I just realized I did a post 3 years ago on the Duncan-Forum praising the Air Norton with a ceramic magnet to have a kind of stratty sound. Since it's my only AN it still has to have the swapped magnet in it.
Seems I forgot what I did and I now have the ceramic AN in the SG - this explains why I like it much more than the AN I had in an Ibanez J Custom so the A5 magnet is the wrong reference here.
Last week I ordered a Gravtiy Storm neck pickup but it will take up to 5 months until it's delivered so my comparison will take some time till I can give advice.
The Norton sounds great with a ceramic magnet for the bridge position as well!
EDIT: Also the Satchur8 seems so be very close to the Gravity Storm neck. Just swap the A8 for ceramic and do the airing..
Seems I forgot what I did and I now have the ceramic AN in the SG - this explains why I like it much more than the AN I had in an Ibanez J Custom so the A5 magnet is the wrong reference here.
Last week I ordered a Gravtiy Storm neck pickup but it will take up to 5 months until it's delivered so my comparison will take some time till I can give advice.
The Norton sounds great with a ceramic magnet for the bridge position as well!
EDIT: Also the Satchur8 seems so be very close to the Gravity Storm neck. Just swap the A8 for ceramic and do the airing..
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The Pickup Place / Re: Quacky Neck PU for Super 3 Bridge PU?
« on: December 01, 2025, 06:12:49 AM »
I rather mean the kind of blooming of notes played usually associated with a Strat neck PU.
Not to be mistaken with the glassy SC sound, which I'm not after. The Air Norten does have that blooming effect I mean while the HFH is missing it - at least in this Gibson SG and the amps I tested it with.
So my resume is that bright pickups just sound thin in this guitar.
Several years ago I tried all kinds of phase switching, series and parallel wirings and how useful all of that is really depends on the guitar and the pickups used.
Usually I find series OoP wirings on the bridge PU more useful. I tend to dislike parallel wirings of humbuckers in itself.
As I already tried some very bright pickups, I'm afraid the Super 2 will disapoint me as it's probably kind of a high power Humbucker from Hell model.
What I really need in the SG are mids and only moderate bass and treble.
I like the recommendation of the EMG 81 since to my understanding the 81 always was ment to be in the neck postition and the 85 in the bridge. I always liked the 85 in the brdige more than those 81 but would rather try a 60 in the neck.
Don't know why would someone put it other way around as most guitars with EMGs are sold with 81/85 for bridge/neck..
I recently tried it with my Engl 580 preamp and the Air Norten performs quite well in the bass frequencies.
The Liquidfire and Gravity Storm are probably the best bets, see the technical comparison attached.
Not to be mistaken with the glassy SC sound, which I'm not after. The Air Norten does have that blooming effect I mean while the HFH is missing it - at least in this Gibson SG and the amps I tested it with.
So my resume is that bright pickups just sound thin in this guitar.
Several years ago I tried all kinds of phase switching, series and parallel wirings and how useful all of that is really depends on the guitar and the pickups used.
Usually I find series OoP wirings on the bridge PU more useful. I tend to dislike parallel wirings of humbuckers in itself.
As I already tried some very bright pickups, I'm afraid the Super 2 will disapoint me as it's probably kind of a high power Humbucker from Hell model.
What I really need in the SG are mids and only moderate bass and treble.
I like the recommendation of the EMG 81 since to my understanding the 81 always was ment to be in the neck postition and the 85 in the bridge. I always liked the 85 in the brdige more than those 81 but would rather try a 60 in the neck.
Don't know why would someone put it other way around as most guitars with EMGs are sold with 81/85 for bridge/neck..
If the Air Norton has too much bass in the neck spot (for me it would), LiquiFire is an option.
Cheers Stephan
I recently tried it with my Engl 580 preamp and the Air Norten performs quite well in the bass frequencies.
The Liquidfire and Gravity Storm are probably the best bets, see the technical comparison attached.
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The Pickup Place / Re: Quacky Neck PU for Super 3 Bridge PU?
« on: November 30, 2025, 07:12:35 AM »
Yesterday I installed the Air Norton and it's great fun to play. Sweep picking apreggios can be made with ease and lots of harmonics in single note playing. There might be a tad too much bass as with chords and high gain the lower notes sound a bit muddy and hight adjustments don't lead me to the right balance but overall it's a great improvement compared to the HFH, Bluesbucker and PAF Pro while to me it still has some quacky qualities. If it had the double cream colour I might would stick with the AN.
Heading into the right direction I'm interested in other A5 magnet Dimarzios, especially with dual resonance patent.
There's the FRED and Mo'Joe, which might be even more to my liking. Also the Gravity Storm (6,47 H) or Liquidfire (6,17 H)
seem to be in the right ballpark, comparing the inductance of the AN (6,27 H). The GS seems to have similar wounds to the AN but using the virtual vintage slugs and hex pole pieces when comparing the technical specs.
Heading into the right direction I'm interested in other A5 magnet Dimarzios, especially with dual resonance patent.
There's the FRED and Mo'Joe, which might be even more to my liking. Also the Gravity Storm (6,47 H) or Liquidfire (6,17 H)
seem to be in the right ballpark, comparing the inductance of the AN (6,27 H). The GS seems to have similar wounds to the AN but using the virtual vintage slugs and hex pole pieces when comparing the technical specs.
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The Pickup Place / Re: Quacky Neck PU for Super 3 Bridge PU?
« on: November 27, 2025, 07:11:45 AM »
Hi Stephan,
thanks for replying!
I recently put in the Bluesbucker and although I like it better than the PAF Pro, it doesn't fit the guitar that well. I think it's too thin sounding in it. I loved it in one of my Jackson Soloists but didn't care for it in a Charvel 750XL - really depends on the guitars.
In my experience it's often a problem with SG models, that they are hungry for more mids. The attack of the PAF Pro was nice. Since it's not in the guitar anymore I can't exactly tell what was missing - recalling I would say bass frequencies.
Yesterday I received a guitar with an old X2n from 1979 in it. I might try this in the bridge before I order the Super 3. When I checked for a neck pickup suggestion I found the D Activator X neck pickup, which does look promising on paper! I would have to check the none X neck version in one of my 7 Strings but the website says it has very little bass like the previous pickups I didn't liked that much.
I had almost only good experience with rail pickups. The Tone Zone S, Super D S, Ibanez V5 and most of my Bill Lawrence pickups were neat. The Haven Omnia set was unusable for me.
Isn't string pull less on rail pickups in general? So they should deliver a bit more sustain in theory.
The Full Shred wouldn't fit colourwise with the final Dimarzio I would probably use in cream and I had hard times liking the bridge version in the guitars I used it. I'm also afraid it might have too little bass as the PAF Pro and HFH.
I might try some bridge pickups like the Tone Zone, Norton or Air Norton I have left over. The Air Norton in an Ibanez J Custom I sold recently was disappointing for me but I didn't like the whole guitar so I haven't experimented much with it.
Great results I had in the past with a SH-4 and Al DiMeola Bridge version in the neck position of various guitars so a Norton might do the trick as well.
thanks for replying!
I recently put in the Bluesbucker and although I like it better than the PAF Pro, it doesn't fit the guitar that well. I think it's too thin sounding in it. I loved it in one of my Jackson Soloists but didn't care for it in a Charvel 750XL - really depends on the guitars.
In my experience it's often a problem with SG models, that they are hungry for more mids. The attack of the PAF Pro was nice. Since it's not in the guitar anymore I can't exactly tell what was missing - recalling I would say bass frequencies.
Yesterday I received a guitar with an old X2n from 1979 in it. I might try this in the bridge before I order the Super 3. When I checked for a neck pickup suggestion I found the D Activator X neck pickup, which does look promising on paper! I would have to check the none X neck version in one of my 7 Strings but the website says it has very little bass like the previous pickups I didn't liked that much.
I had almost only good experience with rail pickups. The Tone Zone S, Super D S, Ibanez V5 and most of my Bill Lawrence pickups were neat. The Haven Omnia set was unusable for me.
Isn't string pull less on rail pickups in general? So they should deliver a bit more sustain in theory.
The Full Shred wouldn't fit colourwise with the final Dimarzio I would probably use in cream and I had hard times liking the bridge version in the guitars I used it. I'm also afraid it might have too little bass as the PAF Pro and HFH.
I might try some bridge pickups like the Tone Zone, Norton or Air Norton I have left over. The Air Norton in an Ibanez J Custom I sold recently was disappointing for me but I didn't like the whole guitar so I haven't experimented much with it.
Great results I had in the past with a SH-4 and Al DiMeola Bridge version in the neck position of various guitars so a Norton might do the trick as well.
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The Pickup Place / Quacky Neck PU for Super 3 Bridge PU?
« on: November 15, 2025, 02:53:28 PM »
Dear community,
I currently think of replacing the pickups of my Gibson SG Supreme again.
Since I bought it, I tried several sets and I'm still not a 100% happy.
Basically it's a slim Les Paul with a thick carved maple top.
I changed the bridge to a stainless steel unit with graph tech saddles since I didn't like the zinc bridges Gibson uses stock.
First I tried a Bill Lawrence L-100 Set which looked cool but was to bright for my taste.
I wanted something bass heavier and for a short period I put in a Satchur8 / Humbucker from Hell set.
The Satchur8 wasn't bad but I had the feeling I would prefer it in my Jackson Soloist 1985 San Dimas since I hate the Full Shred Duncan I have in it.
The HFH sounded good in some of my other guitars but was disapointing weak and lifeless in this SG. I have another SG Supreme with brass bridge and a Tone Zone / HFH set which sounds decent but it just didn't work in that guitar.
So I tried an PAF Pro / Dominion set next which till now is the best combination but I hated that set in a Jackson Stars RR. Output wise it feels medium and a little generic to me. It depends on which amp I play the SG. With a VHT Deliverance preamp the set responses better than with my Engl 580 preamp.
Usually I love Bill Lawrence L-500 XL and Duncan Distortion bridge pickups but I'm interested in how the Super 3 would fatten up the SG? I have a Yamaha SG2000 with a regular SD in the bridge which feels a little too vintage to me for the SG Supreme, althought I kind of like the punch in the mids it got. Unfortunatly I don't like the PAF style Dimarzio I have in the neck which is too weak and lifeless.
My question is, which Dimarzio neck PU would you guys recommend for the Super 3?
I would love to have something more quacky than the current PAF Pro, althought I like the quick and bright attack.
Outputwise the Super 2 might be a consideration but I have no clue what to expect from that pickup.
I might try a Bluesbucker I have laying around and usually like in Superstrats but I expect it also to be a little too weak for pairing it with the Super 3.
Thanks in advance!
I currently think of replacing the pickups of my Gibson SG Supreme again.
Since I bought it, I tried several sets and I'm still not a 100% happy.
Basically it's a slim Les Paul with a thick carved maple top.
I changed the bridge to a stainless steel unit with graph tech saddles since I didn't like the zinc bridges Gibson uses stock.
First I tried a Bill Lawrence L-100 Set which looked cool but was to bright for my taste.
I wanted something bass heavier and for a short period I put in a Satchur8 / Humbucker from Hell set.
The Satchur8 wasn't bad but I had the feeling I would prefer it in my Jackson Soloist 1985 San Dimas since I hate the Full Shred Duncan I have in it.
The HFH sounded good in some of my other guitars but was disapointing weak and lifeless in this SG. I have another SG Supreme with brass bridge and a Tone Zone / HFH set which sounds decent but it just didn't work in that guitar.
So I tried an PAF Pro / Dominion set next which till now is the best combination but I hated that set in a Jackson Stars RR. Output wise it feels medium and a little generic to me. It depends on which amp I play the SG. With a VHT Deliverance preamp the set responses better than with my Engl 580 preamp.
Usually I love Bill Lawrence L-500 XL and Duncan Distortion bridge pickups but I'm interested in how the Super 3 would fatten up the SG? I have a Yamaha SG2000 with a regular SD in the bridge which feels a little too vintage to me for the SG Supreme, althought I kind of like the punch in the mids it got. Unfortunatly I don't like the PAF style Dimarzio I have in the neck which is too weak and lifeless.
My question is, which Dimarzio neck PU would you guys recommend for the Super 3?
I would love to have something more quacky than the current PAF Pro, althought I like the quick and bright attack.
Outputwise the Super 2 might be a consideration but I have no clue what to expect from that pickup.
I might try a Bluesbucker I have laying around and usually like in Superstrats but I expect it also to be a little too weak for pairing it with the Super 3.
Thanks in advance!
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The Pickup Place / Re: 6 Screw Z-Mod - anybody tried it?
« on: February 17, 2022, 06:01:27 AM »
Sorry, I corrected the link - now it should work!
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The Pickup Place / 6 Screw Z-Mod - anybody tried it?
« on: February 16, 2022, 09:50:58 AM »
Just stumbled across this mod:
https://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=116103
Has anybody tried it and got good experience with it or can recommend pickup models for it?
Should make a hum cancelling single coil sound, right?
Similar to a Tele Twangmaster Splitbucker
With Dimarzio pickups, it should be quite easy to try.
Does someone have a PAF Pro or something similar to find out how it sounds compared to stock?
https://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=116103
Has anybody tried it and got good experience with it or can recommend pickup models for it?
Should make a hum cancelling single coil sound, right?
Similar to a Tele Twangmaster Splitbucker
With Dimarzio pickups, it should be quite easy to try.
Does someone have a PAF Pro or something similar to find out how it sounds compared to stock?
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The Pickup Place / Re: Difference between The Breed and Dominion?
« on: February 01, 2022, 07:10:46 AM »
Hi Stephan,
nice to see you around here as well! (typically sloclone or tt?!)
The Dominion has Patent: 5,908,998, which is Virtual Vintage related and which the Breed misses.
Magnet: ceramic
Output mV: 360.
DC Resistance: 16.5 Kohm
-Treble: 6.0.
-Mid: 9.0.
-Bass: 7.0.
Virtual Vintage
hex screws
Breed:
Magnet: Alnico 5
Output mV: 356.
DC Resistance: 16.32 Kohm
-Treble: 6.5.
-Mid: 9.0.
-Bass: 8.0.
no patent
hex screws
AT-1:
Magnet: Alnico 5
Output mV: 320.
DC Resistance: 16.5 Kohm
-Treble: 5.0.
-Mid: 8.0.
-Bass: 8.0.
Virtual Vintage and Airbucker
slugs and fillister screws
None of them has uneven coil winds, so I expet them to be rather similar to each other and therefore the Dominion should be a nice platform to try different magnetes if it doesn't suits well stock.
nice to see you around here as well! (typically sloclone or tt?!)
The Dominion has Patent: 5,908,998, which is Virtual Vintage related and which the Breed misses.
Magnet: ceramic
Output mV: 360.
DC Resistance: 16.5 Kohm
-Treble: 6.0.
-Mid: 9.0.
-Bass: 7.0.
Virtual Vintage
hex screws
Breed:
Magnet: Alnico 5
Output mV: 356.
DC Resistance: 16.32 Kohm
-Treble: 6.5.
-Mid: 9.0.
-Bass: 8.0.
no patent
hex screws
AT-1:
Magnet: Alnico 5
Output mV: 320.
DC Resistance: 16.5 Kohm
-Treble: 5.0.
-Mid: 8.0.
-Bass: 8.0.
Virtual Vintage and Airbucker
slugs and fillister screws
None of them has uneven coil winds, so I expet them to be rather similar to each other and therefore the Dominion should be a nice platform to try different magnetes if it doesn't suits well stock.
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The Pickup Place / Difference between The Breed and Dominion?
« on: January 31, 2022, 09:55:30 AM »
Hi there!
I was looking for a Breed pickup and found out that it's discontinued.
Then I saw the specs of the Dominion and thought that they only really differ in their magnet (ceramic vs AlNiCo5).
The base plate of the Breed was black while the Dominion's is nickel silver but this shouldn't have an audible effect.
What do you guys think - is the Dominion a Breed with ceramic magnet?
I was looking for a Breed pickup and found out that it's discontinued.
Then I saw the specs of the Dominion and thought that they only really differ in their magnet (ceramic vs AlNiCo5).
The base plate of the Breed was black while the Dominion's is nickel silver but this shouldn't have an audible effect.
What do you guys think - is the Dominion a Breed with ceramic magnet?
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