DiMarzio Evolution vs Crunch Lab?

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SFW

SFW

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I've only had experience with the Evolution. If anyone has had the chance to play booth pickups, which did you prefer and why? I'm looking at putting the pickup in a bolt neck guitar that is mahogany with a maple top. Maple/rosewood neck. I will be tuning to drop C. I'm looking for a pickup that will sound huge with very fluid leads. Thanks!
 
I haven't used these particular pickups but I have Dimarzio's in several of my guitars and I have had good luck with the pickup selector program on the dimarzio website. It lets you put in details about your guitars construction, what you are playing, and what you are trying to accomplish with the pickup. I usually put in a few permutations and pick the one that is in common
 
the Petrucci pickups are great for low tuning, but i didn't like them as much for standard tuning....just too much clarity or cut.
 
I love the X2N for drop tunings. I just tried the D-activator X in the neck position and its pretty sweet too. I have had several Dimarzios and never had one that dissappointed me at all. When in doubt I would go for Dimarzio.
 
I've been a Duncan guy since the late 90s. Before that I mainly used DiMarzios. It's just been so long since I used them that I can't remember what they sounded like. I've got a Duncan Custom in my Les Paul that I love, but for this guitar I wanted something different. I've got an Evolution coming in for my RG, so I may try it in this guitar until the new trem for my Ibanez gets here. Which will be a few weeks. The Crunch Lab has my attention because I like the tones that JP is getting on the newer DT discs. And I know that's his pup of choice. I'll pop the Evo in the guitar and see what I think.
 
The Evolution is really made for single note playing, chords just seem to lack punch. The Crunch Lab is a great pickup and flexible, sounds great for single notes and chords, and can be installed with the solid bar towards the bridge for treble emphasis (probably good for keeping drop tuning tight) or towards the neck for bass emphasis. Bolt mahogany/maple in drop C, I'd go Crunch Lab.
 
Havent played either of those, but the breed has a lot of clarity, thick and juicy tone, and leads sound awesome through it.
 
I have both setups in my Ibanez J Customs. Both guitars have mahogany bodies and maple tops with maple/rosewood boards. I really find that the Evolutions sound great with the mahog body/maple top. I tune to both standard and drop C on that guitar and it has great clarity with chords and is fantastic on the leads. I recently put the Crunch lab into the bridge on my other J Custom and it does sound nice as well....it is hard to explain. It has a bit more crunchiness to the sound (hence the name!). I find the EVO pickup to be smoother overall. I've had the Crunch Lab on other guitars in the past as well but I just haven't been able to jive with it as much. I'm almost thinking that it seems to be more reactive to the amp you are using as well....strange as it may seem.

At the end of the day for me, if it was a choice between the two, I'd keep the EVO, no question.
 
I found the EVO to be insanely bright and small compared to just about anything! Only played a crunchlab once, and it was cool. Balanced, tight, bold...if that even makes tonal sense!
 
racerevlon":1frnuc9g said:
The Evolution is really made for single note playing, chords just seem to lack punch. The Crunch Lab is a great pickup and flexible, sounds great for single notes and chords, and can be installed with the solid bar towards the bridge for treble emphasis (probably good for keeping drop tuning tight) or towards the neck for bass emphasis. Bolt mahogany/maple in drop C, I'd go Crunch Lab.
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this!

i LOVE the evo 1 neck pickup.
 
SFW":22rulag5 said:
I've only had experience with the Evolution. If anyone has had the chance to play booth pickups, which did you prefer and why? I'm looking at putting the pickup in a bolt neck guitar that is mahogany with a maple top. Maple/rosewood neck. I will be tuning to drop C. I'm looking for a pickup that will sound huge with very fluid leads. Thanks!
Click to expand...
I have played both. Ultimately, I really liked the Crunch Lab better. Granted, they've all been in Ibanez guitars w/basswood bodies and/or the maple top, mahogany back combo. I have been playing on the evolution for like 10+ yrs. When I strapped a CL in one of my guitars, I was all smiles. Very colorfully musical pickup. Standard or drop tuned sounds great through the Crunch Lab. I still love my Evo equipped guitars, but the difference that I find is that it's definitely more of a warmer, vintagey-er sounding pickup.
 
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