Finally found the pickups for my Charvel

[EyesOfTheSouth]

After multiple swaps, I'm finally satisfied with a Dimarzio Timmons bridge and Air Classic neck

Before this, I tried the JB, JB with Alnico2, Custom, Custom Custom, Distortion, Suhr DSH+, Suhr Aldrich, and Bareknuckle Nailbomb.

You always hear about pickups being described as an "improved JB". But the Timmons really is that........beefier with less high end/high mid spike. But it still has that "slinky/spongy" attack of the JB that makes it so cool for playing 80's stuff. The Air Classic is also a big improvement over the hollow sounding 59' IMO.

The only thing that makes me mad is that MF sent me an all black Timmons when I ordered a zebra Oh well, sounds to good to pull it out and exchange it. Here's some pics..............

 

[Chubtone]

Congrats! it's always cool when you find the right pickup for a guitar.

 

[jcmlespaul]

I like the look of the all black pick up in the bridge with the zebra in the neck. Makes it look hot rodded.

 

[sixstringking713]

i have another thread on me buying 2 new humbuckers so thanks! you have sealed the deal with me wanting an "air classic" I think...


Have you ever tried a Tone Zone in the bridge? Or do you have experience with it in another one of your guitars?



What type of music do you play, what kind of tone do you aim for?

Thanks!

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

i have another thread on me buying 2 new humbuckers so thanks! you have sealed the deal with me wanting an "air classic" I think...


Have you ever tried a Tone Zone in the bridge? Or do you have experience with it in another one of your guitars?



What type of music do you play, what kind of tone do you aim for?

Thanks!

I don't think you can go wrong with the Air Classic. It is very 3-D sounding and really smooth and singing.....more mids than the 59'. Almost sounds like an A2 magnet.

Never tried the Tone Zone, but have used tons of other Dimarzios in other guitars (Super D, Super 3, Norton, Air Zone, Crunch Lab, Steve's Special, 36th PAF, etc.). This Timmons is my favorite of the bunch........followed closely by the Norton (not the Air Norton).

I mainly play old school 80's hard rock/metal..........not the "hair" variety.

 

[sixstringking713]

i have another thread on me buying 2 new humbuckers so thanks! you have sealed the deal with me wanting an "air classic" I think...


Have you ever tried a Tone Zone in the bridge? Or do you have experience with it in another one of your guitars?



What type of music do you play, what kind of tone do you aim for?

Thanks!

I don't think you can go wrong with the Air Classic. It is very 3-D sounding and really smooth and singing.....more mids than the 59'. Almost sounds like an A2 magnet.

Never tried the Tone Zone, but have used tons of other Dimarzios in other guitars (Super D, Super 3, Norton, Air Zone, Crunch Lab, Steve's Special, 36th PAF, etc.). This Timmons is my favorite of the bunch........followed closely by the Norton (not the Air Norton).

I mainly play old school 80's hard rock/metal..........not the "hair" variety.

how does the Air Zone and the AT-1 (timmons) one compare in the bridge?

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

i have another thread on me buying 2 new humbuckers so thanks! you have sealed the deal with me wanting an "air classic" I think...


Have you ever tried a Tone Zone in the bridge? Or do you have experience with it in another one of your guitars?



What type of music do you play, what kind of tone do you aim for?

Thanks!

I don't think you can go wrong with the Air Classic. It is very 3-D sounding and really smooth and singing.....more mids than the 59'. Almost sounds like an A2 magnet.

Never tried the Tone Zone, but have used tons of other Dimarzios in other guitars (Super D, Super 3, Norton, Air Zone, Crunch Lab, Steve's Special, 36th PAF, etc.). This Timmons is my favorite of the bunch........followed closely by the Norton (not the Air Norton).

I mainly play old school 80's hard rock/metal..........not the "hair" variety.

how does the Air Zone and the AT-1 (timmons) one compare in the bridge?

I only tried the Air Zone in a Les Paul. However, it was way too bassy for me. Had a ton of bass and mids with rolled off highs.......which wasn't the ticket in the LP. Might sound great in a superstrat though. Based on memory, I think the AT-1 is a bit hotter and more aggressive.

 

[threadkiller]

Good to hear. I was thinking about trying this pup in my carvin. The stock pickup blows. I'm a a fan of Dimarzio pickups. My favorite so far is the Norton. I find their pickup selector program to be pretty useful. You just put in some info about your guitar and type of music and what you are trying to accomplish and it gives you suggestions. I'm not a big fan of signature gear in general but if it offers something new or different I'm all about it. The pickup selector program kept suggesting the AT-1 when I put in my info and different permutations such as, increase bass response, increase harmonics, etc. I'm going to try it out.

 

[rupe]

Blasphemy!!! How dare you choose a pedestrian Dimarzio pickup over a boo-teek Bareknuckle! This is pure heresy!

Congrats...its always great to find the right pickup for a particular guitar

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

The air zone is too muddy and flat in anything other than a bright guitar. I even had to pull it from one of my alder strats. It needs a bright guitar and then it sounds good.

Air Classic is a great pickup. I have a bridge model in one of my alder bodied strats and I think it is an excellent compromise between smooth mids and definition. I like it better than the 59 I have in the neck of my charvel. The 59 has it's place I'm sure in warmer instruments but it is a tad too spikey for my tastes in a Charvel.

I think you have a winning combo there!

 

[Michi]

After multiple swaps, I'm finally satisfied with a Dimarzio Timmons bridge and Air Classic neck

Before this, I tried the JB, JB with Alnico2, Custom, Custom Custom, Distortion, Suhr DSH+, Suhr Aldrich, and Bareknuckle Nailbomb.

Hey, I've been looking at replacing the bridge pup on my San Dimas Pro Mod, with a DiMarzio Super Distortion. How did you like it yours?

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

I didn't try the Super Distortion in the Charvel. That pickup is too tall and will not fit without taking a chisel to the pickup cavity.

 

[Michi]

I didn't try the Super Distortion in the Charvel. That pickup is too tall and will not fit without taking a chisel to the pickup cavity.

Oh bummer! Well, one way to go around it would be to cut the legs off completely the SD and install it with a pickup ring. At least I think it would be

 

[Erock]

I didn't try the Super Distortion in the Charvel. That pickup is too tall and will not fit without taking a chisel to the pickup cavity.

Oh bummer! Well, one way to go around it would be to cut the legs off completely the SD and install it with a pickup ring. At least I think it would be

hehe, only problem with that idea is there wouldn't be anything to screw into if you chopped the legs.

Cool you found your perfect pup for that guitar. I really wish these San Dimas had adjustable pups. The EVH direct mount thing is cool, but I would rather be able to adjust pups. I hate having to shim the neck just to get the correct height from the pups while keeping the action I want.

 

[veji]

how did the at-1 compare to the suhr aldrich? which has more low mids-low end and which has less highs?

 

[headlessdeadguy]

I just ordered one for my brand new Carvin V. Will report back in a few days.

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

how did the at-1 compare to the suhr aldrich? which has more low mids-low end and which has less highs?

I liked the DSH+ and was almost satisfied enough to keep it. However, it lacked a bit of clarity in the high mids. On the other hand, the Aldrich sounded really bad to me in this guitar. Compared to the AT-1, it sounded really thin and weak. The AT-1 definitely has more mids......from low to high.....as well as more lows. It's not even close.

 

[Michi]

I didn't try the Super Distortion in the Charvel. That pickup is too tall and will not fit without taking a chisel to the pickup cavity.

Oh bummer! Well, one way to go around it would be to cut the legs off completely the SD and install it with a pickup ring. At least I think it would be

hehe, only problem with that idea is there wouldn't be anything to screw into if you chopped the legs.

Haha, apparently I didn't think this thru thoroughly enough. Too much work makes Michi a dull boy

Thx for the heads up!

 

[threadkiller]

I just ordered one for my brand new Carvin V. Will report back in a few days.

Cool, let me know what you think. Also, let me know if you have any problem with it fitting in the pickup recess on the carvin. I assume they are large enough for the pup. What's your V construction. My carvin is mahogony but maple neck through and it's a little bright sounding.

 

[retrojet]

I have an '88 Charvel Model 2 that I've had a hell of a time finding a pup I like...I've tried a Screamin' Demon, Custom Custom, BK Rebel Yell, BK Holy Diver, and now I have a JB with an A2 mag...I liked the sound of the Rebel Yell but it was way too bright, everything else just sounds too "vintage-y" for what I want from this guitar...even the JB2 I'm using now isn't quite right. Sounds like the Timmons might be something to try...