Not sure I am digging the Tone Zone in Charvel

[fek]

At first it was a different tone than I was used to so it was cool. Now I think that it has too much low end. Something in there is just a touch muddy.

What would be a good replacement for this in a SoCal?

 

[guitarslinger]

Duncan '59!

 

[glip22]

Bareknuckle VH II. I am sticking with the Bareknuckles. Been using them for six years now. Got a Nailbomb set in my Jackson, A Rebel Yell set in my Paul Custom, and VHII's in my Charvel. Great pickups. No comparison to any Duncan IMO.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

What value pot are you using?

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

yep! may just need to change to a 500k pot?


Charvel is bad about the 250's.

 

[fek]

yep! may just need to change to a 500k pot?


Charvel is bad about the 250's.

I thought it was a 500k but I haven't looked to be honest. I will check that out. Did they come stock with 250k's?

 

[Chubtone]

They are 500k's. There was some conjecture in the early batches about them having 250k's in them but Mike from Charvel insists these have 500k's in them.

 

[Mudder]

Custom 5
BK Miracle Man

 

[gbsmusic]

Custom 5
BK Miracle Man

I love the Custom! Especially for the money!!

 

[fek]

I have been interested in the Duncan Custom's for a few years but have never tried one. My LP types have always had JB's in them. I have used a Screamin Deamon and a Pearly Gates too.

What are the general tonal differences between Alnico and Ceramic magnets?

 

[guitarslinger]

No comparison to any Duncan IMO.

When I spoke with Tim several times, all he did is compare every pickup he makes to a particular Duncan with more or less of this or that. Most pickup makers do the same thing, sort of like trying to re-invent the wheel. Not worth double the price IMO. Nailbomb was my favorite but I couldn't find any mids? VHII? I din't get a VH vibe from that. Cold Sweat? Cold Shit.

I've used SOOOOOOO many pups. I was convinced "boutique pup XX" was better than everything out there, but I just keep coming back to Duncan '59 and Duncan Jazz.

 

[rupe]

The Tone Zone has a big sound for sure, but you should be able to dial out any "mud" at the amp...a helluva lot easier than changing pickups. What amp do you use and how do you set your bass and mid controls?

If you're set on swapping, the Custom 5 is a great recommendation...no muddiness there at all.

 

[fek]

The Tone Zone has a big sound for sure, but you should be able to dial out any "mud" at the amp...a helluva lot easier than changing pickups. What amp do you use and how do you set your bass and mid controls?

If you're set on swapping, the Custom 5 is a great recommendation...no muddiness there at all.

I agree and was thinking about this last night. I might just add the MXR 10 band back to the board and use it only with the Tone Zone. I don't want to mess with re-EQing the amp every time I switch from my LP to the SoCal.

 

[Vrad]

I don't think the Tone Zone is a good choice in that guitar. Not sure why they chose it. It's very bassy. I'd try a JB, Custom or Duncan Distortion in the bridge.

 

[bsp01]

The Tonezone is pretty sensitive to height adjustment as well. For me, I found that lowering the bass side of the pickup somewhat, and then raising the pole pieces a bit dialed it in just right on the low end, then I raised the treble side a bit and lowered the pole pieces to taste.

It's a good pickup, and worth spending a little time to get to know.

 

[EvilBatman]

Those have the Evo neck right? If so, I'd try the Evo or Evo2. Otherwise, you mentioned wanting to try a Duncan Custom and I'd say go for it. That's probably my favorite Duncan. The Distortion is great too. And for something out of left field, try an Anderson pickup. H2+ or H3.

 

[redrol]

I play metal with my Tone Zone pup. It is a bassy pup but it has a specific grind that I love a lot. It does take some adjustment and maybe the pole pieces as well. I also use mine with a OD pedal with the bass rolled down a bit.

 

[ranalli]

The Tone Zone has a big sound for sure, but you should be able to dial out any "mud" at the amp...a helluva lot easier than changing pickups. What amp do you use and how do you set your bass and mid controls?

If you're set on swapping, the Custom 5 is a great recommendation...no muddiness there at all.

This is a common misconception IMO. Bass or bright pickups aren't easily remedied simply by EQ at the amp. Those pickups determine the entire "flavor" of the guitar and the bass frequencies you would be dialing back at the amp rarely correspond to the frequencies and "flavor" of the pickup.

 

[guitarslinger]

The Tone Zone has a big sound for sure, but you should be able to dial out any "mud" at the amp...a helluva lot easier than changing pickups. What amp do you use and how do you set your bass and mid controls?

If you're set on swapping, the Custom 5 is a great recommendation...no muddiness there at all.

This is a common misconception IMO. Bass or bright pickups aren't easily remedied simply by EQ at the amp. Those pickups determine the entire "flavor" of the guitar and the bass frequencies you would be dialing back at the amp rarely correspond to the frequencies and "flavor" of the pickup.

totally totally totally agree,

and, I'll take it another step further.

the grain, resonance, weight, routings, dryness in the wood can impart good and bad qualities on the tone that can't be remedied by pickups OR the preamp.

I've had a few Jap Ibanezes that were total/tonal duds that never sounded right even after 50 pup changes.

One was a mahogany 540 Saber that was piercingly bright. weird, eh?

 

[Digital Jams]

Ripped mine out the 1st week and threw a good old SD Distortion, very happy now. I left the Evo in there, it is good for that motorboat shred sound.