1

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: Air Classic

« on: February 08, 2014, 04:37:03 AM »

Thanks for your reply - It's this 'added warmth' that is of concern to me. I'm looking for more cut and clarity and I'll told the AC can get both but also adds warmth, this sounds like a paradox to me. 

Thanks,
Jack

2

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: Air Classic

« on: February 07, 2014, 04:45:46 PM »

How would you say Air Classics capture that 'Tele on steroids' feel in an LP? DiMarzio's tech support has recommended I try a pair of ACs to replace a DP223 bridge model and a DP103 in the neck - I find them a little too hot, muddy in the lows and mid-rangey. I'd definitely like something quieter and with more touch response and dynamics with the volume/tone controls. I've tried wiring the DP103 in parallel but it's a little too weak for me and doesn't quite balance with the 223 in the bridge. It would also be really great if they can thicken up under high gain (I've seen Paul Gilbert has had success with this but his tone is a little fuzzy). Do they still retain the clarity?

Is this the right choice for me or would I be better to look at Bluesbuckers or EJs?

Sorry, too many questions!

Jack

3

Everything you wanted to know about .... / 36th Anniversary PAF Bridge

« on: January 14, 2013, 09:19:05 AM »

Hi all,

I was surprised to see that there was no topic for the DP223 and I couldn't resist spouting a little bit about it 

Take your standard PAF and add some appropriated 'beef' for the bridge position and that's essentially what you end up with here. It retains the openness and clarity of a PAF (using the DP103 as a reference), yet adds some warmth and punch that isn't to be found in the typical boutique shed-built PAF replica. This pickup has met with mixed reviews, with tone aficionados claiming that it doesn't quite have the singing, rich vintage quality of the more expensive replications. That's true, and that's perhaps why the price is able to be so much lower than those examples.

However, the lack of complete authenticity opens up a different market for this pickup to adapt itself to. For example, I'd like to suggest that this pickup can nail that vintage PAF vibe and feel to 85% - plenty good enough for busting out the Koss, Page, Gibbons, Clapton, Joe Walsh licks, etc. However, that remaining 15% (particularly the added output and warmth) allow it to slip in to the harder rock territory and stay there with considerably more credibility than a typical PAF could manage. Though the bottom end is not as tight as a PAF Pro, its midrange grind gives you powerful, clear and dynamic crunch all over the gain spectrum, with zero feedback or squealing issues.

On top of this adaptability, there is no harshness or mud, and I've got this pickup in a VERY heavy Les Paul chunk-o'-Mahogany, which is of course what this pickup is tailored to. That being said, I also have it wired in Parallel in the neck of an Alder bodied Telecaster - versatility is a plenty in this little bundle of metal and wire.

Though I personally favour the PAF Pro for some things, particularly tighter hard rock rhythms and real screaming leads, the DP223 is my favourite all-round sounding pickup and it's one of the very many reasons that I love that particular Les Paul to death. With some high quality volume and tone pots, the range is unbeatable, and the colour options are just a bonus (nothing is better to me than a pair of cream HBs!)

From what I can tell, this and the Norton aren't worlds apart, but I've never played a pickup that sounds quite as interesting as this, considering that it's designed for a specific purpose and to replicate a particular vibe.

Jack

4

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The Norton

« on: January 10, 2013, 02:49:12 PM »

"tight low end, powerful upper mids, clear top end, awesome harmonics" is totally a description of the Evo2.

I am very keen on the Evo 2, but I was concerned that even the Norton would be too hot for what I'm after. Is there any of the organic, dynamic quality of the Norton in the Evo 2? After reading a few more reviews, I think the Norton could be a little too dark.

5

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The Norton

« on: January 09, 2013, 05:29:02 PM »

It seems this is a much loved pickup on here - I'm looking to get one for the bridge of a mahogany HH Telecaster to replace an old Dual Sound - just too much output and warmth for what I need - I'm completely in love with the sound of PAF Pros in mahogany but have been keen to try this one out for some time now, for something a little more punchy and powerful, yet still dynamic, responsive and articulate. So far, I've read all the stuff about it I wanted to read; tight low end, powerful upper mids, clear top end, awesome harmonics, etc. How do you think it compares to a PAF Pro, for reference, in the bridge in mahogany, for just that little bit 'more'? The guitar has a single 500k volume pot, no tone.

Jack

6

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: The PAF Pro

« on: December 23, 2012, 10:06:51 AM »

I've got a PAF Pro in the bridge of a Les Paul and it's exactly what I was looking for - enough grind and punch to give me sustain and power, enough clarity to be articulate and clean up very well and overall, just clean up the sound of my guitar. This pickup is essentially a filter for any nasty frequencies and merely accentuates those that you are trying to put across from your fingers. A very expressive, open, dynamic and responsive pickup. If I was to compare it to the DP223 I have in another Les Paul, it's slightly brighter, more open, with more clarity and response. It will keep you exactly where you need to be in the mix without being overpowering in any sense, particularly in the mid range. In my opinion, a perfect pickup at doing exactly what a great humbucking pickup should.

Jack