Guitar Gear Forum

I'm usually an EMG guy. Got some passives in my ol Peavey Wolfgang that I also get along well with. Recently pulled a Charvel out of the closet for the first time in a while and I can not get along with the DiMarzio ToneZone that is in the bridge. Is this pickup just that much different than what I'm used to?

Also, been a LONG TIME, hope everyone is well.

banana hammock wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2024 10:44 pm I'm usually an EMG guy. Got some passives in my ol Peavey Wolfgang that I also get along well with. Recently pulled a Charvel out of the closet for the first time in a while and I can not get along with the DiMarzio ToneZone that is in the bridge. Is this pickup just that much different than what I'm used to?

Also, been a LONG TIME, hope everyone is well.

Maybe experiment with the height of the pickup. Some are really sensitive to the pickup height.

The Tone Zone is kind of the opposite of the EMG 81, it has a lot of low end and low mids and a smoother top end. I like it a lot in a superstrat.
If your rig is dialed in for an EMG 81 try to lower the bass knob a lot. Start at zero and turn it up until there's enough. I usually have the bass on my DSL at 2-3 when I'm using a TZ.

Spaced Out Ace wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2024 10:47 pm Maybe experiment with the height of the pickup. Some are really sensitive to the pickup height.

The ToneZone is definitely one that is finicky about height. It is also a pickup that is not everyone's cup o' tea.

banana hammock wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2024 10:44 pm ... I can not get along with the DiMarzio ToneZone that is in the bridge. Is this pickup just that much different than what I'm used to?

Can you give us some more details around what you are experiencing that is throwing you off? ie. "Too bright? Too dark?"
That will help us help you.

I always liked the ToneZone, but I'm a "give me low-end" guy. I'd start with what Billy says, lower the bass on the amp, but there is something to be said for lowering the height of a ToneZone if you ain't diggin' the beef. It can open it up a little bit. But it can also sound completely wrong too far away from the strings.

I'd suggest maybe lowering pickup until it starts to sound just a touch weak, then moving it closer about half a turn. Then use the screw pole pieces to get it closer for a stronger signal and to give more clarity. Maybe try something like this: Measure the slug pole piece coil to get it between 8-10/64" (4-5/32"), then get each screw pole piece to about 5-6/64".

I never liked the tone zone.

It takes everything bad about the alnico 5 and doubles it. The alnico 5 doesn’t do anything well. Completely unbalanced. Shrill highs. Ugly horrible spikey mids. Flabby lows. Just the worst. It’s the fuzzface of the pickup world.


I’ll take ceramic or alnico 2. They both do what they do extremely well.

Dimarzio does ceramic extremely well. Super distortion. Super 2. X2n. Etc.

JB, 59, Jazz, 85, 60A, SA, et al didn't get the memo, I guess.

I agree with the TZ haters. Have tried to like it twice in different Charvel's but just can't.

Love the TZ. It’s not right for everything of course, but I find it fat and balanced when it’s right and too bassy when it’s not. Like the bright, tighter and mid forward amps. Like say the 5152, 5153 stealth etx. I’ve even tried modding em with different mags and the a5 wins. Half aired tone Zone, actually might help solve issues for people. It tightens up and lowers the output some. I dig it. I even dig the air Zone. Sorta tighten it and lowers the output a touch, open ups the highs some