Dimarzio Air Zone?

[ibanezrocks]

Has anyone tried a Dimarzio Air Zone? I'm looking for a thick dark sounding medium-high output alnico pickup for the bridge spot on my SG, and am considering this to replace the stock pickup.

 

[Superhuman]

I had some pickup questions recently and emailed DiMarzio directly, they actually replied the same day advising me not to go with a certain combo. It all depends what you are also using the neck. If you are playing a lot of lead then dimarzio are a good buy but for heavy rhythm I would go with the EMG81. I have two Ibanez, one for specifically recording rhythm (Prestige with EMG81 at the bridge and an 85 at the neck) and one for lead (Jem 'Bad Horsie' with Breeds). Just depends on the range of tones you are looking for. I did read however that the Air Zone works well with the ToneZone at the neck.... but I've never actually heard that combo played myself

 

[Karmadog777]

I actually have tried the air zone in the bridge of my sz520, its a really good sounding pickup,great harmonics and great for thick musical single notes,like superhuman said B4 me its great for lead soloing,problem with it for me is I play Rhythm and was looking for a thicker sound on the lower register,I ended up using a seymour duncan custom custom and fell in love with it.I play heavy down tuned (Drop C )groove rock and it fits the bill.The Dimarzio A/Z is a pretty amazing sounding pick up in its own right,and if your interested its for sale. I have been meaning to list it on ebay but havent got around to it.

 

[ibanezrocks]

I actually have tried the air zone in the bridge of my sz520, its a really good sounding pickup,great harmonics and great for thick musical single notes,like superhuman said B4 me its great for lead soloing,problem with it for me is I play Rhythm and was looking for a thicker sound on the lower register,I ended up using a seymour duncan custom custom and fell in love with it.I play heavy down tuned (Drop C )groove rock and it fits the bill.The Dimarzio A/Z is a pretty amazing sounding pick up in its own right,and if your interested its for sale. I have been meaning to list it on ebay but havent got around to it.

You actually helped me more than you think, the other pickup I was considering was the SD custom custom. How do they compare for standard tuning?

 

[Karmadog777]

pretty much as I described, the SD has a almost classic LP tone to it,and is overall my favorite,but the A/Z has a really articulate sound to it,you can make solos really sing by varying your string attack
Both have exellent harmonics.
The Duncan had the really good palm muted sound for the chuga chug rhythm I love so much,thats where the AirZone lacked,it sounded almost hollow.
Keep in mind this is thru a mahogany body/neck guitar,a brighter guitar may bring out different charactoristics.
check out the reviews at www.harmonycentral.com others can describe better than me.
If I didnt play the type of rhythm I do,I probably would have stuck with the airzone,you Will get noticed playing with this pup!
The stuff I play would probably be best suited for EMGs,but who wants to worry about batteries?
It really depends on what your looking for,but I like the darker sounding pickups thru high gain amps...If I had a SG I would probably put a Duncan Invader in it(got one in my frankenstien,my#2 choice in pups) since I already have a custom custom in my SZ

 

[Hard2Hear]

hey ibanezrocks-

Ever thought about trying out an Iommi pickup in there? Maybe you can find an Iommi SG somewhere to try it out. Its really thick and extremely hot. Ive heard even the Iommi Epi SG has the custom shop pickups in it, so maybe even find one of those to hear it.

H2H