DiMarzio Air Zone

humbucker - see others info on specs

Guitar is a warmoth 72 thinline tele.
mahogany body with ash top.

Neck has dimarzio PAF joe - and AirZone is in bridge.
wired through a 5 way super switch (with positions 2 and 4 split) and using a push/pull tone control which gives midrange control or woman tone control.
I picked these pickups on spec.
both sound great as a humbucker and split.

AirZone pickup is moderate output.

Fender g-dec (for fun) and through custom built amp (based on plexi head)
G-dec effects are fun and you really need to either turn down the volume or use the split pickup for the amp to work properly.
the home made amp just loves it - from clean sounds, right through to over driven.

The AirZone is a bit clinical in sound - no murkiness at all. Perhaps it's more for metal or the modern sharp distortion.
it gets a 9 because it sounds great both as a humbucker and split.
doesnt get a 10 because it's a bit clean.

This guitar is more for classic rock/blues and I dont think the AirZone really suits the blues.
If I swapped the pickups around, I am sure that it would be super sweet in the neck and the PAF Joe would fix the sound.
As it is, I will probably replace it to work in with my other guitars.

My other gear? *laffs* a saga kit tele - floor varnish as paint.
Pickups are SD quarter pound in neck and sd vintage in neck - replaced nut, machine heads and electronics - awesome sound.
Epiphone sheraton - SD alnico proII in neck (see if you can find a better jazz, clean pickup) and a pearly gates in bridge (not a great pair but both great). Will swap the pearly gates into said guitar.
And a few others that have been "modified"

Humbucking pickup with Dimarzio "Air" technology to give it less string pull

I put this in a Carvin TL60 KOA wood neck thru.
Bride Postion.
Replaced a Carvin Holdsworth H-22
Other pickup in guitar is Neck H-22
Reason for changing pickup is because i was looking for a better Les Paul sound from my axe. The H-22 was great clean and offered studio quality crunch, but, lacked punched when it came to harder rock.

Output is hotter than the carvin, I use it with a Line 6 Pod Pro or a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I run this through a Boss Gt-6 and a couple of Keeley Distrotion pedals (great pedals). The clean sound is noticeably more nasal than the Carvin but I think thats to be expected when you increase magnet strength, the carvin was close to a single coil output-wise. The distrotion is as advertised; gutsy and ballsy it defintely can handle AC/DC chores with no problems. I favor a very smooth distortion that sings and has plenty of crunch, this is acheived pretty easily by mixing the Air Zone with my neck H-22. A chimey clean Fender-style clean is harder to coax but can be done (at least close enough) by working the volume and tone knobs and single-coil taps if you got'em.

This is a very good pup, it is very musical and can play a variety of styles (with in reason, country won't float here). It does what is says, it has a good solid rock sound. For me this pickup is good for now but it isn't the Holy Grail, at least for me. I am still looking, but most of us tone freaks always are, but this pickup is a solid buy with great possibilities and a no-nonsense tone that's never harsh always cuts through a mix. If it were stolen i'd cry because that means my guitar is gone too, but i'd go to harmony-central research more pickups and maybe find a 10 for me! But maybe i'm should just stick with a good pup.

*Humbucker, passive, standard spacing, double creme open coils
*Alnico 5 magnet
*output 323, DC resistance 17.49k

1989 Epiphone Les Paul Standard (before they completely butchered the headstocks on these)
*Bridge
*replacing the old stock covered humbucker.
*Neck pickup is an Orville/Gibson PAF
*No idea who uses this pickup, but I will from now on!
*The old stock pickup sounded okay, but was a bit microphonic through a high gain Marshall.

The output is somewhere in between a PAF and a Super distortion. Moderately hot, but not so hot that it drowns out your expression and technique.
I'm running it straight through a 100 watt Marshall JCM 2000 DSL with a touch of reverb and no external effects.
I must say that this pickup really has a unique sound to it.
As others have stated the tone is quite balanced, but it almost has an "open wah" type voice to it. This is a GREAT pickup for leads! It cuts through the mix without being shrill and it's got just enough warmth to make high notes sing.
I play everything from pop to metal and this pickup works great, especially for hard rock.
This pickup might get a bit muddy for my taste in the neck position, but I prefer brighter pickups with less output for the neck.

I would definitely buy this one again if stolen.
I've been playing for about 17 years and I own several guitars with several different pickups. There's not much to complain about with this one. It's definitely got a voice all it's own and there is nothing I would change about it. I put this in my backup Les Paul, but with the way it sounds now I think I'll be playing it more often. Really woke up my guitar. The description from Dimarzio is that it's the vintage version of the "Tone Zone", but I think the "Air Zone" has a totally different sound and is far superior. I highly recommend this pickup for lead players.

Pickup features: passive humbucking ,F- spaced
Impedence or other specs: 17.4K alnico 5 magnet with the patented air bucker design for better sustain and lower string pull

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG 550, peavey wolfgang,
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: duncan custom, stock EVH wolfgang pup
Other pickups on guitar: dimarzio breed neck and a fast track 1
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): from classic rock to death metal
Reason for pickup change: I was looking for a pup that had a vintage P.A.F voice but was not thin or harsh in a ibanez RG
the ibanez had a duncan custom in it and the wolf had a stock EVH custom wound peavey
the air zone shames the wolf bridge pup in the wolf and the air zoner is warmer and more singing than the duncan in the RG 550

Perceived output level: a little less than a tone zone and wolfgang bridge pup but more than a dimarzio paf pro
Tone: FULL and even, very balanced,warm, rich, punchy and very FOCUSED this pup covers it all except it i8s never muddy or undefined! clarity to die for!
Sonic evaluation: peavey 5150,peavey JSX both half a 4x12 cab
this pup is too good!
it sings for leads and is ballsy and punchy for rhythms
best i have tried (i have tried the duncan JB,DD, demon,59,customs (all three of them!}
and many dimarzio's and emg's
it just has the tone i wanted which was a P.A.F type tone only much fatter and ballsier with way more harmonics and sustain!
I always like a gibson type tone(les paul cranked through a marshall ala neal schon, and other LP and marshall users through the years
but with a ibanez RG that is a little bit hard to do!
well i can hoinestly tell you that the air zone is the closest thing to that tone ever period!
it has a very les paul like tone and if you dont know what that means it is that FAT,WARM,DEEP,SYRUPY lead tone and that CHUNKIER THAN THOU rhythm tone!
I promise you that if you want a RG or say a other super strat to get in the les paul tone terrirtory the AIR ZONE is KING!
especially those with a floyd trem
this pup brings back all the depth the floyd can rob
i was really impressed with the duncan custom at first but i wanted to give this air zone a go and i am real glad i did!
now i will say this the duncan custom is better for other guitars like a PRS or a gibson since it has more presence but for the ibanez and similar guitars and wolfgangs the AIR ZONE was CLEARLY a no brainer!
I am real satisfied with the AIR ZONE in these two guitars
I tried the tone zone and it was real good but not quite P.A.F enough for me but it did BURN
The AIR ZONE is more refined,has better clarity and is more open than the tone zone was in the same guitar
the air zone is a lot like the essential van halen tone,where it is a P.A.F tone but only a lot more aggressive and ballsy
think eruption!
if you did eddies tones this pup will make you smile without a doubt

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play metal with my band but like to do ac/dc, zeppelin, bad company,thin lizzy and especially VANHALEN for the fun of it

Comments: I would replace with another air zone without a doubt since i already know there is NO BETTER for these guitars in what i want in a tone from them.
this dimarzio really cuts through in a band considering how warm it is? that was a pleasent suprise to say the least and i really like the way it sings for leads,like a JB sings but with a fatter lead voice
it is never piercing or harsh but yet has just enough "cut" to come through "loud and clear" in the mix
this pup is also very capable of getting downright NASTY as in EMG 81 nasty!
when the settings on my two amps are set for KILL the air zone does all the slayer, zakk wylde,older metallica stuff with ease.
as a matter of fact when playing "spill the blood" or any zakk with ozzy stuff you would swear i had a EMG 81 loaded axe.
I used to use the 81 and liked the tone but it always had this quality like a OD pedal was on all the time, the AIR ZONE has the tone
but is very organic and much warmner than that 81 was.
this really is a clean to mean pup no lie

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: see dimarzio website

Model of guitar or bass: epiphone g400
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock epiphone
Other pickups on guitar: stock for now
Artists using this pickup: who cares
You musical style(s): rock
Reason for pickup change: stock pickups sounded fuzzy-not clear

Perceived output level: medium hot output
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: marshall JCM900

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: classic and original rock-great in bridge position

Comments: took a chance and love this sound. notes are fat and clear. its like a guitar on testosterone! not super hot but but bigger, fuller sound. perfect for this guitar!

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: DC resistance 17k and a bit

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Standard 2002
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Gibson Burstbucker
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio Tone Zone
Artists using this pickup: me
You musical style(s): Rock, Metal, Jazz, Blues
Reason for pickup change: Too much treble in the old ones, dislike ye olde classic PAF a like sound

Perceived output level: More umph than the burstbucker
Tone: strong mid range, low treble
Sonic evaluation: Les Paul into Line 6 Flextone II

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: The Air Zone in the bridge is sweet and warm, you can get that big mellow stoned jazz rock sound real easy - think of Tony Iommi on planet caravan/solitude. You could describe some of the sounds as those you'd expect from a semi rather than a solid body

Pickup features: humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 17.2K

Model of guitar or bass: pup was tested in several guitars
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: regular tone and air zone
Other pickups on guitar: breed neck
Artists using this pickup: none but me
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: let me stat off by saying i really liked the tone zone and liked the air zone! but EACH had something the other did not what to do?
well i decided you can have the best of both air and tone zones.
so i modded the air zone to be one coil air and the other regular tone zone.
the result was nothing sort of fantastic!
the pup has all the great things of a air zone(dynamics,more sustain, more open toned) with all the things i did like about the tone zone(burning notes,relentless drive)
this pup is right in the middle of a air zone and tone zone.

Perceived output level: PERFECT! not too hot not too light
Tone: PERFECT! balanced and articulate
Sonic evaluation: modded marshall JCM 800,with a monster pro 1000 cable,zakk wylde overdrive pedal,boss GT 6 used for reverb,delay,etc

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: works for my style which is whatever the studio want me to play

Comments: overall i am very,very satisfied this pup delivers al i could want from a pup
if you like both as i did you can now have both.
if you would like to have your tone or air zone modded this way
please feel free to Email me

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Check the website (Dimarzio.com)

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez Sabre 470 (Japanese, with an Edge Trem)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock V7
Other pickups on guitar: Fast Track 2 in Middle, Air Zone in Bridge
Artists using this pickup: Me
You musical style(s): Rock/Jazz... think U2, Radiohead, etc.
Reason for pickup change: Old pickups were a bit tinny, not very warm... just didn't sound very good.

Perceived output level: Pretty good output, I'd say they're hot pickups.
Tone: Middy and Bassy, with a blended lower-treble upper-mids sound. Not too much tin or presence.
Sonic evaluation: Guitar is a mahogany Ibanez Sabre with a floating trem. Amp is a Fender Deluxe Reverb re-iussue. A Keeley-modded TS9+ sits in the middle.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: With this guitar, I play jazz, fluid-lead clean stuff, occassionally I'll step on the TS9 and rock out. This pickup is probably really good for metal, is excellent for liquid jazz leads done clean. Not a twangy pickup at all! Not what it's meant for.

Comments: This is exactly the sound I was looking for. I wasn't really sure if I'd be able to get it with a mahogany guitar, but it really delivers. Sounds like a very bassy and fat PAF type sound... every nuance of your playing will be picked up (which is what I wanted). It's a very dynamic pick-up, and sounds great for clean legato leads. Tough to find a pick-up that sounds liquid-smooth clean; high mids and bass are key to this. If you're looking for twang, or a vintage overdriven sound, look elsewhere.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: High Output

Model of guitar or bass: PRS Custom 24 (10 Top)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: PRS HFS Treble
Artists using this pickup: Rockers
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: I bought the Tone Zone but lowered it and angled it to roll of the bass. AMAZING! I series/paralleled it too. Dimarzio people told me a Air Zone would be the same effect.

Perceived output level:
Tone: Buttery, Bassy, round
Sonic evaluation: All kinds of tube amps, Fender, Mesa, etc. You can hear me using the pickups on my site www.olinmusic.com, almost all the distortion and lead work is this pickup. Check "Broken". Basically I put this pickup in on a whim since I got it cheap. Amazing. At first it was too powerful for me, so I lowered the pickup and angled it so the bass is a little lower. WOW! Sounds like a warm FAT FAT PAF, and with med/light overdrive it sounds like SANTANA or DICKEY BETTS! Its warm, bassy and round. Push up the tone for a 70s crunch, drop back for warm leads. Very responsive to picking techniques. Has a nice compressed quality which is great for the bridge and a nice contrast to the neck. My SD 59 feels really lifeless in comparison. NOTE: I added a series/parallel which really makes the sound jump, like a warm tele bridge. Great for clean work too! A weird pickup with interesting possibilities on a Mahoogany guitar! The Dimarzio people said the way I lowered and angles it - I would be better off with an Air Zone. I keep it since it gives me a nice crunch and blues sound and I am reluctant to lose it.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments:

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: F Spaced

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez EDR 170
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez Powersound stock pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio Cruiser (Middle) Dimarzio Air Classic (Neck)
Artists using this pickup: Greg Howe, Neil Zaza, Me.
You musical style(s): Rock, Metal, Funk, Blues, Jazz
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickup was weak and muddy sounding.

Perceived output level: Hot pickup - in between a Norton and a Tone Zone I think.
Tone: Very well Balanced pickup.
Sonic evaluation: Using an Ibanez EDR into a Boss CS3 and into a Roger Linn Adrenalinn II. This bridge pickup is awesome, makes my new AD II sound even better than I thought possible. One thing I love to do is pinched harmonics and with this pickup you can just do them at will. For fast picking and legato licks it excels at. The clarity of this pickup is amazing, even with heavy distortion. back off the volume and it cleans up really well for blues type stuff. Palm muted riffs sound really bassy and chunk like they should. A very versatile pickup with a great tone.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, Metal, Blues, Jazz, Funk.

Comments: Overall, I could'nt be more happier with this pickup. THe Airzone has enough output for lasting sustain and has a clear warm sound, it never gets muddy even with lots of distortion and you never get any of that fizzy sound when the notes fade. Whatever style you are into, this pickup is superb.