Air Norton in the neck or something else...?

[Rex Rocker]

Wondering what you guys recommend. I like the usual go-tos (Duncan '59, Jazz, DiMarzio PAF Pro, etc.) clean, but have never been happy with the attacky, bright character of a lower wind for smooth liquid leads under tons of gain. I actually like the EQ of the PAF 36th Anniversary, but I find it a bit underpowered to hang with high-output monsters in the bridge (maybe it's just me?).

Is the Air Norton still king for these situations? Is it powerful enough to hang with blistering hot pickups in the bridge? Is it articulate enough? I have read it can be too bassy. Is this the case?

 

[cardinal]

I’ve used the 7-string version and never found it too bassy. It’s a nice pickup for what you describe. I don’t use high powered bridge pickups, so I don’t know how it’ll match up, but it seems fine paired with things like the Tone Zone and Crunch Lab that I’ve used.

 

[Hamer95USA]

I have a '94 Hamer Diablo II guitar with OEM Dimarzio Air Norton/ HS-2 / Tone Zone pickups. The Air Norton tends to be a clear, articulate pickup, not bassy, or as fat/vintage sounding compared to the 36th Anniversary pickup. I would recommend trying out the Dimarzio PAF Pro or 36th Anniversary, if you want a more traditional/vintage sounding neck pickup with more fat sounding leads in the neck position.

Guitar George

 

[Rex Rocker]

Thanks for the replies, dudes.

I've already tried the PAF Pro (too bright for my taste) and the PAF 36th Neck (too low output). Maybe I ought to try the PAF 36th Bridge in the neck. Hmmm...

 

[Rock Bodom]

My favorite DiMarzio combination is a Super D in the bridge, Air Norton in the neck. I like the neck pickup for shreddy liquid sounding leads. The PAF Pro neck was a little too weak for me, Air Norton was like a revelation, perfect output and liquid lead sound.

 

[Speeddemon]

My favorite DiMarzio combination is a Super D in the bridge, Air Norton in the neck. I like the neck pickup for shreddy liquid sounding leads. The PAF Pro neck was a little too weak for me, Air Norton was like a revelation, perfect output and liquid lead sound.

What this guy said!

I've had the PAF Pro, Evo, Super D, Air Norton, Breed Neck, 36th PAF neck in various guitars, and it seems the Air Norton will fit the bill nicely to what the OP wants. It's a tad less middy, but broader and more juicy than the PAF Pro, it has less vintage-y character than the 36th, but more push/output and 'liquidness'. It's not as bright as an Evo, it's not stale/scooped+characterless like a Duncan Jazz...

it's one of my favorite neck pups actually...
Compared to the Air Norton neck
-if I wanted quite a bit tighter and more focused push=>Duncan Distortion
-if I wanted bigger, more output and RRRAAWWWK=>Super D
-if I wanted a bit tighter, with a hint vintage character (especially when split), but good focus=Duncan Screamin' Demon
-if I wanted a lot more character, open-ness and bell-like PAF goodyness=>36th PAF Anniv.
-if I wanted a tad more bass, but also some jangly top-end, with similar output=>Breed Neck.

The Air Norton is quite allround; I have it in 3 guitars; Ibanez S540FM (H-S-H), Charvel So-Cal (H-H) and one of my Les Pauls. It works great in each of them and still lets shine through enough of the invididual guitar's character. And it's one of the best split-tones for a neck humbucker!

 

[Rex Rocker]

Thanks for the replies, dudes! I think I'm pulling the trigger on an Air Norton. I'll keep you guys posted. I'll be pairing it with a Dominion in the bridge.

 

[Gitfiddler]

I have a super distortion in the bridge of a strat and a 36th ann in the neck. I dig but would like to try a gravity storm in the neck: https://youtu.be/6dhGuLnt-0Y. Supposedly a good alt to the air norton

 

[Purpleibby]

Bit late in the thread but I found the Air Norton to be a bit muddy. Great mids and attack....but lacking top end.....BUT it sounded GREAT split, awesome cleans from that pickup when split. Experiment with the orientation if you get one. I went through a plethora of dimarzios over the years hunting the right neck pickup sound and ended up getting the PAF JOE...which has a more open top than the PAF Pro, wasn't as nasal sounding and had a tighter bottom end....it's really true the description of it on the dimarzio site....hollow/tubular sound best qualities of the PAF Pro® with those of a late 50s Gibson humbucker with the low strings having more presence and the high string high fret shrill taken out(fatter up top)....the perfect neck pickup for leads...sounds great split too. Very clear sounding. Love that pickup.

Perfect dimarzio combo for me:

Air Zone(bridge) area 61(middle) Paf Joe(neck). Was looking for EVH bridge meets Yngwie shred capable neck pickup. Doubt I'll ever move from this awesome combo.