Steve's Special + Mahogany = ?

Clydefrog · 01-03-2008, 12:41 AM

I've got an Ibanez SZ520 (green

) and would like to replace the stock pickups. I'm already pretty sure on a PAF Pro neck (also considering Air Norton and Humbucker from Hell), but for the bridge I'm a bit lost. I considered a Tone Zone, but really love the samples I've heard of the Steve's Special.

Unfortunately I've only ever heard it in basswood, so I don't know if that would transfer over to a mahogany bodied guitar (maple top).

I also realize it's quite scooped, but I don't really have a big problem with that.

shadowgenesis · 01-03-2008, 12:48 AM

what clips have you heard?

basswood naturally has an accentuated midrange cuz the wood is soft and the highs and lows kinda fall off. A scooped pickup likely smooths that out for you, without any extreme harshness in any part of the frequency range.
A short-scale thick mahogany guitar is gonna have a very different sound. Flat lows, strong low-mids, less high-mids, and smooth highs. From the reading i did, i think you might wanna try and evo or evo2. In theory, i don't think the Steve's Special will sound the same in that guitar at all.

i'm loving the breed i just put in my RGA, and i think in a darker sounding guitar it would probably sound sickkk. but i wanted something with a little more mids and grit. If you do go w/ the Steve's Special, lemme know what you think of it, cuz i was thinking about trying that out myself.

The Dark Wolf · 01-03-2008, 01:30 AM

SS/Blaze Bridge works really well in mahogany. Complements the thick, mid-rangey character of mahogany very well.

zimbloth · 01-03-2008, 01:34 AM

1) The Steve's Special sounds good in mahogany, yes. Very bright and clear, cool tone.

2) People really should stop comparing the SS to the Blaze, they're not the same, they don't sound the same, they don't react the same. I understand DiMarzio techs tell people that the Blaze's closest 6-string counterpart is the SS, but that doesn't mean it sounds close to it. They only say that because of it's EQ curve. The tonal character is way different. The SS is a lot crisper and brighter, hotter, it's almost like a scooped Evolution sort of. The Blaze is far warmer, especially on the high end.

The Dark Wolf · 01-03-2008, 01:37 AM

For the millionth time, settle down on this shit, Nick. It's just gear. Drop the motherfucking preachy attitude.

FTR, you're correct. But the SS is the closet thing to the Blaze in Dimarzio's catalog. Remember, the SS was made specifically to be a 6-string equivalent to the Blaze.

We know how good a job Dimarzio does making 6 and 7-string equivalents - not exactly precise. But the point still remains.

zimbloth · 01-03-2008, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

For the millionth time, settle down on this shit, Nick. It's just gear. Drop the motherfucking preachy attitude.

FTR, you're correct. But the SS is the closet thing to the Blaze in Dimarzio's catalog. Remember, the SS was made specifically to be a 6-string equivalent to the Blaze.

We know how good a job Dimarzio does making 6 and 7-string equivalents - not exactly precise. But the point still remains.

I'm totally chilled Bob, I wasn't even responding to you, just in general. I understand tone doesn't come across over the Internet. My only point is that the Steve's Special and Blaze do not sound alike. I'm here to dispel myths. I've probably seen people say the Blaze and Steve Special are basically the same thing about a million times over the years, I'm just here to simply say: no

Justin, yes the SS sounds great in mahogany, a perfect match really.

The Dark Wolf · 01-03-2008, 01:43 AM

Well, I disagree. they sound quite a bit alike, actually, especially in mahogany. Both have a nice, deep 3-D character. Tight, but real solid bass, clear, scooped low mids, and a smooth character of treble.

Your other points are right on, and I agree with the differences you point out, but the SS sounds a heck of a lot more like a Blaze than an Evolution, IMO. It's not a myth.

zimbloth · 01-03-2008, 01:47 AM

I agree it sounds more like a Blaze than an Evolution. I'm not discounting your observations, all I can say is in my experience, the SS was an entirely different animal than the Blaze. It seemed a lot brighter, hotter, tighter, not as bassy or warm. The midrange character it did have was different as well.

None of this matters as the original poster just wanted to know if it worked in mahogany, so I apologize for going off topic, I just wanted people to know that the Steve's Special is not a Blaze clone.

JBroll · 01-03-2008, 02:09 AM

The PAF Pro is dead fucking sexy. Go for that one in the neck if you aren't 100% dead set already.

Jeff

zimbloth · 01-03-2008, 02:13 AM

I definitely agree Jeff. The PAF Pro rules, as does the Norton (not to be confused with the Air Norton). Why no one's ever used or heard of that pickup I'll never know, so amazing. They should re-introduce it with a new name so people don't get it confused with the Air Norton

	sevenstring guitars		sevenstring registry		photo gallery		merch

01-03-2008, 12:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Clydefrog ss.org Regular Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Manchester, IN Posts: 1,007 Real Name: Justin Main Seven: 7621W, 7421CF Rig: PodXT Live Thanked: 42 $Clydefrog is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Clydefrog is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Clydefrog is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Clydefrog is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Clydefrog is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Clydefrog is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Clydefrog is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$	Steve's Special + Mahogany = ? I've got an Ibanez SZ520 (green ) and would like to replace the stock pickups. I'm already pretty sure on a PAF Pro neck (also considering Air Norton and Humbucker from Hell), but for the bridge I'm a bit lost. I considered a Tone Zone, but really love the samples I've heard of the Steve's Special. Unfortunately I've only ever heard it in basswood, so I don't know if that would transfer over to a mahogany bodied guitar (maple top). I also realize it's quite scooped, but I don't really have a big problem with that.

01-03-2008, 12:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
shadowgenesis Yarrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bed Sty, Brooklyn, Ny Posts: 1,291 Real Name: dAN Rig: ? Thanked: 14	what clips have you heard? basswood naturally has an accentuated midrange cuz the wood is soft and the highs and lows kinda fall off. A scooped pickup likely smooths that out for you, without any extreme harshness in any part of the frequency range. A short-scale thick mahogany guitar is gonna have a very different sound. Flat lows, strong low-mids, less high-mids, and smooth highs. From the reading i did, i think you might wanna try and evo or evo2. In theory, i don't think the Steve's Special will sound the same in that guitar at all. i'm loving the breed i just put in my RGA, and i think in a darker sounding guitar it would probably sound sickkk. but i wanted something with a little more mids and grit. If you do go w/ the Steve's Special, lemme know what you think of it, cuz i was thinking about trying that out myself. "I have a koala bear infestation in my apartment. It's the cutest infestation ever. Way better than cockroaches..." Last edited by shadowgenesis; 01-03-2008 at 01:13 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

01-03-2008, 01:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
The Dark Wolf Shomer Fucking Shabbos! • Super Moderator • Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio. USA Posts: 16,629 Real Name: Bowlin' Bob Main Seven: 2001 Ibanez RG2027XVV Rig: GNX/Magicstomp Thanked: 89	SS/Blaze Bridge works really well in mahogany. Complements the thick, mid-rangey character of mahogany very well. http://www.wolf.org

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Welcome to sevenstring.org! You are currently viewing the site as a guest which gives you limited access to most features.

Most ad placements do not show to registered members. Register Now!

01-03-2008, 01:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
zimbloth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 11,041 Real Name: Nick Main Seven: Rico Jr Customs Main ERG: Ibanez 8 Rig: VHT Pittbull UL Thanked: 59	1) The Steve's Special sounds good in mahogany, yes. Very bright and clear, cool tone. 2) People really should stop comparing the SS to the Blaze, they're not the same, they don't sound the same, they don't react the same. I understand DiMarzio techs tell people that the Blaze's closest 6-string counterpart is the SS, but that doesn't mean it sounds close to it. They only say that because of it's EQ curve. The tonal character is way different. The SS is a lot crisper and brighter, hotter, it's almost like a scooped Evolution sort of. The Blaze is far warmer, especially on the high end.

01-03-2008, 01:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
The Dark Wolf Shomer Fucking Shabbos! • Super Moderator • Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio. USA Posts: 16,629 Real Name: Bowlin' Bob Main Seven: 2001 Ibanez RG2027XVV Rig: GNX/Magicstomp Thanked: 89	For the millionth time, settle down on this shit, Nick. It's just gear. Drop the motherfucking preachy attitude. FTR, you're correct. But the SS is the closet thing to the Blaze in Dimarzio's catalog. Remember, the SS was made specifically to be a 6-string equivalent to the Blaze. We know how good a job Dimarzio does making 6 and 7-string equivalents - not exactly precise. But the point still remains.

01-03-2008, 01:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
The Dark Wolf Shomer Fucking Shabbos! • Super Moderator • Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio. USA Posts: 16,629 Real Name: Bowlin' Bob Main Seven: 2001 Ibanez RG2027XVV Rig: GNX/Magicstomp Thanked: 89	Well, I disagree. they sound quite a bit alike, actually, especially in mahogany. Both have a nice, deep 3-D character. Tight, but real solid bass, clear, scooped low mids, and a smooth character of treble. Your other points are right on, and I agree with the differences you point out, but the SS sounds a heck of a lot more like a Blaze than an Evolution, IMO. It's not a myth.

01-03-2008, 01:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
zimbloth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 11,041 Real Name: Nick Main Seven: Rico Jr Customs Main ERG: Ibanez 8 Rig: VHT Pittbull UL Thanked: 59	I agree it sounds more like a Blaze than an Evolution. I'm not discounting your observations, all I can say is in my experience, the SS was an entirely different animal than the Blaze. It seemed a lot brighter, hotter, tighter, not as bassy or warm. The midrange character it did have was different as well. None of this matters as the original poster just wanted to know if it worked in mahogany, so I apologize for going off topic, I just wanted people to know that the Steve's Special is not a Blaze clone.

01-03-2008, 02:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
JBroll Hard-On For Freedom Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Antonio, TX, USA Posts: 2,400 Thanked: 18	The PAF Pro is dead fucking sexy. Go for that one in the neck if you aren't 100% dead set already. Jeff

01-03-2008, 02:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
zimbloth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 11,041 Real Name: Nick Main Seven: Rico Jr Customs Main ERG: Ibanez 8 Rig: VHT Pittbull UL Thanked: 59	I definitely agree Jeff. The PAF Pro rules, as does the Norton (not to be confused with the Air Norton). Why no one's ever used or heard of that pickup I'll never know, so amazing. They should re-introduce it with a new name so people don't get it confused with the Air Norton


	Powered by vBulletin 3.7.2 Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0 "777" Logo © Darren Wilson Content © 2008 Sevenstring.org LLC - Privacy Policy Affiliate Links Directory

» Pickups, Electronics & General Tech

Steve's Special + Mahogany = ?