Crunch Lab/Liquifire
DiMarzio Crunch Lab
The best way to describe this pickup is to try to compare it with some of the well known hi-output DiMarzio pickups.
- Super Distortion: about the same output, but tighter. Doesn’t turn muddy when palm muted.
- Evolution: similar output but not as bright. Still has enough treble to effortlessly pop artificial harmonics anywhere on the fretboard.
- Steve’s Special: they both share “hi-fi” qualities, meaning that neither of them have some frequencies pronounced (like bass-happy Super Distortion or screamer Evolution). Crunch Lab has a bit higher output but overdrives the amp much easier because it has more mids.
- Tone Zone: a bit more power but it’s not very noticeable because Tone Zone has more bass and low mids.
Of course, Crunch Lab is not symmetrical, but I didn’t bother to try how it sounds with the bar closer to the bridge. Chrome bar looks mean which is a plus.
Video Clips
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DiMarzio Liquifire
Liquifire is a hot rodded version of well known Air Norton previously used by Petrucci. It’s supposed to have a bit more output, but a bit less bass and treble which adds focus to mids. For higher gain solos it really sings. Interestingly, it never gets muddy, even when heavily overdriven. It even produces artificial harmonics surprisingly well for neck pickup. It cleans up nicely unlike Super 2 or other hi-output neck pickups.
Liquifire is not symmetrical, i.e. it’s coils are not the same. I wouldn’t expect from a neck pickup that orientation will make any noticeable difference because it’s not as close to the bridge as the bridge pickup. However, I tried installing it both ways and could easily tell the difference. I liked it more with the cable exit pointing towards controls because it has more even response. If it’s installed the other way round there’s a noticeable frequency peak somewhere in lower mids that gets pronounced when picked harder. Also, when it’s installed like that, switch positions that combine neck pickup with middle or bridge will sound a bit different. Standard RG/JEM wiring suggests that neck pickup is installed with cable exit facing the upper horn. If installed the other way, position 4 on the switch switches middle pickup in parallel with coil closer to neck which sounds a bit different than stock sound.
Video Clips
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