Both are fine pickups, but I prefer the Tone Zone. While it may have more bass than the Crunch Lab, it also has more low-end clarity and bite with high gain. It also feels a lot better to play. The response feels a lot more natural, as is often the case with alnico vs ceramic. The Tone Zone can do a really nice note bloom, whereas the Crunch Lab has that kind of ceramic stiffness. The Crunch Lab excels at coil splitting and has a great lead tone for dynamic Petrucci style shredding. The Tone Zone can do all that and more. Both pickups have excellent sustain. I would just say this. If you are going to get the Crunch Lab don't do it because you're a Petrucci fan. Remember, before he used a Crunch Lab he used a Tone Zone and then a Steve's Special, two pups I think are better suited to most players. The Steve's Special has incredible clarity in the mids while still having great, clear crunchy low end with fast attack and a superb high end.
I have the crunch lab in two guitars and have never used a Tone Zone. I am surprised that these two pickups have a more similar flavor to them than most. The crunch lab I think has a more solid chunk and doesn't push as hard in the top end of the gain. For sure there's better note separation if you're doing chords on a gained out amp on the Crunch Lab.
Yet, it's really bassy, and in a band situation, that area's covered by an actual bass guitar. It's fine if you're just a bedroom guitarist, but if you ever plan on playing along with a live band, the Crunch lab will cause you problems in that area.
Both are fine pickups, but I prefer the Tone Zone. While it may have more bass than the Crunch Lab, it also has more low-end clarity and bite with high gain. It also feels a lot better to play. The response feels a lot more natural, as is often the case with alnico vs ceramic. The Tone Zone can do a really nice note bloom, whereas the Crunch Lab has that kind of ceramic stiffness. The Crunch Lab excels at coil splitting and has a great lead tone for dynamic Petrucci style shredding. The Tone Zone can do all that and more. Both pickups have excellent sustain. I would just say this. If you are going to get the Crunch Lab don't do it because you're a Petrucci fan. Remember, before he used a Crunch Lab he used a Tone Zone and then a Steve's Special, two pups I think are better suited to most players. The Steve's Special has incredible clarity in the mids while still having great, clear crunchy low end with fast attack and a superb high end.
I am in love with the Tone Zone. My next guitar will have those pickups.
Don't be afraid, I have the tone zone and swear by it !
I have the crunch lab in two guitars and have never used a Tone Zone. I am surprised that these two pickups have a more similar flavor to them than most. The crunch lab I think has a more solid chunk and doesn't push as hard in the top end of the gain. For sure there's better note separation if you're doing chords on a gained out amp on the Crunch Lab.
it would be interesting if you could add split coil mode in comparisons, especially in the clean tones.
I still like Tone Zone.
To my ears, the Tone Zone sounds close to the CL, but the PMs sound less boomy with the Tone Zone.
How did you install the crunch lab? With the rail coil towards the neck or towards the bridge?
this time crunch lab :)
would like crunch lab vs illuminator :)
I like the crunch lab. Theres a really nice chug to it.
Yet, it's really bassy, and in a band situation, that area's covered by an actual bass guitar. It's fine if you're just a bedroom guitarist, but if you ever plan on playing along with a live band, the Crunch lab will cause you problems in that area.
Great！Crunch LAB VS EMG Please!
Оба хороши, но не хватает X2N, SD AHB-3, AHB-2
Can you do DiMarzio X2N vs EMG 81 both are high output please
Would be great if you told what guitar you have.. Wood and all you know..
A custom alder strat with a canadian maple neck!
Wood makes no difference in a distorted electric guitar
It’s a bit straty