Neck Pickups, What's The Deal ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ben Waylin
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midnightlaundry said:
Guitar makers are pretty good at matching a set for the guitar they sell.
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Dunno about that! I think they usually just have deals with a manufacturer for a given series, rock in-house or just use what's popular...Maybe high end is better in this regard?
 
Another thing you could try is flipping the pickup so the top is below and vice versa.

To be honest, I don’t get much use out of the neck pickup other than when I’m trying to faux sweep, and even then it’s so bad that I usually just stick to the bridge pup.
 
Ironically the ALNICO II Pro (APH1N) that slash used is literally a SD Jazz with an A2 magney.
 
PLX said:
I'm thinkin' the exact same thing.

I have the pickup that was in the bridge position, prior to the Jalen Fair Warning.

Thinking of trying that in the neck position.
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For what type of music? What tones are you trying to get? Examples?
 
Fiesta Red said:
For what type of music? What tones are you trying to get? Examples?
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Specifically, I was recording a cover of a Curt Mitchell track, and watching the video he's switching between both pickups and the bridge PU in different parts of the tune.

I couldn't do that, because switching in the neck pickup was a total tone suck.

 
PLX said:
Specifically, I was recording a cover of a Curt Mitchell track, and watching the video he's switching between both pickups and the bridge PU in different parts of the tune.

I couldn't do that, because switching in the neck pickup was a total tone suck.
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Good stuff. That tone is pretty rich. I think you'd be well off trying a Suhr Aldrich neck. I was impressed with it -- kept it in a LP. It's a bit different than the vintage neck pickups I normally use -- Wolfetone, 59, Jazz, JWP Crossroads. It can do vintage tones well, but sounds better for the richer, higher gain stuff like that. I wouldn't go vintage type neck pickups for that particular tone.

I don't like the Suhr Aldrich bridge, but the neck is quite nice.
 
scottosan said:
Ironically the ALNICO II Pro (APH1N) that slash used is literally a SD Jazz with an A2 magney.
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Found the Jazz too sterile and scooped. Found the A2Pro too warm/thick/borderline muddy. Much happier with the Pearly Gates Neck in my Burny Randy Rhoads LPC.
 
Fiesta Red said:
Good stuff. That tone is pretty rich. I think you'd be well off trying a Suhr Aldrich neck. I was impressed with it -- kept it in a LP. It's a bit different than the vintage neck pickups I normally use -- Wolfetone, 59, Jazz, JWP Crossroads. It can do vintage tones well, but sounds better for the richer, higher gain stuff like that. I wouldn't go vintage type neck pickups for that particular tone.

I don't like the Suhr Aldrich bridge, but the neck is quite nice.
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Like most erryone here, I have a box of pickups on a shelf.

I guess I'll start rolling.

🤷‍♂️
 
Dimarzio Super2 has bridge-level output, but it uses a ceramic and is not wound hot, so it stays bright, clear and crisp.
The Evo-n is also ceramic with the same qualities except that it has less output.
 
And what’s the deal with neck pickups in the bridge position? What am I missing?
 
usually if someone says their A5 neck pickup is strong and dull, an A2 will add mids and reduce output. If it’s an A5 and too bright, ironically the A2 will sweeten the top end. If an 2 is too dull but good output, an A3 is a good choice. If and A2 is not powerfully enough or needs more top, an A4 or A5 helps.

That said, the wind pattern matters. The higher turns per layer can make pickup sound brighter and tighter and lower the TPL, the looser and warmer. Also under winding can add clarity.

I would this one to sound brighter like a single coil

 
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Sey 59, Pearly Gates, Alnico II pro
Anderson HO1-
Dimarzio Humbucker from Hell

Any of those should work. If not, they are mis-adjusted, wrong value pot, guitar too dark or something is off in the aignal chain.
 
Good neck pickups aren't too common. Some of my favorites have been '60's Gretsch Supertron's, some '60's Mini-Humbuckers and vintage Bill Lawrence 500L's. They all maintain very good clarity, attack and focus vs other pickups in the neck, while also having the sweet and liquid-y quality generally desired for leads, especially shred
 
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