The difference between a neck and bridge pickup

[Ikkyu88]

I'm just starting to install new pickups in my guitar and I was wondering if someone could give the difference between a neck and bridge pickup and if it is possible to reverse the install (ie:neck in bridge spot, bridge in neck spot).

[MattPete]

Re: The difference between a neck and bridge pickup

You can do whatever you want. Neck pickups have less turns of wire around their bobbins than the neck version of the same model. This gives the neck both lower output (keeping the neck from overpowering the bridge) and a brighter sound than the bridge version (keeps it from being muddy).

[theboatcandream]

Re: The difference between a neck and bridge pickup

If the pole spacing is the same, then you can switch them but you might not like the sound you get from them and the output would be mismatched.

[Robert S.]

Re: The difference between a neck and bridge pickup

There really is no difference between bridge and neck humbuckers other than output and eq and while some pickups are designated as bridge or neck, that is to identify position in matched sets. Any pickup really can be used in either position, but you might not like the tone if you go too hot in the neck.

Bridge pickups in matched sets are usually a little warmer and have more output to balance the pickups out. But if you wanted a slightly warmer, slightly hotter 59 in the neck position you could use a 59b and a then hotter pickup like a C-5 in the bridge.

It doesn't make sense to put a 59b in the neck and visa versa in the same guitar, but you could I guess.

[techonly]

Re: The difference between a neck and bridge pickup

Why would there be a difference in EQ?

[Ikkyu88]

Re: The difference between a neck and bridge pickup

Reason I was asking is because I have an Alnico II Pro™ Humbucker-Bridge that i want to put in and I was wondering if I had the option to run that at the neck position? If so, what to use to complement? (ie: if I had to swap the neck pickup to the bridge)

[ArtieToo]

Re: The difference between a neck and bridge pickup

But if you wanted a slightly warmer, slightly hotter 59 in the neck position you could use a 59b and a then hotter pickup like a C-5 in the bridge.

Hmmm . . . that sounds interesting. I wonder if anyone has actually done that, and how it sounded.

Reason I was asking is because I have an Alnico II Pro™ Humbucker-Bridge that i want to put in and I was wondering if I had the option to run that at the neck position? If so, what to use to complement? (ie: if I had to swap the neck pickup to the bridge)

Hey Ikkyu88; If its any help, a Stag Mag is designed for the bridge only. I put a pair of them in a guitar and it worked out pretty good. (I didn't leave it like that, but it was cool for awhile.)

[MattPete]

Re: The difference between a neck and bridge pickup

Why would there be a difference in EQ?

The more winds, the greater the resistance, and the "hotter" the pickup. Also, the greater the resistance, the less highs.

Why would you want that? Well, compared to the neck position, the strings have less excursion at the bridge position, leading to less output. The bridge position is also brighter. So, by winding the bridge pickup with greater resistance, the highs get tamed and there's more output. The result is a bridge pickup that better compliments the neck pickup (and vice-versa).

[Metalman_666]

Re: The difference between a neck and bridge pickup

Why would there be a difference in EQ?

I would say that when you think bridge pickup, you think midrangey, bright, cutting, etc etc... Generally the bridge is for aggresive music, or just for music where some BITE is required. But the neck pickup is EQ'd for different tone, lighter, softer and smoother, and as we know it's great for cleans!

I don't know about everyone else, but I can't generally get screaming chords or pinch harmonics out of my neck pickup.... the bridge and neck are EQ'd differently based on their position and the tone you can achieve there.

Just what I think