'59 B in the neck?

[WDeeGee]

Would a '59 bridge sound good in the neck?

 

[hamerfan]

I had it in a Fender scaled 24 fretter, which sounded quite good. The 24 frets shift the neck position towards the mid and a longer scale makes the neck position sound tighter.

 

[WDeeGee]

I'm afraid it would sound too boomy in a LP style guitar... or 25" scale superstrat type.
(I'm assuming the bridge pups are would to sound fatter to compensate for the thinner sound near the bridge -- is that even correct?)

 

[GuitarStv]

Website says '59 neck is wound to 7.9 and bridge to 8.2. That's a 3.7% difference between the two . . . it would probably be a touch louder and more middy, but I'd be surprised if it's enough to make the pickup sound bad.

 

[jeremy]

i agree that it might sound best in a 24 fret fender scale guitar, but ive heard it sound good in other things matched up with a hotter bridge pup

 

[soulforger]

Didn't Dimebag use this as his neck pickup?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I'm afraid it would sound too boomy in a LP style guitar... or 25" scale superstrat type.
(I'm assuming the bridge pups are would to sound fatter to compensate for the thinner sound near the bridge -- is that even correct?)

Yes, it's correct - fatter tone and a bit more output, to compensate for the fact that string vibration is much narrower near the bridge.

I think it could sound fine, if you want richer mids than the 59N and have a fairly strong bridge humbucker to pair with it.
I probably wouldn't choose it for a dark or midrangey sounding LP but I bet it could be great for a bright or thin sounding one. Or a Strat.

59s aren't especially tight, but IME they're seldom actually boomy at the neck in a Les Paul, except one with a pretty deep voice, or maybe for high-gain players who normally would be choosing something tighter for their neck anyway.

PAF types at the neck in a Les Paul like being set quite low from the strings, nearly flush with the mounting ring.
Can be set to a more normal height in a Strat. At least that's been my experience using them in LPs and Strats.

 

[Artie]

A 59b is spec-wise a Whole Lotta neck. I don't know about wire or bobbin differences though.

 

[jeremy]

the wlh neck seems to have less bottom than the 59 (either model) and a bit more mids to my ear

 

[WDeeGee]

Yes, it's correct - fatter tone and a bit more output, to compensate for the fact that string vibration is much narrower near the bridge.

I think it could sound fine, if you want richer mids than the 59N and have a fairly strong bridge humbucker to pair with it.
I probably wouldn't choose it for a dark or midrangey sounding LP but I bet it could be great for a bright or thin sounding one. Or a Strat.

59s aren't especially tight, but IME they're seldom actually boomy at the neck in a Les Paul, except one with a pretty deep voice, or maybe for high-gain players who normally would be choosing something tighter for their neck anyway.

PAF types at the neck in a Les Paul like being set quite low from the strings, nearly flush with the mounting ring.
Can be set to a more normal height in a Strat. At least that's been my experience using them in LPs and Strats.

Thanks!

 

[DCikes88]

Didn't Dimebag use this as his neck pickup?

Yup he did. First he used the 59n, then switched to the 59b for the neck.
And that was in a 22 fret 24.75" scale.

 

[Mincer]

Depending on your style and the amp, I think it could work just fine.

 

[GuitarDoc]

I didn't like the 59n in the neck, it sounded too thin and scooped. I actually liked the 59b in the neck much better. I never had a problem with "boominess" that many complain about.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

It doesn't sound that much different from a '59N, IMO. Just a tad warmer, a tad less scooped, and a tad hotter. Not by miles, TBH. Especially if you're pairing it with a hot bridge pickup.

 

[Mononoaware]

I had one in a 22-fret Ibanez that had a lot of natural sparkle, and it was fantastic. Full, deep, and sweet, but not at all boomy. So in the right guitar, it can be great.

 

[GuitarDoc]

It doesn't sound that much different from a '59N, IMO. Just a tad warmer, a tad less scooped, and a tad hotter. Not by miles, TBH. Especially if you're pairing it with a hot bridge pickup.

Yeah, that's how I'd describe it... warmer and a tiny bit less scooped (because of the slight increase in the mids), and a tiny bit hotter. No change in the bass. It's a subtle but necessary improvement over the 59n for the neck position.

 

[alex1fly]

The answer is probably “depends on your guitar and amp and style” so if it’s a pickup you already have throw it in there and see. If you’re buying something I wouldn’t spend money on a 59b for a neck spot.

 

[El Dunco]

Didn't Dimebag use this as his neck pickup?

Yep, to match his bridge BL to prevent volume drop, especially for leads.

 

[Ascension]

Didn't Dimebag use this as his neck pickup?

Yep my SN 002 2000 Washburn USA Stealth that was bought by a dealer off the NAMM floor came with a 59 Neck wit a XL 500 in the bridge.