59 n in the bridge?

Soulcrusher_X

New member
Somehow my other thread was closed, so....

I have a neck 59, but want to try out a 59b. If I use the 59n in the bridge, will it sound drastically different from what the 59b should sound like? Its just to see if I would like the 59b or not...and maybe some mag swaps.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

The 59n will have a very similar sound to the 59b, it just has less output and won't drive your amp as hard.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

Somehow my other thread was closed, so....

I have a neck 59, but want to try out a 59b. If I use the 59n in the bridge, will it sound drastically different from what the 59b should sound like? Its just to see if I would like the 59b or not...and maybe some mag swaps.

Well, they are similar, but you really want the bridge model in the bridge. You can swap out the A5 and put an A8 in for more output, punch and midrange or use an "Unoriented" A5 for a similar output but more mids and slightly less treble. An A2 will also boost your mids and might have a slight "Early Van Halen" vibe.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

The DiMarzio PAF works equally great in bridge or neck. I'd imagine the 59 would be the same.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

This was posted on LPF by a famous stompbox builder/modder:


"A few weeks ago I got a 2001 R8 that was salvaged from lynyrd skynyrd's flooded storage space in Nashville. The bridge pickup sounded amazing, I pulled it out to see if it was a vintage PAF. It's a normal Duncan '59 NECK pickup! The neck pickup is the stock Gibson.

ROHS IUK87 SH1N 0054

That's what Skynrd chose out of all the available pickups..."

I've wanted to try it ever since. Not all the magic PAFs were high winds, mid 7s (ala 59n) were common, and the 59n has the lowest resonant peak of all the PAF neck models.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

I just swapped out a UOA5 for a A8 and it thickened up the tone in a GFS Vintage 59 bridge pup. Not as trebbly and when I crank up the mace it doesn`t get thin like the UOA5 did,, I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. I agree with the others put a 59B in the bridge rather than a 59N.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

the 59n is very similar to a gibson T-top
spec's,

GIBSON T-top= 7.45K,alnico 5(small bar) awg 43 pe(plain enamel)
DUNCAN 59n= 7-45k,alnico 5 ,awg43 pe

some actually prefer the neck model to the bridge model:14:
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

I just swapped out a UOA5 for a A8 and it thickened up the tone in a GFS Vintage 59 bridge pup. Not as trebbly and when I crank up the mace it doesn`t get thin like the UOA5 did,, I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. I agree with the others put a 59B in the bridge rather than a 59N.

You can't have read Lemonmans post which is pretty ironic, given your username! ;)
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

Well, I HAVE the neck model in my parts drawer, which is why I was asking about trying it in the brigde. Then, if I did like it, then I'll buy the bridge model.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

This was posted on LPF by a famous stompbox builder/modder:


"A few weeks ago I got a 2001 R8 that was salvaged from lynyrd skynyrd's flooded storage space in Nashville. The bridge pickup sounded amazing, I pulled it out to see if it was a vintage PAF. It's a normal Duncan '59 NECK pickup! The neck pickup is the stock Gibson.

ROHS IUK87 SH1N 0054

That's what Skynrd chose out of all the available pickups..."

I've wanted to try it ever since. Not all the magic PAFs were high winds, mid 7s (ala 59n) were common, and the 59n has the lowest resonant peak of all the PAF neck models.

Thats pretty interesting,, would have never had thought they would do the swapping and everything, always figured they were play em stock.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

the 59n is very similar to a gibson T-top
spec's,

GIBSON T-top= 7.45K,alnico 5(small bar) awg 43 pe(plain enamel)
DUNCAN 59n= 7-45k,alnico 5 ,awg43 pe

some actually prefer the neck model to the bridge model:14:

The T-Tops I've had in my hands were all SPN #42AWG.

The '59n are #42 PE, IIRC.

Both sound very different from each other, specially in the bridge position.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

The T-Tops I've had in my hands were all SPN #42AWG.

The '59n are #42 PE, IIRC.

Both sound very different from each other, specially in the bridge position.
Hmmm? i asked here a while back which duncan for a T-top tone and the 59n was the recomended model?
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

As I mentioned in another thread, I was thrilled to find that my Ebay Flying V came with a Seth Lover bridge, and surprised (when I pulled it out) to find that it was the neck model. It actually sounded pretty darned good in that application!
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

Hmmm? i asked here a while back which duncan for a T-top tone and the 59n was the recomended model?

The 490R/T set is the closest to a T-Top with a magnet swap of A4 in both p'up.

IMHO, the closest Duncan p'up (how close is closest it's to be assessed) is the Seth Lover set with A4 mags in.

HTH,
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

Of course it depends upon your specific guitar, woods and all. The '59 is a very good and versatile pup and can be used effectively in many guitars. Likewise the neck pup can work very well in neck or bridge, again, depending on your guitar and depending on what you want to achieve, tonewise.

If you compare the '59n in the neck position with the bridge position, it will sound a little weaker and thinner in the bridge (less output, less mids). But if that's the tone you're after then you'll love it.

I first had my '59n (with a UOA5) in the neck of my Wilshire. It was a bit spikey (piercing highs) for my taste for a neck sound so I put it in the bridge where I think it works much better. I think, however, that the '59b (with UOA5) would be better than the '59n, but I'm happy with it. It's a very fine pup.

So to answer your question....

No, it won't sound drastically different than a '59b, but it will sound slightly different. Put the '59n in your guitar in the bridge position and see what you think. If it sounds good, but you wish it had just a tiny bit more output and a bit less treble spike and maybe a bit more mids, try it with an A8 or UOA5. If that does the trick then you are happy. If it's not quite there but you still like the sound and performance of the '59, then try a '59b.

The '59 (n or b) is such a great pup, it won't be a waste to try it out.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

I recently played LP Tribute 50 with P90. That sounded quite similar like a 59N in the bridge i once had. Thinner than 59b much more attack and little single coil flavor.
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

The 490R/T set is the closest to a T-Top with a magnet swap of A4 in both p'up.

IMHO, the closest Duncan p'up (how close is closest it's to be assessed) is the Seth Lover set with A4 mags in.

HTH,

Thanks, i want to try the 490's with a A4. i ike the seths stock too much to change em:14:
 
Re: 59 n in the bridge?

Thanks for the advice Doc. I have a few RCA2s and UOA5s to try in my JB and Custom, but I recently found the 59n. Im kinda curious to see how I would like a switch from medium/high output pups to lower-output pups.
 
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