'59 neck versus PG neck for Les Paul

[ljberbi]

Which one would you choose? Looking for input on differences in tone of these two neck pickups. Styles include blues, rock and others.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: '59 neck versus PG neck for Les Paul

I like both but there is something about an alnico II magnet in a neck pickup that really works for me.

 

[DI_IORIO]

Re: '59 neck versus PG neck for Les Paul

I've heard that the PG are one of the best PAF clones ever.. i'm curious to try a PG combo

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: '59 neck versus PG neck for Les Paul

In a LP's neck slot there's no contest. I'll take the PG everytime.

As far as tonal differences, the PG has less lows than the 59 and more mids, which help it cut through in a band setting.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: '59 neck versus PG neck for Les Paul

It depends on the LP. In my LP Studio, which has a lot of low end, I opted for an A2 HB (A2 Pro to be precise). But in my bright LP Classic, the 59 was perfect for fleshing out the low end. The 59 neck has nice chime and nicely textured mids -- closer to the mid texture of the Antiquity HB that it replaced than I ever would have thought. Can't argue with the price either.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: '59 neck versus PG neck for Les Paul

I like both but there is something about an alnico II magnet in a neck pickup that really works for me.

Me too. Less bass...less mud. I do wish alnico 2 neck pickups had the extended highs and upper harmonics of alnico 5 neck pickups like the Jazz N or 59N...but I can still get a clearer tone with less mud from alnico 2 when it comes to neck pickups. For what it's worth, the PGn probably has the most extended high end of any of the alnico 2 neck pickups I've used...reminds me more than a little of alnico 2 Tom Holmes humbuckers in my '59 RI Les Paul. Lew

 

[saladin]

Re: '59 neck versus PG neck for Les Paul

My main guitar is a tele with a set of 59's. My backup is a strat with a PGn/59b set up. Although I love the sound of the PGn, I miss the high end that I get from the 59n. Soon as I get my taxes, I'll be swapping it out.

 

[bigheadood]

Re: '59 neck versus PG neck for Les Paul

In my les paul studio lite, a rather bright paula, The '59 kills the a2p.
The a2p was just too sweet, no grit, just singing mids, no matter how much gain or how you dig into the strings. the '59 can be just as sweet, but it responds better to pick dynamics.

Haven't tried the PGn, but its alnico 2 so....
Maybe it'll work.

 

[Aceman]

Re: '59 neck versus PG neck for Les Paul

Check out "Les Paul Neck Pickup Roundup" for more on this discussion.