59n in a LP, but which pick for bridge?

crompf

New member
Just bought a navigator LP which comes with a jb in the bridge and a 59 in the neck. I've played a few hours with it and don't like the jb neither by itself nor blended with the 59. Too trebly, high middy and aggressive.
On the other hand I love the 59 in the neck.
So which pickup would work nicely in the bridge keeping the 59 in the neck position?
I've already tried the custom/59 combo in my LP studio but the 59 was too invading when blended with the custom that I decided to keep in this axe, so I switch the 59 for a jazz that I found to work better with the custom.

First I was thinking to the 59 bridge of course and why not the custom custom which I'm curious to know how it will sound blended with the 59.

Any advice and experience will be welcome.
 
Re: 59n in a LP, but which pick for bridge?

Salut!

I have used different bridge pick-ups with the '59n.

It all really depends on what use you'll make of that guitar, what type of music, etc...

I have a '59 combo in a '335 copy (semi-hollow) and I just love both bridge and neck pick-ups. Needless to say, they blend together very nicely and sound different and great on their own. The bridge model has more bite to it and has a nice tighter bass (in that guitar at least). Definitely a versatile combo that can cover a lot of musical ground.

In a lP type axe I, like you, used a Custom (which is my favorite bridge pick-up BTW). I found they worked great together when the neck was lowered a tad.

I also used a Pearly Gates bridge with the 59 neck, which is quite an unusual combo. I like it a lot but still prefer the custom.

I guess a lot would depend on the music you intend to play with this guitar. However, I would highly suggest you try a '59 in the bridge also. I personnaly think this combo is greatly underrated as it sounds amazing and can cover a lot of ground.

Good luck!
 
Re: 59n in a LP, but which pick for bridge?

Thanks Surgeon.
I know that trick to lower the 59n but I found that the 59 lose of its charm in this configuration. Moreover output volume is not the same for the 2 pickups when you have to switch from one to the other.

This guitar will be dedicated to rock, hard and heavy rock (ac/dc, old zz top stuff or guns style) since the lp studio covers all metal stuff. I would like a nervous sound with bite but not harsh, and nice cleans. I think the 59b will fit nicely to this description but I'm still curious to hear about a CC paired with that 59n.

That said, nice quote from Rifkin.
 
Re: 59n in a LP, but which pick for bridge?

I really like the 59/59 combo. I had this in my Epiphone, and the pickups (obviously) match eachother well in terms of output. I think if you're playing Classic Rock, you really should go for the low-mid output pickups, and let your Marshall handle the rest.

I've heard the Alnico Pro II is a really nice, smooth and clean pickup for a bridge HB, but I'm not sure how well it would pair with a 59. Another good pickup would be the Seth Lover, which is again, nice and clean, but I'm not sure how well they'd go with the 59n.

Please note, that when I say 'clean' here, I mean the opposite of 'muddy'. Not the opposite of distorted.
 
Re: 59n in a LP, but which pick for bridge?

Thanks Surgeon.
I know that trick to lower the 59n but I found that the 59 lose of its charm in this configuration. Moreover output volume is not the same for the 2 pickups when you have to switch from one to the other.

This guitar will be dedicated to rock, hard and heavy rock (ac/dc, old zz top stuff or guns style) since the lp studio covers all metal stuff. I would like a nervous sound with bite but not harsh, and nice cleans. I think the 59b will fit nicely to this description but I'm still curious to hear about a CC paired with that 59n.

That said, nice quote from Rifkin.
A CC could sound good but it personnaly wouldn't be my first choice for a mahogany guitar. I do remember that some members tend to like it though.

For what you're describing, and taking in account that you already have a studio with a custom, I think the '59b would be a very good starting point. I'm pretty sure you'd like the combo if you already like the '59 neck.

I'll let other members chime in for the CC as I do not have first-hand experience with this pick-up.

Some people may also suggest a C5... I really disliked it, I found that it lacked bite and didn't cut through (I had to use the '59 in the neck to cut through when soloing) but a lot of guys like it over here... that may be one to consider too.

Rifkin: He wrote some very good books ;)
 
Re: 59n in a LP, but which pick for bridge?

FWIW . . .


. . . i have a '59(b) - not neck, as you have & a Seth Lover(n), in my LP.

Best pu. combo I've ever heard in an LP !
 
Re: 59n in a LP, but which pick for bridge?

FWIW . . .


. . . i have a '59(b) - not neck, as you have & a Seth Lover(n), in my LP.

Best pu. combo I've ever heard in an LP !


This idea sounds good. I had not think about it at this time but it could be great.

Surgeon, now I remember that I had tried the c5 in my studio before installing the custom and I had'nt liked it too. Something like an ice-picking unpleasant sound. (I've read one of the first Rifkin's book and found it great :) ).

So let's go for the 59b and many thanks to all of you for those cool advices.
I will keep in mind the seth lover neck. Hey, BTW, is the seth lover an A5 too?
 
Re: 59n in a LP, but which pick for bridge?

THe Seth Lover is an A2 pickup, but you can put an A5 in it.

There are plenty of guys here who like the CC in a Les Paul Style guitar. The CC is the most vintage sounding of the three Customs. It will have warm smooth highs, very present mids and the typical spungy lows of an A2 pickup, although the natural lows of the LP help somewhat.

Unless you NEED more output from your bridge pickup, I would go with the 59'. I've been through a lot of pickups in my Les Paul, and the 59' is finally the right fit for classic rock, classic metal, just good old driving rock tones.
 
Re: 59n in a LP, but which pick for bridge?

THe Seth Lover is an A2 pickup, but you can put an A5 in it.

There are plenty of guys here who like the CC in a Les Paul Style guitar. The CC is the most vintage sounding of the three Customs. It will have warm smooth highs, very present mids and the typical spungy lows of an A2 pickup, although the natural lows of the LP help somewhat.

Unless you NEED more output from your bridge pickup, I would go with the 59'. I've been through a lot of pickups in my Les Paul, and the 59' is finally the right fit for classic rock, classic metal, just good old driving rock tones.
+1

Go with the '59, I'd be suprised if you didn't like it at all, it's a great bridge pick-up for these styles.

Have fun!
 
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