59N Problem...

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Ok...got a problem with my '59 neck. I love the cleans. There the best I've heard out of a pickup. The distorted tones are another story alltogether. They're way way way too bassy. They just really kill my ears.

Any suggestions? I need to keep that good clean tone, but want a good distorted tone as well.

 

[rspst14]

Re: 59N Problem...

Try an alnico 3 magnet. Obviously, it'll change the tone a bit, but you'll get more midrange and less bass, while still sounding good clean. The A3 '59 is a really nice sounding neck pickup.

Ryan

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: 59N Problem...

Before switching the mags, I would try lowering the bass side of the pickup, and if that doesn't help the problem lower it more. You can always raise the pole pieces to compensate once you reach the level you want.

Each guitar has a sweet spot, you just need to find yours.

 

[korovamilkdud]

Re: 59N Problem...

Ditto on the A3 mag. If you tried that and found you didn't like it, an A2 would be smoother and more mellow, as opposed to the relative brightness of the A3.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: 59N Problem...

I had the exact same issue you had, especially because I have it paired with a JB bridge. And I have found a solution that works great for me. First I swapped out the A5 for a ceramic magnet, alot better but still heavy on the bass but because it's much tighter I could live with it. Then I decide I wanted it to be a little hotter so I sticked the A5 on the bottom plate of the pickup together with another ceramic magnet. Not perfect but great non the less! Became a lot more crunchy and tight under distortion and still stays warm and clean when played clean.

I also tried to rotate the pickup in the cavity 180 degrees so the polepieces face the bridge. This worked very good for taming the bass but the tone gets a little weaker and the low E string was suddely much lower in volume compare to the other strings so I reversed it back.
You could try it to see if you like it, it's the easiest thing to do and to reverse if you don't like it.
Good luck.

 

[jeremy]

Re: 59N Problem...

i might try a jazz, less bass a little more mids and a great clean tone

 

[fab.regnaut]

Re: 59N Problem...

You could try a jazz but it is a different beast ; less bass and a stronger attack that can make it a bit "stiff" , or you could try using an EQ before the preamp to lower the bass and raise the mids at around 1000 khz , it very efficient .

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 59N Problem...

i might try a jazz, less bass a little more mids and a great clean tone

My sentiments exactly. I hear the Jazz as being a 59 with more harmonics way up on top and a little less bass.

Jolly gets a killer rock tone out of the Jazz...don't let the name fool you. The Jazz is a ballsy, hard rockin' pickup if that's your style.

But if the Jazz is still to bassy for you , then try a alnico 2 Seth Lover...that's the one I use.

Lew

 

[xerxes]

Re: 59N Problem...

yeah, thats a good idea jeremy...i think the jazz would suit you well.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: 59N Problem...

Thanks guys...but I think I'll try the Jazz in another guitar. The 59's cleans are just TOO good, and the 59 when rolled back a little has a great lead tone for a lot of stuff, just not shred

 

[Stevo]

Re: 59N Problem...

You might try turning the pickup, to where the adjustable poles are on the bridge side, not on the neck side. Then lower the pickup and raise the poles under the smaller strings.. mess around with pole heights a little.

The 59 boomyness seems to go away when you play with some volume. It does not like heavy distortion at low volume levels though.