59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

M

Monsta-Tone

New member
I have a PRS McCarty with a 59 in the neck.
It sounds really great for cleans and vintage overdrive. It doesn't seem to have much oommpphh though for high levels of gain.
It's set a little low, but raising it doesn't really seem to help much.
It just seems to be lacking in sustain and crunch.

What Duncan pickup is closest in sound but higher output?
I have thought about changing the magnet, but wanted to get some input first.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

Could be your amp settings- Mark Morton used them for a long time before getting his signature Dimarzios
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

First mess around with your EQ and see if that helps. If not then you might want to look at a mag swap and the three mags I would recommend are either UOA5, A8, or Ceramic
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

Amp sounds incredible with my other guitars.
I have an ESP H-300 with PAF Pro and Super Distortion, and an ESP MH-1000 with Trembuckers. Even my Strat with CS54's seems to have more crunch.

Guess I'll mess with the heights more tonight.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

chadd said:
APH1 or APH2?
Click to expand...
I just happen to have one laying around, but it came out of the PRS. Sounded great, but a little muddy on high gain stuff. Maybe I'll mess with shorter pole screws on the APH and see what happens.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

I would swap the magnets first. I have a '59 in my neck and I know exactly what you mean. But that's exactly how I want it to sound, so I love it to death ha.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

Monsta-Tone said:
I just happen to have one laying around, but it came out of the PRS. Sounded great, but a little muddy on high gain stuff. Maybe I'll mess with shorter pole screws on the APH and see what happens.
Click to expand...

Lower the pickup and raise the treble side pole pieces.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

Monsta-Tone said:
I have a PRS McCarty with a 59 in the neck.
It sounds really great for cleans and vintage overdrive. It doesn't seem to have much oommpphh though for high levels of gain.
It's set a little low, but raising it doesn't really seem to help much.
It just seems to be lacking in sustain and crunch.

What Duncan pickup is closest in sound but higher output?
I have thought about changing the magnet, but wanted to get some input first.
Click to expand...

I have a 59N in my Korean PRS SE 24. My findings are same as yours. Although I have no problem with sustain, the crunch isn't very clear sounding with lots of gain. The closest in sound to it with more gain would be the SH14 C5, but that was meant for the bridge spot, no idea how it will sound in the neck. I have the sh14 in the bridge of my SE 24 (i had a SuperD in there before) and it gets along with the 59n very well. I guess i always use the bridge with volume rolled up to 75% for crunch or the middle position so I can move to the neck for a cleaner sound or mild overdriven solo sound. See if the magnet swap helps otherwise may have to look into some modern designed pickups for the neck spot for high gain use.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

I think it just depends on the guitar. I've got some where a PAF strength neck is great, other where its not enough.

Maybe look at the bridge version.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

The 59n is higher output than the A2Pro. If output was not an issue with it then either the 59 is broken, miswired or there is some other issue in the wiring of it.

If you want clarity I would recommend the PG or Jazz neck models. I also find the Seth to have nice clarity as well but may be a little too smooth for what you are looking for
 
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Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

I disagree. The 59 neck is a very flexible pickup and crunches just fine for me. The PG neck is crunchier, but then again I can get crunch from a Seth.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

Try an A8 first and raise the pole pieces if you want more high end.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

LatsMcGee said:
Try a 59 bridge in the neck....
Click to expand...

That would certainly be interesting, but I think a mag swap would be the better solution in this case.

And I agree with BRHGM, I can get my 59n to do just about anything I want it to do. I also was running into issues where it was overwhelming the PG I had in the bridge, so you must have something very hot in the bridge.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

I'll try a mag swap this weekend. I have one more A-8 magnet left.

I have a Gibson 500T in the bridge. Seems to be about as hot as a Super Distortion, maybe just a little hotter, not sure.
 
Re: 59N sounds great, not enough output for high gain though

Monsta-Tone said:
I'll try a mag swap this weekend.
Click to expand...

I've just got some Un-Oriented Ceramic mag bars from AddictionFX.

They do just what you're asking for: more output without the mud in the neck, with a tone that will please even the ceramic haters!

This is THE magnet for the neck p'up all shreddres and metalheads were waiting for, without even know it themselves! ;)

HTH,
 
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