(Another) Help me pick a neck pickup thread

[marshall_artist]

Okay, I just installed a Custom Custom trembucker in the bridge of my Ibanez AX320 and I'm really diggin the beefy mids and buttery highs. My original plan was to match it up with a Jazz in the neck but the tech at my local shop suggested that if I like voicing of the CC that I might find the Jazz to be too bright. He suggested the Alnico II Pro, '59 or maybe a Full Shred. What do you guys think?

 

[scooter]

Re: (Another) Help me pick a neck pickup thread

Oh man. I love all three of those in the neck. Tough choice. My first choice is the FS. Very clean and excellent for soloing in the neck position. The 59 has a nice fat tone in the neck but so does the A2P. A bit less output than the 59. I say draw your choices from a hat and you'll be happy with any of those.

 

[slashedzero]

Re: (Another) Help me pick a neck pickup thread

I'd go with the A2P - I have the same CC + A2P combination and am very happy with it. Had the Jazz too and loved it, but it has a warmer and somewhat 'darker' sound, I think it goes better with 59/JB style bridge pickups, which have Alnico 5 magnets. I also think the Jazz has the weakest output of the three - I wouldn't recommend it for overdriven soloing (because of too much 'warmth' and too little articulation), something you could definitely fo with the A2P (and probably the FS too)! Both CC & A2P are Alnico 2, so the combination can give you a lot of sweetness (yet versatility & output if you need it!). Just IMHO. Patrick Eggle, British guitar builders, ship this combination as standard now in their Berlin guitars (used to be 59s, or combination of 59 + JB/Custom or Jazz + 59 in the past - customers were happiest with the CC + A2P combo).

 

[theodie]

Re: (Another) Help me pick a neck pickup thread

I use the Jazz in the neck with a CC and like it alot. It is bright and very clean but, if you are looking for warm and buttery, go with the Alnico II pro. The Alnico pro II is an outstanding neck bucker, I will probally replace my Jazz with an alnico II pro at some point in the future because, I was playing my other LP that has Alinco II pro's and The neck pickup has alot more tone and soul than the Jazz.

 

[sweet_lou]

Re: (Another) Help me pick a neck pickup thread

Another vote for the II. I love the CC. I have one in my Strat and one in my son's Epi LP with a 59 neck I don't like the 59. I realize I am in the minority but I just don't like it. I have a II neck for the Epi I will put it in the Epi when my son will let me.

 

[marshall_artist]

Re: (Another) Help me pick a neck pickup thread

Thanks guys,

It sounds like the tech might be right. I went back to the samples page and listened very closely to the A2P, PG, 59, jazz, and FS. The jazz did seem to lack something. My three favorite clear sounds were (in order) the A2P, PG and 59. The FS seemed a bit scooped. When it came to the dirty clips my three favorites (again in order) were the 59, A2P, PG. Based on this I think I'll go with the A2P since it seemed to offer the best combo of clean and dirty.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: (Another) Help me pick a neck pickup thread

I don't think the Jazz would be to bright but it did have more bass than I needed when I tried it with the CC. I'd go for another alnico 2 humbucker in the neck. I like the Seth Lover and that's what I went with. Less bass, but a full, fat, clear lively tone. Lew

 

[marshall_artist]

Re: (Another) Help me pick a neck pickup thread

Thanks again for all of your help guys. As luck would have it One of my local guitar shops has a used A2P neck pickup in stock. I'll be picking it up after work and installing it this evening.

 

[Toenail-Tommy]

Re: (Another) Help me pick a neck pickup thread

How is the A2P sound in the neck?