Are neck pickups brighter than bridge pickups of the same design ?
- Thread starter JB6464
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JB6464
New member
Re: Are neck pickups brighter than bridge pickups of the same design ?
Bought a bridge DD for my LP and the dealer sent me a neck DD and right away I was hearing a much brighter tone than I thought was normal for a bridge DD that I have used in the past .
When I received it I was excited and installed it right away not thinking , I did'nt realize it was the neck pickup until I wired it up and measured the output .
I went ahead and jammed on it to see what it would sound like since it was already in the guitar , harmonics from hell but also overly bright so that got me curious to ask the question .
Will be sending it back Monday asap for a proper bridge DD and try it again , lol .
Thank You , that confirms what I was hearing today in my LP pickup swap .
Bought a bridge DD for my LP and the dealer sent me a neck DD and right away I was hearing a much brighter tone than I thought was normal for a bridge DD that I have used in the past .
When I received it I was excited and installed it right away not thinking , I did'nt realize it was the neck pickup until I wired it up and measured the output .
I went ahead and jammed on it to see what it would sound like since it was already in the guitar , harmonics from hell but also overly bright so that got me curious to ask the question .
Will be sending it back Monday asap for a proper bridge DD and try it again , lol .
Last edited:
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Are neck pickups brighter than bridge pickups of the same design ?
Just FYI, the SH-6 neck model was originally a separate bridge pickup, the SH-7 Seymourizer.
Just FYI, the SH-6 neck model was originally a separate bridge pickup, the SH-7 Seymourizer.
JB6464
New member
Re: Are neck pickups brighter than bridge pickups of the same design ?
Thanks , learn something new everyday .
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: Are neck pickups brighter than bridge pickups of the same design ?
Even when the neck & bridge designs are essentially the same (as with vintage output pickups), in a modern matched set the neck usually will be wound lighter than the bridge.
This is due to the physics of a vibrating string - there's less amplitude near the end and more as you move along closer to the center, where it's greatest.
But winding for less output normally results in a brighter tone also, so this works to our advantage in two different ways for neck position.
Even when the neck & bridge designs are essentially the same (as with vintage output pickups), in a modern matched set the neck usually will be wound lighter than the bridge.
This is due to the physics of a vibrating string - there's less amplitude near the end and more as you move along closer to the center, where it's greatest.
But winding for less output normally results in a brighter tone also, so this works to our advantage in two different ways for neck position.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Are neck pickups brighter than bridge pickups of the same design ?
In calibrated sets, yes. All other things being equal, the neck pickup in the set is made in such a way that it is a brighter sounding pickup in a vacuum. However, in the real world, "all other things" are not equal, because each pickup in the calibrated set is installed in a different position.
All it really means is that if you were to install the Distortion Neck in the bridge position, it would be brighter than the Distortion Bridge in the bridge position. It doesn't mean that a Distortion Neck in the neck position is brighter than a Distortion Bridge in the bridge position.
In calibrated sets, yes. All other things being equal, the neck pickup in the set is made in such a way that it is a brighter sounding pickup in a vacuum. However, in the real world, "all other things" are not equal, because each pickup in the calibrated set is installed in a different position.
All it really means is that if you were to install the Distortion Neck in the bridge position, it would be brighter than the Distortion Bridge in the bridge position. It doesn't mean that a Distortion Neck in the neck position is brighter than a Distortion Bridge in the bridge position.
IMENATOR
Well-known member
Re: Are neck pickups brighter than bridge pickups of the same design ?
I have not compared but I would assume they are because less winds seems to provide less out but but more top end (or less mids?). I think that is a good thing to avoid muddy neck sound, but if you put a SD neck pickup in the bridge be ready to have a significant drop in volume. Once I tried to put a Jazz neck in the bridge of my strat, it was like listening to it far away.
I have not compared but I would assume they are because less winds seems to provide less out but but more top end (or less mids?). I think that is a good thing to avoid muddy neck sound, but if you put a SD neck pickup in the bridge be ready to have a significant drop in volume. Once I tried to put a Jazz neck in the bridge of my strat, it was like listening to it far away.
