Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

[kreesto]

Hello everyone. Can anyone tell me what the sonic differences are between the bridge and neck APH-2 Slash pickups? I bought the set and installed them in my PRS SE Singlecut. I really like the tone of the neck pickup, but in this guitar the bridge pickup lacked oooomph so I replaced it with something hotter.

I was considering selling the bridge pickup, but I'm wondering what it would sound like in the neck position on another guitar. Are the pickups basically identical or are they wound differently for the different positions?

Anybody know?

Chris

 

[nalo1022]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

In general Neck pickups have less windings on them then bridge pickups do in a matched set. There is more vibrational string energy at the neck therefore they are calibrated so the neck doesn't overpower the bridge. Have you tried adjusting the pickup heights. Bring the bridge closer to the strings and set the neck lower.

 

[kreesto]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

Yeah, I adjusted the pickup heights but just couldn't find a sound I liked from the bridge pickup.

So if the bridge pickup has more windings, should I assume that it would sound warmer than the neck pickup in the same position?

Chris

 

[blueman335]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

Yeah, I adjusted the pickup heights but just couldn't find a sound I liked from the bridge pickup.

So if the bridge pickup has more windings, should I assume that it would sound warmer than the neck pickup in the same position?

Chris

Right.

What don't you like about the bridge tone? Two of the popular ways to modify the sound are replacement magents & pots. I've been putting roughcast magnets in my bridge PU's recently, and it smoothes out the treble and takes off any harshness. I also use 250K pots for the bridge (volume and tone) for more warmth (500K on the neck for brightness) and this helps to balance the bridge & neck EQ-wise.

For your bridge PU, I'd put in a roughcast A2 (which is only several dollars) and a couple 250K pots. That would probably give me tones I'd like, although I can't guarantee that for you.

 

[kreesto]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

Right.

What don't you like about the bridge tone? Two of the popular ways to modify the sound are replacement magents & pots. I've been putting roughcast magnets in my bridge PU's recently, and it smoothes out the treble and takes off any harshness. I also use 250K pots for the bridge (volume and tone) for more warmth (500K on the neck for brightness) and this helps to balance the bridge & neck EQ-wise.

For your bridge PU, I'd put in a roughcast A2 (which is only several dollars) and a couple 250K pots. That would probably give me tones I'd like, although I can't guarantee that for you.

Two things, really. The first is that it has too much presence for my taste. I'm running 300K pots already, so I don't think that moving to 250K would make a whole lot of difference. The second is that I found I was looking for more power.

I don't know the first thing about replacing magnets, so I'll have to read up on that. In the mean time, I put a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge position and that is much more in line with what I was looking for.

I am quite happy with the sound of the neck pickup. It's warm but still jangly and I think it balances well with the Super Distortion in this guitar.

Perhaps in the right instrument I'd like the sound of the Slash bridge pickup in the bridge position. For this guitar, I was going for a 70's classic rock sound (kinda like Slash!) but my amp / effects are very different from what he uses so it's understandable I didn't end up with a sound similar to his.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

Perhaps in the right instrument I'd like the sound of the Slash bridge pickup in the bridge position. For this guitar, I was going for a 70's classic rock sound (kinda like Slash!) but my amp / effects are very different from what he uses so it's understandable I didn't end up with a sound similar to

so what amp(s) and effects DO you use? knowing that helps us help u

 

[jeremy]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

if you are happy with a super distortion then i dont think the slash bridge will work for you in the bridge no matter what you do to it.

on the other hand it might work for a neck pup. it could be dark and/or muddy though

 

[blueman335]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

Two things, really. The first is that it has too much presence for my taste. I'm running 300K pots already, so I don't think that moving to 250K would make a whole lot of difference. The second is that I found I was looking for more power.

Right, you won't notice a difference going from 300K to 250K. An unoriented A5 with give you a wamer sound with more output. You should try that before you spend the money on another PU. You never know how a new PU will sound in this guitar and wood, even if you've liked it in another guitar. Wood is a funny thing to predict.

 

[kreesto]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

so what amp(s) and effects DO you use? knowing that helps us help u

A complicated setup to be sure. The core part of it is I run a pair of Electro Harmonix English Muff'ns directly into an old 80's era Tubeworks MosValve stereo power amp and then out to two 1x12 cabinets with Electro Voice speakers. English Muff'ns are frequently used as a tube preamps because the tone circuit in them has a treble emphasis just like a guitar preamp would. I put a 12AU7 tube in one of the Muff'ns which cleaned it up considerably and switch between them for my clean and dirty channels.

The end result sounds a bit like a Vox amp - bright and jangly. This probably explains why I didn't like the Slash bridge pickup. Too much presence in my setup for a solid rock tone.

Other effects are: Lexicon MX200 Stereo Reverb, Small Stone phaser, Malekko Ekko 616, 80's era Pro Co Rat, Danelectro Cool Cat Fuzz

 

[fender van bender]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

Hi All,

I bought a JB junior bridge pickup for my strat but it did not give the sound i wanted so i placed it at the neck with a togglewitch and it gives a nice warm tone witch i use for raw blues and jazz.Now i am waiting for a screaming demon for the bridge.

arthur

 

[uOpt]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

I used a APH1B, both with A2 and A5 in the neck of Les Pauls. It makes the neck humbucker less boomy and I think the regular aph1n is a little boring.

 

[kreesto]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

I used a APH1B, both with A2 and A5 in the neck of Les Pauls. It makes the neck humbucker less boomy and I think the regular aph1n is a little boring.

LESS boomy, huh? Cool, I thought it would have been the opposite. Good to know!

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

Interesting setup you've got going there. I think you're right in saying that the A2pro probably wouldn't quite jive with it just because of your gear and its inherent brightness.

Have you tried the Slash pickups through a real amp?

 

[kreesto]

Re: Difference between bridge & neck pickups?

Interesting setup you've got going there. I think you're right in saying that the A2pro probably wouldn't quite jive with it just because of your gear and its inherent brightness.

Have you tried the Slash pickups through a real amp?

Actually I did, although I wouldn't call it a good amp. I tried it through a Carvin SX-100 solid state amp. It was bright through there as well. I think where I went wrong was in assuming that the Slash pickups would be darker than the P-Rails I have in two other guitars. Not true. The P-Rails (in series humbucking mode) are darker than the Slash pickups.

Whatever -- live and learn!