Difference Between Neck and Bridge Buckers

[Folo]

I was wondering if the bridge pickups are identical to their neck counterparts with a few more winds. For instance, if I want a '59 in the neck, but I need it a little hotter than a '59 neck, can I use a '59 bridge? I realize that, in itself, more winds will change the tone, but are there other differences between bridge and neck humbuckers?

 

[ErikH]

Re: Difference Between Neck and Bridge Buckers

Search, and ye shall find this was discussed just a couple days ago.

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=97137

 

[Folo]

Re: Difference Between Neck and Bridge Buckers

Thanks. That thread uses the exact same example. . . very strange.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Difference Between Neck and Bridge Buckers

I was wondering if the bridge pickups are identical to their neck counterparts with a few more winds.

That's basically true, though not 100%. The actual wind pattern may be a little different for the bridge model vs. neck model on the same set, depending on the maker and model.

For instance, if I want a '59 in the neck, but I need it a little hotter than a '59 neck, can I use a '59 bridge? I realize that, in itself, more winds will change the tone, but are there other differences between bridge and neck humbuckers?

A 59 bridge is about 8.1k so it will work okay as a neck pu, especially if you're pairing it with a hotter bridge pu like a JB or a CC or something like that -- and also if the main thing you use your neck pu for is single note leads rather than strumming chords. If you want to strum some clean, clear, woody-sounding chords, the 59b might be a little too hot.

The lows might get a little boomy/muddy but I usually solve that problem by setting the bass side of the pickup slightly lower than the treble side, and lowering the polepieces for the A and low E.

So you can see a lot of this is personal taste and what you want out of a pickup, plus your rig and playing technique. A lot, but not all though. A JB or CC would make a lousy neck pu for about 99% of guitar players. Just too hot.