Duncan '59B with either Ceramic or Alnico 8 in the neck?

[Rex_Rocker]

I was thinking since it's usually cheaper and easier to find a '59 used than a Gibson 496R, that maybe I could make it into a poor man's 496R with a Ceramic magnet (I have one lying around from a Duncan Distortion neck that I have an A5 in right now) or maybe an A8 to give it some added oomph.

I just kinda want to switch things up on my Les Paul. I got the 500T back in there again, and I'm not loving the Evo right now since it's a bit bassier than I'd like.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah, just listened to some clips... seems like A8 fattens things up, which I don't think is what I want from the neck position.

 

[jeremy]

i put a ceramic bar in a 59n and it was fun for a while. good for fat solos, not great for clean tones

 

[Rex_Rocker]

OK... so how about a stock '59B in the neck position of a Les Paul? Good or recipee for boominess?

 

[jeremy]

it wouldnt be something i would do, at least with a stock magnet. you and i play very different music and use different gear. though my vintagey stuff, i wouldnt want that much bottom. though a tighter rig, it might work great

 

[Rex_Rocker]

it wouldnt be something i would do, at least with a stock magnet. you and i play very different music and use different gear. though my vintagey stuff, i wouldnt want that much bottom. though a tighter rig, it might work great

Yeah, no. Probably not something I want, then. I'm already struggling because I find the Evo Neck in there right now a bit too fat.

 

[marcello252]

I'm pretty sure it would work quite well with an A2

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I'm pretty sure it would work quite well with an A2

But would a '59 with an A2 magnet would have the juice to keep up with a triple ceramic bridge pickup? I doubt it. I am doubtful of the stock A5 magnet, honestly.

 

[Mincer]

But would a '59 with an A2 magnet would have the juice to keep up with a triple ceramic bridge pickup? I doubt it. I am doubtful of the stock A5 magnet, honestly.

Honestly, I think it would be fine.

 

[GuitarDoc]

But if you don't want the neck to sound "boomy" or "fat", then you could try an A7 mag in the 59n which will give you a bit more brightness and more power.

 

[ToneFiddler]

Series cap for the neck PU!!!

What about the HB103 neck PU?

 

[Despair]

Partial solution for boomy or fat is to use short allen head screws under the bass strings, heavily lower the pickup on the bass side, and raise the screws to fix string balance. Gives bite on low strings, along with considerably lower bass/lower mids. Can also look for Artie's de-mud mod.

 

[Clint 55]

But if you don't want the neck to sound "boomy" or "fat", then you could try an A7 mag in the 59n which will give you a bit more brightness and more power.

What is A7 like? Is it oriented or unoriented? Which alnico is it most similar to?