Duncan '78 paired with...?

[MrGreen]

Hello folks,

What do you guys believe is the best neck pickup to match Duncan 78 in the bridge?

I've heard guitars that have 78 in the neck and the bridge, but I didn't like the sound of 78 in the neck, it sounded almost like a middle pickup to me.

What about 59 or Jazz in the neck? Do they match in terms of EQ and output (loudness)?

For example, I owned a Strat with JB+59, and the 59 sounded terrific but it had a very different EQ compared to JB and a lot more bass and sometimes outlouded the JB. So I decided to go with Jazz in the neck position (a.k.a. Seymour's favorite).

What would be the best pair for 78?

 

[beaubrummels]

Pearly Gates neck

 

[Mincer]

I'd ask what you like in a neck pickup. Do you like similar or different EQ? What do you use the neck pickup for?

 

[uOpt]

I'd say the Pearly Gator neck, unless it comes out boomy which can happen in a Les Paul.

 

[MrGreen]

I'd ask what you like in a neck pickup. Do you like similar or different EQ? What do you use the neck pickup for?

I'd like similar EQ or close. I like the neck pickup to sound juicy and single coil like (like 59 and jazz).

As I described, 59 sounded to bassy compared to my JB in the bridge, which is not what I want.

 

[Chistopher]

Distortion Neck wired in parallel is an oddball option, but I think it could be pretty cool.

 

[Mincer]

I'd like similar EQ or close. I like the neck pickup to sound juicy and single coil like (like 59 and jazz).

As I described, 59 sounded to bassy compared to my JB in the bridge, which is not what I want.

I'd go with a Jazz, Pearly Gates, or Stag Mag.

 

[Clint 55]

Juicy and single coil-y = mini

 

[jeremy]

i do love minis and firebird pups in the neck, but that may not be practical depending on the guitar.

if it were me, i think id put an a3 jazz neck in there

 

[Aceman]

Nothing. The music one generally gets that pickup for was bridge only.

 

[Leon Of Late]

A4 59’.

 

[nienturi]

Depending on the natural tone of the guitar and your needs/desires. If you need clarity jazz, pearly gates neck, patb-1n or humbucker from hell, paf pro can also be nice. If you dont have any issues with clarity '59n is a cool hb

 

[jeremy]

Nothing. The music one generally gets that pickup for was bridge only.

i disagree. i had a 78 for a while and i used it to play the same shit i do on everything else. its a pretty versatile pup

 

[marcello252]

I'm gonna tell a bull#### maybe, but, in the end, a '78 isn't just a moderate hot PAF with an A2 mag?

 

[Mincer]

I'm gonna tell a bull#### maybe, but, in the end, a '78 isn't just a moderate hot PAF with an A2 mag?

Well, yeah, but it does sound great. And it is pretty dynamic.

 

[beaubrummels]

I'm gonna tell a bull#### maybe, but, in the end, a '78 isn't just a moderate hot PAF with an A2 mag?

It's like a Pearly Gates with the bass rolled off. IMHO It has a thinner bright sound than most PAFs. IME that thin/bright sound enables you to get into that 'starved plate Variac' kind of sound with a normal Marshall.