Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Ptolemaeus

Ptolemaeus

New member
Hi again.


I've recently become dissatisfied with the Distortion neck pup I have in an SE Custom 24 of mine. I like the DDb just fine, but the neck has started to seem a bit thin as of late. So, hit me with your recommendations.

I want a warmer sound, more of a bluesy tone than a cutting metal lead. I've realized over the past year or so that I prefer a lower output in the neck, as evidenced by my love for a jazz neck pup I have in a tele. However, I kinda want to have a different sound in this guitar. So please, don't recommend me the Jazz or the 59. I'm open to Duncans or Dimarzios, but would prefer to keep the cost under $90.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Lower output and warmer sound, that sounds like A2Pro or Pearly Gates to me.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

chadd said:
Lower output and warmer sound, that sounds like A2Pro or Pearly Gates to me.
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I looked through a few other threads on the PG before making this one. I read a few that said it could be overly bright. True?

Also, I'm a bit worried that the A2 could be a little weak sounding.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

A2p would be a very nice choice. Have you considered the WLH yet? The PG neck is not bright at all, but the bridge can be.

I wouldn't be worried about a2 mags, if you decide to be then after you've eliminated the Jazz and 59, then the WLH is pretty much your only option with a roughcast a5 mag. Unless you wanna go to the antiquity line or the custom shop.
 
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Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

If you wanna try Dimarzio they have the Paf 36th anniversary and Paf master sets.

There is also the Slash A2p which is wound a little hotter than a normal A2p.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Falloffthebonetone said:
If you wanna try Dimarzio they have the Paf 36th anniversary and Paf master sets.

There is also the Slash A2p which is wound a little hotter than a normal A2p.
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Nah, the Slash is a no go. I probably should have mentioned this in the OP, but I want to be able to split the coils. Unsure about the Dimarzios, though. I have no experience with them.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Ptolemaeus said:
Nah, the Slash is a no go. I probably should have mentioned this in the OP, but I want to be able to split the coils. Unsure about the Dimarzios, though. I have no experience with them.
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If you want, you can try a 59 BRIDGE pickup in the neck. Little hotter and fatter than the neck version. That'll be a good splitter if you got it in 4 conductor.
 
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Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

P-90. the G&L fallout has a JB in the bridge and a P-90 in the neck and it's just killer. i have the guitar. they sound great separate and together. a P-90 in the neck is the definition of fat and warm. it's the best of a single coil and HB.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Fat and warm neck pickup? That's the DiMarzio Air Norton ;)
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Ptolemaeus said:
I looked through a few other threads on the PG before making this one. I read a few that said it could be overly bright. True?

Also, I'm a bit worried that the A2 could be a little weak sounding.
Click to expand...

The bridge PG is bright and thin, but the neck PG is the opposite, which is why some people don't like them as a pair. The neck slot has a lot more string energy than the bridge, and a PAF is plenty loud in the neck.

Fat and warm = PGN.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Swap the double thick ceramic magnet out for a UOA5.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Demanic said:
Swap the double thick ceramic magnet out for a UOA5.
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In actually did some swapping with it. Put an A2 and an A5 in it in an effort to avoid buying another pup. Still wasn't what I was looking for. I understand that an unoriented mag will sound a bit different, but I'm at the end of my rope with this project and just want something that works.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Falloffthebonetone said:
A2p would be a very nice choice. Have you considered the WLH yet? The PG neck is not bright at all, but the bridge can be.

I wouldn't be worried about a2 mags, if you decide to be then after you've eliminated the Jazz and 59, then the WLH is pretty much your only option with a roughcast a5 mag. Unless you wanna go to the antiquity line or the custom shop.
Click to expand...

YES! I wholeheartedly agree with this. For extra output, the OP could try a '59/Custom hybrid in the neck, which although dark... will have good clarity, separation and split really well.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Ptolemaeus said:
I'm really interested in trying Dimarzios....why this pup and not something else?
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It's the pickup that was made more famous by John Petrucci. He used it or similar sounding custom ones for years. It's very warm sounding. If you put alot of distortion you get just that fluid neck sound for all kinds of sherd. It's not very hot though so when clean gives you nive fat clean sounds. It's just above vintage output so it should match the DD just fine. If you want something abit more powerful still (but still in the medium output range) try the Air Zone. It's very similar to the Air Norton but just little more power.

Heck, some people (like Michael J Romeo from Symphony X) even use the Tone Zone in the neck with X2N in the bridge to get very powerful and warm sounds.
 
Re: Fat and warm neck pickup to pair with a higher output bridge pickup

Ptolemaeus said:
Nah, the Slash is a no go. I probably should have mentioned this in the OP, but I want to be able to split the coils. Unsure about the Dimarzios, though. I have no experience with them.
Click to expand...

You can shop floor custom Slash pickups in 4-con. I think the Alnico II Pro would be a good choice.
 
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