Help me choose a neck pickup for my LP Modern Lite

[Rex_Rocker]

Please.

I'm pretty happy with the the pickups on my Tribute (JB/490R), and I'm pretty happy with the bridge pickup on my Modern Lite (Suhr SSH+), but the neck pickup has me having second thoughts.

It's not bad, but it's not awesome. It's an Artec HBA115. It's basically an overwound PAF-ish type on a budget. It has an A5 magnet, and it's 8.5-ish K. It's not terrible. But the 490R, even if many hate it, sounds nicer, more refined, and less like a budget pickup, honestly.

Basically, I want something that pairs with the Suhr SSH+ the way the 490R pairs with the JB. The SSH+ is brighter, livelier, and less mid-forward than the JB, but still along the lines. So I guess I want a pickup that's brighter, livelier, and less mid forward than a 490R, but still along the lines.

I'm considering:

Suhr SSV - Probably the "best" pairing for the SSH+, but I can't seem to find it for sale here in Canada. Would rather not order internationally.
Duncan '59 - I like it paired with the JB, but I don't love it either. But I think it might pair better with the SSH+.
Duncan Phat Cat - I used to have one years ago, and I really liked it.
Duncan A2P - Have wanted to try one for a while, but haven't gotten around to it.

So... any other suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Mincer]

I'd think the A2P is the opposite direction you want to go. I think anything with a PAF-type EQ (scooped) would get you there, though. Maybe the Pearly Gates.

 

[Binnerscot]

I'd try a 59n, they are great depending on the guitar. If not distinct or defined enough, then SH-2n Jazz. Those are always solid choices. Regardless, actual results are splitting hairs

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I'd think the A2P is the opposite direction you want to go. I think anything with a PAF-type EQ (scooped) would get you there, though. Maybe the Pearly Gates.

Pearly might be interesting. Do you think the A2P would be too warm and mid-forward for what I want?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I'd try a 59n, they are great depending on the guitar. If not distinct or defined enough, then SH-2n Jazz. Those are always solid choices. Regardless, actual results are splitting hairs

59, yeah. Might go for that. Jazz, nah. That one's a bit too extreme, I feel.

 

[Mincer]

Well, you said..
So I guess I want a pickup that's brighter, livelier, and less mid forward than a 490R
And that's not the APH-1 at all.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Well, you said..
So I guess I want a pickup that's brighter, livelier, and less mid forward than a 490R
And that's not the APH-1 at all.

I wish I could find a clip of the APH-1 against the '59 or something. I guess I have the Jazz in my mind as a reference for the A2P, but I suppose the magnet swap really does transform it, huh?

 

[jeremy]

the jazz and aph sound quite different yes. but you can buy one and mag swap to hear for yourself

 

[EmiAba]

Paf pro?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Paf pro?

Not a bad idea!

 

[EmiAba]

Not a bad idea!

I think it can work. Brighter for sure than the 490r, not scooped like the 59, hot enough to not be overpowered by the SSH+

 

[Mincer]

I wish I could find a clip of the APH-1 against the '59 or something. I guess I have the Jazz in my mind as a reference for the A2P, but I suppose the magnet swap really does transform it, huh?

Yeah, it makes the smiley EQ of the Jazz flip upside down.

 

[weepingminotaur]

What about a Sentient?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

What about a Sentient?

Not a bad idea either! I wish zebra was a stock option on those, though. It's for this guitar:

 

[Teleplayer]

I think you like warm / dark neck pickups that have strong mids. I found the Suhr SSV was a bit bassy and scooped. From what I read online, the DSV neck has much more mid focus due to double screw poles. I’m curious about this myself, but haven’t tried it.

 

[weepingminotaur]

Not a bad idea either! I wish zebra was a stock option on those, though. It's for this guitar:

Damn, man, that's a killer finish.

 

[Securb]

I had the WLH set in my Custom Lite they sounded amazing. The only reason I took them out is I needed something closer to the tonal vibe my band has. I put a gold Black Winter set in it and the guitar blows you skirt up but still has the classic vibe. I would have no problem putting the WLHs back in and might even do so when this album is done.

https://imgur.com/CjSYH2z

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I think you like warm / dark neck pickups that have strong mids. I found the Suhr SSV was a bit bassy and scooped. From what I read online, the DSV neck has much more mid focus due to double screw poles. I’m curious about this myself, but haven’t tried it.

DSV might be good too! I'll try to see if I can find one here in Canada.

Damn, man, that's a killer finish.

Thank you! It's called Gold Mist, I think!

I had the WLH set in my Custom Lite they sounded amazing. The only reason I took them out is I needed something closer to the tonal vibe my band has. I put a gold Black Winter set in it and the guitar blows you skirt up but still has the classic vibe. I would have no problem putting the WLHs back in and might even do so when this album is done.

https://imgur.com/CjSYH2z

I wonder if the WLH-N would be very different from the '59B. The specs aren't disimilar. But of course, specs only tell so much of the whole story.

 

[Securb]

I wonder if the WLH-N would be very different from the '59B. The specs aren't disimilar. But of course, specs only tell so much of the whole story.

Would probably be damn close seeing PAFs were the starting point for the WLHs before SD re/over-wound them. Falbo would know this for sure.

 

[hamerfan]

Please.

I'm pretty happy with the the pickups on my Tribute (JB/490R), and I'm pretty happy with the bridge pickup on my Modern Lite (Suhr SSH+), but the neck pickup has me having second thoughts.

It's not bad, but it's not awesome. It's an Artec HBA115. It's basically an overwound PAF-ish type on a budget. It has an A5 magnet, and it's 8.5-ish K. It's not terrible. But the 490R, even if many hate it, sounds nicer, more refined, and less like a budget pickup, honestly.

Basically, I want something that pairs with the Suhr SSH+ the way the 490R pairs with the JB. The SSH+ is brighter, livelier, and less mid-forward than the JB, but still along the lines. So I guess I want a pickup that's brighter, livelier, and less mid forward than a 490R, but still along the lines.

I'm considering:

Suhr SSV - Probably the "best" pairing for the SSH+, but I can't seem to find it for sale here in Canada. Would rather not order internationally.
Duncan '59 - I like it paired with the JB, but I don't love it either. But I think it might pair better with the SSH+.
Duncan Phat Cat - I used to have one years ago, and I really liked it.
Duncan A2P - Have wanted to try one for a while, but haven't gotten around to it.

So... any other suggestions?

Thanks!

When i it comes to Suhr and neck pup i have a soft spot.
A friend bought a guitar with a Suhr DSV in the neck without knowing what it is. He wanted me to swap in a Custom and a 59N into this guitar.
This Suhr DSV was the best neck pickup i ever heard. Some weeks later a decided to buy it, despite the fact that i need another pickup like a hole in the head. At that time pickups piled in my drawer. But he already sold it.