"hot" neck pick-up...

[Closed Eye]

I know neck pickups aren't supposed to sound hot, due to the rhythm function and what not, but every time I use to the neck pickup I'm at a loss. I like the differant tone, but the sound is always muddy and undefined to my ears.
Because of this, I'm looking for something a little "hot" in the way of neck pickups...sorta like a bridge pickup, only in the neck, and a bit less "hot" than the bridge pickup. You dig?

I know next to nothing about neck pickups, so any and all help would be great appreciated...seeing as my "middle pickup" thread wasn't even given a look...anyway, thanks in advance!

 

[Curly]

Re: "hot" neck pick-up...

what guitar?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: "hot" neck pick-up...

You don't want a hot neck pickup if you are also after more treble and a clearer tone.

You want a pickup with less winds and less output than your bridge pickup...not more.

The tone will have less bass, be less muddy and will have more treble and clarity if it's underwound compared to your bridge pickup.

Good neck humbuckers I've used and liked alot: Seth Lover, Antiquity, Jazz and 59N.

And some would add the Alnico II Pro, but I have never tried one.

From what you are describing, I'd recommend the Seth Lover neck or Antiquity neck.

The Jazz and 59N might have more bass than you want if you're trying to eliminate muddy neck pickup tone. They have to much bass for my tastes...tho I still use them occasionally and like them for lower volume playing.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: "hot" neck pick-up...

what guitar?

Can't believe I forgot to mention what guitar is was! Stupid me!


It's a MIM Fender Stratocastor. It can be a humbucker, soapbar, or single-coil...

You don't want a hot neck pickup if you are also after more treble and a clearer tone.

You want a pickup with less winds and less output than your bridge pickup...not more.

The tone will have less bass, be less woofy and will have more treble and clarity if it's underwound compared to your bridge pickup.

Good neck humbuckers I'vd used and liked alot: Jazz, 59N, Seth Lover and Antiquity.

And some would add the Alnico II Pro, but I have never tried one.

Yeah, I guess I didn't ask clearly enough. My fault Lew.

I actually want a neck pickup that isn't in line with the traditional neck pickup sound. I never use the neck for what it's for anyway, and I figure if I can put another "hot" pickup in there I get more use out of the options on my guitar. Would the pickups you recommended fit that description in the original post? I like the 59 but it's a little too screechy for me (it's the amp more than the pickup I think) and love the Jazz, but it's not really what I'm looking for right now...

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: "hot" neck pick-up...

If you're getting muddy tone from a Stratocaster they must be pretty bad pickups or a bad amp you're playing them through. Single coils are usually not muddy.

I'll tell you: if you can afford them, just get some Antiquitys. I like the Antiquity Surfers for chime and clarity and the Antiquity Texas Hots for thier smoother than vintage tone and sensitivity to picking dynamics.

Lew

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: "hot" neck pick-up...

If you're getting muddy tone from a Stratocaster they must be pretty bad pickups or a bad amp you're playing them through. Single coils are usually not muddy.

I'll tell you: if you can afford them, just get some Antiquitys. I like the Antiquity Surfers for chime and clarity and the Antiquity Texas Hots for thier smoother than vintage tone and sensitivity to picking dynamics.

Lew

Yeah, it's the stock MIM neck pickup, it's driving me insane! All my other guitars neck pickups sound decent, but the Strat just isn't cooperating...

I'm changing the bridge pickup (again) and I like the middle pickup, even though it hums like a bee, but the neck is a thorn in my side. Speaking of middle pickups, any suggestions?
I'm going to check out the Antiquity's like you said though, hope that'll solve my problem.

 

[Curly]

Re: "hot" neck pick-up...

Closed Eye,
I say this all the time, but I'd suggest reading through the Vintage strat reviews , as well as the reviews for other strat pickups ... that should give you a good idea of how they all stack up

if noise is a problem, you might want to consider the stacks or other hum cancelling strat pups

I think the SSLs or APSs would be a fine upgrade from the stock MIMs, though, depending on the wood in your guitar

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: "hot" neck pick-up...

Closed Eye,
I say this all the time, but I'd suggest reading through the Vintage strat reviews , as well as the reviews for other strat pickups ... that should give you a good idea of how they all stack up

if noise is a problem, you might want to consider the stacks or other hum cancelling strat pups

I think the SSLs or APSs would be a fine upgrade from the stock MIMs, though, depending on the wood in your guitar

Good advice from the Curly-mon! Read those reviews. The SSL-1 or 2 and APS-1 or 2 are four more affordable alternatives to the Antiquity and they do sound excellant. Be sure and request a RW/RP middle pickup and a standard wound neck and bridge pickup so they'll be humcancelling when combined. Lew

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: "hot" neck pick-up...

Woah. Advice fast and easy!

Thanks Lew! Thanks Curly! I didn't even know that vintage strat review page existed...

The SSL's maybe sound like what I'm looking for, but I'm still going to check out the Antiquity's. Do you sell either of those in your store Lew?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: "hot" neck pick-up...

Woah. Advice fast and easy!

Thanks Lew! Thanks Curly! I didn't even know that vintage strat review page existed...

The SSL's maybe sound like what I'm looking for, but I'm still going to check out the Antiquity's. Do you sell either of those in your store Lew?

Yep...got 'em all in stock: http://www.lewsguitars.com

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: "hot" neck pick-up...

Lew, I PM'd you with some questions concerning your store. Check your box!