Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

SoundAt11 said:
It seems like a pretty simple answer.
If you want tighter and brighter than a A2PRO: get the Jazz
If you want tighter and brighter than a Jazz: Full Shred
Click to expand...

Honestly, I've liked my neck tone ever since I got rid of the 496R that the guitar came with, but now I'm just looking to get in that "John Petrucci" zone, I guess. Of course I can't play anything like him, but maybe that tone would inspire more use of the neck pickup in general. I REALLY like the sound I've heard from demos of the Pearly Gates, but I also think that might be too close to what I already have.
 
Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

I tried an A8 in my neck pickup just for fun the last time I was messing around with mag swaps. That was the most devastatingly heavy sound I could imagine getting from a neck pickup. LOL... Not something I'd use as much as the other tones that I want though. But just in case anyone has ever been curious, it's worth a shot, just for the entertainment factor.

EDIT: Actually, that would be the only situation where I would be likely to use the pickup selector on a Les Paul the way it's labeled! The "rhythm" and "treble" roles would be properly fulfilled in a stoner/sludge metal context.
 
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Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

If you want a tight, clear, articulate and vocal neck pickup I wouldn't screw around with traditional low-output Seymour Duncan offerings if you don't have to. I'm only using a Full Shred Neck because my bridge pickup can't match a modern neck pickup. I like the SH-10N, but it's still only just a compromise.
 
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Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

jrbowen81 said:
Honestly, I've liked my neck tone ever since I got rid of the 496R that the guitar came with, but now I'm just looking to get in that "John Petrucci" zone, I guess. Of course I can't play anything like him, but maybe that tone would inspire more use of the neck pickup in general. I REALLY like the sound I've heard from demos of the Pearly Gates, but I also think that might be too close to what I already have.
Click to expand...

Gotcha.
The Full Shred Neck is going to be the closest Duncan (other than maybe the Parallel Axis models) to that notched Dimarzio sound.
My Full Shred neck is sorta thin sounding when clean with a sudden attack, but handles heavy gain well without getting muddy and gets a very flute-y tone with a bit of the "wah" sound that Dimarzio pickups are often known for and is great for soloing.
 
Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

SoundAt11 said:
Gotcha.
The Full Shred Neck is going to be the closest Duncan (other than maybe the Parallel Axis models) to that notched Dimarzio sound.
My Full Shred neck is sorta thin sounding when clean with a sudden attack, but handles heavy gain well without getting muddy and gets a very flute-y tone with a bit of the "wah" sound that Dimarzio pickups are often known for and is great for soloing.
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Very nice description there. Thanks!
 
Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

gregory said:
If you want a tight, clear, articulate and vocal neck pickup I wouldn't screw around with traditional low-output Seymour Duncan offerings if you don't have to. I'm only using a Full Shred Neck because my bridge pickup can't match a modern neck pickup. I like the SH-10N, but it's still only just a compromise.
Click to expand...

So would you consider DiMarzio's offerings (the ones that Petrucci has used) to be tight, clear, articulate and vocal? Is that what I seem to be looking for from all that I've asked so far? Like I said before, I've pretty much struck gold as far as my bridge pickup tone, but I've had a hard time figuring out what exact qualities I'm seeking in a neck pickup. All I can go by is the sounds I like from artists I enjoy listening to.
 
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Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

That's what I'd attribute to that style of pickup, yes.

I can't say for certain what's ultimately going to do it for you after all the dust has settled.
 
Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

gregory said:
That's what I'd attribute to that style of pickup, yes.

I can't say for certain what's ultimately going to do it for you after all the dust has settled.
Click to expand...

Right on. "There's no earthly way of knowing... which direction we are going... " Haha, sorry.

I feel pretty excited about the idea of what either the Air Norton, LiquiFire, or Illuminator would give me. Truthfully, I'm torn as to which of the 3 would be "best". Wish I could try all 3!

Just gotta be wise and strategic about either trading or selling my current neck pickup in order to get one of these. The hardest part will be choosing just one.
 
Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

I mentioned it earlier already, but if you ask DiMarzio for help choosing, you'll likely be steered away from the Air Norton. If you must agonize over three of their pickups, consider the Titan Neck instead. ;)
 
Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

gregory said:
I mentioned it earlier already, but if you ask DiMarzio for help choosing, you'll likely be steered away from the Air Norton. If you must agonize over three of their pickups, consider the Titan Neck instead. ;)
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Cool. I may look into that one, and might as well ask DiMarzio too, just to hear what they have to say. I imagine they have more experience with this than anybody! Lol
 
Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

It has been suggested that their recommendations are often driven by a need to sell new products which may otherwise be unsuccessful. I think they truly believe the new products are improvements over the old ones.
 
Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

gregory said:
It has been suggested that their recommendations are often driven by a need to sell new products which may otherwise be unsuccessful. I think they truly believe the new products are improvements over the old ones.
Click to expand...

I will take their advice with a grain of salt then. The info I get on this forum has usually been pretty solid, so that's why I pretty much post here before asking around anywhere else. I do my own research too, of course, but I enjoy talking to you guys about gear pretty often. :)
 
Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

Ok, so DiMarzio tech support actually recommended the PAF 36th for what I'm wanting. They also said maaaaaybe the EJ Custom or Humbucker from Hell would work for a brighter, more single-coil version of that tone.
 
Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

John Petrucci's "liquid" lead tone. Lol... I gave them all the specifics: Les Paul, heavy strings, baritone tuning, Peavey 6505+, all that stuff. This was their reply:

"I think you might do best with a 36th Anniversary PAF (DP103). I am concerned that the combination of the bari tuning and heavy strings with a Les Paul might result in a muddy sound with any of the pickups you listed. The PAF has a very sweet top end, but less bass and mids, and therefore better clarity.

DiMarzio Inc."
 
Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

Then they said this:

"For a (relatively) short scale bari, I would normally recommend a very clean & bright neck pickup like the Humbucker From Hell or EJ Custom neck model. I did not suggest either to you because their treble response is similar to that of a single-coil Strat pickup, which does not fit your wish for a liquid tone. I mention it as something you might keep in mind if the need comes up."
 
Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

Makes sense. I'd revisit the posts suggesting the Full Shred. Mine's in a 25.1" scale, but I run 10-46, drop D.
 
Re: Les Paul neck pickup for "fluid" tone?

It's tight and bright, but I don't think it sounds like a single coil. I think it's a little thin, but that may not be a problem with your setup.
 
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