I'm looking for a neck position pickup for a Gibson Explorer to replace a Gibson 496R. It is paired with a 500T, which I love, but I find the 496 too thin for my taste. I'm looking for something smooth and creamy that would work well for bluesy rock solos. Any suggestions welcome.
Looking for a neck pickup
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InbredJunk
New member
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
A 59 will work for you.
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A 59 will work for you.
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stratguy23
New member
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
59n is a good suggestion - the stiffness of the A5 pairs well with the 500T ceramic in feel, but the sound can certainly get smooth and creamy with its emphasized bass (due to mid scoop).
Distortion neck, being similarly ceramic, might also work.
Have you tried tweaking pickup/pole height of the 496R?
59n is a good suggestion - the stiffness of the A5 pairs well with the 500T ceramic in feel, but the sound can certainly get smooth and creamy with its emphasized bass (due to mid scoop).
Distortion neck, being similarly ceramic, might also work.
Have you tried tweaking pickup/pole height of the 496R?
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
I did play with the height and it's still not doing it for me. The high ouptut of the distortion neck intigues me, however I'm leery on choosing another ceramic pickup. In regards to the neck position, this isn't the first one that's left me wanting more
I did play with the height and it's still not doing it for me. The high ouptut of the distortion neck intigues me, however I'm leery on choosing another ceramic pickup. In regards to the neck position, this isn't the first one that's left me wanting more
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
If the 59 doesn't work then maybe try a Phat Cat
If the 59 doesn't work then maybe try a Phat Cat
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
It works beautifully if you are a Bluesy-Rock kinda player. I put it in this Warmoth and really love the combo!
View attachment 70943
It works beautifully if you are a Bluesy-Rock kinda player. I put it in this Warmoth and really love the combo!
View attachment 70943
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
Well, I'd say bluesy-rock kinda player pretty much sums me up. I mean, I listen to a lot of things, but there's not much chance of any Mahavishnu Orchestra or Alan Holdsworth (or Eddie or Stevie or Jimi or Wes Montgomery or...) coming outta my fingers.
Thanks.
Well, I'd say bluesy-rock kinda player pretty much sums me up. I mean, I listen to a lot of things, but there's not much chance of any Mahavishnu Orchestra or Alan Holdsworth (or Eddie or Stevie or Jimi or Wes Montgomery or...) coming outta my fingers.
Thanks.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
Most welcome! Yeah, I listen to just about everything (except for opera lol) but my fingers don't have the variety my library does.
Most welcome! Yeah, I listen to just about everything (except for opera lol) but my fingers don't have the variety my library does.
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
Yeah, no opera, rap, almost no metal, very little country (although a lot of it isn't as bad as it used to be, mostly because it's not as 'country' as it used to be), and almost no pop.
So I guess that pretty much leaves blues, rock, and blues-rock. And jazz.
Yeah, no opera, rap, almost no metal, very little country (although a lot of it isn't as bad as it used to be, mostly because it's not as 'country' as it used to be), and almost no pop.
So I guess that pretty much leaves blues, rock, and blues-rock. And jazz.
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
Based on videos alone the phat cat sounds quite nice. I hadn't considered the soapbar route. That may be the way to go
If the 59 doesn't work then maybe try a Phat Cat
Based on videos alone the phat cat sounds quite nice. I hadn't considered the soapbar route. That may be the way to go
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
That was at the top of my list coming in. Anybody have an opinion on it?
That was at the top of my list coming in. Anybody have an opinion on it?
leevc5
New member
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
SH-2n, check it out. Blues solos are it's strong point. It has enough output to give you a rich sound with a touch of overdrive. I have 59s in my ES-335 and they sound great but for leads the SH-2n in the neck of my strat works sounds much better...tighter, more bite and cleaner definition of notes. The significant difference in guitar platforms contributes to this but I'm not sure how much.
SH-2n, check it out. Blues solos are it's strong point. It has enough output to give you a rich sound with a touch of overdrive. I have 59s in my ES-335 and they sound great but for leads the SH-2n in the neck of my strat works sounds much better...tighter, more bite and cleaner definition of notes. The significant difference in guitar platforms contributes to this but I'm not sure how much.
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Leon Of Late
New member
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
Definitely the A2P or if you need a touch more clarity and output, the Slash sig neck. The all mahogany body you have needs a little extra clarity, or it can at times anyhow. Lately the PGn has been my favorite neck pickup. Not quite creamy, but it can. It has a certain open quality that I like, whilst still having the warmth of the A2 mag.
Definitely the A2P or if you need a touch more clarity and output, the Slash sig neck. The all mahogany body you have needs a little extra clarity, or it can at times anyhow. Lately the PGn has been my favorite neck pickup. Not quite creamy, but it can. It has a certain open quality that I like, whilst still having the warmth of the A2 mag.
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
It is a remarkable neck pickup, that is both dynamic & responsive, without a hint of compression. It does blues, jazz, classic, & hard rock extremely well. It sounds great in an LP or a super strat, too. As you can tell, I love this thing.
It is a remarkable neck pickup, that is both dynamic & responsive, without a hint of compression. It does blues, jazz, classic, & hard rock extremely well. It sounds great in an LP or a super strat, too. As you can tell, I love this thing.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Looking for a neck pickup
Depends on the wood and how warm you like your neck PU's. For Gibson-design guitars, Phat CatN's can be pretty warm and rounded, too warm for me with the stock magnets (and I'm a blues/classic rock player).
For the kind of music you're playing the 500T/496R set isn't a particularly good choice. Those are ceramic hard rock/metal PU's. If I had to keep one of those PU's, I'd put the 496R in the bridge and an A2P or '59 in the neck. But my first choice would be to sell the stock PU's and put in a set of PAF's, like A2P's or '59's.
Depends on the wood and how warm you like your neck PU's. For Gibson-design guitars, Phat CatN's can be pretty warm and rounded, too warm for me with the stock magnets (and I'm a blues/classic rock player).
For the kind of music you're playing the 500T/496R set isn't a particularly good choice. Those are ceramic hard rock/metal PU's. If I had to keep one of those PU's, I'd put the 496R in the bridge and an A2P or '59 in the neck. But my first choice would be to sell the stock PU's and put in a set of PAF's, like A2P's or '59's.
