Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

sufferinrewind

sufferinrewind

New member
I was wondering if anyone has ever tried a neck pup in the bridge and if it worked out well or not, or if anyone could give me reasons as to why it would/wouldn't work.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

It works. Watch your pole piece spacing as most neck pickup spacing is closer than on bridge pickups. All things being equal, neck pickups are usually wound colder.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

PoorMan said:
It works. Watch your pole piece spacing as most neck pickup spacing is closer than on bridge pickups. All things being equal, neck pickups are usually wound colder.
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Colder, meaning not as hot? If that's what you mean, that's the real answer to my question.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

sufferinrewind said:
Colder, meaning not as hot? If that's what you mean, that's the real answer to my question.
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Exactly. For example, A Duncan '59 bridge pickup measures 8.13K whereas a Duncan '59 neck measures 7.43K.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

PoorMan said:
Exactly. For example, A Duncan '59 bridge pickup measures 8.13K whereas a Duncan '59 neck measures 7.43K.
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That's what I want.

See, I like the DD, but I don't like it's output. I like the jangly tone it has, but I'm not looking to push my amp. I just want that jangly tone.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

sufferinrewind said:
That's what I want.

See, I like the DD, but I don't like it's output. I like the jangly tone it has, but I'm not looking to push my amp. I just want that jangly tone.
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You're looking at a bigger drop in output than in my '59 example. The bridge is 16.6K and the neck is 12.7K. Some people on this board (not I) have done this and found it a little harsh sounding. To me, I think an Alnico 5 would be a better magnet for that position and resistance. That being said, tone theories don't always work out as planned--so I could be very wrong.

Either way I say go for it! Forge your own path and create your own dream tone.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

I never thought of a DD as a jangly pickup. But everyone's ears are different.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

Do you think it'd work in the bridge of a Peavey Generation EXP? I've heard a lot about companies these days making the bridge spacing wider and people have been needing to buy trembucker spaced bridge pups for almost all of their new guitars. That's the only possible problem that I see.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

PoorMan said:
I never thought of a DD as a jangly pickup. But everyone's ears are different.
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Well, maybe it was just the particular guitar it was in that I heard. Stevo used a custom underwound DD in the bridge of his poplar Tele. Maybe it was the fact that it was a Tele and the body wood he used. I'm not sure, but that's what it sounded like. I'm sure it doesn't sound like that in a Les Paul.

I even spoke with Stevo about it. I was wondering if maybe he'd made a mistake and wrote that it was a Distortion accidentally. He said it was the Distortion, and that the slight underwinding just made it sound a tad thinner than a regular DD. He said he liked the jangle of it. And, it did sound jangly. I can post the link to the song, if you'd like a listen.
 
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Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

sufferinrewind said:
Do you think it'd work in the bridge of a Peavey Generation EXP? I've heard a lot about companies these days making the bridge spacing wider and people have been needing to buy trembucker spaced bridge pups for almost all of their new guitars. That's the only possible problem that I see.
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That type of bridge usually requires a trembucker spacing so the poles might be a little off. I'd check the string spacing and call Duncan just to be sure.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

By the way, what kind of sound are you looking for? What type of music do you play?
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

PoorMan said:
By the way, what kind of sound are you looking for? What type of music do you play?
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Blues/Rock type stuff. A little pop and a bit of country twang mixed in where I need it. That's why I'm looking for a lower output pup. The DD has good tone, but I'm not diggin' the output. That's my only problem with it. I'm looking for jangly tones, basically. Pretty simple. Do you think there's a better pickup for me than the DD?
 
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Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

I shoud have asked what kind of amp you have and if your guitar is inherently bright or dark sounding...but have you tried the C5 (14.4K) or '59 (8.13K)? Those would be good choices. If you don't want to push your amp the '59 might be the better choice. I think the '59 will fill your desire for something with a little "jangle" to it as well.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

PoorMan said:
I shoud have asked what kind of amp you have and if your guitar is inherently bright or dark sounding...but have you tried the C5 (14.4K) or '59 (8.13K)? Those would be good choices. If you don't want to push your amp the '59 might be the better choice. I think the '59 will fill your desire for something with a little "jangle" to it as well.
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Well, I don't actually know how it sounds, I haven't actually bought the guitar yet. It's a Peavey Generation EXP, made of basswood, bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood board. It's got a hardtail, string-thru bridge. H/S/S pickup configuration.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

sorry for hijacking this thread but, do you know if a bridge humbucker could go in the neck? I have an invader.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

Minty said:
sorry for hijacking this thread but, do you know if a bridge humbucker could go in the neck? I have an invader.
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Well, it could, and lots of players put them in the neck. But, I'm thinking the Invader bridge wouldn't be the best choice for the neck. It's got 3 magnets. Very strong pickup. Would probably be too strong in the neck.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

Minty said:
sorry for hijacking this thread but, do you know if a bridge humbucker could go in the neck? I have an invader.
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That pickup is insanely hot for a neck...I wouldn't do it.
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

sufferinrewind said:
Well, I don't actually know how it sounds, I haven't actually bought the guitar yet. It's a Peavey Generation EXP, made of basswood, bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood board. It's got a hardtail, string-thru bridge. H/S/S pickup configuration.
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I'd wait to get the guitar first and then explore the C5 or '59. Both are good pickups for rock/blues the C5 being a bit hotter and darker. The 59 is definitely more jangly and pulls off blues and rock very well.

I can't listen to the song (I'm at work and they block media). :gurmpy:
 
Re: Neck Humbucker in the Bridge?

PoorMan said:
I'd wait to get the guitar first and then explore the C5 or '59. Both are good pickups for rock/blues the C5 being a bit hotter though.

I can't listen to the song (I'm at work and they block media). :gurmpy:
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Ah. That's cool. Just find the thread when you're home and have a listen.

Thanks a bunch for the help, man. I appreciate it. :)
 
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