Neck Pickup Choices

[ErikH]

Man, there's too many to choose from. In the coming months I'll be replacing the stock pickups in my Epi LP Standard Plus with some Duncans. The bridge is already decided, a Custom Custom. I just love that pickup. I've used it in combination with the Jazz neck before in my homemade strat but I've replaced the CC with a JB and the CC is in my Kramer so now I'm trying to decide between 3 neck pickups to put with the new Custom Custom.

My 3 choices that I've narrowed down are:
1. Jazz
2. Pearly Gates
3. Alnico II Pro

The major differences I see are the Jazz has an A5 mag where the other two have an A2 mag. Even though I like the sound of the Jazz/Custom Custom combo, I don't know if I want to go that route in my LP 100%. I'm leaning more towards the Pearly Gates for it's extra sizzle and I haven't played with an A2P in a long time. I like my multi-pickup guitars to be pretty versatile and allow me to cover a wide range of styles without having to change guitars too much. I don't do any splitting/phasing/coil tapping at all. If it's a humbucker, I like it to stay that way.

I'd appreciate any opinions you experts have with the CC/Pearly Gates and CC/Alnico II combos. Just give me your thoughts on how each of the two neck pickups sound by themselves and when combined with the Custom Custom.

Thanks.

 

[heem6]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

Hi,

I'm not an expert by any means, but I put a Duncan Buckshot ( korean version of the Distortion ) that I got for $12 on eBay, in the neck of my Les Paul and was able to get a really nice sort of a Stevie Ray Vaughan ( ! )sound out of it. I was able to use it with high gain without the dreaded "booming" effect on the bottom end. That's my experience, for what it's worth. Best of luck!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

I have a CC/A2Pro set in my trusty Yamaha SG 2000, and it is amazing, I would like to swap the A2Pro for a PG neck but not because the A2Pro is a bad sounding pickup, but a PG is my favorite Duncan neck bucker...I have a PG set in my Moderne and I love the tone of that guitar...it is simply amazing! I think that you would like either the PG or the A2Pro, so IMO you can't loose with either of the 2, if it were me I'd go with the PG...

 

[ErikH]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

What wood is your SG 2000 and Moderne made of? What kind of tones (comparable to who just as a general ballpark idea)?

 

[skynyrdlover1]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

seth lover neck and custom,custom bridge hell ya!!!!!!!!!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

What wood is your SG 2000 and Moderne made of? What kind of tones (comparable to who just as a general ballpark idea)?

The Moderne is real Limba wood (body and neck) with a rosewood fingerboard. The Yamaha is maple and mahogany neck through body with mahogany wings and a maple top with an Ebony fingerboard.

 

[Stevo]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

I just got an alnico 2 pro for the neck of my Les Paul. I really like it. I have had both of your other referenced pickups also. I like the a2pro because it has a nice hollow tone but it still has a nice treble content.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

Well, so far it's still a tie game for the PG and A2P. Anybody else have opinions on these 2 neck pickups?

Sorry, the Seth Lover isn't an option for me.

 

[MikeF]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

I can't speak for the PG, but I have the APH in a superstrat and couldn't be happier with the tone. The cleans are amazing and it does that cool bubbly, underwater, hollow tone under gain without getting muddy. Tough choice, I've always wanted to try the PG as well. Let us know what you choose and how it works out. We've got it tough here, so many good pup choices. :smack:

 

[ErikH]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

We've got it tough here, so many good pup choices. :smack:

Tell me about it. That's what makes this so freakin' difficult sometimes.

There's gotta be more people that use these. I wonder if Lew will chime in. He seems to have tried them all.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

My 3 choices that I've narrowed down are:
1. Jazz
2. Pearly Gates
3. Alnico II Pro

Jazz--the cleanest, chimiest neck pup I've played

PG--not really versed on the neck version, but the tones don't really appeal to me in either position.

A2P--nice and warm, quacky yet full

If you get an A2P, or jazz and you want the other just switch the mag, they are like the custom series and are essentially the same pup. I'm about to try that in my PRS if you want to look at my PAF breakdown it's in prideandjoy's thread about "choosing puppies"

Luke

 

[ErikH]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

I read that thread. Great info, Luke. Thanks. Well damn, now I'm considering the Jazz once again..... :yell: Ah well. It'll be a little while yet. I need to get the CC for the bridge first.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

I read that thread. Great info, Luke. Thanks. Well damn, now I'm considering the Jazz once again..... :yell: Ah well. It'll be a little while yet. I need to get the CC for the bridge first.

Didn't mean to mess you up bro! :smack:

In either case (Jazz or A2P) I don't think you can go wrong. I would just judge how bright the neck slot currently is, and think about if you want a similiar pup? darker pup? brighter pup?

For example I love the Jazz in my PRS, but through MY amp it is a hair too bright. With a magnet swap it should be perfect.

Luke

 

[ErikH]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

That's the thing. I have a Jazz now in an alder strat body and it's sound wonderful. My Epi LP is an alder/mahogany body so now I'm thinking a Jazz may give me a little cleaner of a tone but not get muddy. It still has the stock pickups. The neck slot could use a little more highs and less muddiness although it is very smooth sounding clean.

Since I couldn't go wrong with either one, I could always go with what I'm most familiar with.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

My Epi LP is an alder/mahogany body so now I'm thinking a Jazz may give me a little cleaner of a tone but not get muddy. It still has the stock pickups.

Like most eastern guitars the epis pups are hit or miss. My buddy's sounded decent, but another one I played sounded awful.

The neck slot could use a little more highs and less muddiness although it is very smooth sounding clean.

Sounds like a good slot for a jazz.

Since I couldn't go wrong with either one, I could always go with what I'm most familiar with.

Well that is safe b/c you know what to expect. Don't forget you have the 21 day return policy as well.

Luke

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

Unless you're a big Billy Gibbons fan and want his pickups (PG's) , I'd say go for the A2Pro and the CC. I love the PGn in my own guitar but it seems like most guys are liking the A2Pro a little more. Lew

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

Try a Jon Moore Humbucker at about 7.6k. You won't be sorry...

 

[ErikH]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

Like most eastern guitars the epis pups are hit or miss. My buddy's sounded decent, but another one I played sounded awful.

Luke

That is true. Mine sound decent and one reason why I bought the guitar. But as we all know here, pickups don't remain stock for very long. :laugh2:

 

[ErikH]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

Unless you're a big Billy Gibbons fan and want his pickups (PG's) , I'd say go for the A2Pro and the CC. I love the PGn in my own guitar but it seems like most guys are liking the A2Pro a little more. Lew

I am a Billy Gibbons fan as a matter of fact. I love his tone and his style.

My main style is more Van Halen/Zakk Wylde/George Lynch/Ace Frehley-ish but I like to play blues too and I've even started to venture down the country style road, just the beginning but getting started. I want my LP to sound like it should. I know the CC will make it sound incredible in the bridge position, that is one fat sounding pickup. I want the neck to have that same type of fat sound without being muddy and sound wonderful clean. With that description, I have a feeling that all three of my main choices (Jazz, A2Pro and PGn) fall in to that category.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Neck Pickup Choices

I think I may just get another Jazz neck for this guitar. After playing my JB/Jazz loaded guitar the other night and listening closely to the sound samples of the A2Pro, PGn and Jazz-n, I like how the Jazz cuts through more. In about another week, I can order the CC.