Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

[BlueSkiesAndPaign]

Hey guys,

I need a neck humbucker pickup to pair with my SD Perpetual Burn. I like to use the neck pup for both lead and rhythm, and i switch between the bridge and neck pups quite a bit when i'm soloing.

So what i need for the neck: needs to be good for liquid-y shred leads in the vein of the Dimarzio Evolution when i add a ton of gain (not super high output like the Evo, just capable of reaching there - like the Perpetual Burn), but still retains the PAF character and a good amount of dynamics, cleans up well with the volume knob, be sweet but neutral enough to really tailor with the onboard active EQ on my 25-inch scale 24-fret Carvin DC200 (it has treble boost and treble cut), and split well for cleans. It should be articulate enough for sweep picking, and should sound good when playing hard blues on the pentatonic scale with a lot of bends. I guess that's a lot to ask for from one pickup.

Also, i have found the '59 and the Sentient too bassy in comparison to the PB - don't want to keep changing amp settings when i switch from bridge to neck. Anything too higher output would cause volume issues.

Would that be the Jazz? What other pickups have you paired with the Perpetual Burn?

Other pickups i'm considering above and below the output spectrum (would like your views):

1. Dimarzio Eric Johnson Custom
2. SD Jazz Bridge
3. SD Whole Lotta Humbucker
4. SD Full Shred

Thanks!

 

[Demanic]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

You could add the Screamin' Demon to that list.

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[Gearjoneser]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

If I could go back in time, I'd have bought Pearly Gates necks in place of whatever else I bought.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

AGREED! Have lots of 59b models in neck positions, would have used pearlies

 

[Demanic]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

Never tried a Pearly, but I put a polished A4 in my 59n and it is probably my favorite neck pickup.

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[frankfalbo]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

A2Pro Slash based on what you've said. Might need to get it Shop Floor Custom to get 4-conductor and short legs.

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

The Jazz neck is paired with the Perpetual Burn in the Carvin JB24 Jason Becker sig guitar, so this is a proven combination.

I've used that same pairing in an SG. It didn't really work for me, basically b/c my SG is super-mids-heavy so it needs a less focused sound, but I could tell the pickups were well-matched in terms of voicing and output.

If you want liquid high gain leads, I'd actually suggest the Jazz bridge in the neck to pair with the Perpetual Burn, especially if your guitar has 24 frets. I like the Jazz; it's a very articulate pickup, but I don't feel it has enough oomph to get to "liquid" without excessive amounts of gain. Jazz bridge might add that little extra oomph to get you there.

 

[BlueSkiesAndPaign]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

Thanks for the feedback everyone! How would the Pearly Gates neck and the Jazz bridge compare - paired with a Perpetual Burn in the bridge?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

My first thought was the Jazz. But I am not a fan of the Alnico II-derived pickups (Slash included) in 24 fret guitars. They sound like slogging through the mud with wet boots on there, even though they are my favorite neck pickups in 22 fret guitars.

 

[BlueSkiesAndPaign]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

My first thought was the Jazz. But I am not a fan of the Alnico II-derived pickups (Slash included) in 24 fret guitars. They sound like slogging through the mud with wet boots on there, even though they are my favorite neck pickups in 22 fret guitars.

Thanks. I don't want the humbucker to be far too creamy, in fact.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

+1 on the Demon in neck position. It does really, really well with goodly amounts of gain- keeps its definition even on the low strings without feeling skinny. Being a bridge model it's strong enough to go nice and liquid when used for leads. More muscular than the Jazz or Pearly, I think, yet it has bite in the tone and immediacy in the attack. This is not a round vintagey pickup and it doesn't get soggy when pushed.

IMO the Demon's very underrated as a neck pickup, really came into its own there- and that's something I never would have thought to try if it hadn't been for some of the voices here at the Forum. Thanks, guys.

I've loved it in neck position on a 22-fret mahogany axe; have been thinking about trying another at the neck of a 25" scale 24-fret with maple cap. If and when I put it in there I'll post about it.

 

[BlueSkiesAndPaign]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

+1 on the Demon in neck position. It does really, really well with goodly amounts of gain- keeps its definition even on the low strings without feeling skinny. Being a bridge model it's strong enough to go nice and liquid when used for leads. More muscular than the Jazz or Pearly, I think, yet it has bite in the tone and immediacy in the attack. This is not a round vintagey pickup and it doesn't get soggy when pushed.

IMO the Demon's very underrated as a neck pickup, really came into its own there- and that's something I never would have thought to try if it hadn't been for some of the voices here at the Forum. Thanks, guys.

I've loved it in neck position on a 22-fret mahogany axe; have been thinking about trying another at the neck of a 25" scale 24-fret with maple cap. If and when I put it in there I'll post about it.

How would you describe the Demon clean and split?

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

I spent some time trying to find a neck to match the Perpetual Burn when I was using it. The Demon and 59 overpowered it. A2 magnet necks had too much of a different feel. The Jazz was really good, and the best match I found from Seymour Duncan. The one I ended up liking best was the Dimarzio Humbucker from Hell. This was in a Basswood Ibanez RG.

 

[BlueSkiesAndPaign]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

I spent some time trying to find a neck to match the Perpetual Burn when I was using it. The Demon and 59 overpowered it. A2 magnet necks had too much of a different feel. The Jazz was really good, and the best match I found from Seymour Duncan. The one I ended up liking best was the Dimarzio Humbucker from Hell. This was in a Basswood Ibanez RG.

I see what you mean. The Sentient isn't suiting my Perpetual Burn, and to be honest at this output level the Perpetual Burn is a slightly irrational level of thin.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

How would you describe the Demon clean and split?

It cleans up very easily with the volume knob (perhaps partly because it stays relatively clean with gain) and works well with clean settings too. I don't have split wiring on the axe it's in so I can't comment on the split tone, though my experience has been that a straight split doesn't start to sound very good until you reach higher DCR pickups with more meat on the coils. For humbuckers where the individual coil is under 6K I tend to prefer a resistor in series on the shunt. Usually I'll use a trimpot so I can tweak it to taste.

It's strong in the neck- good match for a powerful bridge, but it could overpower the PerpetualBurn as Mr B said. I haven't owned a PB myself and figured it would be pretty hot- but Screamin Demon sounds like it should be super hot too and it isn't. Much as I like the Demon, I'd trust his advice and go with something different for the sale of balance.

 

[BlueSkiesAndPaign]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

I spent some time trying to find a neck to match the Perpetual Burn when I was using it. The Demon and 59 overpowered it. A2 magnet necks had too much of a different feel. The Jazz was really good, and the best match I found from Seymour Duncan. The one I ended up liking best was the Dimarzio Humbucker from Hell. This was in a Basswood Ibanez RG.

Would the Jazz bridge overpower the Perpetual Burn too?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Neck Pickup for a Carvin with SD Perpetual Burn in the bridge

Would the Jazz bridge overpower the Perpetual Burn too?

I don't think it would, but it is really bright. I think the Jazz neck is a better choice. It is bright, but not too much, and handles gain really well while staying tight.