Neck Pickup Opinions

[Lewguitar]

I like all the magnets. Don't hate any of them.

But over time I've found that in paf style humbuckers I like roughcast alnico better than polished...unless the polished has been degaussed.

And although I like A4 and A5...my favorite pickups that I use have roughcast A2 in both.

Or roughcast A3 in the neck and roughcast A2 in the bridge.

If I only had one guitar it would have roughcast A2 in both the neck and bridge.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

I currently don't have an RC magnets unfortunately until I order some.

 

[idsnowdog]

I have a 490T with an A4 and it's a great neck pickup. With A3 it was really bright but the bass was still woolly. A4 magnets are almost completely flat in their EQ and there's no bloat in them in any of the neck pickups I have tried them in.

 

[Lewguitar]

I have a 490T with an A4 and it's a great neck pickup. With A3 it was really bright but the bass was still woolly. A4 magnets are almost completely flat in their EQ and there's no bloat in them in any of the neck pickups I have tried them in.

With a Roughcast A3 magnet (never tried a polished A3) a 59N and an Antiquity N take on some of the qualities of a fat Strat pickup. Chimey, full and clean but strong like a PAF humbucker.

It's a great option to use in a second guitar as a wonderful alternative to a more standard sounding pickup set in a player's #1 guitar.

It might even become your #1 guitar.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

I have a 490T with an A4 and it's a great neck pickup. With A3 it was really bright but the bass was still woolly. A4 magnets are almost completely flat in their EQ and there's no bloat in them in any of the neck pickups I have tried them in.

Yes I have had good results with an A4 59N but I don't currently have any A4 magnets to try in this Gibson pickup at the moment.So basically just gathering all your all's thoughts...Shy of just getting something else,though the timing sucks with the holidays etc..On Lew's advice who I always trust,I would order some A4 and roughcast magnets.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

With a Roughcast A3 magnet (never tried a polished A3) a 59N and an Antiquity N take on some of the qualities of a fat Strat pickup. Chimey, full and clean but strong like a PAF humbucker.

It's a great option to use in a second guitar as a wonderful alternative to a more standard sounding pickup set in a player's #1 guitar.

It might even become your #1 guitar.

I have quite a few regular polished A3s...If it weren't for the cover and new strings on this strat,I'd dive back in and at least try the A3...My gut tells me A4 is what I need.I mean it's not a problem to pop the neck or loosen the strings and prop a 2x4 small chunk of wood at the bottom of the neck and sneak the guard out...It's more of a PITA doing that though...LOL

 

[Jeff_H]

John, I wish I had another A4, I would just send it to you. I have everything else but that. I had one lone A4 in my kit and that was it. Sorry buddy. The nice thing is that magnets are cheap, but free from a friend is always the best, especially around the holidays.

 

[Lewguitar]

John, you want a roughcast A3? I have nine of them. Message me your address.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

John, you want a roughcast A3? I have nine of them. Message me your address.

Lew you're awesome for that...Do you need any of the magnets I mentioned?

 

[Lewguitar]

Lew you're awesome for that...Do you need any of the magnets I mentioned?

Nah. I have quite a stash. Thanks

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Nah. I have quite a stash. Thanks

John Spina
5103 Doefield Lane
New Port Richey,FL 34653

Very much appreciated that you would do this! Message didn't send for whatever reason?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

John, I wish I had another A4, I would just send it to you. I have everything else but that. I had one lone A4 in my kit and that was it. Sorry buddy. The nice thing is that magnets are cheap, but free from a friend is always the best, especially around the holidays.

Love you buddy and thank you...Lew reached out and I will try the RCA3 and see how that goes...If need be I can order some A4 or another pickup after the holidays...Meantime gives me something to do....LOL

 

[Lewguitar]

Love you buddy and thank you...Lew reached out and I will try the RCA3 and see how that goes...If need be I can order some A4 or another pickup after the holidays...Meantime gives me something to do....LOL

I'd send you a RCA4 too but I put my last set of them in some Seth Lovers I have in my PRS SE Singlecut. They're not my favorites anyway. I like RCA2, RCA3 and RCA5. You know of the four (A2, A3, A4 and A5) RCA3 is the weakest. Eric Johnson likes A3 too, but he uses them in his neck and middle Strat pickups. Part of the "secret" to his chimey clean tones. The other part is being Eric Johnson! lol

 

[Jeff_H]

That was great of Lew to hook you up like that John. Very nice Lew. It will give you something to mess around with for sure my friend. Enjoy!!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

I'd send you a RCA4 too but I put my last set of them in some Seth Lovers I have in my PRS SE Singlecut. They're not my favorites anyway. I like RCA2, RCA3 and RCA5. You know of the four (A2, A3, A4 and A5) RCA3 is the weakest. Eric Johnson likes A3 too, but he uses them in his neck and middle Strat pickups. Part of the "secret" to his chimey clean tones. The other part is being Eric Johnson! lol

Yes EJ is just phenomenal hands down...Thx Lew and will try the RCA3 and see what it does...I get this message upon trying to message anyone?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

That was great of Lew to hook you up like that John. Very nice Lew. It will give you something to mess around with for sure my friend. Enjoy!!

Yep always were some great people on the forums! Thx Jeff. And hope you and yours are doing great!

 

[misterwhizzy]

Yes EJ is just phenomenal hands down...Thx Lew and will try the RCA3 and see what it does...

I don't think you'll be disappointed. The RCA3 is what finally solved my issues with the 59N that A2, A4, and A5 couldn't fix. A2 was really, really close, but it just killed off too much of the high end that is already at a premium in the neck position in a Les Paul. RCA3 is a very good fit and has more liveliness to my ears than the boring, flat A4 EQ and doesn't suffer the same boominess as A5.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

I don't think you'll be disappointed. The RCA3 is what finally solved my issues with the 59N that A2, A4, and A5 couldn't fix. A2 was really, really close, but it just killed off too much of the high end that is already at a premium in the neck position in a Les Paul. RCA3 is a very good fit and has more liveliness to my ears than the boring, flat A4 EQ and doesn't suffer the same boominess as A5.

Thx pal....Hopefully,though we are dealing with a mid 80s Gibson P490 pickup.To me no comparison to a 59 but I'm trying things first before buying another pickup.I like an A4 for my 59N pickups as a rule depending of course on the guitar.

Funny but my ears want to hear something closer and cleaner and clearer like a strat neck pickup....LOL...I hate woofy,dark,unclear tones in the neck spot.

 

[Lewguitar]

I don't think you'll be disappointed. The RCA3 is what finally solved my issues with the 59N that A2, A4, and A5 couldn't fix. A2 was really, really close, but it just killed off too much of the high end that is already at a premium in the neck position in a Les Paul. RCA3 is a very good fit and has more liveliness to my ears than the boring, flat A4 EQ and doesn't suffer the same boominess as A5.

Eggs Actly!