Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

V

VTM Mike

New member
I've asked the question here about a replacement neck pickup for my Iceman. I currently have a JB/Jazz set and cannot get happy with the jazz. The Iceman is a birch/basswood body with a rock maple neck. Suggestions I got here have me pretty much sold on a '59. I have a Warmoth Iceman (mahogany body and neck) with a PG/A2p set. Love the PG, not quite sure about the A2p. I am thinking about swapping the A2p into the Ibanez. JB/A2p make a good pair? If this works, what suggestions would you have for the PG bridge? The Ibanez is mostly used for classic rock/metal, the Warmoth for classic rock and blues. Both guitars are wired to split coils. Thanks!
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

The APHn/JB combo is quite nice, IMHO. The natural mate for a PGb is a PGn. They work well as a set.
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

The 59' in the neck is great and good for soloing.
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

Thanks guys. I'm going to yank the ap2 and put it in the ibanez. If it flies, then it's '59 or pg neck for the warmoth.
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

VTM Mike said:
Would that scoop the mids a bit? I could live with that for sure. I would prefer it to be thicker sounding.
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Yes, it would take out some mids, and add treble. Since neck PU's (due to string energy in that position) usually have plenty of mids and are in need of treble, it usually works well. To get treble without the added low end of an A5, you could use an A3. If you have an assortment of replacement magnets, you can get this dialed in quickly.
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

That may change the plan a bit. Re-mag the ap2, keep it in the warmoth and get a 4 wire '59 for the Ibanez. Sounds like that's a win win. Thanks guys.
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

Hell, if you're swapping mags then just switch the A2 in the APH and A5 in the Jazz...save the money on a new pickup. In other words: you end up with a Jazz2 in the Iceman and an APH5 in the Warmoth. Don't even have to unsolder them.
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

The APH1 in the neck is a little lifeless for my taste. The bridge version really roars.

The question of neck humbuckers comes up often. It's not easy. A2 fully potted machine-made usually sounds too lame, except for the PG which has a sizzle not everybody likes. A5 leaves Jazz (too lame for many) or '59 (too bommy for many).

Myself, I turned to boutique pickups in the neck, A2 or fine-tuned A5. The ant neck is a good starting point.

If the guitar is still too boomy in the neck (many Les Pauls), a Screamin' Demon helps, as does a bridge APH1 with A5 in the neck.
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

sanford said:
hell, if you're swapping mags then just switch the a2 in the aph and a5 in the jazz...save the money on a new pickup. In other words: You end up with a jazz2 in the iceman and an aph5 in the warmoth. Don't even have to unsolder them.
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+1
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

Sanford said:
Hell, if you're swapping mags then just switch the A2 in the APH and A5 in the Jazz...save the money on a new pickup. In other words: you end up with a Jazz2 in the Iceman and an APH5 in the Warmoth. Don't even have to unsolder them.
Click to expand...

I like this plan. And if the a2jazz doesn't do it, then a '59 it will be.
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

i have an magohony bodied iceman with a maple neck too! and mine has a PGb/59n set up! for rock/blues, itll shred dude. its my #1. the 59n can be a little warm at times, but i love super bright tones so maybe thats just a personal thing
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

I must say I am not overly optimistic that the jazz with the mag swap will do it for me, and the '59 in either guitar will probably rock. Plus, I kinda like a thick, boomier neck pup.
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

The Jazz doesn't do any good with A2, sorry.
 
Re: Neck pickups-the plot thickens.......

VTM Mike said:
I must say I am not overly optimistic that the jazz with the mag swap will do it for me, and the '59 in either guitar will probably rock. Plus, I kinda like a thick, boomier neck pup.
Click to expand...

With a little time you can dial-out the boominess adjusting the screws and pup height.
 
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