Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

[jmcorey]

Hi All,

I have a Yamaha RGX820z. Great guitar with great neck, plays great. Typical bright strat with 2 humbuckers.

I took out the 59N and JB bridge the guitar came with (5 years ago now) and swapped pickups. After the Mo Joe and PAF Joe, neither of which I liked, I got an Air Classic for the neck and an Air Norton for the bridge. The bridge is good - very middy, a kick butt rock pickup, but the neck has way too soft an attack. I never end up using it. I'm sure the thing has 250k controls on it.

Usually playing this in church (contemporary p&w) through a modeler direct to FOH.

I think I need a new pickup for the neck. I have a regular Norton around the workbench that I've been thinking to put in the bridge, for fun. Now what to go in the neck.

Everyone has always stated that the Air Classic is great and bright, but in this guitar, it is weak and too soft sounding, not bright enough, and definitely bland/meh.

Ideas?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

I'd put a Jazz in the neck. It is bright, tight, and not soft sounding at all. Make sure you have 500k pots, though.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

Any other suggestions? Dimarzio 36 PAF neck? Full Shred Neck?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

Perhaps try a Liquifire, awesome neck pickup--nothing soft at all about that pickup


EDIT: Another suggestion would be the Screamin Demon–don't let the name fool you, great pickup for rock and its a moderate output pickukp

 

[LazNovak]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

I'd go with either the Full Shred or the Jazz.

If you stay with Dimarzio, go with the PAF Master neck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq5EH0AcQBo

 

[LazNovak]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

These are good too.

The Demon in the neck is nice as is the Liqufire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfbrlale9j8

Perhaps try a Liquifire, awesome neck pickup--nothing soft at all about that pickup


EDIT: Another suggestion would be the Screamin Demon–don't let the name fool you, great pickup for rock and its a moderate output pickukp

 

[Mincer]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

I have one more, the Pearly Gates neck, which is a great, bright neck pickup. Many people absolutely love it.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

I have one more, the Pearly Gates neck, which is a great, bright neck pickup. Many people absolutely love it.

Blueman disses it a lot, stating it is muddy to his tastes.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

If you stay with Dimarzio, go with the PAF Master neck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq5EH0AcQBo

Nice Demo. Do you know the difference(s) between the PAF Master neck and the 36th Anniversary neck?

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

Based on what you say about the Air Classic, I'd suggest the Alnico II Pro Slash model.

 

[Mononoaware]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

Nice Demo. Do you know the difference(s) between the PAF Master neck and the 36th Anniversary neck?

The Master is a bit lower powered, and has less "give" in the mids and a tougher all-around sound. Individual notes ring out in a round way at the expense of some sweetness and chime. Bass is very much in-control. Nice pickup, and a nice, slightly woodier and more rockin' alternative to the Jazz.

This is with 500k pots. I have no experience with 250k (which, honestly, I'd swap out of that strat before I started trying new pickups -- the Air Classic may surprise you at 500k). However, if I were to use a neck pickup with 250k, the Master, Bluesbucker, or Jazz would be about the only things on my list.

$.02

 

[DKSEARS]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

How about using the Air Norton in the neck with the Norton in the bridge? I have had an air Norton in the neck slot and it was great in the guitar. I'm sorry I got rid of it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

First, if you are running humbuckers, ditch the 250k pots and install 500k's. That could cure some of what you are describing as "bland and soft" especially in the neck position. What are describing as "soft" may also be alnico 2 magnets.

For more bite and a bright tone in the neck, good choices are: humbucker from hell, PAF PRO, Jazz, Full Shred n.

I agree that the Norton Bridge and Air Norton neck would be an interesting combo, but I find the Air Norton neck incredibly muddy and indistinct in some guitars, so it may not be your best bet.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Need Alternative to Air Classic Neck

First, if you are running humbuckers, ditch the 250k pots and install 500k's. That could cure some of what you are describing as "bland and soft" especially in the neck position. What are describing as "soft" may also be alnico 2 magnets.

For more bite and a bright tone in the neck, good choices are: humbucker from hell, PAF PRO, Jazz, Full Shred n.

I agree that the Norton Bridge and Air Norton neck would be an interesting combo, but I find the Air Norton neck incredibly muddy and indistinct in some guitars, so it may not be your best bet.

Thanks, good suggestions. But the Air Classic has alnico 5 magnets but with the air spacers to approximate an A2 magnet.