Newbie post: What the hell is the difference between neck and bridge pickups?
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Jocelyn
New member
Re: Newbie post: What the hell is the difference between neck and bridge pickups?
Simple...Bridge pick ups are wound hotter ( higher output) then the neck pickups... for example a Bridge 59 would have a little bit more out put then the neck 59.. this is done because there is less string movement at the bridge and hence the volume would be less.. to compensate for that the bridge pick up is wound hotter.
Simple...Bridge pick ups are wound hotter ( higher output) then the neck pickups... for example a Bridge 59 would have a little bit more out put then the neck 59.. this is done because there is less string movement at the bridge and hence the volume would be less.. to compensate for that the bridge pick up is wound hotter.
Re: Newbie post: What the hell is the difference between neck and bridge pickups?
Thanks Jocelyn, that makes sense to me. So now my question is: I have a pickup in front of me (next to my multi-meter), how do I tell its a neck or bridge pick up? And what happens if I use a neck pickup in the bridge position? What will it sound like?
thanks again.
Tony
Thanks Jocelyn, that makes sense to me. So now my question is: I have a pickup in front of me (next to my multi-meter), how do I tell its a neck or bridge pick up? And what happens if I use a neck pickup in the bridge position? What will it sound like?
thanks again.
Tony
Gdntoneguitars
New member
Re: Newbie post: What the hell is the difference between neck and bridge pickups?
Depending on the model, you'll also need to check the pole spacing. Some bridge pickups are spaced wider than the neck pickups to accomodate the extra distance of the saddles. Place a piece a paper over the pickup, and lightly circle each pole, and then place that template underneath your strings and see where it matches up.
If you know the maker and model of the pickup, you might be able to match up the resistance of the pickup with what's listed for it, but more than likely, you'll want to contact the manufacturer with the serial no. listed and see if they can help you.
Other than that, it's not going to cause any damage to your guitar or sound if you use a bridge pickup in the neck slot. Like I said, biggest thing would be to make sure the poles match up with your string spacing.
Depending on the model, you'll also need to check the pole spacing. Some bridge pickups are spaced wider than the neck pickups to accomodate the extra distance of the saddles. Place a piece a paper over the pickup, and lightly circle each pole, and then place that template underneath your strings and see where it matches up.
If you know the maker and model of the pickup, you might be able to match up the resistance of the pickup with what's listed for it, but more than likely, you'll want to contact the manufacturer with the serial no. listed and see if they can help you.
Other than that, it's not going to cause any damage to your guitar or sound if you use a bridge pickup in the neck slot. Like I said, biggest thing would be to make sure the poles match up with your string spacing.
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Newbie post: What the hell is the difference between neck and bridge pickups?
Yes, you could -- if by "not so hot" you mean you are looking for vintage jangle and twang out of the bridge position.
I know a guy who put two neck versions of a pickup (forget the model, pretty sure it was a Duncan) that were about 7.5k in his Les Paul. The one trick he used to even out the response of the two pickups was to leave the Alnico 2 magnet in the pickup he put in the neck and put an Alnico 5 magnet in the one he put in the bridge. (Alnico 5 has more output and bass than Alnico 2.) He is a blues player and was looking for that vintage twang and bite and it works very well for him.
I think if you were to try this move with two Duncan Alnico 2 Pro neck models, it would do the trick for you. Although you may decide you prefer the Alnico 2 pro neck model as is in the bridge. In that case, you can compensate for any volume balance problems between the two pickups by raising the bridge pickup closer to the strings.
Pole spacing isn't quite as much of an issue as it's often made out to be. Original humbuckers (PAF's) had the same spacing whether in the neck or bridge and they still sounded great. If you do find some drop-off in volume on your E-strings in the bridge model, you can always raise the two pole pieces for the E-strings a little higher than the rest.
BowerR64 said:
Yes, you could -- if by "not so hot" you mean you are looking for vintage jangle and twang out of the bridge position.
I know a guy who put two neck versions of a pickup (forget the model, pretty sure it was a Duncan) that were about 7.5k in his Les Paul. The one trick he used to even out the response of the two pickups was to leave the Alnico 2 magnet in the pickup he put in the neck and put an Alnico 5 magnet in the one he put in the bridge. (Alnico 5 has more output and bass than Alnico 2.) He is a blues player and was looking for that vintage twang and bite and it works very well for him.
I think if you were to try this move with two Duncan Alnico 2 Pro neck models, it would do the trick for you. Although you may decide you prefer the Alnico 2 pro neck model as is in the bridge. In that case, you can compensate for any volume balance problems between the two pickups by raising the bridge pickup closer to the strings.
Pole spacing isn't quite as much of an issue as it's often made out to be. Original humbuckers (PAF's) had the same spacing whether in the neck or bridge and they still sounded great. If you do find some drop-off in volume on your E-strings in the bridge model, you can always raise the two pole pieces for the E-strings a little higher than the rest.
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