Not loving the Super 2 anymore... what now?

[Rex_Rocker]

So some time ago, I went with a Super 2 in the neck to match my X2N in the bridge.

At first, I liked it. I love that it has the power to keep up with the X2N.

However, nowadays, I switch to my other guitar with a Distortion Neck in the neck, and I much prefer that. The Super 2's cleans sound so sterile and lifeless by comparison. The distorted tones are too scratchy too. Bright, but not really all that defined compared to the SH-6N's smooth yet clear tone.

So what do you guys recommend I try next? I kinda want to stick with DiMarzio to match the bridge pickup, but I'm dubious, since the Super 2 is pretty much as hot as they go with neck pickups. I like what I've read and heard of the Crunch Lab and Air Norton, but I'm afraid they might be too low output. Keep in mind, I don't like the PAF Pro either because it has a very similar profile as the Super 2, just weaker.

So what else is there? Anything else from another brand, perhaps? I'd go for another SH-6N, but I kinda want to try other stuff out as well.

 

[Ascension]

So some time ago, I went with a Super 2 in the neck to match my X2N in the bridge.

At first, I liked it. I love that it has the power to keep up with the X2N.

However, nowadays, I switch to my other guitar with a Distortion Neck in the neck, and I much prefer that. The Super 2's cleans sound so sterile and lifeless by comparison. The distorted tones are too scratchy too. Bright, but not really all that defined compared to the SH-6N's smooth yet clear tone.

So what do you guys recommend I try next? I kinda want to stick with DiMarzio to match the bridge pickup, but I'm dubious, since the Super 2 is pretty much as hot as they go with neck pickups. I like what I've read and heard of the Crunch Lab and Air Norton, but I'm afraid they might be too low output. Keep in mind, I don't like the PAF Pro either because it has a very similar profile as the Super 2, just weaker.

So what else is there? Anything else from another brand, perhaps? I'd go for another SH-6N, but I kinda want to try other stuff out as well.

Liquifier to hot for me in the neck but may just be what you are looking for.
https://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/medium-power/liquifire

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I like the EQ profile of the Liquifire... I just wonder if it's going to be hot enough. The X2N is pretty damn hot, LOL.

 

[TVFV]

Given all your demands, I don't think there is a pickup in the neck that will give you what you want. Just make it a single hum guitar and move on.

 

[dave74]

Did you try lowering the super2? It won't help with the cleans being sterile, I think that is just part of having a high-output ceramic in the neck.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The Distortion Neck is pretty good, though. It's warm and strong without being overly bassy. Is there something like that in the DiMarzio range? Evo Neck perhaps? The specs seem to line up.

Or I wonder if using the regular non-air Norton is such a bad idea?

 

[Juanhanglo]

Can I ask why you need such high output?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Maybe the Super 3? It's got fat mids & big bass instead of the Suoer 2's hyoed highs and thin lows.
Or even the regular Super D - people have used those at the neck sometimes.

If it were me, I'd probably go with the Duncan because you already know you love it.
But I can totally understand wanting to stay with DiMarzio for both.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Can I ask why you need such high output?

Because I like pickups to balance.

I hate switching the pickup, and have the bridge pickup be nice and saturated, and have the neck pickup be wiry and udergained.

Or have the bridge pickup be super loud on cleans, and then the neck pickup super quiet.

 

[bigcupholder]

Do you need that high of an output for the neck? The D-Activator X set was designed to be balanced and the bridge is similar in output to the X2N, while the neck is listed at 300mV. How about the D Activator X neck then?

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[Mincer]

Because I like pickups to balance.

I hate switching the pickup, and have the bridge pickup be nice and saturated, and have the neck pickup be wiry and udergained.

Or have the bridge pickup be super loud on cleans, and then the neck pickup super quiet.

So you want them to sound the same?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

NOt the same, but the same volume, more or less.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

So I got an Evo neck. Hopefully this is better.

 

[Juanhanglo]

Because I like pickups to balance.

I hate switching the pickup, and have the bridge pickup be nice and saturated, and have the neck pickup be wiry and udergained.

Or have the bridge pickup be super loud on cleans, and then the neck pickup super quiet.

Sorry, I should have been clearer.

I meant in general. Not many guys use x2n level output these days, with all the modern amp gain and huge array of pedals.

there are tons of brighter, non sterile neck pickups out there, but next to none in that output category.

I like the full shred neck alot.

 

[bigcupholder]

So I got an Evo neck. Hopefully this is better.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on that one. I've listened to demos of it before and I thought it was pretty similar to the PAF Pro.

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[Rex_Rocker]

Sorry, I should have been clearer.

I meant in general. Not many guys use x2n level output these days, with all the modern amp gain and huge array of pedals.

there are tons of brighter, non sterile neck pickups out there, but next to none in that output category.

I like the full shred neck alot.

Oh, I don't need the output of the X2N, for sure. I just like how it's voiced. I come from using active pickups so I like the squishy feel and focus and aggression from high output pickups. I just like how they hit the amp (or in this case, my pedals).

I had my phase where I was using WLH's, '59's, and PAF 36th Anniversaries in the bridge, but then I tried the Black Winter, and I was converted. So nowadays, I'm looking for something along the lines of the BW in terms of output and voicing because I just like how my rig reacts to those.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on that one. I've listened to demos of it before and I thought it was pretty similar to the PAF Pro.

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As long as it's not as attacky, I'll be happy.

Honestly, I think that's the issue I have with the Super 2. It sounds too much like a PAF Pro that someone stuck a ceramic magnet in.

 

[bigcupholder]

As long as it's not as attacky, I'll be happy.

Honestly, I think that's the issue I have with the Super 2. It sounds too much like a PAF Pro that someone stuck a ceramic magnet in.

I think you'd like the Liquifire. It does the liquid lead tone thing really well and doesn't have the chirpy attack of the PAF Pro. I suggest trying that next if the Evo doesn't work for you.

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[Ascension]

I like the EQ profile of the Liquifire... I just wonder if it's going to be hot enough. The X2N is pretty damn hot, LOL.

Yes the X2N is super hot but it also has a extremely strong magnetic pull so needs to be dropped farther from the strings or you get weird harmonics and loose sustain, that will drop a little of the output. The Liqufier has about the same output as the PAF pro but feels hotter and will be much smoother fatter and fuller sounding than a super 2. Have had all of these and a Liquifier should be a decent match IMO for the X 2N tonally.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Alright, so Evo Neck is in!

I dig it. It's got more of a cutting upper midrange than the harsh and scratchy treble of the Super 2. It's not as hot, but it works regardless. It's not like super FAT, but I like that because it's not muddy. I like how it matches with the X2N.

So yeah, I'm happy! For now, anyways.