Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

S

Stevo74

New member
Hi guys.

A while ago I had my Les Paul Classic stock pickups replaced as I thought they were a little too thin sounding and tinny.
I had them replaced with a Pearly Gates SH-PG1 and an Alnico II Pro APH-1.
(Looking for that Warren Haynes tone)

The guy who fitted them for me didn't ask which one I wanted in the bridge or neck and I'm wondering if they are the wrong way around.
Should it be Pearly Gates/Bridge and Alnico II Pro/Neck???
Is there a way of telling which is where without pulling them out or would I definately hear it if they are wrong?
(they're both Zebras)

Sorry for being a newbie to this, thanks.

n704966819_1089990_9811.jpg
 
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Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

We'd use a multimeter to test the reisitance (ohms). The one with the higher number is hotter & should be on the bridge. The other way would be to loosen the strings, raise the PU's, & look at the sticker underneath.
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

Both pickups have specific bridge and neck position models...that's probably how he knew. The positions are designated by a "B" or "N" on the bottom of the pickup.
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

PoorMan said:
Both pickups have specific bridge and neck position models...that's probably how he knew. The positions are designated by a "B" or "N" on the bottom of the pickup.
Click to expand...

So is it possible that the Bridge Pickup and Neck Pickup are correctly fitted according to the letters B & N but I may have bought them the wrong way around??? ...If that makes sense?

For example: I bought a higher output Neck Pickup than the Bridge?

Thanks.
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

Stevo74 said:
So is it possible that the Bridge Pickup and Neck Pickup are correctly fitted according to the letters B & N but I may have bought them the wrong way around??? ...If that makes sense?

For example: I bought a higher output Neck Pickup than the Bridge?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Possible. Once I took in a V to get a bunch of stuff done, and while it was in I figured I'd have him throw in a new pickup since he was stripping the neck, fixing the hs, making new pickguard, etc...it had a Floyd and he didn't order me a Trembucker. It's amazing how some awesome luthiers don't notice things like that.

Everybody makes mistakes.
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

It's just like cats and dogs --- the best way to tell what they are is to pick it up and look underneath.
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

Does it sound good in both positions???
If so....than its right for you.......... doesn't matter weather its sposed to be that way or not. :approve:
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

Guitar-Sam said:
Does it sound good in both positions???
If so....than its right for you.......... doesn't matter weather its sposed to be that way or not. :approve:
Click to expand...

I'm not convinced with the tone...

I'm liking the neck pickup (whichever it may be) but still finding the Bridge one a little too harsh and weaker.
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

try raising the bridge pickup, and lowering the polepieces. that will increase the power and thicken it up a bit.
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

i just had a chance to take a good look at your pickups, i think you bought two neck models. both of the cream coils are bridgeward, and the bridge pickup's cream coil should be neckwards if it's duncan. if it sounds thin and harsh, i'm going to take a guess at it being the pearly gates in there. try lowering the coil screws down a bit while raising the pickup, that should cure some of the harshness.
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

super rad ska said:
i just had a chance to take a good look at your pickups, i think you bought two neck models. both of the cream coils are bridgeward, and the bridge pickup's cream coil should be neckwards if it's duncan.
Click to expand...

actually that doesnt mean anything, its only zebra or reverse zebra. when i got my pg set i have a zebra neck and rev zebra bridge
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

jeremy said:
actually that doesnt mean anything, its only zebra or reverse zebra. when i got my pg set i have a zebra neck and rev zebra bridge
Click to expand...

:smack: i actually looked at it again and realized i was wrong right there.
 
Re: Pickups the wrong way around, Newie post!

assuming that the pickups are in the right position,from what your saying it sounds like only 1 coil of the bridge pup is connected
Man dig in and find the problem,then next time you need some work done on yer gitfiddle you can do it yourself(you can probably find out everything you ever needed to know on this forum) its fun and satisfieing to get to know your guitar,and its good to keep the hands of out of work guitar teachers often mislabeled as"techs"and"luthiers" off your beloved instruments.
after all
it aint rocket science
 
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