question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

Ro_S

Ro_S

New member
I have a s/d '59' neck pick-up model with the normal pole piecing string spacing (i.e. not 'trembuckrer version).

I wish to know whether it's viable - in respect of string/pole-piece spacing - to use this pick-up as a bridge pick-up on a guitar with Strat type bridge.

advise please, thanks.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

The pickup will work. Whether or not you have a volume drop on the E strings / poles is debatable.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

dominus said:
The pickup will work. Whether or not you have a volume drop on the E strings / poles is debatable.
Click to expand...

hmm, ''debatable''. so what's the consenus on it?

it's a lower output humbucker; does that make a difference?
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

Ro_S said:
hmm, ''debatable''. so what's the consenus on it?

it's a lower output humbucker; does that make a difference?
Click to expand...

the pole pieces can be adjusted and usually neck and bridge are running on different heights of each pole piece, so you might have to adjust that.


of course it does. depending on how much less output you are gonna have its gonna be quieter/needs more gain on the amp/pedal to give an equal sound, and theres some other small things, but if you arent into metal you should be fine
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

Ro_S said:
hmm, ''debatable''. so what's the consenus on it?

it's a lower output humbucker; does that make a difference?
Click to expand...

People that haven't experienced it say that it won't make a difference. People that *have* experienced it will not take chances. (I have.) I think with a lower output humbucker it will make the problem more noticeable. I had it with an Invader.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

Using a '59 neck pickup in the bridge is a favorite of Allan Holdsworth. It should work fine. You can always raise the polepieces, but try it first, you might not have to.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

Hmm. Interesting. Thanks for inputs. I'm still worried, though, about putting a S/D neck pickup with standard pole spacing in a trem bridge position.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

Well, if you have the pickup already, then there's one way for sure to know. If it works, then you can keep it there. If it doesn't then you haven't lost anything and gained experience.

Nobody can know what you like or dislike about the way the guitar responds on the outer strings with your style and rig.
None of our experience will help.

So you can sit there and discuss the minutae for as long as you like, nothing will help now apart from putting it in the guitar..........unless you have an obscure law that makes it illegal to try out several pickups in a guitar I can't see any need for worry. Its not like the world will end if you have to pull it out again.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

Lots of people do this. Some don't like it. Lots do. You won't hurt anything, and it might sound great.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

I guess it depends on the pickup. I tried a Jazz neck into the bridge and the volume drop was way too much it could not compete with a single in the neck, but the SH-2n is as far as I know quite low output already.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

are you using the 59n with singles in the neck and middle?
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

Hi,
I have a Seth Lover in the bridge of one of my stats, and the magnetic field is broad enough I can't tell the difference. I love it. Sounds great on bends as the string goes over the top E pole screw. I also can bend the legs VERY CAREFULLY, but not not much and get the top E screw pole right under the top E string and although this offsets the low E,A, a little, you must remember they are much bigger strings and I always have to lower the the low side anyway, so for me - it is a WIN-WIN. I say go for it.
I DID NOT bend the legs on mine, as I like it just fine. but I have tried it on other pups with no problems. My vote is go for it as is and you'll be just fine. I have stated this in a recent post, but much wordier. I forget the thread.
SJB
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

PS-
I think the thread is called covering over pole pieces, and it is still on page 1 as of 3:40 Pacific time.
SJB
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

I tried and liked it. The lower output helps out the balancing issues with the neck and middle single coils. One of the many humbuckers I tried and liked in a HSS setup.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

Go for it. You probably won't notice any problem at all. And even if you do, it IS possible to take it out and replace it. Nothing is permanent.
 
question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

It'll work, no problem. It'll be thinner and brighter than the bridge variant of the same model, but this is due to the lighter wind, not the pole spacing.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

I'm all in favor of experimentation, especially in cases like this where the modification is easily reversed. Nothing to lose but a little time.
 
Re: question re: using a neck pickup as a bridge pick-up

jeremy said:
are you using the 59n with singles in the neck and middle?
Click to expand...

I was thinking of using the '59 neck model in the bridge position with the guitar's neck position having a jazzmaster pickup or a strat type pickup
 
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