RTM neck pairing question

[Chris EmCee]

I’m considering picking up an RTM, even if just temporarily and because I’m curious about it, and it will be at least a week from now before I get my Custom and Custom Custom from Duncan through their exchange program.

with 19K DCR, I don’t know that I currently own any good matches for it for the neck pickup, but also DCR is but one indicator, not THE indicator of how perceivably loud a pickup will be.

in my guitar right now is a Suhr Thornbucker neck pickup, and it’s clear and articulate and open sounding, at 7.3K DCR. I also have a Duncan 78 neck pickup (I need to get the leads extended on that one, I suck at that and that’s why the Thornbucker is in there, although I’m liking the sound of that Thornbucker in the neck), and a Dimarzio 36th Anniversary PAF neck pickup.

All three of those are low output PAF style pickups, and I’m wondering about huge volume swings between neck and bridge, but I’ve read how people have used 59’s, Jazz, Pearly Gates, etc with the RTM with good results.

I KNOW it’s not a JB with an A2, but it’s in the same vein. It’s a little hotter, but the standard pairing for a JB, which is similar, would be a Jazz or 59, so I’m wondering if RTM will work well with that Thornbucker in there.

What do you think, will any of those pair well with it? I’m good with either the 78 or the TB, but I briefly tried the Dimarzio 36th in this guitar and it sounded a little too muddy for my liking. The Thornbucker I think is the clearest and most articulate from what I currently have, and the sound of it is growing on me.

 

[Securb]

Don't be afraid to try a bridge pickup in the neck position. Especially with such a hot bridge pickup.

 

[Chris EmCee]

Don't be afraid to try a bridge pickup in the neck position. Especially with such a hot bridge pickup.

Yeah, I thought about that too, and I’ve never done that before, so….possibly a stupid question, but if I happen to like the sound of the RTM and it comes down to needing a hotter neck pickup, do I just install a bridge pickup upside down, or do I need to flip the magnet, or…?

 

[Securb]

Yeah, I thought about that too, and I’ve never done that before, so….possibly a stupid question, but if I happen to like the sound of the RTM and it comes down to needing a hotter neck pickup, do I just install a bridge pickup upside down, or do I need to flip the magnet, or…?

Nothing has to be done with the magnet. The orientation of the pickup doesn't matter but traditionally the poles go towards the neck. If it seems too hot back it off the strings a bit. Some of my best sounding guitars have bridge pickups in the neck.

 

[Chris EmCee]

Well, never mind the RTM, I just couldn’t do it. After reading and watching and listening to more about it last evening, I’m sure it’s a blast to play with that pickup installed, but I don’t think it would be my long term option.

in the meantime, my local place had a 59/Custom hybrid in stock, and that was on the list of “possibles”, so I grabbed it while I’m waiting for my Custom and Custom Custom to arrive. It’s a curious pickup, I’m not even sure what to expect, but I’ll solder that in tonight or tomorrow night.

The 78 is my baseline that I’m trying to beat, and frankly it’s been a challenge so far. The RTM was just going to be on a whim, and because I’m not always patient, but the 59/Custom is more in line with what I’m chasing I think.

 

[beaubrummels]

IME the 59/Custom was like a fuller '78 model, but still clear and even.

 

[Chris EmCee]

IME the 59/Custom was like a fuller '78 model, but still clear and even.

If that ends up being the case, that may end the hunt. I do have an angled bridge humbucker, which is my only concern on THAT pickup (the 59/Custom), because the E strings will each be catching the opposite coil more than the other coil. I’ve done like 7 pickup swaps in the last two weeks and it’s not been an issue, but none have had mismatched coils up until this one, so we’ll see what happens. I usually go for 53mm/trembucker/F-spaced (regular spacing picks up just fine, I just prefer the width with that angle.), but in this instance, the regular spacing might actually work out better. We’ll find out.

 

[ErikH]

I think you'll like the 59/Custom Hybrid. I put that in another Strat of mine and it sounds so good. It's lower in output than the Custom series but not by much. It really yields well to playing dynamics. Perfect with the Classic Stack Plus in the neck and middle. I did end up putting a nickel cover on the Hybrid though. I like the look with the singles.

 

[Overlord]

I tried a regular '59 bridge in the neck with the RTM, and in my opinion, the '59 bridge in the neck was too loud even when I lowered the pickup.
In my opinion and experience, a regular PAF output neck pick up will work just fine for you.
If you want a more liquidy feel, get the Pearly Gates neck with the A2 magnet.
Or else the '59 neck, Jazz neck, or even the Sentient if you want something with an A5 magnet in the neck.