SH-1N '59 Question

[Burning Metal Axis]

Hello,
Recently I had a reputable shop install a SH-1 '59 in the neck of my Ibanez RG 350 DX. I did not realize until I returned home that the pickup was installed with the adjustable pole pieces on the bottom instead of on the top like all neck pickups I have seen. Is this correct pickup placement for an SH-1N? If not, does it affect the tone I should have, or should I flip it with the pole pieces on top? I appreciate any feedback.

 

[wasteofo2]

Re: SH-1N '59 Question

It doesn't really matter much, it will make the pickup SLIGHTLY more trebly, but barely noticable, I actually prefer my neck pickups like that.

 

[Stevo]

Re: SH-1N '59 Question

I have mine that way on purpose. I like to raise the poles a little bit, on that side.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: SH-1N '59 Question

Hey welcome to the forum.
It's not correct placement for this pickup and it does change the tone though the difference isn't dramatic.
The pickup will catch more string vibration the way it is installed now and thus has a different tone: Tamed bass resulting in a brighter sound. I've experimented with this and eventually returned to normal pickup placement on behalf of my ears.

You should check if it is actually a Neck '59. If you have a multimeter you can compare your readings with those on the spec chart on the SD site.(If you don't know how to do this just ask and we'll go into detail)

If it is a '59n for shure just flip it over so the adjustable pieces are facing the neck.

You could also go back to the shop to face them with it, IMHO a reputable shop shouldn't make such mistakes. This is a pretty dumb one... :smack:

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: SH-1N '59 Question

Hey welcome to the forum.
It's not correct placement for this pickup and it does change the tone though the difference isn't dramatic.
The pickup will catch more string vibration the way it is installed now and thus has a different tone: Tamed bass resulting in a brighter sound. I've experimented with this and eventually returned to normal pickup placement on behalf of my ears.

You should check if it is actually a Neck '59. If you have a multimeter you can compare your readings with those on the spec chart on the SD site.(If you don't know how to do this just ask and we'll go into detail)

If it is a '59n for shure just flip it over so the adjustable pieces are facing the neck.

You could also go back to the shop to face them with it, IMHO a reputable shop shouldn't make such mistakes. This is a pretty dumb one... :smack:

Actually, if you have the adjustable polepieces facing the bridge on a neck pickup, those polepieces will detect LESS string vibtrations as opposed to normal operation. That's why the sound is a bit brighter.

As far as if it's correct, it's not, but a lot of people (like me) like their neck humbuckers installed in this fashion.

 

[theodie]

Re: SH-1N '59 Question

It is not correct nor is it correct. I would have to say installing your neck pickup that way is not following tradition. Who cares about tradition. Let your ears be the judge.