SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

[Setneck]

Hi!

I seek for the cutting-thru neck pickup for my LP Custom. Now I have 490R there. I need more piano like cleans and liquid brighter leads (don't playing rhythms with that pickup).

My first thought after reading forums was SH-2n. But a friend of mine has SH-4 installed in neck position in his Yamaha (Ibanez type) guitar and I quite like that tone. But it is made from alder and I wonder how SH-4 would sound in mahogany type guitar in neck.

What do You guys think? Unfortunately I can't try them both at the same time, I got to choose one before buying it.

Thanks for Your help.

Regads, Andy

 

[orpheo]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

the JB (thats the SH4) in the neck of a les paul is juicyness and fattyness all the way. I really like the tone, in conjunction with a JB in the bridge or a superdistortion. the SH2-n is colder, less output, cleaner and more transparant.

I like both, a lot, and it really depends on what you actually want.

I have to admit, though. the SH2-n is in my opinion too weak to be paired with a JB. the SH2-b is better. those extra turns of wire give it just enough power to handle the JB.

 

[Gypsyblue]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

Looking for clear, deep, articulate "piano" tone from the neck pickup? SH-2N will get you closer than any other humbucker. The SH-1N might be good for that too but I'd go for the SH-2N.

 

[metlking]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

I was bored one day and took a Duncan Custom, which I figured would be way too powerful for the neck, and stuck it in my Les Paul's neck slot.....The kicker is I wired it in parallel, not series like a conventional humbucker. I did this thinking it would tame the output a bit. The first thing I thought when I played it clean was it was very "piano-like"....I use it mostly for cleans and it sounds awesome and different, not a tone you usually hear from a Les Paul, bright and chimey and crystal clear.......Think "Far Behind" by Candlebox or the beginning of "Enter Sandman".........

Like I said, this was done purely out of bordom, and was meant as an experiment. That was about 4 years ago and I can't come up with a decent reason to take it out, other than the fact it makes all my other guitars neck pickups sound muddy and bland!

I'd like to try the same idea with a JB......hmmmmmmmm

 

[Setneck]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

Looking for clear, deep, articulate "piano" tone from the neck pickup? SH-2N will get you closer than any other humbucker. The SH-1N might be good for that too but I'd go for the SH-2N.

Thanks for the replies guys. I actually already tried SH-1n and the signal was too weak paired with EVH Wolfgang pickup which I used in bridge position. Now I plan to go back to that pickup and need to find a good match for it in neck. After what You all guys wrote I'll go for SH-2N. Thanks again.

Regards, Andy

 

[mwalluk]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

For cleans in a neck of an LP, I prefer either a Pearly Gates, A2P or a 59'

 

[blueman335]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

I have a couple 490R's and they're muffled and muddy, which is due to the A2 magnet (all mids and little treble). What I do is swap the mag, and put in an A5, which has a lot of treble, and it turns into a very clean, clear PU; probably just what you want. If you need an A5 magnet, PM me.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

I have a cople 490R's and they're muffled and muddy, which is due to the A2 magnet (all mids and little treble). What I do is swap the mag, and put in an A5, which has a lot of treble, and it turns into a very clean, clear PU; probably just what you want. If you need an A5 magnet, PM me.

What blue said, a A5 makes them a really great pup, a lot like a TTop.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

What blue said, a A5 makes them a really great pup, a lot like a TTop.

Right. You probably don't need to buy a new PU. You've got a very good one now, it just doesn't have the right magnet in it.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

I like the 490R with an A4, UOA5 and/or A3 in it.

HTH,

 

[Setneck]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

I have a couple 490R's and they're muffled and muddy, which is due to the A2 magnet (all mids and little treble). What I do is swap the mag, and put in an A5, which has a lot of treble, and it turns into a very clean, clear PU; probably just what you want. If you need an A5 magnet, PM me.

Thanks blueman for the tip. The thing is that my pickup is factory covered. Is swapping the magnet more problematic than with uncovered pickup? (waxing, etc).

Regards, Andy

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: SH-2n or SH-4 in neck position in les paul?

Looking for clear, deep, articulate "piano" tone from the neck pickup? SH-2N will get you closer than any other humbucker. The SH-1N might be good for that too but I'd go for the SH-2N.

yep.