Re: Suggestions for replacing neck PU on Washburn J6 Wes Montgomery guitar
The first thing to consider is if you want a spongier woodier tone from an Alnico 2 pickup, or an articulate punchy Alnico 5.
One pickup that amazes me when it comes to punch, clarity, and output is actually the the Jazz Bridge model in the neck position. The Jazz N is a great pickup, but since the bridge model is still low output, yet punchier, it works great in my LP with a Custom Shop Brobucker bridge. That set would sound phenomenal in your hollowbody. I like the 59 neck too, but the lows can be a bit boomy for rhythm playing. The boomy lows really sound great for lead though....and that's what the 59 is best at...leads. The Jazz B in the neck has the authority of the 59 neck, but the bass is pulled back a little, making it great for both rhythm and lead.
If it were my guitar, I'd probably use a 59 or Custom 5 bridge, with a Jazz Bridge neck. Or, if I wanted the warmer looser sound of A2, I'd get a Seth set, or a CC/Seth N. One reason I even suggest the C-5 or CC for the bridge pickup is because they both sound vintage, but have a bigger sound. If you use your volume control, you can get soft smokey tones, or put them on 10 and ride on top of the mix.
