Tonerider neck humbucker (Generator, Rocksong or ACII Classics)

[waltschwarzkopf]

Hi guys,

I have an old Strat copy, a Marshall Rocket Special to be precise. It has a HSS configuration, the single coils are nothing to die for, but the humbucker sounds great and its output is quite hot. However, I need more power on the neck, so I want to put a Tonerider Humbucker there. I have heard the Alnico II classics, Rocksong and Generator (all of this on YouTube) and I liked them all, so I don't know which one to pick. I'm gonna keep one single in the middle and split the neck humbucker as well for strumming and low output low gain situations. I like switching between neck and bridge pickups while soloing in order to bring out the highs or lows depending on where I'm fretting the notes; also, I like having a harmonically rich tone on the bridge and more sustain on the neck side. Since I switch between neck and bridge while soloing, I need the output of both humbuckers to be balanced; otherwise, one will overpower the other; for lower volume and lower gain I have the single and split neck.

I like the sound of the neck single for low output mid gain parts or riffs, so the split neck should handle that fine. Currently, I have the middle single coil as low as the pickguard for low output low gain playing or chords and it works ok. I play mostly rock and progressive rock; i.e. Deep Purple, Queen, Steve Morse, Guns n Roses, Van Halen, AC/DC, Metallica; I try to play Steve Vai or John Petrucci, and I also want to write some of my own material, but the pickup configuration and output needs remain as I explained on the first paragraph. Which pick would you recommend for the neck? Should I replace my stock humbucker as well in order to have two brand new (paired) pickups? Do I need to match magnets? (I mean, pick either Alnico II or Alnico V for both neck and bridge).

Cheers,
Walter

Here are the links of the products:
Alnico II classics http://tonerider.com/alnico-ii
Rocksong http://tonerider.com/rocksong
Generator http://tonerider.com/generator

P.S. If you live in Zürich and want to get together and jam, send me a PM.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Tonerider neck humbucker (Generator, Rocksong or ACII Classics)

Should I replace my stock humbucker as well in order to have two brand new (paired) pickups? Do I need to match magnets? (I mean, pick either Alnico II or Alnico V for both neck and bridge).

If you like the stock bridge pickup I wouldn't change it, no need to change something if it gives you what you want! You surely don't need the same magnets in a neck and bridge humbuckers that you are using together, it can be fine to have a ceramic at the bridge and Alnico V in the neck for example (just an example, much more combinations are possible!).
For your needs I would take either the Rocksong neck or the Generator neck, the Generator probably is slightly louder than the Rocksong, but you should be able to balance any of the two with your bridge humbucker. The Alnico II Classic has the least output of the three and could give you a problem with the output balance when using it with a hot bridge humbucker. If I had to choose between the Generator and the Rocksong for the neck, I would go for the Rocksong, pretty neat sounding neck pickup in my opinion, it's warm but still has defintion, but that is a personal choice, the Generator sure is a valid option too.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Tonerider neck humbucker (Generator, Rocksong or ACII Classics)

If you like the stock bridge pickup I wouldn't change it, no need to change something if it gives you what you want! You surely don't need the same magnets in a neck and bridge humbuckers that you are using together, it can be fine to have a ceramic at the bridge and Alnico V in the neck for example (just an example, much more combinations are possible!).
For your needs I would take either the Rocksong neck or the Generator neck, the Generator probably is slightly louder than the Rocksong, but you should be able to balance any of the two with your bridge humbucker. The Alnico II Classic has the least output of the three and could give you a problem with the output balance when using it with a hot bridge humbucker. If I had to choose between the Generator and the Rocksong for the neck, I would go for the Rocksong, pretty neat sounding neck pickup in my opinion, it's warm but still has defintion, but that is a personal choice, the Generator sure is a valid option too.

I want both, similar volume and similar gain in the neck and bridge. But I guess more important would be volume to me, because if I'm soloing I want the volume to be even. The change in gain and the change in tone would be a product of the pickup it self and its position. But I will choose this based on the notes that I'm playing, meaning high- or low-pitched.

I have my current hambucker on my table as we speak and it has 15.49k of DCR.

The tonerider DCR specs are as follows:

Alnico II Classics
Neck 7.5k
Bridge 8.3K

Rocksong
Neck 7.9k
Bridge 11.8K

Generator
Neck 7.8k
Bridge 15.7K

So my current humbucker, is closer to the generator-bridge in "hotness". I'm thinking on going for the ACII classics or Rocksong for the neck as I believe this will give me more sustain and the thick sound the I want, a bit like Slash if possible. Which one would you recommend? The bridge is still hot and with some harmonics, I don't know if one of the other can give me more harmonics. True that I don't need to change it if I like, I'll try one of the neck ones and if I see that the bridge still overpowers the necks, I could go for a rocksong or AC classics for the bridge. What do you think?

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Tonerider neck humbucker (Generator, Rocksong or ACII Classics)

a bit like Slash if possible

I would get the Rocksong neck in that case, without any doubt.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Tonerider neck humbucker (Generator, Rocksong or ACII Classics)

I would get the Rocksong neck in that case, without any doubt.

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[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Tonerider neck humbucker (Generator, Rocksong or ACII Classics)

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Thanks! I already have the circuits and switches ready to test splitting the slug and screw coils. I'll try today with my humbucker and also order the rocksong neck.


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