What neck pu should i buy ?

[Lindgren]

Hello folks....

I have a very bright sounding LP Standard and i have changed the pickup's several times at this moment.
I have a Custom 5 and a Jazz both zebras at this moment, the SH-14 will stay because that's one of the best bridge pickups i've ever tried in this guitar.
But im not completely satisfied with the Jazz neck pu, it's very clear and distinctive but i would like it to be at bit warmer & fatter...
What's a good companion to the C5 ?

59 or Alnico Pro II or maybe PG ?

Earlier i had a APII neck pu in a LP Custom and that was one of the best sounding blues/rock neck pu's i have ever tried....

What do you think ? I play mostly rock,blues and some hardrock..

 

[ZoSo0789]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

normally I'd say the '59 neck because it's an A5 which wont be quite a "muddy" sounding in the neck compared to the others, but I've heard great stuff about the Pearly Gates too, despite it being an A2. Personally, I'd say that since you were very happy with the Alnico Pro II neck, you should go back to it again since you know what you'll be getting out of it

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

normally I'd say the '59 neck because it's an A5 which wont be quite a "muddy" sounding in the neck compared to the others, but I've heard great stuff about the Pearly Gates too, despite it being an A2. Personally, I'd say that since you were very happy with the Alnico Pro II neck, you should go back to it again since you know what you'll be getting out of it

Sounds like good advice to me...but you might also like the PGn.

 

[Lindgren]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

. Personally, I'd say that since you were very happy with the Alnico Pro II neck, you should go back to it again since you know what you'll be getting out of it

Yes, but at that time AP-II was sitting in a completely different sounding guitar (LP Custom= very heavy and fat sounding), but maybe it's the right choise..

A question:

PG neck pu, has it "unmatched" bobbin windings or not ?

 

[ZoSo0789]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

Yes, but a that time it was sitting in a completely different sounding guitar, but maybe it's the right choise..

A question:

PG neck pu, has it "unmatched" bobbin windings or not ?

about the first part; since you say you're putting it in a very bright sounding guitar, it shouldnt be that bad. If you still have it around, try taking it out and swapping it just for kicks to see what it sounds like in that guitar.

The question: I dont exactly know because I've never really looked at the specs before, I've just heard an awful lot of good things about the neck version.... sorry

 

[Lindgren]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

Okey, thanx Zoso..... unfortunately i've sold that LP Custom some years ago..

 

[blueman335]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

You'll get all kinds of heartfelt advice on this forum about PU's that work in other guys guitars, through other guy's amps, but that's no guarantee that it will do the same in your guitar's wood.

Rather then get in the trap of buying & selling PU's that aren't quite what you expected, you should first try swapping magnets (over here, they're $5 each). You could get a '59N & find it similar to the JazzN. Or a PG or Seth that will be too dark. This runs in to a lot of money.

From what you said, it sounds like an A4 in your JazzN could give you what you want. A4 magnets have a balanced EQ, unlike A5's (in the '59 & Jazz) which have scooped mids, and A2's (in the PG & Seth) & A3's, both of which have lots of mids with little treble, and can be dark in a fat mahogany body.

A4's are great for giving more mids & warmth, when an A5 is too thin or bright. They also give some sparkle & bite when an A2 is too dull & dark. A4's are a very versatile magnet, and work well in both bridge & neck positions. Of all the magnets I've replaced, I've put in more A4's than all the other kinds put together (I play classic rock & Chicago blues). Tweak your tones with magnets, pots, and caps before you give up on a PU.

 

[Lindgren]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

Tweak your tones with magnets, pots, and caps before you give up on a PU.

Thank you for your advice, but i have already done everything except the magnetswap.
At this moment i have gone trough 9 different pu's including the original BB Pro's and im still not quite satisfied....it's fun swapping pu's...:biglaugh:
I have A2+A5+A8 magnets at home but no A4...

I think i can borrow and try a AP-II and a PG before i buy something, i should do that.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

Yes, but at that time AP-II was sitting in a completely different sounding guitar (LP Custom= very heavy and fat sounding), but maybe it's the right choise..

A question:

PG neck pu, has it "unmatched" bobbin windings or not ?

Evan says "no". But the one I measured had slightly mismatched coils.

It's my favorite neck humbucker.

 

[theodie]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

PG neck pu, has it "unmatched" bobbin windings or not ?

Some say yes but, I tested one that had a .04 difference. That is not enough to even be considered a mismatch IMO. That is probably within the production + or - tolerances. To be fair, I have only tested 1 though, I have had quite a few PG's.

 

[Lindgren]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

Thanx Lewguitar, i've been wondering about that for a while and now i know.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

Hello folks....

I have a very bright sounding LP Standard and i have changed the pickup's several times at this moment.
I have a Custom 5 and a Jazz both zebras at this moment, the SH-14 will stay because that's one of the best bridge pickups i've ever tried in this guitar.
But im not completely satisfied with the Jazz neck pu, it's very clear and distinctive but i would like it to be at bit warmer & fatter...
What's a good companion to the C5 ?

59 or Alnico Pro II or maybe PG ?

Earlier i had a APII neck pu in a LP Custom and that was one of the best sounding blues/rock neck pu's i have ever tried....

What do you think ? I play mostly rock,blues and some hardrock..

To keep the same magnet types and yet get it warmer and fatter, you might as well slap in a '59. An Alnico II pro would also be warmer and fatter, sort of like Slash's neck sound. If you already had an Alnico II Pro in an LP Custom, you might as well put one back in, if you like it.

I've tried the Jazz and '59, and the '59 would be what I would recommend first (based on your music styles), but like I said, if you liked the Alnico II Pro Humbucker, you might as well get it again.

However, you can swap magnets and other things if you want. Are your pots 500k?

 

[Lindgren]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

However, you can swap magnets and other things if you want. Are your pots 500k?

Yes, i recently upgraded the electronics with new CTS 500K pot's and rewired the whole guitar with vintage braided wire, i also put in some "mojo" (,011 & ,022) caps.
Btw: The last neck pu i tried (before the Jazz pu) was a High Order 7,8K Alnico 5 which sounded very very good, but now that one is sitting in my SG with a Sheptone Paf.

 

[hanumanlangur]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

I would switch all the pots to 250k. The Jazz was designed for 250k pots, and the tone becomes fuller, warmer, and deeper sounding with them. 250k pots will have this effect on the C5 as well, if you decided to replace those pots as well.

Just my $0.02

 

[Lindgren]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

I would switch all the pots to 250k. The Jazz was designed for 250k pots, and the tone becomes fuller, warmer, and deeper sounding with them. 250k pots will have this effect on the C5 as well, if you decided to replace those pots as well.

That i didnt know...well i dont think im going to do that, i've just replaced the original 300+500 Gibson stock pot's.
The C5 sounds great with 500K.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

I would switch all the pots to 250k. The Jazz was designed for 250k pots, and the tone becomes fuller, warmer, and deeper sounding with them. 250k pots will have this effect on the C5 as well, if you decided to replace those pots as well.

Just my $0.02

I wouldn't. All that happens is you throw away highs. That changes the relative balance in favor of bass and mids but it doesn't increase them.

Humbuckers need more highs...not less highs. But then, I prefer Strats and Teles because humbuckers have always sounded muddy to me.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

I wouldn't. All that happens is you throw away highs. That changes the relative balance in favor of bass and mids but it doesn't increase them.

Humbuckers need more highs...not less highs. But then, I prefer Strats and Teles because humbuckers have always sounded muddy to me.

+1. The only thing that changes with pots is the amplitude of the pickup (which is centered along the resonant frequency). Granted, this can make a pickup sound brighter, yes, but it does not make them truly brighter. Look at single coil pickups: they sound bright because of how quick in amplitude they respond (i.e. their response curve).

Granted, I'm very much a single coil person as well. I LOVE how they sound with 250k pots: punchy and quick.

Read Tech Tips - Potentiometer Values - Seymour Duncan/Basslines

As you can see, the peak doesn't shift in frequency, but it does shift in amplitude.

Remember, however, that potentiometers are merely variable resistors. In theory, you can install concentric pots or other simple electronic devices (resistors, etc) to give different sounds. You could even load a resistor in line with a switching system to increase or decrease the pot's value. Makes me want to install a "bite" switch on my strat that makes the pot 1MEG That would definitely hurt the ears

 

[blueman335]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

Thank you for your advice, but i have already done everything except the magnetswap.
At this moment i have gone trough 9 different pu's including the original BB Pro's and im still not quite satisfied....it's fun swapping pu's...:biglaugh:
I have A2+A5+A8 magnets at home but no A4...

I think i can borrow and try a AP-II and a PG before i buy something, i should do that.

Magnets are the biggest thing you can do to change EQ with a PU. You definitely need some A4's. After nine different PU changes...whew! I would recommend also getting some A3's & an A8 or two. Wymore Guitars has them, Check out their website & ask about shipping to you.

Remember, just as every piece of wood varies due to grain, density, mineral content, etc, no two PU's of the same model are identical either, due to slight variations windings & in raw materials. They should be close in tone, but don't count them being exact.

I've saved a ton of money by swapping magnets, I hope can start to.

 

[Lindgren]

Re: What neck pu should i buy ?

Magnets are the biggest thing you can do to change EQ with a PU. You definitely need some A4's. After nine different PU changes...whew! I would recommend also getting some A3's & an A8 or two. Wymore Guitars has them, Check out their website & ask about shipping to you.

I've saved a ton of money by swapping magnets, I hope can start to.

Yes, i also have one A3 magnet at home, i just found it in an empty Duncan box :bigthumb:

A while ago i did a magnetswap (High Order A3 become A5) and that worked very good.

Thank you...