Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

[alanfc]

Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge?

I 've been reading volumes about some pickups for a future change into my bridge on a strat. Between Lil 59 and JB Jr.

anyway I read alot of people putting Neck versions in their bridge position. Can anyone tell me the reasoning, plus/minuses?
thanks

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

I think in a Strat it's because it gives a more classic sounds because it seems that standard pup sets for them don't have the hotter bridge pickup.. they are all the same

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

I used to put a Dimarzio Fast Track 1 in the bridge position of my 62 RI strat. It's primarily designed as a neck pickup, but I really didn't like it there, it seemed a bit flat and not very interesting in the neck.

I was having some trouble blending a Fast Track 2 with the Fender CS 62's (it was too hot), so I tried the FS-1. It worked bewutifully. It still sounded like a humbucker, but the lows were tighter and the output balanced much better with the 62's in the neck and mid.

 

[alanfc]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

thanks guys,
but you mean there's no EQ difference between the neck and bridge versions?

I see from the tone chart that the resistances are different so I don't know.
For some reason I remember reading about guys putting neck versions of darker pickups in their bridges, I may remember this wrong.
thanks

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

thanks guys,
but you mean there's no EQ difference between the neck and bridge versions?

I see from the tone chart that the resistances are different so I don't know.
For some reason I remember reading about guys putting neck versions of darker pickups in their bridges, I may remember this wrong.
thanks

There is a difference as far as output and EQ goes. As a general rule, a neck version will have less output, less bass and less mids than the bridge version of the same pickup. If you need tighter bass, more clarity, and less output
(along with an extended high end response), the neck version of a certain pickup might work for you.

examples of this:

JB Jr.
Hot Rails
Duncan Distortion
Invader

 

[alanfc]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

OK thanks-
so some guys will have things they want/like from a particular pickup and take it down a notch by using the neck version?

I notice these models you give are high output.

I'm almost sure I'm going to go with the Lil 59 because even though the JB Jr. is higher output, it sounded rounder and less defined to me on the SD audio samples page.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

OK thanks-
so some guys will have things they want/like from a particular pickup and take it down a notch by using the neck version?

I notice these models you give are high output.

Exactly.

I mostly mentioned high output models because lower output pickups
(like the 59, PG, APH) might be a bit too low in output and skinny sounding in the bridge for most people.

 

[TheGZeus]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

The increased brightness and openess can be beneficial.

A 59 neck in the bridge of a basswood guitar sounds EVIL.

 

[alanfc]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

The increased brightness and openess can be beneficial.

A 59 neck in the bridge of a basswood guitar sounds EVIL.

wow -
you mean EVIL "good" ?

maybe I'd try a Neck Lil 59 in the bridge of my strat? Or would this be too much accentuation of brightness?
thanks

 

[alanfc]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

bump

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

I would try that 59N in the bridge of my new Peavey, but my amp doesnt have enough gain. I would have to boost it.

 

[alanfc]

Re: Whats the idea behind a Neck pickup in the Bridge

I just now ordered a JB Jr. Bridge model :dance:
So thats solved