Which SD neck pickup will match a 500T bridge?

[cragga]

Hi

I have a set of alnico pro IIs on my MIJ epi les Paul custom. A fantastic guitar which I'd put up against a US Gibson. However I'd like to put a four wire Gibson 500T in the bridge. Not everyones favourite pickup but l like it. I'm told that the alnico neck will be noticeably quieter? Anybody tried a moderate output pickup with a hot bridge? Also I'd be using both neck and bridge for parallel splitting too.

Alternatively how about a SD 59 or an SD Jazz in the neck instead of an Alnico II? These two seem to state that they are often paired with a JB or a dimebucker. I wouldn't have thought a JB, SH5 or a dimebucker were massively far away from a 500T? Do the 59 and Jazz have stronger magnets (alnico V?) which would be more suited when matched with hotter pickups?

Let me know your thoughts. I really don't want to put a 496r in the neck as u really don't like them.

Cheers

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Which SD neck pickup will match a 500T bridge?

JB in the neck might be good for you. I like it there. The 500T isn't a bad pickup IMO, but then it depends on what you're doing with it.

 

[cragga]

Re: Which SD neck pickup will match a 500T bridge?

Hi

I'm not really after something aggressive in the neck. I'd like a classic les paul tone that will compete with the 500T. So basically like a hot vintage sound that will not have a noticeable volume drop.

Does anyone think the jazz would do it? I'm thinking of a5s to match the ceramic rather dc resistance, i.e. distortion etc?

Cheers

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Which SD neck pickup will match a 500T bridge?

Believe it or not, the JB isn't as aggressive in the neck as the bridge. At least to me.

Plus it does cleans in parallel well.

 

[grapeskeletons]

Re: Which SD neck pickup will match a 500T bridge?

+1, JB in the neck sounded boring to me...and I love it in the bridge!

The '59n is an awesome, vintagey sounding pickup, and rest assured, it is LOUD. You shouldn't have any problems matching volume.