Next please...neck pickup suggestions

[KaiserSoze]

Mahogany strat, maple/ebony neck,

Currently have a Dimarzio AT1 in the bridge which is so good a fit that I'll leave it.  I've been experimenting with the neck pickups and have had an SD 59, a GFS P90, and a vintage strat pickup (using an adapter).  All were cool but I'm not in love yet. 

I'd like to try some different humbuckers, maybe with a tighter bottom end and more clarity or just a different character than a PAF.  I play mostly cleans with the neck pickup.

Thoughts on what would be cool character and compliment the bridge hb well?  Thanks :hello2:

 

[jackthehack]

Rio Grande BuffaloBucker or Texas Humbucker could work....

 

[Death by Uberschall]

SD Jazz

 

[Tipperman]

Nailbomb.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Duncan 59
Duncan Alnico Pro II
Gibson 490R
GFS VEH Neck
Dimarzio Humbucker from Hell
Dimarzio Air Classic Neck.

 

[KaiserSoze]

Thanks all.  Any love for the Dimarzio Liquifire in the neck?

 

[ezas]

You don't really say what you are not finding.

I'll just put my fanboy plug for BareKnuckle Pickups here, especially the Mule HB.

Just because you tried the SD 59 I wouldn't give up on PAF.  There is a wide range of PAF sounds, (and I've never been really impressed by SD they all seem to lack 'something' to my ear)

I just ordered this for an Ibanez semi solid but haven't strung the guitar up yet having just finished the wiring today and I need to go out and get some strings. I put in a GFS Pro Series un-potted vintage output (7.6k) covered alnico V neck pickup. I wanted clean, but not jazzy so I spec'd the Alnico V magnets. The cover is to keep the 'edge' down, at least that's my thinking. I'm hoping being un-potted will give it a little extra 'something' that I don't find in HB.

 

[bagman67]

I really like the PRS Santana II neck pickup in Quty Pie.  I've played mostly single-coils so I don't have a lot of experience with other neck HB's, but I am very happy with the noises I get out of this pup at high and low gains.


Bagman

 

[Phinox]

i have a liqifier in the neck on my epiphone sounds thin to me but works great with the tone zone i have in the bridge.

 

[MSP]

I'd like to try some different humbuckers, maybe with a tighter bottom end and more clarity or just a different character than a PAF.

Another vote for BKP, especially with your particular tonal quest.  They're very clear and articulate.  I'd suggest a Mule, too.

 

[Hbom]

I had pretty much the same questions with my tele last fall. I went through a bunch of pickups trying to "find that sound"
I just couldn't get what I wanted from the HB in the neck.
Then I called Ken at Roadhouse.
I haven't changed pickups since.
And it's about the only guitar I play now.
Give him a call, send him a note, tell him what you are after.
I think you will be happy.

If not, I apologize for taking up your time.

:rock-on:

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I had pretty much the same questions with my tele last fall. I went through a bunch of pickups trying to "find that sound"
I just couldn't get what I wanted from the HB in the neck.
Then I called Ken at Roadhouse.
I haven't changed pickups since.
And it's about the only guitar I play now.
Give him a call, send him a note, tell him what you are after.
I think you will be happy.

If not, I apologize for taking up your time.

:rock-on:

I'll second this post.
Patrick

 

[JCizzle]

I had pretty much the same questions with my tele last fall. I went through a bunch of pickups trying to "find that sound"
I just couldn't get what I wanted from the HB in the neck.
Then I called Ken at Roadhouse.
I haven't changed pickups since.
And it's about the only guitar I play now.
Give him a call, send him a note, tell him what you are after.
I think you will be happy.

If not, I apologize for taking up your time.

:rock-on:

I keep hearing good things about Roadhouse. I went with BKP on my first build but I might have to explore the Roadhouse in the future!

 

[ezas]

I got my new pickups installed that I mentioned above and I really really like the neck.  Very musical, neutral in a good way. It responds well to a lot of different amp models on my Mustang Amp, and was very easy to dial in the PU height, doesn't need a lot of moving the tone knobs around. Nice pick dynamics without feeling like I'm hearing every pick scrape.

I love it when I like $40 PU's

The bridge is another matter. It's not love at first sight, but I really like how the two sound together, but not the bridge by itself.

 

[KaiserSoze]

Thanks everyone.  Good suggestions.  The joy is the journey right? I may contact Ken and see what he suggests for clean, clear, and tight bass.

 

[deajo]

Dimarzio Air Classic Neck.

This, Air Classic is just about the perfect neck pickup.  Very responsive, and will "sit" well with the AT-1.

The Air Norton is also a killer combo with the AT-1.  I dunno, I always liked keeping pickups from the
same manufacturer together.  I know there is no "rules" about this, but Dimarzio has a more compressed
sound than Duncans imho.  I think another Dimarzio would compliment the AT-1 the best.  My $.02.

My other fav neck pickups are the 59, paf pro, alnico II but these shine in different applications, at least
in my experience.

listen to the sound clips on the dimarzio website, or use their pickup selector guide.  It was very usefull
for me.

 

[deajo]

I'd like to try some different humbuckers, maybe with a tighter bottom end and more clarity or just a different character than a PAF.

Another vote for BKP, especially with your particular tonal quest.  They're very clear and articulate.  I'd suggest a Mule, too.

you should drop tim at bkp a line.  he was incredibly helpfull in helping me pick out pickups for my HxH tele.  i inquired about the
mule along with a VHII.  his recommendation was to get a calibrated VHII set, and not mix magnet types (Alnico IV for the mule, Alnico V
for the VHII).  I don't think it was a "rule"...just something about it "sitting" better...

i do love the sound of the mules though...next pickup on my "wish list"...good luck!

 

[ezas]

I think I agree with Tim at BK about not mixing Magnet types. (not that there are any real rules when it comes to PU's). But i'm considering exchanging my Alnico II bridge to match my Alnico V neck. Either that or add (back) a 2nd tone control for the bridge. Tough call because both together (bridge a bit thin, neck a bit full) sound really really good played together.

 

[AutoBat]

as the owner of a 81X/85X set, mixing magnet types is awesome.

 

[deajo]

as the owner of a 81X/85X set, mixing magnet types is awesome.

there is NO rules when it comes to pickups...the joy is finding pickups that "compliment" each other.

i have mixed magnet types before, and while each pickup sounded awesome on its own,
switching would really highlight the differences in output and character.  it was not smooth and
really brought attention to the guitar and not in a good way.  again, i will likely try it again...
i refuse to learn from my mistakes...lol

is a 81x and 85x set emg's?  aren't they both ceramic?  i dunno much about active pu's.  cheers
to finding something that works for you.  I am hoping my new set of bkp will end my quest...