Question on the '59 neck

[bonedish]

I have a 7-string mahogany guitar w/ a JB in the bridge and a '59 in the neck. I am noticing that the '59 sounds kinda bright, and not as full as I'd like it to - almost single coil bright & thin. Is this normal?

I rewired my guit last night using the schematics via SD site and all went well. I basically soldered red & white together, green & bare to ground, and black as the hot wire. Did the same with the bridge pickup. The JB sounds as it should, but the middle and neck positions are a little brighter than I prefer. I changed the pots to 500k Bourns (from Alpha pots).

Is this the normal characteristic of a '59? If not, what should I be looking at to remedy this? 250k on the neck volume?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[stormrider]

The 59 is kinda scoopy with alot of highs ''almost single coil bright'' however it has to much bass imo so I would say its a very full sound pickup

[GuitarDoc]

Your experience with the 59 is not unusual. Because it is so scooped (in the mids) it sounds very bright. Changing to 250k pots can remedy that, but I would suggest trying either a UOA5 or A2 magnet in the 59. Both of those will reduce the shril highs, add some mids, and reduce the boomy bass. The UOA5 is midway between the A5 and A2 in terms of tone and playing characteristics.

[blueman335]

A4's are popular in '59N's, try it.

[big kurka]

A4's are popular in '59N's, try it.

What he said.

[ImmortalSix]

I endorse the 250K pot strategy. I did that and was blown away with how much more beautiful the sound was. Perfect.

[bonedish]

Great suggestions - thank you to all!

Will a regular mag (A2 or A4) work on a 7-string pickup? Or will I need to special order a 7-string sized mag?

[bonedish]

Okay, so I had an Alnico 2 and an Alnico 8 magnet just hangin' on the fridge. Both mags are 2.5" in length and is plenty enough length to cover te pickup from B to E.

For anyone wondering, the original mags in the '59-7 and the JB7 appear to be Alnico 5's and not ceramic (based off my experience of what a ceramic and an alnico magnet looks like).

So far I am loving the change!

The '59 in the neck - now a '59-A2 - is not as thin and spiky bright, and has a little more bluesy warm character to the tone. It still reminds me of a single coil vs a humbucker, but now it's a little fuller which is more tolerable for my taste. In split position it is fuller sounding as well now and also less spiky brightness.

The JB - now a JB8 - is soooooo much better! The mag change is similar to the A2 in the '59 - smoother, more even frequencies throughout, less spiky brightness. Also, tighter bass and more clarity vs the stock JB. I swear, through my 5153 50 watt it sounds similar to the VH1 tone, IMHO.

But I digress - I don't want to open up that pissing match..................

Hopefully some of you will find this helpful. Now, back to