What neck pickup is right?

[BG00]

I'm trying to figure out what neck pickup will match a full shred or custom 5 well.
I already have a 59 and want something different. I want something that is thick and full sounding. Thanks.

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Do you get more fuller than a '59(n) ?

'PG', might be a good complimentary pu for the Custom 5 . . .

[Robert Delahunt]

Depends. The Jazz, at least to my ears, sounds fuller, but only in the bass. In mids, it has less than the '59. However, people use the Jazz with the Custom and Custom 5, so it might work well with either of those two. I know ESP puts out a Jazz+Custom-loaded guitar. But the Jazz will also sound more "scooped" than the '59. I don't know if any of this helps....

[theodie]

Do you get more fuller than a '59(n) ?

'PG', might be a good complimentary pu for the Custom 5 . . .

The PG is a good match but, read what he wants again!!!!!! The PG is not full and THICK! The Duncan that is Full and thick is the Seth Lover. Yes, it will match the C5 and Full shred well.

[Zhangliqun]

Try an Alnico 2 Pro BRIDGE model. It's about 7.9k and pleasingly plump. Or even a PG bridge...

[mindbender]

I love the DiMarzio Air Norton or the PAF Pro a for full, singing yet clear sounding neck pickup. The PAF Pro is a little thicker and hotter, IMO.

[jeremy]

when i was using a c5 in my sg i paired it with a pgn and was very happy but sold the guitar eventually so...

the seth lover might be what you are looking for since its pretty full sounding. more bottom than the pg

[frankfalbo]

Yeah for full and thick, lots of PAF style BRIDGE pickups are a nice choice, like Zhang said. A2ProB, PGB, 59B would all fit the bill, otherwise the Seth neck or bridge.

The Dimarzios mentioned are "full and thick" but IMO add a little bit of nasalness. They're not woofy, but very smooth, with less of a midrange pop to the attack when you're picking hard.

[BG00]

Thanks for the help, first off let me clarify that I have a '59 in another guitar and just want a different pickup for this one, not something more full or thick than a '59. How does the alnico II pro compare to the '59 in the neck? I'm a bit hesitant to mix magnets but it may not be a big deal. Also what about the full shred neck? Thanks.

[Robert Delahunt]

Thanks for the help, first off let me clarify that I have a '59 in another guitar and just want a different pickup for this one, not something more full or thick than a '59. How does the alnico II pro compare to the '59 in the neck? I'm a bit hesitant to mix magnets but it may not be a big deal. Also what about the full shred neck? Thanks.

Alnico II should sound much more vintage. However, Slash supposedly plays Alnico II neck with tone knob to 1 for the intro of "Sweet Child of Mine" G&R. Might sound more thick, not sure. How thick do you want? Are you willing to run a Boss Blues Driver in front of everything to thicken the @#$ out of it? In theory, Alnico II magnet pickups will sound more vintage, have more sustain, etc, sweeter top end. But I'd go read the "how to pick a pickup" for a description of the magnets.

Full shred? Aren't those ceramic? I'd hesitate to use one of those unless you're going to be playing a lot of shred, but since I've never owned one I can't really comment.

Remember, all I own is a Jazz, Classic stack plus, etc, for pickups. I've played on a '59, on alnico II single coils, and quarter pound rhythm for tele, etc, but not much in terms of what you seem to be looking for. However, just a question: what amp are you using when the '59 sounds like it doesn't have enough thickness?

[frankfalbo]

Full shred? Aren't those ceramic? I'd hesitate to use one of those unless you're going to be playing a lot of shred, but since I've never owned one I can't really comment.

Nope, they're Alnico 5, and not strictly "shredder" pickups by any means. They were released around the height of the "shred" period, and what seemed like a fitting name at the time has now perhaps limited their appeal today. But the pickups are fantastic. Just as a 59 is used across all musical styles, so can the Full Shred.

The reason I didn't include the neck model here in my recommendations is because I don't think you'll find it "thick and smooth" if you already have a 59. It's got a nice low end, that remains crisp and clear, and is more apt to clean up a muddy guitar than add smoothness and thickness into an otherwise adequate guitar.

[doveman]

another vote for Alnico II Pro

[BG00]

The '59 never sounded too thin at all, I just want to make sure that I get something thick and full again. I like the 59 in the neck a lot I just dont like having more than one of the same pickup in my active guitars. Right now I think I am leaning towards the full shred bridge with either an alnico II or Jazz in the neck. I know I want at least one full shred because of their versatility, as shown by opeth...