Need a higher output 59 with slightly less bass

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Alright, I'll eat my words...

I snagged a C-1 Blackjack last night, and am loving the hell out the JB/59 set. (not giving up on EMG's, those will be in another axe \m/)

The only thing that (so far) isn't perfect is the neck pickup. While the cleans are gorgeous, the split tone is a bit weak, and I wish the pickup was hotter and had a touch less bass overall. Something like a hotter Jazz, I suppose.

I was thinking of a Jazz bridge model, or a Full Shred bridge model. I know I like the output to be from 10-14khz in the neck pickups, so that JazzB would be at the very (technically under) low end of the spectrum, while the FSb would be at the highest end. I'm hoping to retain the sweetness of the '59, but would also love more clarity.

Any suggestions, or experience with the JazzB/FSb in the neck?

[Luke Duke]

Using the FS I don't know if you'd be able to maintain that sweetness....unless you ordered it with a row of regular screw heads.

Joe says the Jazz(b) in the neck with a hotter bridge pup sounds real nice. I would be inclined to give that a try.

In my Heritage I ran an A2P(b) in the neck slot and the Brobucker in bridge slot, and it did give me that bit of oomph.

Luke

[krankguitarist]

A FS bridge might be a bit too much, though a jazz bridge may be exactly what you're looking for.

[JeffB]

I'd say JazzB would be your best bet too in A5, though IME Jazz's are not nearly as "sweet" as a 59. The Full shred is far from "sweet"..its more along the lines of a PAF Pro. Clinical. Shreddy (duh )

I'd say Ap2 or maybe even a Seth if you dont mind A2. Jazz if you need A5.

[JeffB]

Follow up: doesnt cure your output woes though.

I'd look into a S-Deco, DiMarzio (schenker custom neck is what you are looking for) or have Zhang wind/re-wind you something.

[Benjy_26]

In my experience, the PGb makes an excellent neck 'bucker.

[Nagarajah725]

Custom 5

[Virtual Kevorkian]

The Custom 5 interests me - I've heard of people using the Custom in the neck, but not the C5. When I tried the two in the bridge, the C5 was more scooped, not as defined, but sweeter, with a softer overall sound. I'll have to look into that, but I fear it might be too boomy ('59 is too boomy as is).

In my experience, I found AII magnet pickups to be too boxy in the mids, and had an overall squishy feel to them that I didn't really like. So far, A5 has been my favorite for neck pickups, but I haven't tried many ceramic ones.

From DiMarzio, I know I like the Air Norton, but it was a bit too boomy/low endy in the mahogany Schecter I had it in (same build as the current one I have.) I had an Evo in there and liked it before, but it was a bit shrill/thin for what I'm going for.

I think I might have to give a JazzB a try. I've always really liked the Jazz in the neck, but wished it had more kick to it. The bridge version, from what people have said in previous threads, should be just that.

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Also, JB in the neck is probably going to be on the trial list. I'm grabbing another guitar next week with a JB/59 set, and those are both coming out. I'll try the JB in the neck inplace of the 59. I've used it there before and remember liking it a lot, so it can't hurt to try again.

[TheArchitect]

The Custom 5 interests me - I've heard of people using the Custom in the neck, but not the C5. When I tried the two in the bridge, the C5 was more scooped, not as defined, but sweeter, with a softer overall sound. I'll have to look into that, but I fear it might be too boomy ('59 is too boomy as is).

In my experience, I found AII magnet pickups to be too boxy in the mids, and had an overall squishy feel to them that I didn't really like. So far, A5 has been my favorite for neck pickups, but I haven't tried many ceramic ones.

From DiMarzio, I know I like the Air Norton, but it was a bit too boomy/low endy in the mahogany Schecter I had it in (same build as the current one I have.) I had an Evo in there and liked it before, but it was a bit shrill/thin for what I'm going for.

I think I might have to give a JazzB a try. I've always really liked the Jazz in the neck, but wished it had more kick to it. The bridge version, from what people have said in previous threads, should be just that.

If you want less bass than a 59 the C5 is NOT what you want

[fab.regnaut]

What you could do to your 59 neck is to turn it ti an "air-59-alnico8"

The alnico 8 would give more power and mids while the air gap between the screws and the magnet would give some quack and less bass .

The mod is easy to do :
* first remove the base plate
* then swap the aln5 magnet for an aln 8
* unscrew the 6 screws , remove the metal spacer where the screws are passing through
* put two or three pieces of wood of the same thickness of the spacer between the screw coil and the base plate , and put the base plate back .

The result will be a much more punchy and rounded and defined pickup , with a fuller split sound .

[Dirtyking]

How about a Demon in the neck? Tighter bass than a '59 with great cleans and open note clarity when pushed.

[JB_From_Hell]

I know I like the output to be from 10-14khz in the neck pickups....

For the record, the "k" in 12k, 8.6k, 16.4k, etc.... is kilohms, not kilohertz. It's also a measurement of resistance, not output.

BTW, I agree with your preference of higher output neck pickups.

[geofreesun]

isnt output equal to current squared times resistance?

[JB_From_Hell]

isnt output equal to current squared times resistance?

No, because the type of magnet, how hard you pick, thickness of strings, etc..... all affect it.

Let me restate the "No" as "Perhaps on paper, but in reality..."

You know how that stuff works

[Virtual Kevorkian]

For the record, the "k" in 12k, 8.6k, 16.4k, etc.... is kilohms, not kilohertz. It's also a measurement of resistance, not output.

BTW, I agree with your preference of higher output neck pickups.

LMAO I'm stuck in EQ mode! Woops!

[JB_From_Hell]

LMAO I'm stuck in EQ mode! Woops!

LOL

Have you tried the Distortion neck? It's not really '59-ish, but if you like hot neck pickups, you MUST try it.

[Zerberus]

If you want less bass than a 59 the C5 is NOT what you want

Probably not.. though with a pole swap to Dimarghzio style allen poles it may work really well.

I´d probably also tend toward the Jazz bridge for what you´re looking for, though as you as a (former?) JB@neck user probably know I´m not exactly looking for the same thing

[devastone]

isnt output equal to current squared times resistance?

That's the formula for power in an electrical circuit. It has nothing to do with guitar pickups, they use Electromagnetic Induction where the string vibrating in the magentic field generates a small current in the windings of the pickup.

Also, the DC resistance of a pickup is not directly related to it's ouput, it's just the easiest way to measure the number of winidngs on the coils. I wish people would figure that out, the only reason to talk about resistance of coil windings is to know which model pickup people are talking about. There are 12K pickups that are hotter than some 17K pickups, there are alot of factors involved.

LOL

Have you tried the Distortion neck? It's not really '59-ish, but if you like hot neck pickups, you MUST try it.

That's a excellent recommendation, tight bass, high output for a neck pickup.

[Virtual Kevorkian]

LOL

Have you tried the Distortion neck? It's not really '59-ish, but if you like hot neck pickups, you MUST try it.

Not a big fan of ceramics in the neck, I've found. Dig 'em in the bridge fair enough, but not so much in the neck.


I'm going to be trying that JB from the other axe, and if that doesn't work out, the JazzB. Thanks guys!