software

I am searching for a replacement for a Gibson '57 Classic in the neck position of my quot;81 Gibson Les Paul Standard. If I were to describe the tone I was looking for, I'd say Dave Meniketti from Y amp; T on the quot;Rescue Mequot; intro . It just sings. Or dare I say Gary Richrath on that ballad he did the solo on the neck pickup...you know what song it is......That is what I am looking for.

Also, why is the output so much lower on neck pickups? For example, a '59 bridge has more output than a '59 neck. Thanks


Originally Posted by JWRI am searching for a replacement for a Gibson '57 Classic in the neck position of my quot;81 Gibson Les Paul Standard. If I were to describe the tone I was looking for, I'd say Dave Meniketti from Y amp; T on the quot;Rescue Mequot; intro . It just sings. Or dare I say Gary Richrath on that ballad he did the solo on the neck pickup...you know what song it is......That is what I am looking for.

Also, why is the output so much lower on neck pickups? For example, a '59 bridge has more output than a '59 neck. Thanks

The bridge pickup is higher output because there is less string movement/vibration near the bridge than there is near the neck position. As far as a neck pickup I like a Pearly Gates for the neck position of a Les Paul, some people like the 59 but I always found them muddy in a Les Paul but you may prefer it for that slurry Gary Richrath sound. The Jazz is probably brighter than the Pearly Gates and is very popular as well.


Originally Posted by JWR
Also, why is the output so much lower on neck pickups? For example, a '59 bridge has more output than a '59 neck. Thanks

The output difference is calibrated to compensate for different string response/volume from the neck and the bridge position. Normally, there are more string vibration on the neck therefore string response is typically louder and that's why you will need a lower output pickup and set farther away from the strings to achieve a balanced tone and response. On the bridge position however, there is less string vibration as the stings are ''tighter'' being closer to the bridge, therefore less volume. That's why typically, the output of the pickup used for the bridge position has a higher output to achieve more volume to balance the output with the neck position pickup. Also, the bridge pickup is normally set closer to the strings.

Looks like the tone you're after would be the '59 neck position pup.

Ooops! jimlp beat me to it Oh well...

I think the tone you're looking for is the APH. Best neck pickup on the planet as far as I am concerned. Smooth, singing, articulate, warm, never harsh. Not boomy, balanced. Buy one and you will never go back.I'm going to replace the 59' neck in my 03' Standard with an APH.

Thanks, I just pulled out the '57 Classic and put in a '57 Classic Plus I have. I quot;thinkquot; I like the slight increase in output but I'm just not getting that warm fuzzy. One thing that I notice with the Gibsons is a slight quot;clickingquot; sound when I strike the strings. Is this too MUCH output? or not enough? Is there REALLY much difference between the Gibson Classic series and the Duncan '59?

IMO there is a ton of difference. Not sure what the clicking sound is though. If you want a really smooth articulate sound with no harsh high end or boomy low end, lower output is better. The strings vibrate way too much at the neck for a high output pickup....IMO.

YMMV

I couldn't really find a word other than clicking, maybe pushing more voltage than necessary into the front end of the amp. It sounds like I am going the wrong direction with output. I was going higher when perhaps I need to go lower. So there is the Pearly, the '59, the Jazz, and the Alnico Pro to pick from. Hmmm

All the advice is right on point IMHO. I personally liked the Jazz and Alnico II Pro myself for the neck position.

I decided I did not care for the Gibson Classic Plus in the neck of my Les Paul after all. I put my old Gibson Classic in there and it meets my needs better. I think I'll order the Pearly Gates neck and give it a spin. I think it has less lows and is a bit more crisp. I like it's sound samples the best of the bunch.

I have a Seth Lover in the neck of my LP Standard and it's my favourite neck pickup

Craig


Originally Posted by Jeff_HSmooth, singing, articulate, warm, never harsh. Not boomy, balanced.

Jeff's description of the APH-1 neck pickup is spot on, and applies equally well to the Seth Lover model. You won't go wrong with either. The Pearly Gates neck is another popular choice for a Les Paul.


Originally Posted by Simon_FJeff's description of the APH-1 neck pickup is spot on, and applies equally well to the Seth Lover model. You won't go wrong with either. The Pearly Gates neck is another popular choice for a Les Paul.The only difference I found between the PEarly Gates and the Seth's is that the PG's can get very aggressive if you need them to. The Seth's and APH that I tried in my '99 Standard were always very quot;politequot; sounding.