Neck HB to go with VHII?

[Philly Q]

I'm starting to think about a pair of humbuckers for my Fender Double Fat Strat (alder body, rosewood board, hardtail bridge).  I'm pretty much set on the VHII for the bridge pickup, but I can't find much info in the forums on the VHII neck, although I assume it's a medium(ish) output PAF type(?).  My questions are:

(a) What are the specs, magnet etc of the VHII neck? (sorry if it's in the forums, but I couldn't find it  :oops: )

(b) What, if it's possible to describe, does it sound like? and

(b) How does it compare with other PAF-ish neck pickups like the Mule, Stormy Monday, Black Dog etc? (I'm guessing most of the other neck models will be too high-output to pair with the VHII bridge, but maybe not...?)

As always, although I like a bright, snarly bridge pickup I prefer the neck pup to be on the sweet/warm/dark side (without being mushy, although hopefully that won't be a problem on the Strat).  But I don't want a huge difference in output because on the 5-way switch there are a couple of coil-split options which seem to work best with well-matched pickups.

Your expert advice would, as ever, be much appreciated, gentlemen (and ladies?).  Any thoughts  :?:

[TwilightOdyssey]

Well, you got me there, Philly.

I'm not that familiar with the low-output stuff to begin with, let alone low output neck Hbs, which I have very little experience with.

Have I heard the neck VHII? Yes. Could I give you specs? No.

That being said, I do have a more "vintage" set on its way to me -- A Riff Raff/Stormy Monday combo!!

[Philly Q]

Well, you got me there, Philly.

I'm in shock, Ben!  :lol:

That being said, I do have a more "vintage" set on its way to me -- A Riff Raff/Stormy Monday combo!!

Yeah, we discussed that one, should be awesome!  I'm deffo going with the Riff Raff for my SG, but the Strat's my only guitar that's suitable for a VHII, I think.  Need to choose the right neck pickup though.

[FELINEGUITARS]

The VHII neck pickup is excellant
A bit more open than a Mule
I have one in my Korina Flying V and it sounds sweet

[JamesHealey]

the VHII neck pickup sounds absolutley AWESOME!!, the bridge is where it's at though for me.. i like HSS setup.

as far as i know it's Alnico V, it's very warm and sings great for leads.

[PhilKing]

I have a VHII calibrated set in a PRS Artist, Black Dog, Riff Raff/Stormy Monday and Emerald/Mule sets in Les Pauls, so I think I can give you a decent appraisal.

VHII has more bass than the others, with about the same output as the Black Dog.  Where the Black Dog scores for me, is the midrange push and it really does have the Zep neck pickup sound.  You can get close with the VHII, but the bass is always that bit heavier.

Against the Mule, it has more output (really not too much more in the neck), and again the Mule hasn't as much bottom end.

My favourite neck pickup of the group is the Stormy Monday.  It has a really sweet singing tone in the neck, with almost Fendery undertones, but compared to the VHII is lighter all around.

If I rank them in my preference for neck pickups it is:

1) Stormy Monday
2) Black Dog
3) VHII
4) Mule

But I have to stress that none of them sounds bad at all, it is just the way I like the tones.

[gwEm]

i remember reading quite a few positive comments in older messages regarding the VH2 neck, even mentioning some decent jazz credentials.

[PhilKing]

I should have also said that the sounds I prefer are blues/rock and classic rock tones.

[Philly Q]

Thanks everyone, Phil K especially, for some very useful info!  :D

I reckon the Black Dog may be the pup for me.  Based on Phil's description the Stormy Monday might be a bit light sounding, which would be my complaint about the current pickup (a Duncan '59, possibly custom wound to Fender's specs, which sounds really bright for a neck humbucker.  I guess I'm not used to HBs on Strats).  

Not ruling out the VHII neck either.  I think the Strat should handle the extra bass without mushing out.

I should have also said that the sounds I prefer are blues/rock and classic rock tones.

Suits me fine, together with a bit of old school hard rock/metal.

Thanks again!