Author Topic: Miracle Man Neck Pickup Alternatives (Read 3460 times)

Confused · « **on:** December 23, 2007, 06:15:12 AM »

I am not convinced on the neck version of the Miracle Man is for me as it it has an Alnico 5 magnet.

I have other guitars with Alnico 5 Magnets.

What are some ceramic alternatives to the Miracle Man neck

I hear the cold sweat pairs up very well.

I want an aggressive and precise neck pickup not too bassy.

indysmith · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2007, 10:06:16 AM »

ALL of BKP's neck pickups are alnico bar the Painkiller - don't count out Alnico pickups just because you've had a bad one.

WezV · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2007, 11:34:17 AM »

tim will do you the miracle man with a ceramic neck if thats what you want

Confused · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2007, 11:44:20 AM »

Ok Cool

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2007, 11:58:45 AM »

I'm with Confused on this one - neck pickups are always alnico and it's just asking for flabby bass.

The closest I've got to the perfect neck tone with alnico magnets was a bog standard Duncan '59 with an A5 magnet. It's quite a low output one at 7.5k (alot like Gibson T-Tops).

The best neck pickup all round was a ceramic EMG 60, tight defined bass and quite a 'flutey' midrange. Can even play dirty rhythm parts with this baby.

So, I'd say go for a ceramic neck pickup.

8)

maverickf1jockey · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2007, 12:20:44 PM »

You can't judge all ceramic pups based on EMGs. you can only make an opinion of active pups.

aggressive and precise sounds like the CS or MM to me.
The CS would have a more 'ALNICO' sound compared to the MM (which isn't a neck pup which tends to be recommended as most people on the forum tend to agree the CS sounds better).

If you want a ceramic neck pup you'd probably be best with a painkiller perhaps or special order. Don't expect to find a lot of info on any other ceramic necks besides the PK as it isn't an often requested thing.

If in doubt ask Tim.

Confused · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2007, 12:33:37 PM »

I am aware that the pickup can be made to be clear but I don't want to switch to the neck pickup only to change the character.

I want this to be a dedicated guitar like my other ones.

I have a Jazzmaster body with a 24 fret full maple neck with 2 Suhr V60 LP's and a blackdog in the bridge with a coil split on the volume knob.

This provides my with my fenderish type sounds.

I have a LTD EC-1000 Deluxe with a TV Jones TV Classic Set

This gives me everything from Jazz to Rock .

I want my next guitar my LTD Viper 1000 to do Hard Rock and Metal.

I want to be able to play leads on the neck I yeah I agree the Emg 60 is a fantasic pickup too bad it lacks dynamics like the 81.

Philly Q · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2007, 12:36:41 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

The best neck pickup all round was a ceramic EMG 60, tight defined bass and quite a 'flutey' midrange. Can even play dirty rhythm parts with this baby.

So, I'd say go for a ceramic neck pickup.

Not disagreeing with your recommendation at all, but interesting to see how people's tonal preferences differ. :)

I had an EMG60 neck pickup aeons ago and I hated it! Personally I love that typically warm, round (even flabby!) alnico neck tone. The EMG60 was far too bright, it didn't even sound like a neck pickup at all (or, to be more accurate, like my mental image of a neck pickup). I'm not keen on the Duncan '59 neck either - it's OK in Gibsons, but I had one in a Strat and, again, far too bright and defined.

Sorry Confused, off-topic. :oops:

Confused · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2007, 01:05:43 PM »

Not off topic at all I truly shows that every one has different tastes and the only way to truly find what you want
is to ask questions

Then identify what you don't like about your tone then ask more questions.
Chances are there is someone like you who likes the same tone that can steer you in the right path.

Bright can mean Ice Picky
Muddy can mean Warm

It all depends who you ask.

Confused · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2007, 01:12:37 PM »

There is one thing we can all agree on though the tubes that are made in china suck.

They are harsh and not musical.

Philly Q · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2007, 01:28:43 PM »

Just noticed in your comment above about your EC-1000 Deluxe with TV Jones TV Classics - that's an unusual choice! :D

How do you find the tone/output of the TV Classics? I know next to nothing about Gretsch-style pickups, but I have an idea about putting one in the neck position on a Tele (just for something different which looks cool, TBH). Not at all sure if it would be a good match for a Tele bridge, though.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2007, 01:31:13 PM »

Quote from: Confused

There is one thing we can all agree on though the tubes that are made in china suck.

They are harsh and not musical.

Valve Art KT66s are made in China - they sound great. The new generation of Chinese EL34s are supposed to be pretty nice too, I'll have to try some. Also, the Groove Tube EL34M is made in China and has got positive reviews.

:twisted:

Confused · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2007, 01:50:12 PM »

The Filtertrons are very weird it seams like it has almost the same amount of gain as the Burst Bucker Pro Set I had in my guitar before.

I have a friend who has Filtertrons in his Tele I loves them to bits he says
its like having a fatter Tele sound that is still just as clear.

ericsabbath · « **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2007, 12:23:17 AM »

if the painkiller neck is somethig close to gibson 496r like the pk bridge is to gibson 500t, then it must be wonderful
496r was the best non-bk pickup i had
very powerful, fat and still organic, but not flubby like an emg 85
i confess that liked it a bit better than the miracle man neck
it had a great picking response but didn't had that ice pick sound of 500t
cold sweat neck is better and more detailed, but it's like a modern paf