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Author Topic: Brightest Neck Pickup?  (Read 5111 times)

Philly Q

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Brightest Neck Pickup?
« on: July 13, 2011, 02:49:54 PM »
OK, as we know the majority of the tone charts, clips and descriptions on the site concentrate on the bridge model humbuckers.  There's lot's of discussion about the neck models too, but just for a bit of fun....

Place the following NECK pickups in order of brightness:

Stormy Monday
PG Blues
The Mule
Riff Raff
VHII
Black Dog
Emerald
Abraxas
Crawler
Holydiver

I've mainly included the Vintage and Vintage Hot models in the list above so there's some comparability - Crawler and HD are there because they're both PAF-ish (I think), not sure if Emerald should be included as it has higher DC due to different wire, but what the hell.

I know I'm over-simplifying a complex question, maybe "brightness" isn't exactly the right criterion, but I'm still interested in people's thoughts.  :D
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BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

Twinfan

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2011, 03:15:36 PM »
I'll have a stab for the ones I've owned:

Riff Raff
The Mule
VHII
Stormy Monday
Emerald
Holydiver
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HTH AMPS

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2011, 04:27:08 PM »
from what I've owned, brightest first...

Cold Sweat
Abraxas
Emerald
Mule
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Philly Q

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2011, 05:00:01 PM »
From the ones I've owned myself:

Stormy Monday
Abraxas
Crawler

Even then I'm a bit doubtful, going by memory as I haven't got any of them any more.  Not sure if the SM was actually bright or just clear....
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BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

darkbluemurder

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2011, 05:00:44 PM »
That is a very interesting topic.

BKP neck humbuckers I have played include the VHII, the Cold Sweat and the Crawler, unfortunately all of them being in different guitars. The VHII appears to be the brightest of those three.

I got two CS necks in different guitars and with different bridge pickups. To my ears the CS sounds bright with a Holydiver or Miracle Man bridge pickup but sounds rather dark with the Cold Sweat bridge, due to the CS being a bright bridge pickup.

Cheers Stephan
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darkbluemurder

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2011, 05:03:14 PM »
Quote from: HTH AMPS on July 13, 2011, 04:27:08 PM
from what I've owned, brightest first...

Cold Sweat
Abraxas
Emerald
Mule


HTH, did you try the Cold Sweat in the same guitar as the Abraxas? I am actually looking for a brighter pickup than the CS neck and had the Abraxas in mind.

Thanks, Stephan
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Philly Q

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2011, 05:07:24 PM »
Quote from: darkbluemurder on July 13, 2011, 05:00:44 PM
To my ears the CS sounds bright with a Holydiver or Miracle Man bridge pickup but sounds rather dark with the Cold Sweat bridge, due to the CS being a bright bridge pickup.

Yes, that's a good point, I'm always a bit surprised when people describe the CS neck as bright because I've only tried it with the CS bridge - in comparison with which it sounds lovely, sweet and warm.

But this is good stuff.  :)  Of course different guitars come into play as well but I'm only after some sort of "average" answer.
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BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

Philly Q

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2011, 12:11:15 PM »
Shameless bump..... any more opinions?  I really wanna know.  :)
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BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

BigB

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2011, 12:21:03 PM »
Only played Crawlers and Mule neck and in very different guitars so it won't be of much help, but I'd say the Mule is a bit "brighter" than the Crawler.
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kevinr

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2011, 12:57:20 PM »
I would think that the RiffRaff would be the brightest!
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FELINEGUITARS

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2011, 01:06:36 PM »
I have just had the fun of playing on a Painkiller neck and hadn't realised how much fun it is
Quite bright as it is a ceramic magnet powered one, but pleasingly full too.


Just thought I'd throw it into the mix
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HTH AMPS

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2011, 02:48:36 PM »
Quote from: darkbluemurder on July 13, 2011, 05:03:14 PM
Quote from: HTH AMPS on July 13, 2011, 04:27:08 PM
from what I've owned, brightest first...

Cold Sweat
Abraxas
Emerald
Mule


HTH, did you try the Cold Sweat in the same guitar as the Abraxas? I am actually looking for a brighter pickup than the CS neck and had the Abraxas in mind.

Thanks, Stephan

yep, these were all in my Les Paul standard.

I have the Abraxas neck sitting here doing nothing if you fancy taking it off my hands (PM me).

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darkbluemurder

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #12 on: August 10, 2011, 02:05:32 PM »
From my hands on experience I can now say that the Abraxas neck is definitely brighter than the Crawler neck - I had them in the same guitar. Even though the Crawler has enough highs it appears to be a bit shy on high mids, thus making it a bit darker sounding. I will try it in a brighter guitar.

So far the only neck pickups described as brighter than the Cold Sweat would be Riff Raff and VH2. What about the Holydiver neck?

Cheers Stephan
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gwEm

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #13 on: August 10, 2011, 02:07:46 PM »
the riff raff is clearly the brightest, but the others I wouldn't like to say.

if you really want a bright HB, get a nice powerful neck pickup and wire it in parallel (miracle man maybe)
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Philly Q

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Re: Brightest Neck Pickup?
« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2011, 02:12:17 PM »
Quote from: darkbluemurder on August 10, 2011, 02:05:32 PM
From my hands on experience I can now say that the Abraxas neck is definitely brighter than the Crawler neck - I had them in the same guitar. Even though the Crawler has enough highs it appears to be a bit shy on high mids, thus making it a bit darker sounding. I will try it in a brighter guitar.

Wasn't expecting to see this thread back!  :D

I agree about the Abraxas and Crawler, although I ddn't try them in the same guitar.  A few years ago it was widely believed they were the same pickup, but eventually Tim confirmed they weren't.

They are certainly similar (and very similar specs on paper) but the Abraxas seemed to have a bit of "sizzle" in the upper mids.
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BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM
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