Favourite Neck Pickups?

[darrenw5094]

What are everyones favourite neck pickups? I want to throw another couple of sets in some other guitars i have, Les Paul and mahogany Ibanez. I already have a Riff Raff, Mule, HD and VHII neck pickups. The HD and VHII are good, but not as classy as the Mule. The Riff Raff has it's own vocal quality which is different than the BD that i paired it with.

The next purchase for the '93 Gibson Les Paul Standard will be a Rebel Yell for the bridge, but not sure if i will buy a matched set. I am thinking a Cold Sweat for the neck or maybe buy another Mule.

The Mule and Cold Sweat seem to be the most popular neck pickups.

[witeter]

I love the CS neck-very smooth and singing

[juansolo]

The Mule and Cold Sweat seem to be the most popular neck pickups.

They're certainly my favourite neck humbuckers. Away from humbuckers but the same size, the Mississippi Queen neck is marvelous also.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

The Emerald gets alot of love too. I personally like the VHII best for pure tone, but it's not something I'd really use.

[Mr. Air]

In your possition I would look at the Emerald and the MQ. I got a set of MQs and the neck is super sweet.

[darrenw5094]

Hmmm.....i wonder is there any similarities between the Riff Raff neck and MQ?

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I'm not too familiar with the MQ's, but I'm pretty sure the RR is one of the brightest neck pickups BK has.

[Fourth Feline]

Hmmm.....i wonder is there any similarities between the Riff Raff neck and MQ?

Think more in opposite directions, to a certain degree.  Bear in mind, I have heard the Riff Raff only once - and  have used the M.Qs only with moderate gain, or clean.  The Riff Raff is clear, bright , edgy - the M.Q is fluid, glassy and much more rounded. The M.Q can also give differing degrees of bright and defined, through to 'chewy' and thick, with tweaks in pickup height, whilst still remaining articulate.  The M.Q delivering that type of cut and clarity associated with single coil pickups, but with the push and 'fatness' of the windings.  they are Alnico V bridge, Alnico IV neck.

You could say that the R.R are very bright ,  open - and cutting for a vintage humbucker - and the M.Q very fat, warm and assertive for a single coil.

I hope the others can chip in with more detailed information / perspective.  :)

[gwEm]

maybe the slowhand

[Fourth Feline]

gWem's post reminded me, that if you are asking us to vote for our own favourite neck pickup, I would vote for the Manhattan.   I just assumed it's 'beefier brother' the M.Q might be a bit closer to a match for the guitars / purpose you describe.  :)

[DoomBuggi]

I want to try the Emerald, VHII, and Coldsweat necks.  The others I have tried, so far, didn't really dig em'. The Black Dog neck was okay.  Right now my all time neck pickup is the Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro.  I would like to try something in the ball park of it.  Something about that pickup just gives me the goose bumps when I'm nailing a lead.

[darrenw5094]

gWem's post reminded me, that if you are asking us to vote for our own favourite neck pickup, I would vote for the Manhattan. 

Yep, just vote for your favourite. Maybe should have put up a poll..........maybe someday. :)

[Sir_Palomid]

Just installed Emerald neck in my Suhr Guthrie Govan, amazing pup, thick, but defined and not muddy, made my 24-fretter sounds closer to 22 fret guitar. Cold Sweat in my PRS not that thick, more fluid and crunchy, which is good in it's own way :)

[darkbluemurder]

Abraxas neck is my favorite so far, with HD, CS, RY, VHII and Crawler all close behind.

Cheers Stephan