New neck pickup suggestions

[TomW]

Hi,
I'm looking for a new neck pickup for my sg, its already got a nailbomb in the bridge which is great, but I need quite a bluesy pickup for the neck with good cleans. I really like Slash's neck tones so I'm looking for something along those lines, but also want it to be able to handle heavier stuf like maiden. I was thinking maybe a mule or cold sweat but am not sure.
Any Suggestions?

[TwilightOdyssey]

Stormy Monday?

[TomW]

Thanks for the suggestion, would the stormy monday be able to handle higher gain stuff as well as the bluesy stuff as i'm looking for quite a versatile pup.

[Philly Q]

Not sure, but I don't think I've ever heard the Cold Sweat neck described as bluesy.  I'm probably wrong though...

I would think SM, Mule, maybe Abraxas for a bit more power (but it might be a little too warm in an SG).

[Doog]

you won't get screaming harmonics from a stormy monday but it does dirty up quite nicely.  I've got the same pickup combination in my ibanez rg - when I asked tim about the neck pickup I mentioned the slash tone as well and he basically said stormy monday - end of.

[TomW]

Ok I've just listened to some clips of the stormy monday in the players section and it sounds like just what Im after so I think i'll go for that.
Cheers for the help.

[TomW]

Would I be best going for an Alnico II or Alnico IV magnet. Whats the difference?

[Twinfan]

If you're going for heavy gain e.g. Maiden they Alnico II will probably mush out too much.  IV should be fine though.

Have you considered a Riff Raff neck?  I have a pair in my SG and the Alnico V magnet is great for blues stuff yet clear enough for higher gain too.  I'd personaly go with that in your case over the Stormy Monday.

[Philly Q]

Is the Riff Raff neck definitely AV?  That's something I've never been able to find out, I thought it might actually be the same as either the SM or Mule neck models.

As for AII or AIV in the SM, I wouldn't worry too much about AII being mushy.  Quote from Tim:

"I have got a lovely supply of Alnico II now and use these by default for Stormy Monday and BKP90s..............AIV is still my fav mag but the AIIs work really well in the lower wind of the SMs and in this instance, better than AIV IMHO.  Having said that I'll do AIV on request."

[TomW]

Have you considered a Riff Raff neck?  I have a pair in my SG and the Alnico V magnet is great for blues stuff yet clear enough for higher gain too.  I'd personaly go with that in your case over the Stormy Monday.

I have thought about the riff raff but I thought it might be a bit too spiky sounding, as I prefer a smoother sounding neck pickup.

[TomW]

As for AII or AIV in the SM, I wouldn't worry too much about AII being mushy.  Quote from Tim:

"I have got a lovely supply of Alnico II now and use these by default for Stormy Monday and BKP90s..............AIV is still my fav mag but the AIIs work really well in the lower wind of the SMs and in this instance, better than AIV IMHO.  Having said that I'll do AIV on request."

What is the difference in sound between these two magnets?

[Twinfan]

Is the Riff Raff neck definitely AV?  That's something I've never been able to find out, I thought it might actually be the same as either the SM or Mule neck models.

I've just checked the info that came with my Riff Raffs and Alnico V is quoted for both.  I would go for a Riff Raff neck if youwant higher gain clarity and definition.  Alnico V is best for this in my opinion.

[Philly Q]

What is the difference in sound between these two magnets?

Now that I've started quoting Mr Mills    :roll: :

"they do all add to the character of a pickup although it must be understood that a magnet doesn't have a sound on it's own, it contributes by the way it powers certain frequencies. Alnico II is the softest and generally has a smooth bass and treble although this is more pronounced the hotter the windings get.Alnico III is very transparent, low output and clean,sounds great for rounded fat jazz applications, Alnico IV is probably the best vintage tone IMHO and along with II and III was used in the earliest PAFs-this is a fact and not myth as we've had them analysed and a collegue of mine has also seen original Gibson purchase orders that clearly state AIV bar stock being purchased.The tone of AIV is balanced and extremely organic, it produces the most authentic vintage tone and sits better in slightly hotter vintage winds than AII which tends to get very mushy if used incorrectly. Finally AV is the hottest producing more highs and lows, great for rock applications or where power and cut are important.
Different companies use different grades for personal reasons, we use all of the applicable Alnico grades to suit the correct design, both to be historically correct but more importantly to have the best sound.
Changing magnets in a humbucker can give dramatic results, you soon find the ones that really don't sit right and others that are head and shoulders better.Obviously you can't swap out single coil magnets as they're integral to the coil form.
I've personally spent alot of time voicing all the BKP range with the correct magnets but I do tweak and swap sometimes on consultation with a customer with a specific requirement."

[TomW]

Thanks Philly Q that was very helpful. So far I think I'm most temted by the stormy Monday. Are there any neck clips of the riff raff as I cant seem to find any?

[Philly Q]

I've just checked the info that came with my Riff Raffs and Alnico V is quoted for both.  I would go for a Riff Raff neck if you want higher gain clarity and definition.  Alnico V is best for this in my opinion.

Thanks Dave, another snippet of info for my BKP memory bank (we need those tone charts and specs on the website!)  :D

FWIW, I've found that I like the warmth of AII or AIV for neck humbuckers, and the gnarlier tone of AV for bridge.  I find AV a little harsh for a neck pickup (e.g. the Duncan 59n, which I never get on with).  Having said that, I wouldn't choose AII for a bridge pickup.

But then I like a very warm, round neck tone so that's very much a personal opinion.

Tom, now that you've nearly decided what to go for, it's probably worth consulting Tim to see what he reckons would work best with the Nailbomb.  :)

(Edit: I don't remember hearing any neck Riff Raff clips, but there are probably some in the Players section, somewhere.)