NB neck vs MM neck

[Ced777]

Both with A5 magnet. How would you compare them? (output, bass/mids/highs)

It would eventually go in the neck position on a HSH guitar. So a good splitted tone would be appreciated too.

Ced777

[Ced777]

It will go with a NB bridge, but I think MM or NB neck could do the job both. I just have to make a choice.

Even if you didn't have both, I am interested by your opinion about each one.

[Steve-Mr Pig 2U]

It would probably be best to stick with the NB neck, The NB neck will have more mids and highs and the MM neck will have more bass. The NB neck will clean up better and has a sweeter tone. To be quite honest I’ve never heard a NB bridge combined with a MM neck, so I can’t give a definite answer to what they would sound like together!

[Ced777]

Thank you Steve.
For a less bass/tighter bass and more cutting treble (less sweet), a Holy Diver neck would be a good choice??

In fact I have a Riff Raff neck for now that will go with a Mule bridge in another guitar. I love the treble response of the RR, and the splitting tone is very nice (with the middle single coils). I would like to found a similar pickup (I really like the RR), but with a tighter bass if possible (neither boomy nor too huge, the RR bass are on the "round" side).

Ced777

[Steve-Mr Pig 2U]

The HD neck is the same as the NB neck! You should get a tighter bass from the NB neck, its wound with a thinner gauge wire and has a smaller coil size, so you should get a more focused sound. The crawler neck may be a good choice too, that will have more of the same feel as the the mule, a tad less output and an Alnico V mag.

[Ced777]

Ok!
I was thinking the HD has a ceramic magnet and the NB was alnico V, but it was for the bridge version only, if I understand!

I fear the Crawler will be to sweet and dark for me. I prefer bright  pickup (for the neck pos.), with controlled bass (focused)

[Steve-Mr Pig 2U]

We are experimenting with ceramic necks, no success so far but who knows what Tim may discover!
I think you would like the NB neck, I'll see what Tim says when he's back in the office.

[Ced777]

Another strange idea: and what about a P90-HB sized (Mississipi Queen)? Or a Mule with Alnico V ?  More highs? Enough power? Not to "loose" bass?

Ced777

[Steve-Mr Pig 2U]

That’s an interesting idea. The Mississippi Queen is one of my favourite pickups. It has a low output. neck is DC6.5K and we can make it with either alnico V/IV/III mags. Alnico V would probably suite you best. It is bright , but not too bright. It will have less bass than the RR as it is wound with a thicker gauge of wire. It is wound with plain enamel wire, which is what the original PAF was wound with so you will get a very open and organic sound from it.

[Ced777]

Sounds interesting!
Just to compare, how different is the Mississipi Queen from a Mule Alnico 4 neck (that I owned too)?

[Steve-Mr Pig 2U]

The Mississippi Queen is a single coil, so it will have more natural high end, it is a lower output than the mule but it has a much fatter coil so you will get a good amount of output from it. The Mule neck is a very sweet pickup and has a very vintage sound. What did you like/Dislike about the mule neck?

[Ced777]

I really like its versatility: from rock to jazz. Warm and sweet. No complaint here, it's what I asked to Tim! and I plan to keep it if needed later.

I'm more rock oriented and I would like to keep the vintage tone but with less rounded bass (I'm not into jazz at all), and a bit more biting/clear/cutting highs. And the same kind of output.

If I buy a Missisipi Queen, I will keep the RR in my guitar (loaded with NB) and put the MQ in place of the Mule neck. And keep the Mule neck if I change my amps later for more aggressive/bright ones.

[Steve-Mr Pig 2U]

The Mississippi Queen would give you the same sort of tone as the mule so I think you would benefit more from the NB neck. It is more of a rock pickup. It will have the cutting highs and less rounded bass that you are after, but it is still wound with enamelled wire so you will get a bit of a vintage vibe from it too!

[Ced777]

Ok let's go for the Queen!
How can I order it? (on the BKP shop?)

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Hails Guys, sorry FOR the "Hijack" the thread... but i think it´s a pertinent question.
what about.. (i mean, my future Guitar, mahogany body, maple neck)a Calibrated set MMbridge and The Mule Neck!?
will this The  Mule neck Calibrated version has Enough output to pair with the MM bridge without loose too much or a lot more output when switching from the bridge to the neck positions?
Hails
J.P