The Electra Forums

http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/product-news/5-neck-humbuckers-compared/?vero_conv=922014709&vero_id=107248


What do you think of these?

I have to say that I like my MMK45 neck pickups better than these... and my Carvin C22 I like better as well.


What are your favorite neck pickup?

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"GREAT Googiley moogilie Jack...jumpin jehosephat, hot dang and all".
- jdwhealton

So this post has 20 views and no answers?!



Our forum surely is more lively than this, what neck pups do you prefer?

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"GREAT Googiley moogilie Jack...jumpin jehosephat, hot dang and all".
- jdwhealton

hard to say, those in the video really sounded similarly to me. Not enough for one to stand out to me if I was just listening. What I usually go for in a neck pickup is something with lower output (all those have it) and clarity (all of those have it too). Usually an alnico V or a brighter sounding pickup gets a nod over slightly warmer tones in the neck (the opposite for the bridge, the warmer sounding magnets tame harshness out of the bridge). But there are obviously variables. I have not been a fan of Carvin pickups, although they also tended to have excellent clarity - I have not listened to one in a while though and my tastes have changed over the years. Also, the MMK22 is a higher output pickup but a rather clear one. The clarity makes is a great pickup for the neck (and the bridge really) despite being a higher output pickup. Just my opinion.

Latest pickups I have been using in some of my guitars have been sheptones in the various low output PAF class, very much like the duncans here but they are not potted, which also can put a little sizzle on the top end vs. a potted pickup. I have a guitar with the jazz in it now, as well as some with dimarzio virtual PAFs or anniversary model PAFs - they are potted. But the tone change depends on the pickup and also how "potted" they are (you can do a slight potting job, instead of a full immersion). The top end sizzle might be a trick on my ears because of the slight bit of microphonics in unpotted pickups can affect the sound even when it isn't howling. Incidently, MMKs have this too usually as they are not potted (unless they are howling and one of us potted them to keep them from squealing).

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Thorny

Right on, potting does make a slight change. It's tough, because if you play live with some gain (not gobs of gain), or much volume, that microphonic howl makes you either decrease your volume knob or your tone knob. Neither of which are what you want to do sometimes!

The best neck pickups for me have been an MMK45 I had in the FX (Jack has it now) and the MMK75 in the Westone Prestige. Both have that gorgeous round sound.

I've owned two guitars with Duncan '59's and I didn't really like them as much as the "cheap" MMK45's.

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"GREAT Googiley moogilie Jack...jumpin jehosephat, hot dang and all".
- jdwhealton

I like the Duncan Brand but there are so many pickup makers out there now it's difficult to choose from so many. I still love my MMKs

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

MMK45s really are an unsung, under the radar pickup and I'm a huge fan! That said, I toured and played for 20 years with MMK53s in my Vantage VA900 and rate those up there with anything else on the planet that is mass produced; they really are that good!

TPs H/S/H setup with 45s is peerless and I wish I'd had the chance to compare the likes of my Westone Spectrums so equipped with the VA; very versatile indeed!!

Of course, everything changes at stage volumes, through the myriad of FX that get used and when the soundman gets busy on the boards.....

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Because even the Australians need heroes."