Strat Neck Pickup players....help

[dlmjr2]

I hear people getting awesome tones out of the Strat neck pickup, but for me, I'm just not finding it. I'm playing an Eric Johnson Strat but the neck pup almost sounds too bright???? not sure, just not finding the sweet spot.

Any pointers from guys who spend a lot of time on the neck pup?

Thanks
Dave

[Mike9]

Easiest thing is to adjust the pickup height - either up, or down. Lower tends to sweeten it up IME. Barring that you could try swapping caps on that tone pot.

[Wayne Alexander]

I agree with Mike9 that pickup height changes the tone a fair amount - try moving it up or down, listening to the sound at various positions. Also, what strings are you using? Pure nickel strings will be richer, less "strident" sounding than nickel/steel or stainless steel - I like Pyramid pure nickel roundwounds. Also, bigger strings will sound richer/bigger/less thin than thinner ones. Does the guitar have the stock pots?

[richey88]

Wayne, I like your use of the word "strident". Sums up the pure nickel thing perfectly.

I use D'Addario pure nickels when I can get 'em, GHS Nickel Rockers in a pinch. I'm all over the neck p/u, easily one of the best sounds on my Strat (I did put the middle p/u in the neck position though......dlmjr, maybe your amp settings too are partially the culprit (for goodness' sake an EJ strat ought to sound gorgeous), whatcha playing through??

[buddastrat]

Is yours the rosewood EJ? If it's the maple, and you want that deep, throaty, juicy neck pickup strat tone. I think you'd get it easier with some rosewood. The maple model tends to be tight and really snappy with that big 1/4 sawn neck, and that one has a very fast, reflective sound. I love it with overdrive because it's so tight. I tend to play more rock and bridge pickup stuff with maple because of that punchier midrange, but when I get a rosewood neck, that neck pickup tone just so deep and rich. I'm sure you can get closer with some amp and pickup swaps though, no matter. Make sure you're hearing what you want out of the guitar before you plug in. I don't think a pickup can't make frequencies appear that aren't there from the wood.

[robertkoa]

Originally Posted by buddastrat

Is yours the rosewood EJ? If it's the maple, and you want that deep, throaty, juicy neck pickup strat tone. I think you'd get it easier with some rosewood. The maple model tends to be tight and really snappy with that big 1/4 sawn neck, and that one has a very fast, reflective sound. I love it with overdrive because it's so tight. I tend to play more rock and bridge pickup stuff with maple because of that punchier midrange, but when I get a rosewood neck, that neck pickup tone just so deep and rich. I'm sure you can get closer with some amp and pickup swaps though, no matter. Make sure you're hearing what you want out of the guitar before you plug in. I don't think a pickup can make frequencies appear that aren't there from the wood.

Very good point here IMO, easier to filter frequencies ( roll off etc. ) that are there than to add something that isn't.

But even thin sounding Strats can get fairly fat on neck position with the right pickup and amp - wouldn't you guys agree ?

[Dana Olsen]

Dude - Help us help you out - maple or rosewood neck EJ Strat , and what amp are you playing through? Any FX between guitar and amp?

Also, how far away are the pickups from the strings now? And how high/low is the action? What strings?

That'll help us figure out where you're at NOW. Strat pickups are interesting beasts - I've heard 'em sound great adjusted in a very wide variety of ways, depending on what you're looking for.

Hope this helps, Dana O.

Originally Posted by dlmjr2

I hear people getting awesome tones out of the Strat neck pickup, but for me, I'm just not finding it. I'm playing an Eric Johnson Strat but the neck pup almost sounds too bright???? not sure, just not finding the sweet spot.

Any pointers from guys who spend a lot of time on the neck pup?

Thanks
Dave

[dlmjr2]

Thanks a lot guys, I tied lowering the neck pickup and it already sounds better. I like to use it alot for leads so my logic was to keep it higher, but it really does change the tone.
I like all other tones on the guitar, I just wasn't getting it on the neck pup.

Other info requested:
Maple EJ
Blues Junior with a tone tubby speaker
Boss ME70 for FX
D'addario 9s for strings

I know these are ALL variables, but really just lowering the pickup is getting me closer to where I want to be...so thanks!

[bluesmann8]

my starting point is 1/8" from the string when pressed down at the last fret. i then raise it till i hear it start to kill the sustain and keep it just under that point. set to low , they can sound spikey and lack warmth. YMMV

[bluesjuke]

I lowered my neck pickup and now use Gibson Vintage Reissues Pure Nickle strings (.010-.046) on my '56 Relic maple neck and playing it right now it is so smooth & syrupy on the neck, maybe even moreso than on my Gibsons.

[Sensates]

Try to bypass the ME70 and plug direct into the amp (thats if the signal does pass through the me70). I remembered the bypass tone of that unit dampens my tone a bit..

[9fingers]

Alnico 2 can really sweeten things up too. Duncan APS is a real nice neck pickup for a bright guitar.

[peskypesky]

i'm a neck pickup lover. on my strats i'm in the neck position 80% of the time. the middle and bridge just sound too thin for me, unless i'm playing with thick distortion.

[gillman royce]

Originally Posted by Mike9

Easiest thing is to adjust the pickup height - either up, or down. Lower tends to sweeten it up IME. Barring that you could try swapping caps on that tone pot.

Great place to start

[JP~)]

.9's are kinda light for a strat (IMHO)

also, couple of things that haven't been mentioned yet...try experimenting with rolling both your volume and tone down some