neck pickups for AC/DC sound

[shredder87_rob]

Ok here's the deal, having recently installed an SD '59 in one guitar, and a Bill Lawrence Rhythm in another, I'm still not satisfied with the sound I'm after :-(

Don't get me wrong I love the warm sound when played with a clean amp, or for those bluesy riffs/solos, but they sound terrible with any distortion. The problem is when playing power chords the 2 lower strings just sound like a wet fart, like a flabby bass guitar. I've tried adjusting the pickup height & the amp setting, but to no avail.

I want a pickup that will deliver a nice crunchy tone for rhythm guitar over ALL the strings. Imagine the sound of AC/DC, or Billy Duffy from the Cult, or Tie Your Mother Down by Queen. That's the sound that I'm aiming for (without going to the expense of buying their equipment or course !)

My mate had an EMG 81 in the neck of his Gibson, which I was really impressed by, giving that chugga chugga sound, and all strings sounded bright even at high gain levels. Not sure if I want to put one of these in my RG550 though, as It sounds like it might be alot of hard work, what with it needing a battery etc.

Anyone got any alternative suggestions for the sound I'm after

[David McCarroll]

Sorry dude, all the sounds you mention were played on the Bridge pickup of what ever guitar the artist was wrangling - I'm not sure Angus has realised that his SGs actually HAD a neck pickup!

Power chords played on the neck pickup tend to be muddy and indistinct, and instead, for most "rock" rhythm playing, you want a nice bridge pickup, not too much overdrive (again, listen to AC/DC's guitar tones - not really much saturation at all), and tonnes of volume!

Cheers

David

[nightfiend14]

yes, somebody else going for the billy duffy sounds as well. I'm in the same boat looking for a neck pickup.

[David McCarroll]

Well, Duffy seemed to use either a Les Paul Custom, or a Gretsch White Falcon - so surely a standard output humbucker like a Dimarzio PAF or a Duncan 59 would be a good start?

[nightfiend14]

Originally Posted by David McCarroll

Well, Duffy seemed to use either a Les Paul Custom, or a Gretsch White Falcon - so surely a standard output humbucker like a Dimarzio PAF or a Duncan 59 would be a good start?

I talked to guys at SD and found a few interviews and it's mainly stated that he uses the JB in his pauls and custom shop filtertons in the gretsch. One of the articles also stated that he used the Duncan Custom (sh-5) for awhile too. I still have no idea what sort of neck pickups he used though, and I know he uses it at least some of the time.

[shredder87_rob]

mmm, maybe I'll start by trying to clean the bottom end up with an EQ stompbox, rather than investing in more pickups, as I imagine a Seymour JB for example is going to sound different in a Les Paul compared to an Ibanez etc.

[nightfiend14]

yeah I'm not sure what direction you should go to get that sound with a RG.

[RSVampire]

I would go with some Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro II's or maybe some Gibson Burstbuckers

[LonePhantom]

You could always get a Gibson Angus Young signature bridge humbucker

http://www.gibson.com/Products/Acces...ure%20%281%29/

[rgr]

Originally Posted by David McCarroll

Sorry dude, all the sounds you mention were played on the Bridge pickup of what ever guitar the artist was wrangling - I'm not sure Angus has realised that his SGs actually HAD a neck pickup!

Power chords played on the neck pickup tend to be muddy and indistinct, and instead, for most "rock" rhythm playing, you want a nice bridge pickup, not too much overdrive (again, listen to AC/DC's guitar tones - not really much saturation at all), and tonnes of volume!

Cheers

David

This pretty much said it all.

[Shredder87]

Yup, as has been said previously, Angus used purely the bridge pickup for that fairly bright sound. If you want that sort of sound, forget the neck pickup

P.S. Hoy! You've nabbed me username! Heh heh. I jest mate.

Cheers

'87