Putting a bridge pickup in the neck position is a popular modification among guitarists who want a brighter, more aggressive sound from their neck pickup. Bridge pickups are typically hotter and brighter than neck pickups, so putting a bridge pickup in the neck position can give you a more versatile guitar.
Benefits
There are a few benefits to putting a bridge pickup in the neck position:
- Brighter sound: Bridge pickups are typically brighter than neck pickups, so putting a bridge pickup in the neck position can give you a brighter, more articulate sound. This can be useful for lead guitar playing, or for getting a more cutting sound for rhythm playing.
- More aggressive sound: Bridge pickups are also typically hotter than neck pickups, so putting a bridge pickup in the neck position can give you a more aggressive sound. This can be useful for playing heavier genres of music, such as metal or hard rock.
- More versatility: Putting a bridge pickup in the neck position can give your guitar more versatility. You can now get a wide range of sounds from your guitar, from warm and mellow to bright and aggressive.
- Unique sound: Putting a bridge pickup in the neck position can also give your guitar a unique sound. This is because the sound of a bridge pickup in the neck position will be different from the sound of a bridge pickup in the bridge position.
Considerations
There are a few things to keep in mind if you are considering putting a bridge pickup in the neck position:
- Output: Bridge pickups typically have a higher output than neck pickups, so you may need to adjust the gain on your amp to avoid clipping.
- Balance: It is important to balance the output of the bridge pickup with the output of the neck pickup. You can do this by adjusting the pickup height or by using a volume knob.
- Feedback: Bridge pickups are more prone to feedback than neck pickups, so you may need to be more careful when playing with high gain.
- Pickup height: You may need to adjust the pickup height of the bridge pickup in the neck position to get the best sound. This is because the strings vibrate less at the neck of the guitar, so you may need to raise the pickup height to get a good signal.
- Amp settings: You may also need to adjust the amp settings to get the best sound from a bridge pickup in the neck position. For example, you may need to turn down the treble setting or increase the gain setting.
Examples
Here are some examples of guitarists who have used a bridge pickup in the neck position:
- Jimi Hendrix: Hendrix used a Seymour Duncan JB humbucker in the neck position of his Stratocaster. This gave his guitar a brighter, more aggressive sound than a traditional Strat.
- Eddie Van Halen: Van Halen used a DiMarzio PAF Pro humbucker in the neck position of his Kramer EVH guitar. This gave his guitar a more versatile sound, as he could switch between the neck pickup and the bridge pickup to get different sounds.
- Kirk Hammett: Hammett uses an EMG 81 humbucker in the neck position of his ESP Custom Shop guitars. This gives his guitar a very hot and aggressive sound, which is ideal for playing heavy metal music.
- James Hetfield: Hetfield uses an EMG 81 humbucker in the neck position of his ESP Custom Shop guitars. This gives his guitar a very thick and powerful sound, which is ideal for playing heavy metal music.
- Slash: Slash uses a Gibson Burstbucker humbucker in the neck position of his Les Paul guitars. This gives his guitar a warm and mellow sound, which is ideal for playing blues and rock music.
Putting a bridge pickup in the neck position is a great way to get a brighter, more aggressive sound from your neck pickup. It can also give your guitar more versatility and a unique sound. If you are considering putting a bridge pickup in the neck position, I recommend experimenting with different pickup heights and amp settings to find the sound that you like.