The neck pickup on a guitar is often referred to as the rhythm pickup, but this is not always the case. The neck pickup is typically warmer and mellower than the bridge pickup, which is why it is often used for rhythm playing. However, many guitarists also use the neck pickup for lead playing, and some guitars even have a “neck pickup” selector position that combines the neck and bridge pickups for a fuller sound.
Ultimately, whether or not the neck pickup is the rhythm pickup is a matter of personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer, and you should experiment with different pickup combinations to find what sounds best to you.
Here are some examples of famous guitarists who use the neck pickup for rhythm playing:
- Keith Richards: Richards often used the neck pickup of his Telecaster for rhythm playing. This gave him a warm, mellow sound that was perfect for the Rolling Stones’ bluesy rock sound.
- Jimmy Page: Page often used the neck pickup of his Les Paul for rhythm playing. This gave him a thick, powerful sound that was perfect for Led Zeppelin’s heavy rock sound.
- Stevie Ray Vaughan: Vaughan often used the neck pickup of his Stratocaster for rhythm playing. This gave him a warm, singing tone that was perfect for his blues-inspired solos.
And here are some examples of famous guitarists who use the neck pickup for lead playing:
- Eric Clapton: Clapton often used the neck pickup of his Stratocaster for lead playing. This gave him a warm, singing tone that was perfect for his blues-inspired solos.
- David Gilmour: Gilmour often used the neck pickup of his Stratocaster for lead playing. This gave him a smooth, lyrical tone that was perfect for Pink Floyd’s psychedelic rock sound.
- Joe Satriani: Satriani often uses the neck pickup of his Ibanez JS1000 for lead playing. This gives him a warm, yet articulate tone that is perfect for his fusion and progressive rock solos.
So, is the rhythm the neck pickup? It depends on who you ask. Some guitarists use the neck pickup for rhythm playing, while others use it for lead playing. And still others use it for both. The best way to find out what works best for you is to experiment with different pickup combinations and see what sounds best to you.
