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The Pickup Place / Re: Neck pickup to go with Air Norton in the Bridge of a Les Paul

« Last post by Zoo Keeper on August 25, 2025, 04:10:18 PM »

Okay, I am not great with guitar electronics but I cab use a meter. AM comes in at 12.5k ohms and the 36th neck at 8.5. From what I can compare to a wiring diagram it looks to all be wired up correctly in 50's wiring. On the pots, would I just connect my probes on the end lugs of the pot?  If everything else is good, something is off with the AN to be fairly overpowered by  the 36th.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Neck pickup to go with Air Norton in the Bridge of a Les Paul

« Last post by gregr on August 24, 2025, 02:29:10 AM »

The PAF 57 is likely going to be closer to the Duncan Seth Lovers. The wire used on the APH (and Jazz which is the same pickup but with an A5 magnet) has a different insulator which reduces the inter-wind capacitance. I have no reason not to believe that the wind pattern is also significantly different between the APH and a traditional P.A.F. as this is something that I regularly see attributed to the design.

It doesn’t sound like you’ll be pulling the Fred out of your Ibby to try with the 36th, but do try The Breed Neck in the bridge if you haven’t already. Even if you don’t keep it, I think the experience is worthwhile.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Neck pickup to go with Air Norton in the Bridge of a Les Paul

« Last post by Zoo Keeper on August 23, 2025, 11:38:45 PM »

Thanks gregr!  I have looked at the Air Classic set in the past.  The more I look into this the more I am thinking about a new set. Another set I have looked at in the past is the Duncan Alnico II Pro set. Seems that the PAF 57 set might be in that category.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Neck pickup to go with Air Norton in the Bridge of a Les Paul

« Last post by gregr on August 23, 2025, 07:41:11 PM »

Set neck guitar or bolt on?

As a point of reference, the Full Shred Neck is the leanest Duncan humbucker which is also quite bright. It would probably be my first choice to pair with an AN, though I also like the EJ Custom Neck. That said, I’m under the impression that you don’t want a bright pickup so i didn’t mention these.

The other pickup that came to mind was the Air Classic Neck, which like Fred for the bridge to pair with the 36th Neck in the neck, I thought it might also come up as a suggestion to pair with the Air Norton in the bridge.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Neck pickup to go with Air Norton in the Bridge of a Les Paul

« Last post by Zoo Keeper on August 23, 2025, 05:51:25 PM »

Not typical at all of my experience with AN in the bridge, which I have in quite a few guitars.

I suspect something is wrong with your wiring or pots.  No way should a 36th neck overwhelm an AN bridge, especially backed off.

Check your wiring, measure your pots.

I use the duncan full shred neck with AN bridge, which is typical PAF output.  Even very close to the strings, it doesn't overwhelm.

AN is on the hot side of PAF output, similar to 36th bridge.

Thank you for that info. I didn't think it would when I decided to put those in the guitar, so I was puzzled. I will look into the wiring. The guitar has  '50s wiring, that shouldn't be the cause? I will measure the pickups on my meter as well.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Neck pickup to go with Air Norton in the Bridge of a Les Paul

« Last post by RayBarbeeMusic on August 23, 2025, 09:14:45 AM »

Not typical at all of my experience with AN in the bridge, which I have in quite a few guitars.

I suspect something is wrong with your wiring or pots.  No way should a 36th neck overwhelm an AN bridge, especially backed off. 

Check your wiring, measure your pots.

I use the duncan full shred neck with AN bridge, which is typical PAF output.  Even very close to the strings, it doesn't overwhelm. 

AN is on the hot side of PAF output, similar to 36th bridge.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Neck pickup to go with Air Norton in the Bridge of a Les Paul

« Last post by Zoo Keeper on August 21, 2025, 08:10:05 AM »

The PAF 59s are A5. Are you considering a magnet swap?

My bad, not the PAF 59's but the PAF 57's. 

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The Pickup Place / Re: Neck pickup to go with Air Norton in the Bridge of a Les Pasul

« Last post by gregr on August 21, 2025, 12:15:48 AM »

The PAF 59s are A5. Are you considering a magnet swap?

A2s are lower output and less punchy, in my estimation. Ask five different people about the frequency response and you’ll get five different answers. I would say they provide a slightly softened top end but still produce plenty of sparkle with a 42 gauge vintage wind.

I would consider using the Nash wiring on the tone control if you use the Bluesbucker.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Neck pickup to go with Air Norton in the Bridge of a Les Pasul

« Last post by Zoo Keeper on August 20, 2025, 10:04:14 PM »

Thanks for all the replies !! Just to go out into the weeds, I've been wanting to re-purpose the Air Norton, but if I didn't how would something like the PAF59 set sound?  I also have an SG with  Sanford Magnetic P90's - A2's around 7 ohms. Killer sounding thru my rig. I pulled it out today after not playing it for a while and it got me thinking. I know it's hardly  and apple to apples comparison, but was wondering what the PAF 59's with the A2 might sound like. You Tube videos not giving me a great idea. It would be more vintage for sure I think, but I think my taste has a little wiggle room.
I think the Bluesbucker would be my choice if I stay AN in the bridge.
Oh and I played the Ibby with the suspect neck today as well. Dang it still sounds good. Might have to reconsider doing something with the neck.

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The Pickup Place / Re: HSS with Dimarzio Bridge HB

« Last post by gregr on August 20, 2025, 07:27:29 PM »

Like I said, reversing the polarity of the alnico slugs in a traditional single coil is trivial. It is far easier than flipping a magnet in a humbucker because it is non-invasive. I was able to order a package of 1/4” diameter, 1/2” long neo rod magnets for $9.

Reversing the polarity of a stacked DiMarzio pickup is not as easy because it requires disassembly but is still doable. It is perhaps more difficult than flipping the magnet of a humbucker as the construction is a bit more delicate. I highly recommend desoldering the short black/white wire pair so that the top coil which contains the slugs can be physically removed from the rest of the assembly.