[marytakesadrag]

Hello, long time reader and seldom poster.

I have an Ibanez RG in C standard. What do you guys recommend for a neck pickup for leads? It'll be for metal music though a massive variety.

I like a fluid tone but it doesn't necessarily have to be warm, round, or smooth.  In fact, I prefer aggression and cut.  Dynamic to picking technique is a plus. At least decent at harmonics but "great at harmonics" is preferred. Tight bass is a must, + subdued bass even better, since I play in C Standard.

I have a Dominion in the bridge which is great for rhythm and decent for leads, but I'd like something more fluid, maybe a little less bright (hence neck position), and if possible, great at harmonics. I have not tried the neck version. 

Any suggestions? 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Perhaps you can try the Fred in the neck?

[Amplifuzz]

D-Activator neck or Full Shred.

[jazzfromhell]

Paf Pro will work too.

[marytakesadrag]

Thanks guy!

I've tried the FRED in the neck of a different guitar and it's very cool but too bassy even in E Standard.

I'll look into the PAF Pro.  Some reason, Dimarzio's pickup picker mentioned PAF Joe instead of the Pro for harmonics.  What's your experience w/ the PAF Pro?

Any other suggestions? Or am I on the right track w/ the D Activator or Full Shred?  Other brands is cool too

It's hard to find demos or clips of neck pickups :/  Experiences & descriptions appreciated!

[Amplifuzz]

I have the stock PAF Pro in the neck of my JS-1, and IMO it's good but not excellent at the 'lean bass and great at harmonics' thing. Not a bad choice (the PP almost never is), but not ideal either.

[jazzfromhell]

If you wanna go really lean in the bass there's always the Humbucker From Hell. That could work out really well for you.

[JohnnyGtar]

The Full Shred neck is great, and if you want more power, I'd try a DiMarzio Super 2.

[slugworth]

Get a Breed Neck! Like the PAF Pro but it has a brighter edge for more cut. Killer harmonics, it excels at both modern and vintage sounds, and it splits like a dream. It has become my favorite neck humbucker.

The D-Activator Neck is a pretty good pickup. It will do what you want, although it can sound brittle. I don't think it would be such a great match for the Dominion.

I hate the PAF Joe. On paper it sounds like a wet dream, but in practice it doesn't do anything well. It is the only Dimarzio pickup I can think of that I would not recommend to anyone for any purpose.

The Fred has great harmonics, but no high-end edge. It goes straight from fundamental to harmonic without any cutting "barrier" in-between, if that makes sense. I don't like the Fred for that reason.

[marytakesadrag]

Thanks for the responses guys!

So no on the PP or Joe. 

HFH was a consideration but output is too low especially w/ Dominion in bridge.

I love the Breed! But I think it'd be too smooth IMO.  I remember it absorbs my picking dynamics too much in the neck position.  Bridge is amazing though!

I can tame shrill. Flab or murkyness is my fear!  I fear the D-Activators may sound murky but I'll see soon enough...

I got caught up in life and forgot to check up on this thread. Already have a D-Activator on the way.  I just read about the Super 2 and heard some clips...  Kinda wish I ordered that first.  Oh well, I'll try the Super 2 after if needed.

[jazzfromhell]

Super 2 is a great suggestion. Instant Paul Gilbert; great shred tones to be had. It's not very dynamic though.

[JohnnyGtar]

Have you experimented with parallel wiring?

[KH Guitar Freak]

The Fred has great harmonics, but no high-end edge. It goes straight from fundamental to harmonic without any cutting "barrier" in-between, if that makes sense. I don't like the Fred for that reason.

To a certain extent, I have to agree with you there. I have a Fred in the bridge of one of my guitars, and it's too easy for it to lean towards the harmonic as opposed to the fundamental note. I have to dial in the amp and adjust my picking technique a bit if I wanted to reduce the emphasis on the harmonic