Speaking of HRWs . . .

[blueox]

For those of you that own at least one Heritage with two HRWs installed, are the pickups basically the same in tone or are they different? Some pickup brands come with a bridge version and a neck version. The HRWs on my H150CMUltra differ in tone. Considering the bridge pickup as "normal" with the tone knob turned clockwise in the fullest treble position, the neck pickup with the tone knob turned fully clockwise sounds like the bridge pickup with the tone turned down to a distinct treble cut. Then if the tone knob is turned on the neck pickup, it gets even further mellowed, of course. From my example, it sounds like Heritage does indeed install different HRW versions depending upon their position. Or is it all in the pots?

[Steiner]

They're all different. The neck is jangly acoustic-ish and the bridge tends to be brighter. I don't know any manufacturer that uses the same in both positions. Even the Fenders are labeled Neck, Center and Bridge.

[Gitfiddler]

In one of the (MANY) previous HRW thread discussions someone checked the specific ratings of their Neck and Bridge pickup. The bridge was definitly hotter. They seemed very similar to the Schaller ratings. (Wonder why?!)

 

From your comments however, the difference would also be impacted by the capacitor. I believe Heritage installs 500k pots in most of their gits.

 

I've experienced the same tone roll off difference in my 150 Ultra. Not a big deal for me, but there is a slight difference.

[H]

Bridge pickups are typically 10-20% 'hotter' than neck pickups. The neck pickup is in a better position for string 'vibration' through the magnetic field.

[FrankS]

I believe the difference in the tone also depends where the pickups are positioned. The strings have a more treble sound near the bridge than close to the neck. You can hear the difference if you play the strings near the bridge and then play them near the neck. I would bet that two identical pickups would sound different based only on their position.

[smurph1]

I believe the difference in the tone also depends where the pickups are positioned. The strings have a more treble sound near the bridge than close to the neck. You can hear the difference if you play the strings near the bridge and then play them near the neck. I would bet that two identical pickups would sound different based only on their position.

+100...

[Guest mgoetting]

Which SD most closely approximates the HRW?

[SouthpawGuy]

Which SD most closely approximates the HRW?

 

In my own limited SD pickup model experience I would say (possibly) the Custom Custom. The HRW probably has a bit more bit to it though.

 

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/progressive/sh11_custom_cus/

 

I had a Custom Custome in a Godin LGX SA model, mahogany body, maple top and ebony fingerboard and found it had anything but "warm and smooth highs"

[blueox]

I appreciate all the comments. Also, I'm wondering if Ren makes the HRWs to a strict consistency or if he does them up as in the "Golden Era" with each one just a little different? This neck pickup is so treble-cut (allowing for placement) that I may have it checked out at the factory eventually. I might go so far as to have it switched out, something I've never done, unless (hopefully) it is a capacitor problem. It does make for an interesting sound, as when both pickups are on, blended with the bridge pickup. Alone, it's like an instant "jazz tone".

[pro-fusion]

I certainly haven't noticed any treble cut on the neck HRW on my Millie. If anything, it might be too bright and chimey for some jazz guys.

[blueox]

After having the neck HRW pickup sound so muffled for many months, it went dead on me a couple of weeks ago. This was a blessing because it forced me to do something about it. I took the H150 over to the Heritage factory last week, and Ren checked it out. He discovered that the connections at the neck pickup volume pot were shorting out, so with a little solder gun work, the pickup was back working again. After further testing, Ren decided that it was best to replace the volume pot, so that's what was done. So, now my H150CMU is back with its full array of sounds.

[blueox]

(Duplicate)

[H]

Glad to hear you're back in business

 

I'll be honest, the only reason I keep my 170 is the amazing noise the neck pickup makes. The bridge HRW has no character at all, truly hifi. But the neck, I just don't have the words to describe the range of tones in that thing.

[MartyGrass]

After having the neck HRW pickup sound so muffled for many months, it went dead on me a couple of weeks ago. This was a blessing because it forced me to do something about it. I took the H150 over to the Heritage factory last week, and Ren checked it out. He discovered that the connections at the neck pickup volume pot were shorting out, so with a little solder gun work, the pickup was back working again. After further testing, Ren decided that it was best to replace the volume pot, so that's what was done. So, now my H150CMU is back with its full array of sounds.

 

 

I'm confused. How does the neck pup sound now compared to when you originally posted?

 

Thanks.

[blueox]

I bought this new 2007 H150 in the fall of 2009 with both HRWs offering a great array of power and tones. In the middle of 2010, I noticed that the neck pickup sounded constantly bassy, with no mids or highs. Sometimes I like to play with that kind of tone by rolling off the treble using the tone control, but usually, I like a little more treble. In this case, the neck pickup was stuck in that mellow bass tone. I put off going to the factory with it until I recently could no longer get any sound out of the pickup at all. My original post, as I look at it again, is rather misleading, since it sounds as if I did not suspect that anything was wrong with the instrument, and that the guitar came from the factory with that mellow neck pickup tone. It's like I had a mental block about a Heritage ever needing repair. Now that it is fixed, I know that now it is back to where it was when I purchased it, because the great tones of both HRWs are out in full force.

[tbonesullivan]

For the record, Dimarzio does have some pickups that are not specified as bridge or neck, such as the PAF Pro. They have others that are specific for neck or bridge. I don't know if they use different spaced pole pieces for the neck/bridge on these.