Duncan 59 vs. lil 59

[lhrocker]

I'm a big fan of humbuckers in the neck position, but sometimes a guitar I like is only available with a single at the neck. Given that, how close is the lil 59 as compared to the regular Duncan 59? Is it a good approximation for it's size, of do I need to route away on the guitar? I guess this question would apply to any single coil modelled after a humbucker.

Thanx,
Peter

[Jester700]

Re: Duncan 59 vs. lil 59

It's not *bad*, but not exact. And useless for splitting; I'd only ever use it as a bucker.

Personally, I'd spring for the full size rout (in fact, I did).

[Jack Napalm]

Re: Duncan 59 vs. lil 59

I have a Lil 59 in the neck of a PC3 and love it. It's not the same as a full sized humbucker but it's a very nice pickup.

[1trussell]

Re: Duncan 59 vs. lil 59

I used a little 59 in the neck and bridge in a guitar I used to have. Like these guys have said, it is close, but not quite. However, I found it to be very nice when split. It just goes to show that it is always a matter of opinion. I think that it would be better to try the single coil sized humbuckers before routing a guitar. You can always switch pickups, but it is more difficult to fix a routing job gone bad.

[Chuckracer]

Re: Duncan 59 vs. lil 59

I use a Lil 59 in the neck and really like it. It's close to a humbucker sound, but a little clearer, dosen't mush out like a full size neck position 'bucker can do in a high gain, very fast playing situation.

[etaeniura]

Re: Duncan 59 vs. lil 59

I just put a lil '59 in the neck of my fusion special (thanks Travis!). IT is a strange sounding pickup. I have never used a real '59, so I don't know how to compare it. It is not a very hot pickup, but it has a nice kind of bell like tone to it. Mind you, this guitar seems to sound very bright no matter what I put in it. It sounds almost like the tone Adam Sandler has in the wedding singer when he is singing that song with the 335.....very clear, but not brittle like a single coil, yet not as warm or muddy as a regular humbucker. Hope that helps a little.

[lhrocker]

Re: Duncan 59 vs. lil 59

Thanx for all the input - I guess I'll have to try one to find out.

[jgcable]

Re: Duncan 59 vs. lil 59

You will like it for sure. It is very clear. Much clearer than the full size version. It REALLY sounds like a neck pickup (if you know what I mean).