Pickup switching

[Big Al]

Yes, I switch as much as Yngwie:ROTF: (Which is a lot!)

I started switching pickups during solos because of YJM! Switching to the neck pickup sure helps my fast/sloppy runs.

[Newc]

Yes, I'll have a number 3 with no mayo and a Coke

To go

Anyhoo, I've got most of my ADA tones set for using a bridge pickup for distorted rhythm, but this thread inspired me to finally set some up to do that with the neck pickup instead of just cleans all the time.
Took out some bass, added some mids and highs, and set the TSR12 for a flat EQ with just a hint of delay (.300ms with 20% volume).

Using my NASL this patch has basically the same tone on both pickups (JB in neck, Custom in Bridge) but the neck has more bass with somewhat-muted highs (not as piercing, but that Santana singing tone) and the bridge has more highs with less bass. Mids may be a bit high through an amp (using PC speakers).

Sounds great for going full chords and bar chords higher up the neck (Gain 1 is 4 and Gain 2 is 7 - could come down a bit more and make it totally reliant on how hard you work the pickups).

Works great with the Volume and Tone knobs too.

[MichaelLitvak]

i got a dk2 with the shitty ducan designed pups.. for disotrtion i always
use bridge and for cleans i use neck or mid/neck .. since these single coils SUCK when distorted

[Chad]

Yes, I do. I think out of all the styles I've tried I like HS the best. I really like the middle position on HS guitars.

[straycat]

+1 thats wht I coil tap the neck hum.

[quakana]

I always thought I was wrong on this one but I use my Bridge PUP for almost everything except if I want a lead sound with more mid-bass sound like blues leads. I have owned many Les Pauls and always wonderd why the name the rhythm and lead pups like they do....oh well.....my vote was I use both

[Drizzt]

I switch between neck & bridge pickups during my soloing.

[Newc]

I always thought I was wrong on this one but I use my Bridge PUP for almost everything except if I want a lead sound with more mid-bass sound like blues leads. I have owned many Les Pauls and always wonderd why the name the rhythm and lead pups like they do....oh well.....my vote was I use both

Because back in the day when the guitar was used primarily for Jazz/Swing and early RnR (pre-distortion), that was how things were done. You had to have a Rhythm sound (neck pickup) and a Lead sound (bridge), so that you could blend in with the rest of the rhythm section and stand out for your solo.

[jeff300]

Yeah, I switch frequently. In fact, I hardly ever use the bridge pickup only position. On SSS or SSH guitars I use positions 2, 3, and 4 most. On HH guitars I like the neck or neck-bridge positions. Kinda presents a problem for me on my Model 2, my only 1 pickup guitar.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

i've only written 3 solo's in my life, non of which are played in the band i'm in now... but 2 of those 3 were written for the front pickup.

i like the tonal shift it creates. like how the neck pup rounds the sound out and really makes the notes sing. as opposed to the edgy sonicness of the bridge pup.

and its always cool when both guitars go to the neck pup to do the Iron Maiden harmonies while the bass really takes over both the main melody and the rythm.

[metalhead28]

I use the bridge for distorted rhythms mostly. I use it for agressive lead playing or for stuff with lots of harmonics or things like that. I use the neck pickup for smoother leads and some rhythms.
I put it in the center position (both pickups) for most clean sounds. Neck is too dull, bridge is too crisp....in the middle is perfect.

[Emthrax]

I use both all the time. I primarily roll the volume back and use my neck pup for clean tones, but it sounds pretty neat for some rhythm and lead tones as well.

Same here, Jams!
Though I really like the middle position for cleans too.

-Em

[jjw]

south of hell

yeahh mid position is GREAT for cleans EM

[AfterForever]

I switch pups a lot.. I can't live without neck pickup. I do have one single hum axe and it's a pure rock machine, but it could never become my #1 axe.

I even switch during rhythm parts to do a quick arpeggio using the neck pup.

[demeyes]

I tend to switch between the pickups a good bit but I use the bridge most of the time. I like to use the neck for some quick picked passages because I prefer the sound it gives. For cleans I like to use a mid position as its crisp but also a bit bassy. I don't like using the neck for a full solo though because I don't like the bass heavy muddier tone that it gives me for most kind of licks.
I'd agree though switching pickups gives more dynamics to a solo. It's something you pick up and develop over time. Its an under utilised tool.