A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

[Stevo]

At first note, I liked this pickup for its smooth, round tone character with a nice hollow element. Its complex without being too thick on the bottom end. Compared to a 59n, I'd say that it's not quite as sensetive, but a bit more balanced. The notes don't jump out at you, but the pickup is pretty responsive to pick attack. It balances very well with a Seth Lover in the bridge position; it does not over-power, like some neck pickups tend to do when you use a PAF style pickup in the bridge position.
It's similar to the Seth Lover neck and the PG neck in smoothness. I think it has a slight bit more chime on the top end

So far, I think the a2pro is a keeper in my Les Paul neck. One of the main reasons I got this pickup (from Jeff_H), is because Jeff_H had lobbied quite loudly about it, and my curiosity was definitely aroused :saeek:

I really like the 59n too, but I think I like it a little more in a tele neck.. but my opinion does change with my mood.. continued..

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

Nice review! Could you detail the differences in tone, especially in the treble and midrange frequencies, between the PGn and A2Pro n? Do you hear the treble frequencies as being similar but with the PGn perhaps having a little more "bite" or "edge" or "sizzle" to the highs compared to the A2Pro? Other players have described the A2Pro as having the more extended upper harmonics and an almost Strat single coil chime to the highs...whereas the PGn is sometimes described as having a little more "sizzle" or "bite". But what's your take Steve? Have you tried them both in the same guitar? Thanks! Lew

 

[Stevo]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

Lew - I almost added that the a2pro does have a sensetivity that is single-coil like. I would say that it actually has more top end chime than the PGn, from my experience - especially when you pluck the string with a little force - it quacks a little

I did not have the PGn in the Les Paul, I had it in a tele, therefore my opinion might be a little skewed. I did not really notice a top end sizzle in the PGn, but definitely noticed it with the PGb. The PGn is very sweet and warm, but to my ears, the res frequency was focussed a bit lower than the a2pro. I prefer a little more chime on top, therefore the a2pro appeals to me a little more.. not to diss the PGn at all, because it's certainly sweet, especially clean.

I think the mids are slightly stronger on the PGn, but at a lower res frequency.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

Especially under drive the APH-2 really sounds alot like a fat strat neck pickup, great defenition and cool chord clarity.
Really spanky as well.

 

[MattPete]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

Nice review! Could you detail the differences in tone, especially in the treble and midrange frequencies, between the PGn and A2Pro n? Do you hear the treble frequencies as being similar but with the PGn perhaps having a little more "bite" or "edge" or "sizzle" to the highs compared to the A2Pro? Other players have described the A2Pro as having the more extended upper harmonics and an almost Strat single coil chime to the highs...whereas the PGn is sometimes described as having a little more "sizzle" or "bite". But what's your take Steve? Have you tried them both in the same guitar? Thanks! Lew

I have both, and I think one of the big difference is that the peak of the mids is shifted upward in the A2Pro compared to the PGn. The peak of the PGn mids sounds similar to the peak in the Seths, but the PGn has added sizzle. The A2Pro doesn't have the sizzle, but it does have some extra chime. For me at least, I find that the mids of the A2Pro make it jump out more than the Seth or PGn. I often find when switching from the bridge to the neck for solos, that the Seth and PGn seem to sound muffled and lost in the mix. Not the A2pro.

 

[MattPete]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

Oh, and BTW: I switched the magnet in a JazzN to an A2, and to me the A2 Jazz neck sounds identical to an A2pro.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

I think I'm going to pull the PGn out of my Strat and replace it with the A2Pro neck. It's one of the only Duncan HB's I've haven't tried in one of my own guitars. Thanks guys! Lew

 

[Simon_F]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

I love the Alnico II Pro neck. It is similar to the Seth neck but seems to have more bite. The top end rings out more when you hit it hard. Spanky! I am a big fan of SD pickups with alnico 2 magnets in the neck position of an LP. I have tried the Seth, A2P and Antiquity and I love them all. Prefer them all over the '59n which for my tastes is a little too bassy in an LP. Haven't tried the PGn but I bet that's a winner too. Hard to believe that the woolly Gibson 490R is alnico 2 when you compare it with the Duncans!

 

[Stevo]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

It's one of the only Duncan HB's I've haven't tried in one of my own guitars. Thanks guys! Lew

hehe me too.. I couldn't stand the curiosity.. words are only worth so much

 

[Stevo]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

MattPete and Simon.. yes I agree with both of your assessments Rock on.. it's a winner.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

I have been told that the Jazz with an A2 mag IS an A2P. I believe it too for a few reasons.

1.Very similiar, if not identical DC resistance
2.Both have symetric coil windings
3.Wire type (as well as gauge it seems)is the same
4.It has a 4 conductor wire (the PG is a hotter personalized PAF)

The fact it has been stated they sound identical further re-inforces this train of thought.
Luke

 

[Kelsey]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

I've been wondering whether that was the case, given how a magnet change is all that seems to separate several other models in the SD line. Good to hear.

BTW, do you need to use 500K pots with the A2 Pro HBs, or do they sound good with stock 300K Gibson or 250K Fender pots?

 

[Simon_F]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

BTW, do you need to use 500K pots with the A2 Pro HBs, or do they sound good with stock 300K Gibson or 250K Fender pots?

In my experience (using Les Pauls) all humbuckers sound better with 500K pots. It opens them up and makes them sound bigger and brighter. Stops the neck pickup sounding muddy, and if the bridge sounds too bright you just roll the tone knob back.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: A2 Pro Neck Pickup - Quick Review

I have been told that the Jazz with an A2 mag IS an A2P. I believe it too for a few reasons.

1.Very similiar, if not identical DC resistance
2.Both have symetric coil windings
3.Wire type (as well as gauge it seems)is the same
4.It has a 4 conductor wire (the PG is a hotter personalized PAF)

The fact it has been stated they sound identical further re-inforces this train of thought.
Luke

I don't believe it because I've owned and played both, and they don't sound anything alike to me. The Alnico 2 Pro has a lot more bass than a Jazz, which if they were the same coil, would be the opposite because Alnico 5 boosts the bass as well as the overall output.

If you put an Alnico 5 in an Alnico 2 Pro (thus making it an Alnico 5 Pro, I suppose), which I have done, it has even MORE bass and sounds even less like a Jazz. Conversely, of course, put an Alnico 2 in a Jazz and it will sound even thinner.

I tried a Jazz-n for my LP Standard a few years ago and rejected it almost immediately because of the lack of warmth. I tried an Alnico 2 Pro in 3 different guitars (Strat/LP/355) and had such pleasingly plump lower mids that I used them in all 3 guitars for years. The Jazz is just a very bright wind, and the Alnico 2 is chubby (in a good way).

As for the points you make:

"1.Very similiar, if not identical DC resistance"

The 59b and the Seth Lover-b are even closer together (8.1k vs. 8.13k) but that doesn't mean they're the same wind.

"2.Both have symetric coil windings"

Unless otherwise stated, all humbuckers are symmetrically wound. Gibson made a big deal about their Burstbuckers being "mismatched" with a difference of 0.2 to 0.3k. Fralin makes "Unbuckers" with the coils as much as 1.5k apart.

"3.Wire type (as well as gauge it seems)is the same"

There is only one type of wire used in pickups -- copper.

There are only two types of wire guage used in guitar pickups, #42 and #43. All manufacturers use #42 guage in their vintage-clone pickups. They probably would also use #42 in their high output pickups but #42 is too thick to be able to get 7-8k ohms on each coil. #43 is thinner so they use that instead.

"4.It has a 4 conductor wire (the PG is a hotter personalized PAF)"

Nearly every pickup maker in the world uses 4 conductor wire on at least some of its models.