A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

fretburner

Well-known member
What's the difference between the A2P and 59 output? And is it something that a pickup height adjustment cannot compensate?
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

Alnico II Pro is lower output than the '59. But with the '59 in the bridge and the A2P in the neck, it should balance ok.

Pickup height can compensate for output to a fair degree, but using that method would probably mean sacrificing the "sweet spot" in height that you would find with the pickup. And it's not linear. At a point, it doesn't just get hotter, it really gets just nasty, too much of everything. But some small height adjustments can help balance the pickups.
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

I have played a '59 set and an A2P set in the same Les Paul.

The A2Ps have slightly lower output, but I would consider it almost negligible - easily compensated for by a slight tweak at the amp.

If you are thinking of mixing them, I think an A2Pn and '59b would balance excellently, but a '59n may overpower an A2Pb.
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

I'm actually gonna put an A2P against a Custom in the bridge. Would that work?

Also, while we're at it, finding the "sweet spot" is wholly dependent on the tone that I prefer right? Or is there some sort of an indicative sound or characteristic of my tone which would signal that that is the "sweet spot"?

I recently put a Steve's Special and Air Norton on my RG and I have doubts on my pickup heights.

Thanks!
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

fretburner said:
I'm actually gonna put an A2P against a Custom in the bridge. Would that work?
It should work fine

fretburner said:
Also, while we're at it, finding the "sweet spot" is wholly dependent on the tone that I prefer right? Or is there some sort of an indicative sound or characteristic of my tone which would signal that that is the "sweet spot"?

I recently put a Steve's Special and Air Norton on my RG and I have doubts on my pickup heights.

I agree it depends on the tone you prefer.

Luke
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

Luke Duke said:
It should work fine



I agree it depends on the tone you prefer.

Luke


Thanks! I'm going to put Zebra A2P/Custom on my Epi LP:

Epi-LPstd-LE-quilt-top-small.jpg
 
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Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

fretburner said:
I'm actually gonna put an A2P against a Custom in the bridge. Would that work?

I experimented with that combo recently in my LP Standard. Sounds great! The Custom rocks. I prefer the A2Pn over the '59n in a Les Paul - smoother and less bassy. The A2Pn combines really well with the Custom.
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

fretburner said:
I'm actually gonna put an A2P against a Custom in the bridge. Would that work?


It'll work great. Another option to consider in the neck is the Pearly Gates. It's a bit hotter than the APH, and has more bite in the upper mids. I think it gets along better with an aggressive, rock oriented pickup like the Custom. :burnout:
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

I've actually found in several guitars that due to the lower output and clarity of the APH that the perceived volume is greater when set at the same height as other neck pickups. I have the APH set lower than all of my other neck pickups to compensate.

Best neck pickup on the planet.
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

fretburner said:
I'm actually gonna put an A2P against a Custom in the bridge. Would that work?
Yes very nicely. I have that combo in my Les Paul right now. It rocks and it cleans up nicely.
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

Kickass!!!

Btw, just for the heck of it: Would Zebra or plain black look better on my Epi LP?
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

Benjy_26 said:
It'll work great. Another option to consider in the neck is the Pearly Gates. It's a bit hotter than the APH, and has more bite in the upper mids. I think it gets along better with an aggressive, rock oriented pickup like the Custom. :burnout:
I use the Custom/Pearly gates in my Explorer. Great set of pickups and they blend really well together. The APH in the neck should yeild the same results though.
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

fretburner said:
Kickass!!!

Btw, just for the heck of it: Would Zebra or plain black look better on my Epi LP?
My vote goes to a Zebra set over double black!!!!
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

fretburner said:
Btw, just for the heck of it: Would Zebra or plain black look better on my Epi LP?
I think either one would look good in that guitar. Maybe the black would be better for the theme.
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

I think Stevo means that guitar has a predominantly black theme! :)

I am not going to vote because I think either will look great and I find that whatever color pickups I put in a guitar I always think a while later that something else might look better! You are probably favouring zebra because you are used to black and it's nice to have a change. Zebras would look cool, but blacks look great too. Whatever color you pick I'm sure you will love the Custom / A2Pn in that guitar!
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

Simon_F said:
I think Stevo means that guitar has a predominantly black theme! :)

I am not going to vote because I think either will look great and I find that whatever color pickups I put in a guitar I always think a while later that something else might look better! You are probably favouring zebra because you are used to black and it's nice to have a change. Zebras would look cool, but blacks look great too. Whatever color you pick I'm sure you will love the Custom / A2Pn in that guitar!

I thought the cream coils would compliment well the cream bindings :)

Going black is safe though. :)
 
Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

That's one sexy finish on that les paul.I'd go with all-black's on it,but then i don't really like zebra's on anything but good old classic cherry-burst. :dance:

Actually,now that i think about it,some nice gold or nickel coloured covers could really set that guitar off :32:
 
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Re: A2P and '59 difference in OUTPUT?

If your gonna go zebra get nice cream rings to really set off the whole cream theme. And polish up that bridge it looks rather nasty, and replace a couple of rusty screws
 
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