Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

D

doveman

New member
I currently have a all-mahogony very "SG like" guitar that has an A2P neck and a 498T bridge. I'm extremely satisfied with it right now ... giving me some really good slide sounds ... woody A2 neck, tight A5 bridge and mixing the two ... just all kinds of sounds. So the good news is this experiment doesn't have to work since I like the guitar as is.

Why try this:
I have a 59 Bridge on the way ... I already bought it earlier ... trade-in that's a "sunk cost". So it's basically free. I can put it in the drawer if I don't like it.

My questions are:
- What should I expect from an A2P(n)/59(b) combo in an SG like guitar?
- Tone differences between a 498T (14.4k A5) and 59(b) (8.2k A5) that I might expect?
- Isn't the 498T very much like a C5?

Additional Info:
- I've become a fan of the 498T ... but the way I use it is ... on slide, volume on 8-9, tone is set between 1 and 3 ... really nice smooth tight slide ... while vol 10, tone 5-8 gives me strong gov't mule "bad little doggie" type leads. Many trash the 498T and I didn't like it combined with the 490R but it's nice now.
- Mixing the 498T with the softer A2P(n) = all kinds of blended tones and for some reason a great improvement vs the 490R combo
- Get overdrive from the amp - not so much the pickups - original Mesa Boogie

For reference - slide example - in current configuration:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4472396&q=hi
Min 1 = A2P alone
Min 2 = A2P(n) mixed with 498T (tone on 2-3)
Min 3 = 498T alone (tone 1-2)

Man ...I love doing these experiments ... the tweaking!
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

I can't say exactly what to expect in an SG, but I have that combo in a '71 LP custom and I like it! I prefer A2 mags in the neck but I like both A2 an A5 in the bridge.

It is a very flexible combination.
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

The only thing I might worry about is too much bite from the 59 - SG's are usually brighter guitars...but if you say it very "all mahog" sounding, it may be awesome. You are obviously not afraid to use the tone control. Go for it. But if you love what you have now, why change (Did I just say that? Is that even allowed to said here?)?
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

The 59 is going to be brighter, woodier, and lower output. You might have to work a bit harder to get the drive you want, but it's not a bad trade off.
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

Aceman said:
But if you love what you have now, why change (Did I just say that? Is that even allowed to said here?)?
Click to expand...

Already had made the purchase ... so it's a "sunk cost" trade-in pickup. So I made a choice and said what the hell. If I could have I probably would have just returned the other pickup.

And I think ... you can't say that here! :smack:
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

In my Mahogany/rosewood fretboard rear routed SG with a Demon it sounds awesome. But in my face routed Gothic SG the Demon in there sounds thinner.

If your SG type guitar is a solid peice of wood it should sound great. If it's routed alot it could sound thin.

I got a Custom I'm gonna stuff in the Goth to see if the Higher output (14K vs 10K) Thickens it more to my liking.
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

Dirtyking said:
If your SG type guitar is a solid peice of wood it should sound great. If it's routed alot it could sound thin.
Click to expand...

It's pretty solid piece of mahogany ... about 1/2 pound heavier than my sons SG Standard.

WashburnCloseup.jpg
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

^^^Sweet Guitar^^^ Should sound good other than the output drop. If you don't care for the '59 a Custom might be nice with about the same output as the 498t.

I was ready to switch out the 496r/500t in my Gibson V. But I must say these pups are perfect for this guitar. I didn't care for this pup set in my SG, but in my V they rule. If it works don't fix it. I've had such a headache trying to find the right pups for my Goth I almost want to sell it!!!!
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

Thanks! When the '59 get's here ... I'll put it in ... test it ... if I don't like it ... I'll just put the 498T back in ...

Like I said, I'm pretty satisfied with it.
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

Well the '59 Bridge arrived today. I popped it in and changed the strings. Sounded interesting but a a bit thin on the tone when on the bridge setting. Changed the cap from a .033uf to a .047uf ... helped a little. Interesting difference in tone mix with the A2P neck. It's a bit late to crank up the old Mesa Boogie ... wife & kids in bed. :sleeping: I'd get a beating :smash: and nobody wants to see that ... ... I'm still not doing it.

Next couple of days ... give it a whirl and make some clips ... A2P/498T vs A2P/'59b coming soon.
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

I've been thinking about doing the opposite on my LP, '59 in neck and A2P in bridge. I found the A2P to be too smooth in the neck position for my taste. I exchanged my A2P's I had in my LP for '59s. I'm just waiting to get them in to get the final verdict.
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

doveman said:
Well the '59 Bridge arrived today. I popped it in and changed the strings. Sounded interesting but a a bit thin on the tone when on the bridge setting. Changed the cap from a .033uf to a .047uf ... helped a little. .
Click to expand...
Ya know my A2 mag 490r was fuller than the Demon I put in my bridge. If the Custom doesn't work out for me I may have to switch out he mag and make it a CC.
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

Good news:

A2P(n)/59(b) has real potential. I had to change the bridge pickup cap from .033uf to .047uf. That helped a little with the initial harshness on the high strings. The fact that they are both PAF style pickups now let's me turn the preamp volume up ... 1 click on both Vol1 and Vol2 on the Boogie. I also had to back off the treble one click and the brightness one click. That helps smooth out the sound a tremendous amount. The combo seems to allow more options with the A2P neck than I had with the other set up.

Lead on the bridge pickup is good ... nice PAF tone on the low and middle strings ... the high e-string is just a bit thin and harsh ... still. I notice that the pole pieces do not line up on the bridge like the 498T did ... standard spacing on the '59 bridge. So,if I had a choice, I would have the high E string line up with the pole piece rather than the low E string. I can adjust this next time I change strings ... that might help.

I can get a ton of good slide sounds ... maybe a few more options due to the balance between pickups. One killer slide sound I was getting on the 498T with low tone settings has alluded me so far...but I think it's in there. Just haven't found it yet.

Summary: The A2P(n)/59(b) set up is definitely a good option. I think it's a keeper. I'm going to play with it for a week or so. I can usually find the limitations in a week.
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

CLIPS ARE IN: For the '59 Bridge (Left - 1st) OR 498T (Right - 2nd)

59(b) vs 498T(b) (BRIDGE ONLY)
lo-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4573970&q=lo
hi-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4573970&q=hi

A2P(n)/59(b) vs A2P(n)/498T (MIDDLE setting with A2P neck)
lo-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4573978&q=lo
hi-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=4573978&q=hi

:sword:

Both good pickups ... but which one would you choose for this guitar and this amp?:scratchch
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

One thing I've found when using PAF style bridge pickups is that the louder you play, the better they sound. It seems that the frequeny peaks flatten out somewhat. YMMV
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

The louder I play with the Alnico II Pro neck, I forget high output pups.
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

Benjy_26 said:
One thing I've found when using PAF style bridge pickups is that the louder you play, the better they sound. It seems that the frequeny peaks flatten out somewhat. YMMV
Click to expand...

DI_IORIO said:
The louder I play with the Alnico II Pro neck, I forget high output pups.
Click to expand...

I agree that both the A2P and the '59 get smoother as they get louder.

calibre2001 said:
I'm havina a hard time differentiating the 2. seems like the 498T is good after all!
Click to expand...

I think the 498T (and for that matter Gibson pickups) are trashed probably more than they deserve. I find the 498T is a good pickup and has some nice sounds. I had trouble making it work to my tastes with the 490R but it was better with the AP2 neck.



Any other thoughts? What would you guys choose, given the clips ... for this guitar with this amp?

'59 Bridge or 498T Bridge? :scratchch
 
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

For those interested, I kept both ... :eek13: What?
- 498T - back in the bridge - There were just some sounds there I couldn't give up
- '59B - moved to the neck - Sounds pretty good. At 8.2k it's a reasonable neck pick up paired with a 14.4k bridge

The good news is all of it sounds good:
- A2P(n)/498T(b) - maybe the most variety - neck maybe just a little too smooth alone
- A2P(n)/59B(b) - really smooth - all PAF sounds - not quite as much punch but better when loud
- 59B(n)/498T(b) - tighter pair and not to shrill and not too bassy

The only pickup I did not like was the 490R ...just a bit too muddy for me. I'm satisfied and if I change moods, I have a couple of options. Beats having 3 pickups and not liking any of them. :)

So this one is finally done ... thanks for the help guys. Learned quite a bit over the past couple of months.

Spending a bunch of hours on the PC lately. Probably won't be checking in here daily ... but occasionally post a tune ... until the next project. :wave:
 
Last edited:
Re: Alnico 2 Pro Neck / 59 Bridge (in SG)

Probably not much interest in this but the final version ended up being '59 Bridge (in neck position) and 498T (bridge). Reminder I was trying to build an "SG like slide guitar with a bit of vintage edge" ... here's the final clip:

59B(n)/498T(b)
1st minute - '59 Bridge (in the neck) - tone about 5, vol about 9
2nd minute - middle setting /59B(n) & 498T(b) - both vol about 9
3rd minute - 498T (in the bridge) - tone about 3 vol about 9

I think it's a success. :) more pickup clips at the link in my signature for the curious.
 
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