Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

[Albert F]

Hi Guys,

I've just joined today and can't wait to explore more of the forum.

I have a quick question for installation of the zebra type (black and cream) Alnico Pro 2 humbuckers. I am thjinking of putting them in my Les Paul Standard and was wondering if it makes any difference which way they are installed i.e. black stripe nearer the bridge or white, likewise for the rhythm pickup?

Thanks in anticipation of your help.

Albert F
Dublin
:smack:

 

[Mattt]

Re: Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

It doesn't, so long as you wire them in relation to the way they are placed... i'm not sure which way it's done, so you'd best either wait for someone more knowledgable to come along, or take a look at the FAQ on the Duncan Homepage, it's likely to be explained there.

 

[Mattt]

Re: Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

And Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Albert F]

Re: Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

Hi MAttt,
Thanks for the welcome and the help.
The place is full of interesting stuff!!!
Albert F

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

The way they are designed is to have the adjustable pole pieces pointing out...ie the bridge pole pieces should be closest to your TOM, and the neck pole pieces should closest to the fretboard. I'll draw a little diagram below. Welcoms to the forum and you'll love the APH II's....I love them in my Hardtail.


- - - - - - <----Neck Pup (- = the flat head adjustable pole pieces)
o o o o o o



o o o o o o
- - - - - - <----Bridge Pup

 

[sonicexplorer]

Re: Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

Hi Albert. I'm guessing you want reverse zebras(black coils on the outside, creme inside). Regular zebras are the opposite. I've got a alnico II in the neck of my Westbury(maple body, ebony fingerboard) and it sounds great. Warm, nice bottom and highs.

 

[Albert F]

Re: Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

Hi Jeff and Sonicexplorer,

Thanks for the messages - following your posts that I found in the FAQ section a diagram of the regular and reverse APH IIs.

If you don't mind me asking a couple of more ammateur questions, is there any difference in sound? Basically I want to get a sound like Slash (sad isn't it???) or as close to it as possible and I think her uses the APH IIs. Can you give me any advice about setting these up in my LP? Do these pups come in active and passive or does it make any difference?

Much appreciated.

Albert F

 

[Hoss]

Re: Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

you're right slash did use A2P's in his pauls...

and they are passive...

active pups are like EMG's...

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

regular and reverse only have to do with the color of the bobbins. The important part is to get the pole pieces nearest the neck in the case of the neck pup and nearest the bridge in the case of the bridge pup.

It's the adjustable screws side that seems to make the most difference sonically to my ears. Getting the adjustable pole pieces of the neck pup closer to the bridge seems to make the pickup sounds a little less bottom end.

Likewise, I've known people to use that fact to their advantage on a bridge pup that was a bit too trebly for their tastes. I've not tried this, but flipping the polepieces on the bridge pup closer to the neck will give it a less pronounced "bridge" tone. Not much, just a bit.

I could be totally off base and someone correct me please. But I have reversed the neck pup one time to see and I thought the tone was a little less bassy.

 

[Albert F]

Re: Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the message. So if I am reading you correctly the diagram of the zebra pup on the main Seymour Duncan site may not be correct as I think that shows the adjustable screws sides closer to the neck and bridge.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/website/support/reversezebra.htm

I may have it all wrong so please forgive me but I would like it clarified. Many thanks.

Albert

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Alnico 2 Pros in a Les Paul

I always have mine with the adjustable screws closest to neck and bridge, seems to be the standart.