alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

bushey37

New member
If there's anyone out there who has played both and could give me a detailed comparison could you? They both have alnico II magnets and everyone seems to have nothing bad to say about them so I'm having trouble narrowing down between the two. So far I'm leaning towards the Custom Custom.
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

I've used both quite a bit in the bridge of the same guitar. They're both great. What kind of guitar and amp, what style/s of music, what kind of tone? The more information you can give, the more we can help!
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

Well what originally attracted me to the alncio II was Slash's tone. I noticed the great versatillity of his tone, it was different on every gnr album. Although I almost always have my distortion on when I'm playing my electric, which is what attracted me to the custom custom, b/c I knew the A2's would give me a more "classic tone." Other bands I like are ac/dc, old metallica (like on ride the lightning), zepplin of course, mostly 80s metalish but I'm also into some grunge like Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots. My amp is a Fender Champ 110 but I'm looking into getting one of those Line 6's with all the different channels. The guitar is an Epi Les Paul custom- mahogany/alder body and top, rosewood fretboard...I've already had one thread on stuff like this i've just narrowed down since then (you posted there to wildstar).
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

The a2pro bridge is generally brighter. Both are articulate - with nice definition and attitude. The CC has more of a mushy bottom end and it's smoother up the neck. Both nice. I like the CC a little more, because it's a bit thicker.
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

bushey37 said:
Well what originally attracted me to the alncio II was Slash's tone. I noticed the great versatillity of his tone, it was different on every gnr album. Although I almost always have my distortion on when I'm playing my electric, which is what attracted me to the custom custom, b/c I knew the A2's would give me a more "classic tone." Other bands I like are ac/dc, old metallica (like on ride the lightning), zepplin of course, mostly 80s metalish but I'm also into some grunge like Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots. My amp is a Fender Champ 110 but I'm looking into getting one of those Line 6's with all the different channels. The guitar is an Epi Les Paul custom- mahogany/alder body and top, rosewood fretboard...I've already had one thread on stuff like this i've just narrowed down since then (you posted there to wildstar).

Oh yeah, I remember that thread now!

I agree with Stevo - go for the Custom Custom. If you have enough money, get the APH-1 Neck pickup also. It is the smoothest, silkiest, butteryiest neck pickup I'v ever played. You can nail Slash with it.

The CC Bridge and APH-1 Neck is a tried-and-true combo on this forum! Especially with any kind of Les Paul guitar. You just can't go wrong, and it can cover so many styles really well. That's my recommendation!
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

Ya I had planned to go with either an alnico or pearly gates in the neck but from what people have told me alncio seems the way to go.
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

I have a strat with a CC/APH combo in it, and that will never come out. I have a Dean Hardtail with the APH/APH combo, and that's not changing either. I have a Lester with an APH neck....love the APH's.

I like the CC in strats and lighter guitars, where you need something to thicken the tone up a little. In heavier guitars that are naturally darker and thicker...mahogany bodies with maple caps, I prefer the brighter tone of the APH.
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

I have a APH in the bridge of my Flying V. IMO it covers all the bases from Blues, Classic rock to heavy Rock. I have a CC in the bridge of my Sonota (PRS Style) This PuP really excell's playing Leads IMO. I get a thick violin like sustain from it. Even tho it's a very aggrescive PuP. It always sounds smooth
never harsh.
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

I had a CC in the bridge of my Hamer Special FM. I currently have an APH-1 in the bridge. In that guitar, I like the APH better. It's more vintage souding, and seems to be a little smoother. The top end is not as pronounced compared to the CC. Harmonics are not as easy to get out of it, though. The CC does have a bit looser bottom end, but not muddy by any means. If I were to use the bridge pickup to solo, I would have to go with the APH. It's just a little smoother, more like a neck pickup. And that's the solo tone I prefer. Both are great pickups, however. I don't think you could go wrong with either. APH for vintage, CC for a little more hard rock.
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

While I don't tend to play the "get a new pickup for a new tone" thing anymore, I did try a APH-2 in my strat and it sounded very thin, almost single coil-like. I then went and exchanged for a CC, which was too dark.

I now typically do something different for pickups now and use Bill Lawrences with a parallel capacitor to lower the resonance frequency, preferably with a switch to turn it on and off. PM me for more details if you are interested.
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

the APH-1b tone is something that you have to desire, if you're not sure if you really want what it offers then dont go for it. Its got nice clear crunchy rythmn tones, but it might cause ears to bleed on bright amps at high volumes when playing lead.
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

I find the A2PH too bright for the bridge, even in my LP, I use it in the neck, with the CC in the bridge, with its thicker, darker tone. Its my favourite pickup combo at the moment. Really loving the Les Paul.
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

I like the versatility of the CC, it's right at that point where it's kinda hot but also kinda clean. The APH-1 seemed to have this really thick bottom end that I didn't like. I preferred the midrange of the CC.
 
Re: alnico II vs. Custom Custom in bridge

Hey KOROVA, I have a Custom 5 and APH1 neck. I fear switching to an CC will lose ALL the bit and the chunk on the low end. Any thoughts?
 
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