Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

[slate]

Hey guys ,
I'm currently swapping bridge pups in an SG std - currently have a custom 5 in the bridge which sounds good in the bottom end but a little sterile in the mids and top .
Looking at the tone chart on the main site , i see the Alnico Pro ii has a similar b/m/t score to the custom 5 but with a touch more mids and it is a lot lower powered - anyone tried both in an SG ?
Would i be correct in assuming that the Apro2 sounds similar to the C5 ?
I tried A2's before and like the smooth top and flabby bass ( although i had a 57 classic + in the bridge before the C5 , but that lacked low end ) .
Also , how does the alnico pro ii compare with a 57 classic + ?
Thanks in advance
Slate

 

[symptom]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

If you feel comfortable with mag swapping, you can try an Unoriented A5 in your C5 before getting another PU.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

I assume you mean "Alnico ll Pro"?

Before you spend your money on the A2P, you should really try swapping an A8 magnet in your Custom 5. The Custom 8 is just about the best bridge pup ever for an SG. Much better/bigger mids than the C5 and warmer highs with more character and tight big bass.

The A8 mag makes up for the thinner wood slab in the SG.

 

[slate]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

I do appreciate your responses guys , but i'm ham fisted and not really interested in magnet swapping in case i destroy the C5 - you should see my soldering skills :-/ terrible !!

I am however interested in the comparisons between the C5 and the A2 pro if anyone has compared the two...

 

[blueman335]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

I do appreciate your responses guys , but i'm ham fisted and not really interested in magnet swapping in case i destroy the C5 - you should see my soldering skills :-/ terrible !!

I am however interested in the comparisons between the C5 and the A2 pro if anyone has compared the two...

Swapping mags doesn't involve soldering, and the average 12 year old can do it. Or are you younger than that? :biglaugh:

 

[lemonman]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

C5 and A2pro= opposites. A2P is kind of bright, midrangey and thin compared to C5, loose in the bass and a little lower output, but sweeter on the high strings. 57+ has more low mids and a snarlier top end than the A2P.

 

[slate]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

Well i am only 11 and 3/4's , but youve persuaded me to give it a try
I'll order a magnet and give it a go !

 

[symptom]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

If you'll order a magnet, I strongly suggest you try the Unoriented A5 before you try the A8, unless you play heavier styles of music.

 

[slate]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

If you'll order a magnet, I strongly suggest you try the Unoriented A5 before you try the A8, unless you play heavier styles of music.

I've added one to the order - thanks !

 

[blueman335]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

Well i am only 11 and 3/4's , but youve persuaded me to give it a try
I'll order a magnet and give it a go !

We'll help you thru it. Listen, if we can do it, and there are some very uncoordianted guys here, anyone can do it.

 

[slate]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

Ok , thanks !
Couldnt find any for sale in england so had to order from the US.
I'll let you know when they arrive

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

The UOA5 is one of my favorite mags in many different pups, but if you're using a Custom wind pup in an SG, you really can't do much better than a C8 (any of the Custom pups with an A8 mag). I'd try that mag first and see how you like it. Pretty quick and easy to swap in the UOA5 if you feel the need.

 

[symptom]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

The UOA5 is one of my favorite mags in many different pups, but if you're using a Custom wind pup in an SG, you really can't do much better than a C8 (any of the Custom pups with an A8 mag). I'd try that mag first and see how you like it. Pretty quick and easy to swap in the UOA5 if you feel the need.

Sorry to disagree, but in my experience the C8 is a really high output humbucker and if your playing old blues or classic rock, it can be too much or even too modern sounding to play things like Clapton, for example.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

Sorry to disagree, but in my experience the C8 is a really high output humbucker and if your playing old blues or classic rock, it can be too much or even too modern sounding to play things like Clapton, for example.

I think it depends on the rest of your rig, and especially of the gain's turned up. Most of my bridge PU's have UOA5's and A8's, and I use the guitars interchangeably, and no one in the audience can tell the difference.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

Sorry to disagree, but in my experience the C8 is a really high output humbucker and if your playing old blues or classic rock, it can be too much or even too modern sounding to play things like Clapton, for example.

The C8 is not a "really high output" humbucker. It's considered a medium output pup and in actuality it performs as such. Cleans up well and is wonderful for blues and classic rock. Yes it does modern and metal as well, but its forte is with classic rock.

We are talking about an SG here. Is your experience with the C8 in an SG? Or LP or other guitar type. The SG has some pretty unique characteristics, and the C8 just seems to work perfectly with it...especially for classic rock or blues.

 

[slate]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

Well my main rig is SG's through a Marshall 2203 100w head with gain full up and various boosts , od's and distortions kicking the front end .
Not really " hi gain" by todays standards , but definately not blues

 

[symptom]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

The C8 is not a "really high output" humbucker. It's considered a medium output pup and in actuality it performs as such. Cleans up well and is wonderful for blues and classic rock. Yes it does modern and metal as well, but its forte is with classic rock.

We are talking about an SG here. Is your experience with the C8 in an SG? Or LP or other guitar type. The SG has some pretty unique characteristics, and the C8 just seems to work perfectly with it...especially for classic rock or blues.

It's not that I don't like the C8, I just think it has too much output for me. But I agree with Blueman, it depends on the rig. In a smaller amp, it cranks the amp too early, in a bigger amp, I like it better.

I've tried in an SG. And don't get me wrong, if I buy a Les Paul someday, I'll put PAF pickups in it and probably stick with the C8 in the SG. My point is, that it drives the amp too early for some kind of sounds.

I sometimes use the C8 (when it comes to my mind to swap magnets) and I like the tone, but only when I'm into hard rock sounds. For blues and classic rock I think the UOC5 has a more suitable output and aggression, even if it gets a little "spongy" sometimes.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Alnico pro ii vs Custom 5 in an SG

Well my main rig is SG's through a Marshall 2203 100w head with gain full up and various boosts , od's and distortions kicking the front end .
Not really " hi gain" by todays standards , but definately not blues

If you already have a Custom p'up, an Alnico 8 magnet in it is what you want.

Don't let anybody tell you otherwise!