AlNiCo Pro
- Thread starter Calsip
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Re: AlNiCo Pro
The Jazz/APH wind takes mag swaps quite gracefully, although its inherent sharp pick attack can cause "ear fatigue" in certain musical contexts.
So, just start swapping.
To play Jazz and Blues, an A3n/A2b-modded APH1 set is the one I've used in my L-5CES copy for over five years, and I'm using the same mag combo with my ES-339 with a '59 set.
When you do it right, mag swapping is addicting, but in a good way. That's not only the best, but also the most econonic way to fine-tune your instrument to your rig.
/Peter
I have done'em all but the A6, a mag that's never been very popular and difficult to get hold of.
The Jazz/APH wind takes mag swaps quite gracefully, although its inherent sharp pick attack can cause "ear fatigue" in certain musical contexts.
So, just start swapping.
To play Jazz and Blues, an A3n/A2b-modded APH1 set is the one I've used in my L-5CES copy for over five years, and I'm using the same mag combo with my ES-339 with a '59 set.
When you do it right, mag swapping is addicting, but in a good way. That's not only the best, but also the most econonic way to fine-tune your instrument to your rig.
/Peter
Calsip
New member
Re: AlNiCo Pro
No, I love it! I just didn’t know about other alternatives! Curiosity really.
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No, I love it! I just didn’t know about other alternatives! Curiosity really.
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Blille
Well-known member
Re: AlNiCo Pro
I really think the A2Pro is one of the best neck pickups ever. I know a lot of people love the Classic 57s, PG and SL and they’re definitely great but every time I’ve popped in an A2Pro in the neck, with different woods, solid or semi hollow I’ve thought “This is it”. Of course YMMV
I really think the A2Pro is one of the best neck pickups ever. I know a lot of people love the Classic 57s, PG and SL and they’re definitely great but every time I’ve popped in an A2Pro in the neck, with different woods, solid or semi hollow I’ve thought “This is it”. Of course YMMV
TVFV
Well-known member
Re: AlNiCo Pro
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If you're happy with it then I beg you not to go down this rabbit hole. There is no coming back up...
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Calsip
New member
Re: AlNiCo Pro
I wasn’t planning on it with what I had. The only way I’d do it would be a custom floor if I heard that it was world shatteringly good. How about custom 3, 4 or 6? Any experience? I here custom 8 is pretty awesome!
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I wasn’t planning on it with what I had. The only way I’d do it would be a custom floor if I heard that it was world shatteringly good. How about custom 3, 4 or 6? Any experience? I here custom 8 is pretty awesome!
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Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: AlNiCo Pro
The APH 2 is one of the best neck humbuckers ever made. There was a time when I had ten guitars (and then some) and all of the dual HB guitars had an APH in the neck. I still love it, but recently have been liking the Seth for it's clarity and chime.... likely because my older ears don't hear highs as well as they used to.
I did try an A3 in one, but preferred it with the A2. I do wonder though about a RC A2. That would likely give it some more highs and a little more clarity.
The APH 2 is one of the best neck humbuckers ever made. There was a time when I had ten guitars (and then some) and all of the dual HB guitars had an APH in the neck. I still love it, but recently have been liking the Seth for it's clarity and chime.... likely because my older ears don't hear highs as well as they used to.
I did try an A3 in one, but preferred it with the A2. I do wonder though about a RC A2. That would likely give it some more highs and a little more clarity.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: AlNiCo Pro
First I'd recommend you get the idea out of your head that A6s are good magnets. A pickup has to have an excessively bright wind to benefit from an A6 magnet. The only pickups I've ever enjoyed with an A6 are lipstick tubes, which commonly are wound so bright that any other magnet will sound like a gang of cats in a knife fight.
First I'd recommend you get the idea out of your head that A6s are good magnets. A pickup has to have an excessively bright wind to benefit from an A6 magnet. The only pickups I've ever enjoyed with an A6 are lipstick tubes, which commonly are wound so bright that any other magnet will sound like a gang of cats in a knife fight.
TVFV
Well-known member
Re: AlNiCo Pro
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I can tell you that an A4 flattens the EQ of a pickup. Many of us use this with the 59 due to complaints about boominess and scooped mid-range. A8 will give a boost on mids and power. And yes a Custom 8 is a beloved pickup here.
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Calsip
New member
Re: AlNiCo Pro
So what you are saying is that the A6 is borderline trash and just not to worry. I have a set of GFS pickups I did a mod to with an A6 in the bridge and it sounded alright not bad. But it sounded dark and not muddy but more like a dirty puddle? Lol
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So what you are saying is that the A6 is borderline trash and just not to worry. I have a set of GFS pickups I did a mod to with an A6 in the bridge and it sounded alright not bad. But it sounded dark and not muddy but more like a dirty puddle? Lol
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Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: AlNiCo Pro
I wouldn't say it's trash, I'd just say it's a very particular magnet with not a lot of applications. It would definitely be useful for a Jazz man, but those aren't very common these days. The right A6 PAF in the bridge with an Alnico II Pro would make an amazing instrument for Jazz related styles.
I wouldn't say it's trash, I'd just say it's a very particular magnet with not a lot of applications. It would definitely be useful for a Jazz man, but those aren't very common these days. The right A6 PAF in the bridge with an Alnico II Pro would make an amazing instrument for Jazz related styles.
Blille
Well-known member
Re: AlNiCo Pro
Tell me more.
I usually only use the neck pickup though.
Very happy with A2Pro stock and A259
Tell me more.
I usually only use the neck pickup though.
Very happy with A2Pro stock and A259
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: AlNiCo Pro
Most people say A6s have the EQ of an A8 but a little bit warmer and a little bit quieter, and this is fairly accurate. From the experience I've had with them, it's as if you took an A8 humbucker, dropped the volume to 7 and turned the tone down to 5. The problem lies within the pickups they are used in, too bassy a pickup and the lower frequencies will distort the amp a whole lot more than the higher ones. So what you need to get them to work is humbucker without a lot of bass in the wind (which isn't too common) or a single coil (which us modders would probably have issues replacing the magnets in).
But back to my A2 neck, A6 bridge idea. An A2 humbucker in the neck is almost perfect for Jazz already, so no questions there. The A6 bridge pickup would work for Jazz so long as the wind of the humbucker didn't make the bass overbearing, as the pickup's tone would be very mid-focused with smooth treble and rounded bass. As you could probably imagine this would be excellent for clean melodies and the like, but not so much for anything distorted or being able to hear all the individual notes of a chord.
In short, A6s are great for a very particular and uncommon playing style and not much else.
Most people say A6s have the EQ of an A8 but a little bit warmer and a little bit quieter, and this is fairly accurate. From the experience I've had with them, it's as if you took an A8 humbucker, dropped the volume to 7 and turned the tone down to 5. The problem lies within the pickups they are used in, too bassy a pickup and the lower frequencies will distort the amp a whole lot more than the higher ones. So what you need to get them to work is humbucker without a lot of bass in the wind (which isn't too common) or a single coil (which us modders would probably have issues replacing the magnets in).
But back to my A2 neck, A6 bridge idea. An A2 humbucker in the neck is almost perfect for Jazz already, so no questions there. The A6 bridge pickup would work for Jazz so long as the wind of the humbucker didn't make the bass overbearing, as the pickup's tone would be very mid-focused with smooth treble and rounded bass. As you could probably imagine this would be excellent for clean melodies and the like, but not so much for anything distorted or being able to hear all the individual notes of a chord.
In short, A6s are great for a very particular and uncommon playing style and not much else.
Discharged
New member
Re: AlNiCo Pro
Please, do explain.
/Peter
Really? So using A6 mags for the Amos set was a design mistake?
Please, do explain.
/Peter
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Re: AlNiCo Pro
I will say that it is worth the small expense to collect a bunch of magnets and to go through swapping them in a pickup you know really well. It is interesting to hear the effect on the tone, and other than time to swap them, it isn't a huge investment.
I will say that it is worth the small expense to collect a bunch of magnets and to go through swapping them in a pickup you know really well. It is interesting to hear the effect on the tone, and other than time to swap them, it isn't a huge investment.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: AlNiCo Pro
The Custom Shop sells quite a few "niche" pickups and I do believe the Amos set qualifies. No where does "very particular" translate to "design mistake".
The Custom Shop sells quite a few "niche" pickups and I do believe the Amos set qualifies. No where does "very particular" translate to "design mistake".
Discharged
New member
Re: AlNiCo Pro
Well, I was referring about this one. I'm a little bit confused...
/Peter
Well, I was referring about this one. I'm a little bit confused...
/Peter
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