APH-1 (alnico II pro): reunited and it feels so good!!!

Kokopelli

New member
I used to have an Alnico II Pro neck humbucker. Gave it to a friend and went on a boutique and vintage binge

Pearly Gates, Timbucker, Zhangbucker, Wolftone, short magnet paf, long magnet paf, double black leads pre-T-top, black & white leads pre-T-top, T-top...:eyecrazy:

I still have all these pups and love them to pieces. But I noticed that they all seem to have this familiar "in your face" upper mid-boost to them. I guess I like mid-boost!!!

Anyway, I was watching a Guns N' Roses Live dvd and got reacquainted with this familiar violin-ish and flutey woman tone. THIS IS the sound that started my tone quest. This is where it all began for me!!!

So I bought a used Alnico II Pro neck from a forum member. I installed in a Paul neck and it's like COMING HOME!!!

What a wonderful pickup - it sings like a canary in heat. But unlike all of my other humbuckers, it behaves like blue blooded English school boy - polite, proper and well mannered. Compare to the Alnico II Pro, all my other pickups are just rude!!!

I guess this "warmth and smoothness" is due to the Alnico II Pro's more even EQ and lack of mid boost. Just a lovely sound!!!!
 
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Re: APH-1 (alnico II pro): reunited and it feels so good!!!

Glad to hear it bro! Sometimes you just have to go through it....

Didn 't like the T-top for Slash tone?!?!? My neck T-Top is my goto Sweetchild pup....
 
Re: APH-1 (alnico II pro): reunited and it feels so good!!!

Yeah, I love the A2Ps single coils in my Lite Ash. I wouldn't trade them for anything. I've seriously considered swapping my Showmaster's '59 with an A2P, but oh well :D
 
Re: APH-1 (alnico II pro): reunited and it feels so good!!!

Glad to hear it bro! Sometimes you just have to go through it....

Didn 't like the T-top for Slash tone?!?!? My neck T-Top is my goto Sweetchild pup....

I love my pafs - I think the neck pup has A5 and the bridge has A2 - clean, clear and thick!

My pre T-tops and T-tops all have A5

As I throw in more gain, the vintage pups get more twangy and kerrangy - if you know what I mean. The PG, Dr. V (A2) and Timbucker (A5), all have that similar mid spike.

The APH-1 is NOT as clean and clear in comparison, but it has more smoothness and fluidity. So as the gain increases, the pup did get brighter, but it also retain a smoother and less "in your face" sound (due to its more even EQ - I think).

My Zhangbucker neck (degaussed A5) was Dave's interpretation of Slash's sound. It behaves similar to the APH-1, but darker, thicker and heavier in a good way.

So to answer your question, the neck APH-1 and the Zhangbucker got ME (according to my ears) the closest to Slash's woman tone, follow by Dr.V, pafs, PG, Pre T-tops & t-tops, and then Timbucker.
 
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Re: APH-1 (alnico II pro): reunited and it feels so good!!!

I just discovered the AII Pro's myself. Got a pair in an Ibby. Absolutely love them. So much so, that a couple of my other guitars may go on the block.

Sweet cleans, and warm friendly dirt. Whats not to like? ;)
 
Re: APH-1 (alnico II pro): reunited and it feels so good!!!

thanks....ive got a nickel A2P neck bucker sitting here...

might have to dig out a dimarzio now

THANKS!!!

-Brian
 
Re: APH-1 (alnico II pro): reunited and it feels so good!!!

They are smooth and fat. Also like the Seth Lover for that.
 
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