APH-2 Slash Set, Early Review

[DobieK]

I just installed a set of APH-2 Slash pups in my PRS McCarty.

Background: I really like the guitar, weight, playability, look. The sound has always been thin in the mids and lacking lows. I've tried a LOT of pickups in this guitar, including quite a few boutiques and recently found a decent set with first the Dimarzio 36th Anniversary, then a 36th neck and Norton bridge. The problem with the Dimarzios was there wasn't a lot of note clarity and it just wasn't cutting trough in a live situation. Last week I read about the APH-2 set and looking at the tone chart and comparing that to what I didn't like about the Pearly Gates, '59 and a few other Duncans it looked like the APH-2 had the EQ. Since I know Duncans have the harmonics and clarity I thought I would give them a try.

Specs: Measured at work, controlled environment with a calibrated meter. Bridge = 8.76k, Neck = 8.57k. The neck pup is much hotter than expected.

I installed the pickups and gave them a try at fairly low volumes, so as not to irk the neighbors. They do have a fullness in the lows and low-mids that the '59 don't have. Much fatter. The neck is much louder and I have it set pretty low, lower than I usually set them but it still sounds full and clear. The bridge is set where it seems to sound best, which is right where I usually find the sweet spot for bridge pickups.

Playing at a little louder than bedroom volumes I think these will sound nice once the band gets cranking. We have a gig Saturday and I will run the pickups through their paces and report back afterward. I have never tried the APH-1, so I cannot give a direct comparison to their sound. I will say this, I did not sound like Slash with these pickups. :1: Different guitar, different amp etc.

 

[Got_tone?]

Re: APH-2 Slash Set, Early Review

Nice dude, I can't wait to hear what you think of them after the gig.

 

[DobieK]

Re: APH-2 Slash Set, Early Review

I waited a while to post my review because I wanted a few gigs with these pickups. I have played 5 times, 4x3 hour sets and 1x1 hour set with the APH-2 pickups and they do not dissapoint. They are fat and clear. Playing clean you have a nice string attack without being harsh. There is a little schproing to the note and the harmonic content is very nice.

The great thing is, I don't sound like Slash! Then again I am using completely different gear. Clean parts I play include the rhythm of Highway Song, Simple Man and a couple SRV tunes. They are very clear and cut through the mix well. Mild overdrive is nice with these. We play some Allman Brothers tunes and the APH-s covers that well, along with Skynyrd, ZZ Top and pretty much any southern/classic rock humbuckered tone. Harder stuff includes Kryptonite, My Own Worst Enemy and Gel. The pickups cover these nicely too, but I probably would not go any more high gain than that. Although, I don't play any harder music and don't have a super high gain rig, so maybe they could.

Anyway, if you have a humbuckered guitar that is light in the mids and lows give these a try. I had almost given up on this guitar and now I can't imagine ever selling it.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: APH-2 Slash Set, Early Review

The regular APH set is my favorite set of humbuckers overall. I'm sure the Slash set it just that much better. When I get another Les Paul, I am going to order that set, but I may ask for a slightly lighter wind on the bridge; maybe high 7's to 8, if it doesn't hurt the tone of the pickup.

Glad you like the pickups so much. They really can handle almost any amount of gain you throw at them, because of their clarity. I'm not sure if they would do thrash or death metal, but they might.....I just can't play that style of music.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: APH-2 Slash Set, Early Review

The great thing is, I don't sound like Slash!.....Anyway, if you have a humbuckered guitar that is light in the mids and lows give these a try. I had almost given up on this guitar and now I can't imagine ever selling it.

I think we're just at the tip of the iceberg with this pickup. Slash fans are really just the beginning. You don't have to sound like Slash, but you'll sound like you, playing his phenomenal Les Paul. But these things kill in an SG, in the bridge position of a Superstrat, etc. They can open up the nasal midrange of some PRS', and although I haven't tried this yet, I imagine it's great in the neck position of a 24 fret Basswood shredder. (that gives me an idea...)

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: APH-2 Slash Set, Early Review

The regular APH set is my favorite set of humbuckers overall. I'm sure the Slash set it just that much better. When I get another Les Paul, I am going to order that set, but I may ask for a slightly lighter wind on the bridge; maybe high 7's to 8, if it doesn't hurt the tone of the pickup.

Glad you like the pickups so much. They really can handle almost any amount of gain you throw at them, because of their clarity. I'm not sure if they would do thrash or death metal, but they might.....I just can't play that style of music.

hah...anything can do thrash or death metal. you just need enough gain from your amp / pedals...

my tele chugs with the best of 'em...

anywhay...

i would love to try A/Bing the A2P's with the new Slash ones...i likes me some thick creamy Les Paul tones...

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: APH-2 Slash Set, Early Review

...recently found a decent set with first the Dimarzio 36th Anniversary, then a 36th neck and Norton bridge. The problem with the Dimarzios was there wasn't a lot of note clarity and it just wasn't cutting trough in a live situation."

"... They do have a fullness in the lows and low-mids that the '59 don't have. Much fatter.

I wonder why no one else caught on to this. Dimarzios lacking note clarity and not cutting through in a live mix? You must have something miswired. Then the part about fullness in the lows that the 59' doesn't have strikes me as odd since the 59 is widely considered a bassy pickup.

Dimarzio PAF's have great clarity and a wonderful EQ balance, especially in a mahogany guitar. The Norton is a very clear pickup that can cut through any mix because of its high mids and treble response. What you have said doesn't make any sense. I have a 59 neck that I tried to love but it was too bassy even in my strat. Even the Little 59 is too bassy, so what you said is confounding. There must be some issue with your wiring or rig setup.

I too have tried the Slash signature set. Again, what you said about the output doesn't add up because I think the output is comparable to a Pearly Gates which is slightly less than what I got out of my 59'.