Bridge - Phat Cat vs. Alnico II Pro

K

Kokopelli

New member
I currently have an Alnico II Pro in the bridge of my les paul type guitar. And I like it a lot.

On the other hand, I have had no experience with the Phat Cat. Can someone please elaborate on the differences between these two pickups in the bridge position.

Thanks in advance!!!
 
Re: Bridge - Phat Cat vs. Alnico II Pro

well for starters, they're not even the same type of pickup: the Alnico Pro II is an a2 magnet vintage-type humbucker, while the Phat Cat is a a2 magnet P90 stored into a humbucker housing. One's a humbucker while the other is a single coil

The Phat Cat will sound more open and noticeably brighter than the Alnico Pro II, but even still the Phat Cat will sound PAF-ish; some call it a cross between a real deal P90 and a a2 PAF 'bucker
 
Re: Bridge - Phat Cat vs. Alnico II Pro

I have both in my Epi Black Beauty, once I get the Phat Cat wired so it can be used on its own I'll post a clip comparing both.
 
Re: Bridge - Phat Cat vs. Alnico II Pro

All I can add is that the Phat Cat sounds almost completely and totally perfect in my SG-X. I don't mind that it's the only pickup in that guitar because the tone is so easily manipulated with the volume and tone knobs...it's actually more versatile now than it was when it had the stock 500T with coil tap.
 
Re: Bridge - Phat Cat vs. Alnico II Pro

ZoSo0789 said:
The Phat Cat will sound more open and noticeably brighter than the Alnico Pro II
Click to expand...

+1.

If you're going to use a single Phat Cat in a guitar, the neck is the place to put it. A HB on the bridge will give warmer tones that will balance better with the neck.
 
Re: Bridge - Phat Cat vs. Alnico II Pro

Thanks to everyone (so far) for your inputs.

I'm 100% satisfied with the A2P neck, so it will not go anywhere.

I'm 90% satisfied with the A2P bridge. I love its THICKNESS & SWEETNESS, but would like MORE clarity. To get me to 100% satisfaction, I do not mind if the bridge is brighter (because I love the Telecaster sound) as long as I can get the SAME thickness and sweetness of the A2P bridge, but with MORE clarity.

Btw, I hate the sound of the PG bridge. It might work for some, but not me.

Keep the advice coming!!! Thanks!!!
 
Re: Bridge - Phat Cat vs. Alnico II Pro

Kokopelli said:
I'm 100% satisfied with the A2P neck, so it will not go anywhere.

I'm 90% satisfied with the A2P bridge. I love its THICKNESS & SWEETNESS, but would like MORE clarity.
Click to expand...

Clarity comes with treble (A2 magnets have rounded top ends and are more mid-heavy). I'd work with the A2P bridge you have and:

1) Try other magnets, starting with an A3, then A4, then A5 (progressing in brightness). Or,

2) Try the A2P with an A5 & 250K pots. The A5 will add plenty of treble, the 250K pots will take off the excess treble and make the tone fatter.
 
Re: Bridge - Phat Cat vs. Alnico II Pro

Kokopelli said:
Thanks to everyone (so far) for your inputs.

I'm 100% satisfied with the A2P neck, so it will not go anywhere.

I'm 90% satisfied with the A2P bridge. I love its THICKNESS & SWEETNESS, but would like MORE clarity. To get me to 100% satisfaction, I do not mind if the bridge is brighter (because I love the Telecaster sound) as long as I can get the SAME thickness and sweetness of the A2P bridge, but with MORE clarity.

Btw, I hate the sound of the PG bridge. It might work for some, but not me.

Keep the advice coming!!! Thanks!!!
Click to expand...


Sounds to me like a Seth bridge is what your looking for. It is slightly brighter and clearer than the alnico pro II.

Keith Riel
 
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