Gibson 490R vs. Duncan APH-1N?

[Rex_Rocker]

I'm digging the 490 in my Modern Lite right now, and I'm curious as to how the AP2 compares? On paper, they have similar specs: Poly coated 42AWG (probably) wire, 7.5K-ish, Alnico 2, etc. But we all know that doesn't tell the whole story.

I've never had an APH-1N. I've has the SH-2N and the APH-2B, but never the Alnico II Pro Neck. How is it? What is it like compared to the 490R?

Thank you!

 

[jeremy]

i like the aph1n, smooth and warm with good clarity and modest output. the 490r sounds flat and dull to me most of the time

 

[Rex_Rocker]

i like the aph1n, smooth and warm with good clarity and modest output. the 490r sounds flat and dull to me most of the time

"Smooth and warm" and "flat and dull" don't sound like two completely different things. Would that mean they're kinda similar, then?

I don't find the 490R dull, but the only pickup I have to compare it to right now is the Air Norton, LOL. So maybe it is dull in the grand scheme of things. Would you say the A2P is more attacky? Brighter?

 

[Mincer]

The 490 is closer to the 59 to me than the A2P, which is my favorite pickup. If you were to jam a stick of butter into the neck pickup cavity, that is the A2P.

 

[Seashore]

The 490 is closer to the 59 to me than the A2P, which is my favorite pickup. If you were to jam a stick of butter into the neck pickup cavity, that is the A2P.

I have a couple guitars with empty neck pickup slots and I think we have some extra butter in the fridge. Might try this.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The 490 is closer to the 59 to me than the A2P, which is my favorite pickup. If you were to jam a stick of butter into the neck pickup cavity, that is the A2P.

I don't have the '59 at hand anymore to compare, but yeah. It does have some elements that remind me of the '59, but I found it not to be as bassy or as chirpy.

 

[skelt101]

i like the aph1n, smooth and warm with good clarity and modest output. the 490r sounds flat and dull to me most of the time

This has been my experience on the whole. The Gibson pickups simply lack the clarity of their Duncan counterparts.

 

[Mincer]

I don't have the '59 at hand anymore to compare, but yeah. It does have some elements that remind me of the '59, but I found it not to be as bassy or as chirpy.

Well, it is sort of like a 59, but a grainy black & white version of it.

 

[ToneFiddler]

good topic!
this question crossed my mind many times.

as stated in another thread i never done a direct comparison and never had them in the same guitar.

As i remember the 490R is a bit like the A2P but lacks the clarity (as mentioned here already) and the richness in overtones. I think this makes it dull and flat.
with a mag swap it gets brighter (good in my case) but nowhere clear and bright like a Jazz would be. zz0.nmz5wmiq0yzz