Gibson Bridge APH vs '59 vs Seth

[Prolik]

Hello!
I'm thinking of replacing bridge pickup in my Epi Custom plus Les Paul.I know it's not original Gibson,but for 450$ it's a bargain..
So,I already tried Alnico pro in neck -it is wonderful on cleans,and distorted leads are just like Slash's stuff..

Now,the question is on bridge pickup..
I have there installed JB,and..although it is smooth high gain pickup,it doesn't have character of an Gibson sound.
I missed "bark","snarl","nasal",and little compressed tone I was after.
Thinking here about Gary Moore,J.Page,Slash,AC/DC and other medium to heavy rock sounds.
I play through Radial Tonebone pedal (medium to high gain) through clean channel of my amp..

So my doubt is among this three:

Alnico II pro bridge-Slash riffs are great,but I'm afraid of not having enough power out of it,since I don't run stack of Marshall's,and would like to play some fast legato leads aka.Gary Moore

Seth Lover-my first choice,but I can't have nickel plate on bridge pickup,and uncovered Alnico on neck.Taking plate of would change it sound,and is sacrilege in a way....?


59'-seems to be compromise between those two,it came without nickel plate and have classic rock sound.Wholic had some great Van Hallen clips! So,I'm thinking get this one.

I really don think I need high output pickup like Custom 5 or other for classic Gibson snarl..

So,I'm after classic Gibson sound,raw and barky,yet rich/not treblish..

THNX for any recommendation or opinion:fing25:

 

[dasfonzie]

Re: Gibson Bridge APH vs '59 vs Seth

The APH1 definitely has some balls. I use a Traynor YCV 20 and I can get a really smooth overdrive or a nice gritty distortion that can sound very ,modern with the right EQing. Like I can get an early Radiohead tone decently (think Creep) Pinch harmonics are really easy too.

I have mine in a Strat btw

 

[Travis]

Re: Gibson Bridge APH vs '59 vs Seth

The APH-1 in the bridge is like the 59, with the right amp behind it either pickup can do practically anything. The APH-1 is smoother with more mids and the 59 is snappier with more lows and cutting highs. Both are great pickups and will sound awesome in the bridge of a Paul. I've used both in the bridge of my Hamer Special FM and it's hard to pick a favorite. It really depends on my mood, but if I had to choose between the two I would go with an A5 59 in the bridge with an A2 APH-1 in the neck. But that's just me.

 

[Fiesta Red]

Re: Gibson Bridge APH vs '59 vs Seth

I think you'd be pretty surprised at both the Alnico 2 Pro and the Seth Lover. To me, the Seth Lover in the bridge sounds surprisingly like the 59 - bite and snap. I don't think pulling the cover off would change the tone that much. The Alnico 2 also has a fair amount of bite to it, but more like a laid back 59. I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.

You could try a WCR Darkburst as well. It'll get you where you want to go in a hurry.

-MArk

 

[skynyrdlover1]

Re: Gibson Bridge APH vs '59 vs Seth

I tried a 59' in my epi. and it was too bright....then I bought a seth lover and that was the perfect bridge pickup for me!!!!!!!

 

[Prolik]

Re: Gibson Bridge APH vs '59 vs Seth

I'm very up to taking this combo:APH in neck,and 59' in bridge-seems to me 59' has most of a Gibson bark/bite.
Alnico V magnets of 59' model are more suitable then warmer alnico 2 of Seth lover or antiquity pickup...
APH bridge just don't have enough power for some heavy gain stuff-I think or....?

Lewsguitar also stressed 59' as common choice for vintage Gibson sound.I'm still doubting between Seth lover or 59'?
I just want some great bite/bark/growl sound out of bridge pickup,without sounding thin/treblish....

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Gibson Bridge APH vs '59 vs Seth

Here's my generic PAF breakdown. I would actually recommend the Pearly Gates for what you are describing, warm yet rude and cutting. In the end it's your tone, and your decision. Let your ears be your guide. I'd listen to the online soundclips, and the clips in the forum "Tips and Clips" room.

The 59---The 59 is the quintessential A5 PAF (patent applied for) pup. Imagine getting in a time machine and going back to 1959 and swiping a brand new A5 pup from the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo and bringing it forward to today. They have found most homes in many neck slots. It has symetrical coils and lots of quack. It has thumping bass, a scooped mid, and cutting highs. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The Seth Lover---This pup is as true to the original as can be. This pup is unpotted and comes standard with a gold, or nickel pup cover. It has an A2 magnet and has good quack and fair mids. For this pup imagine going back in time to 1955 and grabbing one of the very first PAF's before they debuted in the LP's. This pup is warm and creamy, but can also get bright with the tone knob on 10. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The Alnico 2 Pro---The warmest of the Duncan PAF line. It has symetrical coils and is a modern take on the A2 PAFs. It has round bass and smooth treble, it also has lots of mids to make the guitar really sing. It will warm up the coldest or shrillest of guitars. The most well known Alnico 2 Pro user is Slash of Velvet Revolver and GNR. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

Pearly Gates---The PG is the hottest of the Duncan PAF line. It has asymetrical (mismatched) coils and an A2 magnet. The mismatched coils give this particular pup its rude personality. It has a frequency push in the Presence/Cut knob frequency band. This is the "Sizzle" PG owner talk about. It has the most mids of the Ducan PAF line and is also the hottest. Its patron is Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Standard 4 conductor Wire

The Jazz---The jazz is the pup that bridges the gap between Vintage and Modern pups. Its output is at or around the vintage level. Don't let the name fool you this pup is very versatile and smooth. It has an A5 magnet and is very widely used in the neck slot. It is articulate regardless of the tuning as well. This pup negociates cleans or overdrive very well. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

Hope that helps!!

Luke

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Gibson Bridge APH vs '59 vs Seth

you are WORRIED THE APH IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH but you have no fears about the SETH? lol

To top it off the SETH will go microphonic under hi-gain, and if you are worried about power, I assume there will be some gain involved.

The APH will have more balls and the seth will be smoother and sweeter. Both are GREAT.

The 59 is plain nasty and classic.

The real choice is do you want definition? Because the 59 will give you the best clarity and definition and brightness for fast runs versus the APH or Seth - not to say you can't shred on the latter.

 

[Prolik]

Re: Gibson Bridge APH vs '59 vs Seth

THNX guy,you're been very helpful..
I just asked Seymour technician same question,and his choice was 59'..
Seems to me it has enough nasty sound,yet rich and warm-best for Gibson classic to heavy rock sound
APH-1 is winner in neck position,as I play lot of clean,and did tried it already before...

We'll post my opinion soon as pickups arrive...
Be free to listen to my music at:
http://alandovic.tripod.com