How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

Biu

New member
I want to get one that has enough output to sound fairly solid when split. Would I have to go through the SD custom shop?
 
Re: How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

I'm not certain about this, but maybe a Custom Custom? I can tell you a Custom is like a high output Alnico V PAF IMO.
 
Re: How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

That would also be my suggestion. The CC SH-11.
What about swapping a higher output humbucker with an AII mag?
For example The JB?
Or a stag mag? Which has AII rods and is designed for using splitted.
 
Re: How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

For standard production I would say the CC as well, especially for the bridge. Otherwise, MJ is your best bet. The double cream APH set I ordered from blackrose has a slightly hotter bridge at 8.43....and I can tell you that it rocks. I would imagine that at a certain point you could make the pup so hot that it would no longer remain sweet, but I don't know what that threshold is.

Give MJ a shout...she can tell you in 2 seconds flat.
 
Re: How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

I believe putting a ceramic magnet in a pick up does the same thing as winding about 2k's on it?
 
Re: How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
I believe putting a ceramic magnet in a pick up does the same thing as winding about 2k's on it?


It would give you more output, but at the cost of the Alnico II mag's inherent tonality. My choice? The CC. It seems like the APHn and the CC should be marketed as a set (kinda like the Jazz/JB). :burnout:
 
Re: How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
I believe putting a ceramic magnet in a pick up does the same thing as winding about 2k's on it?

Not really. A ceramic magnet would totally change the sound, and it wouldn't be any hotter. Some people think that there is a slight change in output with a different magnet, but that belief is due to perceived differences in tone. They hear more highs, or more mids, or heavier bass, and they perceive that as more output.

I wouldn't recommend the CC, it sounds nothing like the Alnico II Pro to my ears. The EQ charts are completely opposite on these two pickups. So even though they're both alnico 2 pickups, they really don't sound alike. What position are you using this in? If you want a hotter neck pickup, get a bridge model and put it in the neck position for more output.

Ryan
 
Re: How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

rspst14 said:
I wouldn't recommend the CC, it sounds nothing like the Alnico II Pro to my ears. The EQ charts are completely opposite on these two pickups. So even though they're both alnico 2 pickups, they really don't sound alike. What position are you using this in? If you want a hotter neck pickup, get a bridge model and put it in the neck position for more output.

good call. the cc and aph have entirely different voicing. i don't know if this will work, but you can consider using the duncan's pickup booster.
 
Re: How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

I suspect that if you made an APH-1 hot enough to split, you'd probably lose a lot of its vintage vibe. :( You might want to give MJ a call to see what the Custom Shop can do for you.
 
Re: How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

Vintage 50's and 60's Strat pickups measure about 6K. When you split a 14K pickup like the CC you'll get two 7K single coil pickups. They won't be Strat pickups with the the wire wound around six a2 or a5 polepieces...they'll be 7K single coil pickups with an a2 bar magnet under the coils. But they still should sound "pretty good".
 
Re: How can I get a higher output Alnico II Pro humbucker?

Of course, installing a parallel switch would be another option. I did that with my neck and am rather enjoying it...but it did sound very weak split, hence the change.
 
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