SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

[LtKojak]

Re: SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

I have a 59 lying around so I'm really open to a magnet swap to test it. I didn't think of trying because I do find them thin and I didn't think the tone I was looking for was a magnet swap away.

You'd be surprised how a mag swap can change things when you have some experience with.

How is an A2 59N voiced "better" for this? Is is the winding?

Well, the '59n has a characteristic "knee" in the mid-lows, just where the "wood" frequency resonance is. Also there's a small peak in the mid-highs, giving it good articulation without the sharp pick attack characteristic to the APH-1N. That's why it's a highly suitable candidate for the body mass and type of wood a Tele is made of.

For the record, my Epi ES-339 actually hosts an A3n/A2b '59 set and an A3n/A2b APH-1 set in my L-5 CES copy. In both cases, with an A2 the "knee" was "too much" due to the semi- and hollow bodies natural low-mid resonance. Enter an A3 in the equation and bingo! The sound I had in my head for both instruments became a reality.

So, you can safely assume I'm more than just acquainted with the matter at hand.

If you order from mojotone.com, you can get both the magnet and an excellent nickel-plated cover for your white '59.

HTH,

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

The title says it all. I have an ash tele that I use exclusively for Jazz. I have flat wound 12s on it and play through a 5e3 Tweed Deluxe clone. I currently have a tele Alnico II in the neck but want to move to a humbucker.

In terms of tone I would like something warm and "woody" think Ed Bickert. Some of my favorite tones were with an A2Pro in a 335 and a dogear p90 (also with A2) in a hollowbody so I feel I'm set on the pickup being alnico 2. I have a 59 lying around but it's a bit thin for me.

I would love to hear your opinions about the following neck pickups for my application based on your experience:
o SD Alnico II pro
o SD Antiquity (btw, is the difference with the above just the ageing process?)
o SD 59 with an A2 mag
o Lollar Imperial
o Vintage Vibe (Pete B) Charlie Christian in humbucker format (i.e. CCH)

Thanks!

Ive owned and played jazz gigs with these pickups in various axes:
Alnico 2 pro humbucker
59s
59s with a2
jazz
peraly gates
WLH.

In a swamp ash tele, i can vouch for the pearly gates. Its depth and warmth match perfectly with the more pingy, bouncy tone of a solid swamp ash body, making it sound deeper and more jazz box like. Gorgeous tones.
APH would be good too I still use one in my 175. To be honest they are all great pickups on your list and would all sound great, but for a tele, i reckon the pg cant be beat.

 

[Hyperborea]

Re: SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

The Mike Stern model Yamaha "telecaster" has a Duncan '59 in the neck and so if you haven't tried the stock '59 then listen to some of his work to get an idea of what it can sound like. Of course, all the usual caveats like amp, effects, and playing style will affect that too.

 

[Blille]

Re: SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

Thanks all for your help!

I'm going to go and try the A2 59!

Whenever I get it and set this up I'll report back. I'll keep an eye out in the mean time on deals for the APH1N and the rest of SD pickups.

This may be off topic but if you’re playing jazz through a Telecaster, I think the conversation begins and ends with “Charlie Christian”. Just saying…

Not off topic at all! It's one of the pickups I mentioned in my opening post

You'd be surprised how a mag swap can change things when you have some experience with.

Well, the '59n has a characteristic "knee" in the mid-lows, just where the "wood" frequency resonance is. Also there's a small peak in the mid-highs, giving it good articulation without the sharp pick attack characteristic to the APH-1N. That's why it's a highly suitable candidate for the body mass and type of wood a Tele is made of.

For the record, my Epi ES-339 actually hosts an A3n/A2b '59 set and an A3n/A2b APH-1 set in my L-5 CES copy. In both cases, with an A2 the "knee" was "too much" due to the semi- and hollow bodies natural low-mid resonance. Enter an A3 in the equation and bingo! The sound I had in my head for both instruments became a reality.

So, you can safely assume I'm more than just acquainted with the matter at hand.

If you order from mojotone.com, you can get both the magnet and an excellent nickel-plated cover for your white '59.

HTH,

Thanks for the explanation.

Well, I'm doing it!

The only swap I ever did was to a prails neck pickup (where I put an A2 btw) so I'm definitely not an expert. Should I order unpolished or normal for this application?

I assume I can keep the 250k pots given I plan to just play jazz?

In a swamp ash tele, i can vouch for the pearly gates. Its depth and warmth match perfectly with the more pingy, bouncy tone of a solid swamp ash body, making it sound deeper and more jazz box like. Gorgeous tones.
APH would be good too I still use one in my 175. To be honest they are all great pickups on your list and would all sound great, but for a tele, i reckon the pg cant be beat.

Great feedback. I'll have an eye out for good deals on the PG as well.

The Mike Stern model Yamaha "telecaster" has a Duncan '59 in the neck and so if you haven't tried the stock '59 then listen to some of his work to get an idea of what it can sound like. Of course, all the usual caveats like amp, effects, and playing style will affect that too.

I'm a HUGE Mike Stern fan and I know one day I'll build a tele with a zebra 59 in the neck and a L250 (or hot rails) in the bridge. I'm going a bit more "traditional" this time.

 

[Mincer]

Re: SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

Good to hear. What is your take on a 59 with an A2 as an alternative?

I like it, but not as much as the APH-1. It is thumpy, still. There are more lower mids, but not as many high mids. I think it would be better in a semi-hollow. If you have a 59, it is worth a try, and only a few bucks for the magnet.

 

[Blille]

Re: SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

Got the A2 magnet from addiction FX today, put it in the 59, swapped the pickup's and I'm very happy with the result.

Not 100% sold yet, give me a couple of weeks, but definitely glad I tried!

Thanks all for your help.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LtKojak]

Re: SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

Got the A2 magnet from addiction FX today, put it in the 59, swapped the pickup's and I'm very happy with the result.

Not 100% sold yet, give me a couple of weeks, but definitely glad I tried!

I think an A3 would've been more suitable, but hey! You did it, so now it's time to get it to work for you by finding the "sweet spot". But first allow a couple of weeks for the new magnetic circuit, established by the new magnet, to stabilize, then you'll be all set for it.

And last, but no least, that 250K pot is actually "choking" the p'up by taking some of the p'ups articulation and character away, so I'd heartly suggest to get a linear tapered, actually measuring 500K CTS pot for it. You can thank me later!

Yours very truly,

 

[Blille]

Re: SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

I think an A3 would've been more suitable, but hey! You did it, so now it's time to get it to work for you by finding the "sweet spot". But first allow a couple of weeks for the new magnetic circuit, established by the new magnet, to stabilize, then you'll be all set for it.

And last, but no least, that 250K pot is actually "choking" the p'up by taking some of the p'ups articulation and character away, so I'd heartly suggest to get a linear tapered, actually measuring 500K CTS pot for it. You can thank me later!

Thanks, I'll keep tinkering with it for sure so yes, 500k pots might be next. I should get a liberator, this guitar has been through a lot of changes

 

[Blille]

Re: SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

I thought I'd give an update after a few months. I changed the pots to 500k and cap to 0.005 and I'm really happy with the A2 59. Thanks all for your help.

 

[Mincer]

Re: SD Antiquity Humbucker vs Alnico II Pro Neck humbucker for Jazz in a Tele

Awesome! Success!