Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

[severalwills1]

I'm trying to decide between these two sets to put in my Epi Standard. I'm a huge fan of Slash's tone, but also want to still be versatile. I've had a good experience with the '59 in the past, but never in a Standard.

Whichever one I choose, I would be putting a matched set in both positions.

Anyone have experience with a full '59 set, or a full Slash set?

The genre of music I'd be playing with this Paul would be anywhere from clean blues/jazz to GNR-style rock. Not really anything harder/gainier than that.

 

[SFW]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

The Slash set is more dynamic and musical to my ears. I personally think they are just better all around pickups.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

The Slash set is more dynamic and musical to my ears. I personally think they are just better all around pickups.

+1. '59N's are known for being boomy in LP's. A number of members have commented on how bright and thin '59B's are. Both issues can be easily addressed with mag swaps. If you want to keep the PU's stock, the Slash set would be the better choice for you.

 

[severalwills1]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

What about standard Alnico II Pros vs. the Slash set?

This choice changed because turns out the Standard I'm getting from a friend already has the regular Alnico II Pros installed. If I'm trying to go for that hard rock sound, is it worth changing out the stock APH-1s for the Slash set or can I just leave it as it is?

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

Why no first see how the APH1s works for you, since you already have them in there. They are very good pups. What amp are you using.

 

[severalwills1]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

I've played the neck APH-1 before in an old Les Paul that I sold, and I loved it. Never tried the bridge, though. I'm leaning on keeping the APH-1s that are already in there, as there's no need to make rash decisions like buying the Slash set right away, especially since they aren't cheap.

I'll be playing through a Vox AC, or for recording, either my old Digitech multi-effect (where I've created some really nice drive tones) or a Line 6 POD directly into my computer.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

What about standard Alnico II Pros vs. the Slash set?

I'd prefer the regular A2P's over the Slashes, as they're not wound quite as hot.

 

[Davii]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

Try out the APH-1s first, and see how you feel. I've not tried those myself, but I do have a set of APH-2s in a Gibson LP Std., and a Mockingbird ST, and they suit me right down to the ground.

In a brief exchange on Twitter with SD, they pointed out that APH-2s where aimed at LPs with chambering (notice the example video uses an Epiphone Ultra), but I'd taken this as meaning LPs with weight relief holes, so make of that what you will. My LP is Swiss-cheesed, and the Mockingbird has a large control cavity, but whether it makes any difference is likely to be down to speculation

 

[Aceman]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

I personally do not know. To really understand that question, one needs to know:

The difference between the A2P and the A2P Slash set. I like to think that the named set is just 'tweaked' for the individual guitarist preferences. That said - I have heard enough to think that may not be the case.

Then, the question becomes what it it about that vs the 59's.

I disagree with Blueman on the EXTENT to which 59's are considered boomy in the neck and thin in the Bridge. He makes it sound like it's a lot of Les PAuls. IMO - emphasis - IMO (nobody has really done a study) it does happen, but that I believe it is the exception, not the norm. No doubt the boomy bass is the more common of the issues - not that either issue occurs 'commonly' in my experience. I've had 59's in a number of Les Pauls / Les Paul types. Only had boomy bass once. Fixed with some slightly greater than normal pickup adjustment.

All in all, I'm sticking with "a pair of 58's in a Les Paul is a GREAT all around set for any kind of music"

Not saying there won't be something better for anything specific, or that you won't prefer more gnarl/cut (PG's) or fat (A2P's) or some tweak (WLH's) but all around - 59's are hard to beat. Way better IMO than the 490/498's.

 

[Worm]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

Hello everyone, i have a similar question : i have an Epi lp Standard, I also like Slashs' tone too, but I was thinking to place Slash pups in the neck, and maybe 59s or JB SH4 in the bridge ...... What do you think, I am into rock-blues, alt & brit rock

Thanks and regards

 

[superpete]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

I prefer the slash bridge and the 59 neck in the LPs i've tried them in. But I did not care for the 59b so if it had to be a set i'd go with the slash set

 

[Worm]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

I prefer the slash bridge and the 59 neck in the LPs i've tried them in. But I did not care for the 59b so if it had to be a set i'd go with the slash set

Thanks for the tip & prompt response


Best regards

 

[blueman335]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

I disagree with Blueman on the EXTENT to which 59's are considered boomy in the neck and thin in the Bridge. He makes it sound like it's a lot of Les PAuls. IMO - emphasis - IMO (nobody has really done a study) it does happen, but that I believe it is the exception, not the norm. No doubt the boomy bass is the more common of the issues.

Out of curiosity I made a list of forum members in the last 6 months or so who said that they personally had a boomy '59N in one of their guitars. There were about a dozen of them and most were in LP's. While it certainly doesn't happen in every LP, it does happen often enough not be totally dismissed. As far as adjusting the PU and the amp used, who knows? Maybe they were adjustable problems, maybe they weren't.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

Hello everyone, i have a similar question : i have an Epi lp Standard, I also like Slashs' tone too, but I was thinking to place Slash pups in the neck, and maybe 59s or JB SH4 in the bridge ...... What do you think, I am into rock-blues, alt & brit rock

Only if you like opposite EQ's in your PU's: a bright, thin bridge paired with a warm, fat neck. Some guys do. It's too hard for me to get an amp EQ that works well for both, so I prefer to bring their EQ's closer together: warm bridges and bright necks.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

APHs are a lot more than a one trick pony and were around a long time before slash started making records. Have you considered a set of those?

 

[Worm]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

APHs are a lot more than a one trick pony and were around a long time before slash started making records. Have you considered a set of those?

Yes also , I was wondering if a set of Aphs is too hard rock i
And less versatile !!!

But I am a newbie


And what do you think about the hot roaded set ??

 

[blueman335]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

Yes also , I was wondering if a set of Aphs is too hard rock i
And less versatile !!!
And what do you think about the hot roaded set ??

Where are you getting this from? A2P's are very versatile, great PU's for the classic tones you want. If you don't want a 'hard rock' PU, don't get a JB, it's wound hot, almost twice the resistance of an A2P bridge.

 

[SoundAt11]

Re: Set of 59s vs. a set of APH-2 Slashes

Hello everyone, i have a similar question : i have an Epi lp Standard, I also like Slashs' tone too, but I was thinking to place Slash pups in the neck, and maybe 59s or JB SH4 in the bridge ...... What do you think, I am into rock-blues, alt & brit rock

Thanks and regards

For brit-rock (Oasis or Stone Roses), you'll want really bright bridge pickups and to cut back on the bass and mids a bit. A '59 bridge and neck will really get there (adding a coil-tap will help). I also like Slash a lot. If you go with a lighter value tone-cap for your tone controls, you can roll off just enough treble to give you a "flutey" midrange tone similar to the one that Slash has. If you want something more aggressive in the bridge, try the SH-5 Custom or the '59/Custom Hybrid model.