Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro HB vs Tonerider Alnico II Classics

[waltschwarzkopf]

Hi guys,

This is a quick one, I ordered a Tonerider Rocksong for the neck on my partscaster project. Sadly, the courier lost the package; however, amazon refunded me and told me to place a new order. Sadly, the Rocksong is out of stock, which made me think about getting the Alnico II Classics. However, looking at the available Alnico II humbuckers, made me think about ordering the Alnico II Pro HB.

The specs on both pickups are almost identical, Alnico II, 4-conductor, 7.5k DCR. Even both of them advertise it as the iconic Slash sound (which is what I’m after):

Tonerider: “At higher gain settings, the Alnico II Classic really nails the fluid distortion sound of players like Slash, who use the smooth attack and longer sustain of the neck to great effect during solos,”
Seymour Duncan: “For over 25 years Slash has been the champion of this pickup, and used them exclusively on Appetite for Destruction, which has gone on to become the biggest selling debut album of all time.”

I see it this way (here’s where I need your input):
Tonerider: Great quality at an affordable price. If I had to pay full price (40EUR), I’d go for it.
Seymour Duncan: Great quality, well-known brand, Made in USA. I do not know if I would pay twice as much for this (87EUR). However, it may be worth it because I’d be getting a "better pickup". Is it really so much better? I know I’m paying for the brand here and also for the Made in USA.
SD Slash Alnico II Pro: This is another option, but much more expensive (114€). Slash has been using the SD Pro HB for years; this was recently developed for his new signature Gibson Les Paul. It is very similar to the Pro HB, but is only 1-connector and runs a bit hotter (8.3K instead of 7.5k). Some say that here you are just paying for his name as they sound very similar. Nevertheless, after you mount either of those pickups, the sound will depend on your playing style and the specific guitar you have.

Cheers,
Walter
P.S. If you live in Zürich and want to get together and jam, send me a PM.
P.P.S. In case you have not heard of these pickups here are the links:
Seymour Duncan: http://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/alnico-ii-pro-hb-neck
Tonerider: http://tonerider.com/alnico-ii
SD Slash: http://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/slash-neck

 

[Davii]

Re: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro HB vs Tonerider Alnico II Classics

I've had all three. In fact, I've a Slash neck pickup advertised on eBay at the time of writing. The only difficulting in replying, is that I've not used each under the exact same circumstances; I've had the Slash one in a couple of LPs, a BC Rich Mockingbird, and the 6 string side of a double neck. I've used the A2P and A2 Classic in the neck and middle spots respectively on the 12 string side of a double neck.

The Slash one I find too hot n' muddy, though if it's one that's a little lower in output, it wasn't too bad in the Mockingbird. Something I put down to that guitar being 24 fret, and the neck spot being shifted back a bit - by contrast, it was horrendous in the 20 fret double neck! The neck spots of that guitar were tricky, and the AP2 was the only one I could get to work well, and that included a mag swap to A3. I didn't spend much time with the Classic, though I still have it. I sold the double neck ahead of Xmas last year, and waiting on a replacement being made, so kept it for trying out in that. I've never had trouble selling a Tonerider on, so I'd certainly not say that taking the cheaper option to be a waste of money.

 

[thebingopete]

Re: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro HB vs Tonerider Alnico II Classics

Haven't tried them personally but have heard good things about Tonerider pups from a couple players I've met. Aside from that, some pup recipes are kinda standard. So much so that even cheaper ones can still sound great. Especially ones wound around PAF range like the ones you mentioned. I've come across a unbranded set that freekin rock. Put em in one project and thought they were too good for that guitar. Got a good SG project I'm putting them in if my broke ass can ever finish the finish.

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