Tighter APH-2?

S

savage8190

New member
So I love the APH-2...both neck and bridge. They are super versatile for me and do 95% of what I want. I'd like to get another set for a different guitar, but I also kind of want to try something slightly different.

Specifically, I'm looking to get a bridge pickup with similar voicing to the APH-2, but maybe with a little bit more output and a bit tighter. I can do metal with them as is and I'm pretty happy with it, but there is some room for improvement there.

Would appreciate any input on what to try!

FYI both guitars are PRS McCarty 594's...one singlecut, one double cut.

Thanks!
 
A tighter pickup would have less mids, more bass and treble. So the Jazz would be my guess, but if you want something more powerful, then the 59/Custom Hybrid would work as well.
 
Mincer said:
A tighter pickup would have less mids, more bass and treble. So the Jazz would be my guess, but if you want something more powerful, then the 59/Custom Hybrid would work as well.
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Isn't the 59/Custom hybrid mid heavy? EQ profile seems to indicate that...
 
skelt101 said:
savage8190
You could always swap magnets. From your description, it sounds like either an A5 or UOA5 would do the trick.
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I thought about it, but I'm not sure it would do it. I want more output, and don't REALLY want to change the EQ of the pickup that much. But I guess somethings gotta give to get more tightness.
 
I'd go A4, it won't change the EQ curve dramatically and will tighten up the low end a bit. I used APH1 and Slash set in my Les Paul and 335 style schecter and had SNS set in my S2 single Semi that I used for Drop D songs. The tones for all worked without making changes to the amp at all.
 
If I go by the EQ on Duncan's website it looks to me like the Custom 5 or maybe the Pegasus might be what I'm after. I haven't used either before, but it's a similar scooped EQ, with a bit less mids and bass, and more output.

Thoughts on how they might compare?
 
"bridge pickup with similar voicing to the APH-2, but maybe with a little bit more output and a bit tighter." says Slash bridge to me.

My second thought was just a straight Custom, which is voiced like a loud PAF, but has some top end and tightness via the ceramic mag.

59/Custom would be a solid choice. IME maybe that would be a little thinner/flatter than the roundness of an APH.

A '78 Model might also do the trick, but now we're moving in the more bright, tight direction.

Custom 5 is solid, but more scooped and bright than an APH for sure, IME
 
beaubrummels said:
"bridge pickup with similar voicing to the APH-2, but maybe with a little bit more output and a bit tighter." says Slash bridge to me.

My second thought was just a straight Custom, which is voiced like a loud PAF, but has some top end and tightness via the ceramic mag.

59/Custom would be a solid choice. IME maybe that would be a little thinner/flatter than the roundness of an APH.

A '78 Model might also do the trick, but now we're moving in the more bright, tight direction.

Custom 5 is solid, but more scooped and bright than an APH for sure, IME
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unless I'm mistaken, the APH-2 is the Slash model.

There's not another boosted version of the APH-2 in the Duncan line. I'm thinking about a stout rock pickup with a smooth top end, and there isn't a direct equivalent. If I had to recommend something it would be the brobucker
 
beaubrummels said:
"bridge pickup with similar voicing to the APH-2, but maybe with a little bit more output and a bit tighter." says Slash bridge to me.

My second thought was just a straight Custom, which is voiced like a loud PAF, but has some top end and tightness via the ceramic mag.

59/Custom would be a solid choice. IME maybe that would be a little thinner/flatter than the roundness of an APH.

A '78 Model might also do the trick, but now we're moving in the more bright, tight direction.

Custom 5 is solid, but more scooped and bright than an APH for sure, IME
Click to expand...

The APH-2 is the Slash model? That's what I was referring to. I thought about the custom as well, but I've not once heard a ceramic pickup I've liked so I typically don't bother.

I don't know that I want anything brighter, but I could always roll some tone off. Any thoughts on the Pegasus?
 
savage8190 said:
The APH-2 is the Slash model? That's what I was referring to. I thought about the custom as well, but I've not once heard a ceramic pickup I've liked so I typically don't bother.

I don't know that I want anything brighter, but I could always roll some tone off. Any thoughts on the Pegasus?
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Sorry, yeah I thought you were talking about the A2P / APH, I didn't read carefully enough - I find all the model numbers sometimes confusing so my brain checks out, like the SH-5 is the Custom, but the Custom 5 is the SH-14. And APH-1 is sometimes slanged to A2P, so I mix things up.

I haven't used a Pegasus, so I can't comment on that one.

So a Slash that is more output and a bit tighter? I still would think Custom first, and maybe Black Winter, but if ceramic is off the table, the Custom 5 or JB might be the hottest A5 type pickups. Another option might be like a Whole Lotta Humbucker. The A4 mag swap suggestion was a good one also.
 
After listening to sound demos all morning I might go a bit different direction. The Pegasus/Sentient combo sounds soooo good to my ear. I think I'm gonna try that out and go from there.
 
savage8190 said:
If I go by the EQ on Duncan's website it looks to me like the Custom 5 or maybe the Pegasus might be what I'm after. I haven't used either before, but it's a similar scooped EQ, with a bit less mids and bass, and more output.

Thoughts on how they might compare?
Click to expand...

Just a quick tip. I was told by several people here that the EQ charts on the site are notoriously inaccurate. Don’t pay much attention to them. What you want is actual sound demos and user reviews.
 
savage8190 said:
After listening to sound demos all morning I might go a bit different direction. The Pegasus/Sentient combo sounds soooo good to my ear. I think I'm gonna try that out and go from there.
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Those are very tight sounding pickups, and about the complete opposite EQ-wise of the Slash pickups. Very modern sounding, and great for lower tunings, too.
 
I concur with the rec for trying an A4 in your AP-2s. Or UA5.

You might also consider the Saturday Night Specials. Not really a lot like the Slash set, but solid mids and fairly tight in the lows.
Maybe not so different from a Slash with an A4 swap, only a bit stronger still.
 
chadd said:
I'd go A4, it won't change the EQ curve dramatically and will tighten up the low end a bit. I used APH1 and Slash set in my Les Paul and 335 style schecter and had SNS set in my S2 single Semi that I used for Drop D songs. The tones for all worked without making changes to the amp at all.
Click to expand...

Won't give more output.
 
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