Question on APH-1

[Kindred_Spirits]

Hey guys. I've heard a lot on this forum on the APH-1, being smooth and warm as a neck pickup. I've always heard the pickup being excellent at blues and rock sounds, but I was wondering how it held up for higher gain tones. Think, Petrucci, air norton kind of sound. Is it articulate enough for shred styles? Fast runs, sweep arpeggios, etc? Or should I look to another pickup for this? I've been very satisfied with the Air Norton, but was looking for something a little different.

[Kindred_Spirits]

Also, this would be going in a all mahogany neck through Carvin DC-127. Fixed bridge, ebony fretboard.

[martinsixstringcustoms]

I really like the APH-1. Its one of my favorite neck pups. Very warm and sweet sounding. It may, however, be a tad dark in that guitar. I had one installed in my Custom R7, which is all mahogany w/ a ebony board. It was borderline in that guitar.

You can always try it out and if it doesn't work out, use the 21 day exchange policy to get something different.

[fretburner]

Hey guys. I've heard a lot on this forum on the APH-1, being smooth and warm as a neck pickup. I've always heard the pickup being excellent at blues and rock sounds, but I was wondering how it held up for higher gain tones. Think, Petrucci, air norton kind of sound. Is it articulate enough for shred styles? Fast runs, sweep arpeggios, etc? Or should I look to another pickup for this? I've been very satisfied with the Air Norton, but was looking for something a little different.

YES!

I have a Custom/APH1 on my Epi LP and Steve's Special/AN on my RG... fast runs, sweep arpeggios, etc etc would never be a problem with the APH1... you won't believe how articulate this pup is... you'd feel like paul gilbert shredding with it... you will never be disappointed with it... so yeah, BUY THE APH1 NOW!!!

Rock on!

[Funky P]

As much as i love this pickup, its not really much of a shreddy pickup. Because of how bright it is, when its soaked in too much gain it starts to loose its clearity and articulation. In my opinion it sounds best with moderate amounts of overdrive, but it still sounds good distorted. Maybe keeping the presence pretty low should tame the brightness.

[Kindred_Spirits]

Hmmm... some different responses I see.

Thanks for the replies guys.

[fretburner]

Hmmm... some different responses I see.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I get my distortion from either my Marshall Shredmaster or Jackhammer... I believe that's a lot of gain in there... I stomp on my EQ to boost the mids when I solo... but with or without the EQ, my APH1 sounds good nonetheless... and never experienced this "loss" of articulation. And for me, it's more ariculate than the Air Norton. The AN has got more mids though.

[madguitar26]

all depends on how much gain(with tight bottom end) is applied.
with a regular rock amp like my classic 50,or marshall jcm 900 the a2pro will not get you into that kinda shredding your into.
and with a shredmaster pedal, even my vintage rails will shred.taking off the mids??what the hell...whatever
id say buy a jazz thats articulate !!

[fretburner]

all depends on how much gain(with tight bottom end) is applied.
with a regular rock amp like my classic 50,or marshall jcm 900 the a2pro will not get you into that kinda shredding your into.
and with a shredmaster pedal, even my vintage rails will shred.taking off the mids??what the hell...whatever
id say buy a jazz thats articulate !!

I've been wondering about the Jazz because practically everyone here is saying it is THAT articulate. I'm just worried it's not gonna give me that warm, "round" sound that I'm looking for on my neck pup. Or would an EQ pedal be able to give me that?

[Kindred_Spirits]

I have been considering the Jazz as well, but I've heard it can be a bit bright.

[Luke Duke]

The Jazz and A2P are essentially the same pup, but with different magnets, the DC difference is negligible. If you don't like one for reason X try the other.

That said I have a Heritage LP with a jazz neck and A2P bridge. Both are very articulate.

Lots of good tone in those pups.

Luke

[Kindred_Spirits]

Thanks.

Have you compared them both as neck pickups?

[Luke Duke]

Thanks.

Have you compared them both as neck pickups?

Yes, the jazz (as the tone chart says) has more treble and upper mids, wheras the A2P has more lows and low mids. Both sound very nice in the neck slot, however I decided that for the time being I'd stick with the jazz.

However as soon as my brobucker comes in I'm going to put my Alnico 2 Pro BRIDGE in the NECK. Then we'll see how warm and smooth it sounds.

Luke

[Kindred_Spirits]

bump, thanks for the info

[Kindred_Spirits]

However as soon as my brobucker comes in I'm going to put my Alnico 2 Pro BRIDGE in the NECK. Then we'll see how warm and smooth it sounds.
Luke

So, how did it work out?

[dasfonzie]

So, how did it work out?

bump, since I'd like to know as well

[OlinMusic]

I would vote NO
I love my APH

I would honestly say you should watch G n R live. Slash is great, and plays on the neck a lot, but I do not consider him a shredder per se, and he is the poster for this pup.

From personal experience, nah