59 or alnico II pro

[leviathan]

What are the major differences between the seymour duncan 59 and alnico II pro. i am planning on replacing the bridge pickup on the gretsch beast. I am not much of a distoration guys about as much distoration i go for is something around the switchfoot sound. thanks for the helps guys.

[Jim S]

There are good sound clips of each on the Seymour Duncan website.

[EADGBE]

I believe the alnico 5 magnet pickups are richer sounding.

[Reeek]

There are good sound clips of each on the Seymour Duncan website.

Jim S,

I live in Reno and have a small condo in Incline Village myself. I wonder if we should jam? :)

Sorry for the brief hijack leviathan

[big mike]

To me, the Alnico 2 is warmer, sweeter, with less highs and lows. Very earthy and sweet sounding. The 59 is brighter with less mids, more lows, and is likely a bit more versitile.

Tough decision. I like them both.

[paintguy]

I agree with Big Mike. I have both models in different guitars.

In a nutshell, the 59' is bright and the alnico 2 is warm. Really depends on the sound of your guitar that you are putting them in.

When I want to smooth out a bright guitar, I use Alnico 2's. If the guitar is dark or muddy, I use 59's.

Just me,

Larry

[T.Wesley]

The Alnico 2 Pro can be a bright pickup depending on the installation.

I like to have an A2P in the neck and a '59 in the bridge, that's my current favorite Seymour Duncan combination. They're well matched.

--chiba

[big mike]

The Alnico 2 Pro can be a bright pickup depending on the installation.

I like to have an A2P in the neck and a '59 in the bridge, that's my current favorite Seymour Duncan combination. They're well matched.

--chiba

Depends on the guitar, but that's my usual pair of duncans as well.

[beNsteR]

Being a switchfoot fan and familiar with their sound, i say go with the 59. it's got more bass as well as highs. a bit more aggressive but still in vintage territory.

The A2Pro might be a tad too sweet and mellow for their kinda sound.

[jimmyj]

To me, the Alnico 2 is warmer, sweeter, with less highs and lows. Very earthy and sweet sounding. The 59 is brighter with less mids, more lows, and is likely a bit more versitile.

Tough decision. I like them both.

I agree on this, too. Sometimes the high and low E strings get a little quiet on some guitars with the AlNiCo II pickups, IMO.

[TwoGeez]

What are the major differences between the seymour duncan 59 and alnico II pro. i am planning on replacing the bridge pickup on the gretsch beast. I am not much of a distoration guys about as much distoration i go for is something around the switchfoot sound. thanks for the helps guys.

Think Van Halen (59) vs. Led Zeppelin (Alnico II)... Spongy bass and brite top end vs. warmer bottom and mids and sweeter top end...

[SFW]

I've had both in my Les Paul. The 59 is in there now. I like the APII for some guitars, but for the most part I like the 59 better. At the moment I have a 59 in the neck and a Custom Custom in the bridge.

[RickC]

let's hear it for the Gretsch Beast! A most righteous, no frills, rock and roll kind of axe :dude

[Ironman]

Might I recommend a Dimarzio Virtual PAF. I like it better than the afore mentioned pickups, even better than the Seth's. It isn't clanky like a 59 can be and is sweet like an Alnico II but punchier. Probably due to the Alnico 5. It is a very musical sounding pu, incredible clarity, growl, punch and singing high end...all at an unbeatable price. Anyway, just wanted to share that.

[tone4days]

i like those both as neck pickups so much that i have one of each ... the AIIP is in my brian moore (all mahogany) ... the 59 is in the neck of my ibanez 540s .. fattened that little skinny thing right up!

big mike summarized the differences exactly as i experience them

but i will say this .. the AIIP, coupled with a JB, and a P-type megaswitch (5-way) is a HELLA versatile combination

t4d

[AaeCee]

I'll just add that you can now buy some SDs (59s included) in better priced bridge/neck packages. I just bought new 59s for $125/pr. A great bargain in the pickup world. Agree with all the accolades for them. AC