General differences between A2 and A5 humbuckers??

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reverymike

reverymike

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Can you guys shed some light on the tonal differences between an Alnico 2 based humbucker and an Alnico 5?

I believe the Fender EVH Frankenstien humbucker is an A2, while the Bareknuckle Rebel Yell is a 5. I thought that was strange, since Steve Stevens has always had a very Van Halen-ish tone, IMO.
 
A5's are stonger, more output with bigger low end and extended highs.

A2's are softer, less output and do not have the extended lows and highs of the A5 making it feel more mid centered.
 
I find the outputs/"ability to drive the amp" to be similar but.........

A5 = more bass, more treble

A2 = TONS of mids.



If you like one, you'll probably like the other one. :rock:
 
The Fender EVH Frankenstein humbucker is rated at around 14k, so it's plenty strong as far as output goes, and it's an A2.

I'm torn between the EVH and the Rebel Yell. I play a Bogner 101b and old Marshalls, and I'm the lead player in my band. . .so maybe the A2 would edge out the 5, because of the strong mids??

Tough decision. Anyone here play both of them?
 
reverymike":2qdprdi1 said:
The Fender EVH Frankenstein humbucker is rated at around 14k, so it's plenty strong as far as output goes, and it's an A2.

I'm torn between the EVH and the Rebel Yell. I play a Bogner 101b and old Marshalls, and I'm the lead player in my band. . .so maybe the A2 would edge out the 5, because of the strong mids??

Tough decision. Anyone here play both of them?
Click to expand...

14k only indicates the gauge of wire it was most likely wound with (43awg) and is less of an indicator of output than the magnet type. Its pretty obvious they were going for a smooth sounding pickup, the specs are very similar to the Duncan Custom Custom.

The Bogner is definitely a smoother sounding amp, you may find a 14k A2 pickup to be a little too warm if you need rhythm clarity, I would personally go for the Rebel Yell but then again im not in a two guitar band so that may change things. What kind of guitar would it be going in and what speakers are you using?
 
It'll be going in a Fender custom shop 1962 strat, made of ash, with a rosewood neck. I typically use a mix of Greenbacks and G12H30s, but occasionally, I use an uberkab which is 75s and V30s.
 
reverymike":7mn1gbkj said:
It'll be going in a Fender custom shop 1962 strat, made of ash, with a rosewood neck. I typically use a mix of Greenbacks and G12H30s, but occasionally, I use an uberkab which is 75s and V30s.
Click to expand...

Rosewood neck...or rosewood fretboard on a maple neck?
 
reverymike":2jmqg3l1 said:
Rosewood fingerboard. . .maple neck.
Click to expand...

I would probably go with the A2 magnet then, an Ash bodied strat with a tremolo is already going to have a lot of high end snap to it, and Ash tends to naturally be a bit mid scooped. Thats my recommendation anyway. :thumbsup:
 
I think the difference is not so much about the output.A5 is more agressive sounding (in a humbucker),A2 is sweeter sounding.The RY is perfect for a LP or a mahogany body.VH was playing with a Gibson "Dirty Fingers",i think,in the beginning,and it's a high output Ceramic magnet.. :confused: If you want a BK for your Strat and want a VH tone,i think the VH2 would be perfect (but vintage kind).
 
screw how they sound! :doh:


RAY GUN Laser etched covers FTMFW! :rock:
 
on the for real, my 2 cents would be to try the EVH, or maybe better yet a Warren DeMartini Custom.

for my ears the Rebel Yell was a cleaner lower output JB.


i haven't been around the EVH, but the Warren D custom is a really hot A2 and it's a damn nice pickup in the right guitar.

or maybe the Duncan Custom Custom, or whatever thier fairly hot A2 is?


with Duncan they'll let you trade in your pickup if you're not happy.
 
reverymike":8ngzg6k6 said:
Can you guys shed some light on the tonal differences between an Alnico 2 based humbucker and an Alnico 5?

I believe the Fender EVH Frankenstien humbucker is an A2, while the Bareknuckle Rebel Yell is a 5. I thought that was strange, since Steve Stevens has always had a very Van Halen-ish tone, IMO.
Click to expand...


Yo, check this link out - from a very, very worthy source...

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/i ... pic=8005.0

Peace,
V.
 
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