I preferred the A2 in both positions....but the difference was so small I doubt anyone but the player would really notice a real difference
@jasonswitzer17482 ай бұрын
When you really crank the distortion, i can’t hear a difference. But the difference is pretty clear when playing clean or with just a bit of crunch. I prefer the A2, but that’s just a matter of personal preference.
@Andrewfendrew3 жыл бұрын
It seems to me alnico 2 is smooth and alnico 5 is brighter and sharper
@MattSofianosGuitar3 жыл бұрын
That’s it in a nutshell
@dlionels Жыл бұрын
backwards
@herman299583 жыл бұрын
Overall I prefer the Alnico 2 as they sound much nicer when you are playing clean and I still prefer them when playing with distortion (Maybe because I listened to Slash too much when I was a kid) as they got enough power for me. The Alnico 5 sound great with distortion but not that great in clean. It's a matter of taste anyway, I don't think that there is a right or wrong answer.
@benplissken5403 жыл бұрын
Definitly the Alnico 5 in both positions. But it's a tast story
@alexkazhdan3 жыл бұрын
Awesome comparison! There is definitely a difference, and you summed it up perfectly. In my opinion, both pickups sound better stock. I feel like the added brightness of the Alnico 5 is a bit too much for the bridge position, but it provides clarity in the neck.
@mindfall823 жыл бұрын
I put humbucker sized P90s in a semi-hollow...a5 in neck and a2 in bridge because I didn't want the bridge overly bright and the combo is awesome!
@Puxgm3 жыл бұрын
A2s are yes the Slash tone-smooth and liquidy; A5s are what Angus Young uses so obviously a little more blaze and punch; both are amazing though depending on what type of music you wish to play👍
@277southtombob3 жыл бұрын
I love the sound of A2 pickups, it’s obvious they don’t have as bright of a top end but there’s something in the mids that just sounds so smoky and thick to me.
@TheRosswise3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like the A5 has more highs. Makes the A2 sound a little smoother. I could see an A2 in the neck and A5 in the bridge for a very versatile setup.
@LouisMalagodi3 жыл бұрын
I agree, that's how I've kept it!
@TheKINGisComing7773 жыл бұрын
I was watching to decide whether or not to buy 2s or 5s. I will be buying 2s after watching this. Great video. Thanks!
@LouisMalagodi3 жыл бұрын
Awesome dude, glad it was helpful!
@RobertEMason3 жыл бұрын
Same here. I actually have the GFS Pro Alnico Vs in my Contemporary Telecaster and they found great, but I’m thinking I’ll go with Alnico 2s in my PRS. Thanks
@KevinWillson-nf3gh2 ай бұрын
Going from alnico 2 to 5 is very noticeable when its your own gear and you know it well, its harder for me to notice the difference on other peoples rigs, but when its the one i use on a daily basis, its night and day in terms of tonal qualities and feel
@keokiheller4351 Жыл бұрын
I came for the comparison…I stayed for the super-tasty licks! Thanks!!!🙏🏽😎💪🏽🏝️🤙🏽
@jazzydog3 жыл бұрын
Love the A2 on neck.
@LA80sMike3 жыл бұрын
For me, the A5 on the Bridge, l liked the A2 in the Neck but experimented by changing the A2 magnet to a A4 magnet only, really liking the sound so far.....
@neilh47292 жыл бұрын
A2 in both positions for me. They just sound more musical. You can always add more gain if needed. Love the tone you've got going there, especially with the A2s.
@martyshwaartz971 Жыл бұрын
I appreciate the succinct demo and clean presentation. Great Comparison! Difference is marginal at best and probably the player would be the only one to notice, but I liked the extra clarity in the Alnico 5. I only ever use the bridge humbucker with distortion anyways
@DanLeggatt4 жыл бұрын
Cool video dude! Personally I like the A5 in the bridge and A2 in the neck. More clarity with the A2 in the neck to my ears and a bit more mid push with the A5 in the bridge.
@LouisMalagodi4 жыл бұрын
Thanks dude! Yeah me too, I think I will keep it A5 in Bridge and A2 in neck for now and see how it works at higher volumes at rehearsals. I wanted some extra teeth from the bridge and less lows from the neck and it has done that actually although the A2 in neck has less highs now, I may look at a treble bleed mod for the neck volume so it retains the highs when I roll down for my clean sound.
@VanjaSpirin3 жыл бұрын
@@LouisMalagodi my thinking as well. i have two guitaras with a5 on a bidge position, and a2 on a neck. best of both worlds. those guitars can do metal and jazz.
@VanHalenIsolated2 жыл бұрын
I can hear the lows more in A2 and it’s warmer whereas the A5 is definitely brighter with the highs. I like both equally for different reasons. The difference is this: Van Halen 1 and 2 Eddie used A2 magnets with his Northern Ash Frankie (Alnico 8 in the Ibanez Destroyer which is Runnin’ with the Devil/You Really Got Me; any song without the trem bar) and on 1984, in his 5150 poplar body Kramer, he used an A5 (Panama, Girl Gone Bad, House of Pain; on Drop Dead Legs, and Hot For Teacher I think he may have used an A5, not 100% on that, but it was a Gibson Flying V made of Korina, or aka Black Limba, which really pronounced the tone a lot). Disclaimer, before anyone goes off on me about the Brown Sound being more complicated than that: yes I know it’s a series of different things that create the brown sound tone and the magnets are just one piece of the pie.
@Wiltsu783 жыл бұрын
For me alnico 2 all day long. Nice vid bruv! 👍
@gregoryallen63769 ай бұрын
Playing wise, you nailed it. Personally, I prefer A2 neck and A5 bridge. Thank you for this excellent comparison 👌
@El_Serch4 жыл бұрын
Great video Louis. Both pickups sound almost the same for me to me tbh. Good content bro!
@LouisMalagodi4 жыл бұрын
Haha thanks bro!
@gibsondcxpl85 Жыл бұрын
I’ve been struggling to tame a harsh, bright bridge pickup in my R7. Just realized it’s A5, so will be swapping it out for a BB2 or 57 to see if that smooths things out. Could definitely hear the difference in your demo - thanks!
@nickf21704 ай бұрын
A2 was warmer / thicker / rounder. And A5 was brighter / more articulate, and in your face.
@lfaderАй бұрын
That's it. A guitar loaded with either I wouldn't swap them out -- love them both Creamy muscular bright 🌟
@Joseph-so6td3 жыл бұрын
For clean tone, A2's are warm and creamy. For gain, the A5 sound is a bit fuller with more top end. I personally prefer A2's
@2121toso7 ай бұрын
Very nice comparison. The differences are subtle but there.
@ljkj63Ай бұрын
i agree with you louis ..i like both pickups im not very picky
@rolandlemus2032 жыл бұрын
A5'S all the way. They are clearer, more defined, sure they are louder, but being loud isn't everything, that is not what I am talking about, they seem just to hit every note in the chord nicely, and overall, the distortion area is where I think they are just better too. I like the punch too. if you didn't adjust the volume, that's my take on it.
@SidBonkers513 жыл бұрын
Great video and its good to hear a clean comparison, most other videos Ive watched are just comparing crunchy/gainy tones. Im still undecided what to buy to put in my Epi LP, probably go for the All's, I think, maybe.....
@bradshannon8622 ай бұрын
I was a big believer in A5 and I have several guitars with them but I am leaning toward the A2 for the mid presence. I may need to do some magnet swaps! THanks,
@druchumley45713 жыл бұрын
Rick! There's a walker in the bushes!
@BillyE51509 ай бұрын
Great demo man! Simple... to the point. The older I get, & deeper into pickup knowlege I get... I like A2's more & more...
@beznazwy65583 жыл бұрын
depends on what music you want to play. if you want to play rock, alnico 5, and if you want to play blues, jazz and fusion, alnico 2
@rectifier75782 жыл бұрын
Great comparison, thanks man
@mobatumi Жыл бұрын
Through KZfaq the difference is unnoticeable. I believe it'd be more obvious live.
@samaitcheson70577 ай бұрын
Really useful video. Thanks! My experience using A-IIs v A-Vs is more about feel than tone. A-IIs play softer while A-Vs are tighter and punchier. I think they affect the way I play more than the way I sound tbh.
@chrisv25573 жыл бұрын
A2 for a more smooth bluesy tone, A5 for a more aggressive hard rock/metal tone... imo
@MauMauNoRPАй бұрын
Thank you from Brasil!
@Bobby_Digital37 Жыл бұрын
This was awesome! Thanks for making this! I liked both but preferred the A5 because they seems to have a bit more bit and attack.
@simonmok4191 Жыл бұрын
In order to be a proper Alnico II Vs Alnico V comparison, you would need to retain the identical bobbins/coils under the same position of the string with the magnet the only variable, hence swapping the bar magnet the only logical choice for this to be a 'proper' comparison.
@LouisMalagodi Жыл бұрын
Hi, the pickup itself stays constant in both positions, the only change is the magnet, the pickup height was matched after swapping. How hard I picked was the hardest thing to control.
@RobertEMason10 ай бұрын
A2 sounded warmer to me. Very nice
@BradySzabo2 жыл бұрын
at 2:01, love what you are playing. I can't tell a difference, listened several times.
@josephburleson1099 Жыл бұрын
Can you make some longer videos, I'm drinkin'!
@Zoso9813 жыл бұрын
I prefer the A5, slightly. Which is good, as I've just ordered a set of A5 PAF's for my favorite guitar
@daveduffy28233 жыл бұрын
A2 isn’t as piercing as the A5 when playing single notes with OD. The A2 is fairly even flat sounding while the A5 is more sharp in the attack on highs and lows.
@pianoprincipal84882 жыл бұрын
Hey bro!!!!!!!! I have seen all your video and I loved the licks with that bluesy sound, I would like to know in which albums I can listen to more of that... Greetings from Lima Peru
@daviddegagatem11 ай бұрын
Alnico 5 in the bridge and Alnico 2 in the neck for me.
@themaggot82 жыл бұрын
I love how the A5 sounds with high gain and it seems to me that it's easier to get pinch harmonics with an A5 pickup than with an A2. I have a guitar with burstbucker 2 in the bridge and one with burstbucker pro, and even tho I prefer the more "musical" tone that the A2 has, the one with A5 just shines with distortion.
@Jeramyjulius2 жыл бұрын
The a2 pickups to me sound wormer to me and a5 sound duller but that’s just me I would definitely go for the a2 over the a5
@CalJennings Жыл бұрын
The A5 seems to have more definition but sounded like it was a little farther away unless it's my imagination.
@sivanlanger23 күн бұрын
great video
@jonathandancoine71502 жыл бұрын
Hi Louis ! Merci pour ce test très instructif. Il y a très peu de tests des full Monty's sur KZfaq. D'après toi, est-ce qu'ils sont recommandés pour le blues propre (style BB King) et le Vintage un peu énervé (style ZZ Top Lagrange) ? Si tu as d'autres extraits de ces micros dans des registres clean, blues ou rock, cela m'intéresse énormément :) Thank you !!
@bavariandave56272 жыл бұрын
A2 in the neck for Slash leads, A5 for AC/DC rhythm.
@BlackBalloonGraz3 жыл бұрын
Loved the V much better in all examples, much clearer and defined without sounding thin. On a very bright amp like a alnico 2 can be fine.. But for my style that has amps like jtm 45 the alnico 5 is clearly better.
@LouisMalagodi3 жыл бұрын
I agree, 5 is great for articulation. I find the dip in the lower mids compared to the 2 to be quite pleasing with a fixed bridge guitar. I do wonder if that would change with a Floyd Rose as they seem to detract low mids, so possibly an Alnico 2 would restore some of that. I'm looking forward to Pete Thorns upcoming video which will compare humbuckers for the EVH tone, which will also explore the differences between 5 and 2. Thanks for commenting!
@BigCarmine2 жыл бұрын
I preferred the A2 in both positions. But then all my LPs have A2s with vintage 50s pots and wiring.
@luckyg89713 жыл бұрын
It's a matter of what your ears could pick up between the a2 and a5 humbuckers. Enormous difference in mid range--this a2 pickup has twice the mids of the a5 pickup. That was the biggest difference with the frequencies. The A5 pickup was pretty scooped with a little bit more low end also
@LouisMalagodi3 жыл бұрын
The A2 has noticeably more lower midrange then the A5, I'm now wondering if that's why a lot of players tend to use hot A2 humbuckers in Floyd Rose equipped guitars. From my experience a Floyd can take away a fair amount of lower mids.
@luckyg89713 жыл бұрын
@@LouisMalagodi the a2 pickup sounds great though. Sure it cuts through well with a rhythm section
@mikebinding234 жыл бұрын
I couldn't tell the difference at all to be honest, this was an interesting test though I've never thought of doing that.
@LouisMalagodi4 жыл бұрын
Its an easy mod to do for subtle changes and costs no money (if your humbuckers have different magnets). If not you can pick up magnets pretty cheap and experiment, different manufacturers magnets will sound different though, a lot of pick up makers will have a favourite manufacturer. Generally A5 has more top end and bottom end response and an A2 will have more midrange.
@pedrorojas01163 жыл бұрын
You really can't hear the difference?
@mikebinding233 жыл бұрын
@@pedrorojas0116 No I can't. He's probably sponsored by the company and makes videos like these as advertising.
@WakizashiSabre8 ай бұрын
A5 all the way for me
@yaseennuayman47442 жыл бұрын
I always just assumed the 5s were what I wanted as i like high output (but not overwound) "vintage style" PUps, but I just took what folks told me for granted and never actually listened to a head to head, n ow I wont buy Hums unless they are A2s, probably gonna do the same with P90s and Dano PUps too but now I know to use my ears and not just look at numbers and specs, and least of all take tone advice of peers as gospel, no matter how many say the same thing! Thanks for opening my mind and helping me on my quest for the guitar tone so perfect it can undo space and time. Almost there, sorry about the universe...
@randymiles904 Жыл бұрын
I just really like alnico 2s in a Les Paul. 5 has it's place, but I like the 2 best overall.
@SouthpawSatch2 жыл бұрын
I have a set of Monty's PAFs. I swapped out the A5 on the neck to a polished A2, the A5 was a little too harsh for me. The A5 in the bridge sounded cool though
@LuvhandleR2 жыл бұрын
Verylittle difference to my ears. They both sound great.
@michaelray50233 жыл бұрын
Alnico 2 dude. I bought an ibanez 🤮 that had a small ceramic in the butt & alnico 5 in the neck. It was horrible. I got an A2 & stuck it in the butt. Guitar sounded much happier. Had beefy mids & singing highs. Bottom end was still present & it was a lot punchier than SD Slash Pups. I think the bridge was about 15k & it was a good swap.
@blissfulhumanoid95362 жыл бұрын
“Stuck it in the butt?”
@michaeld2716 Жыл бұрын
Thank you.
@JunioMelo3 жыл бұрын
Thanks brother
@nigelsmith49483 жыл бұрын
Let's face it, very very little difference. I've always said, give EVH a £20 guitar and it would sound amazing, give me a £10k custom shop guitar and it would sound like me with an empty wallet. Basically, tonal sound on a guitar is 90% player feeling/experience and 10% equipment
@dlionels Жыл бұрын
alnico 2 for me, more bright and punch.
@pedrorojas01163 жыл бұрын
Once the distortion was used i had trouble telling the difference
@joaopedrostrabelli55332 жыл бұрын
My choice: A2 in neck position and A5 in bridge; the better of two world.
@stormybowens74612 жыл бұрын
Fucking A. Great job
@SantanaBanana47 Жыл бұрын
Alnico 5 for neck, 2 for bridge
@ALtheDoctorWho10 ай бұрын
2s sound Clearer 5s are fuller to my ears.c]8-)
@RideAcrossTheRiver5 ай бұрын
The difference is half a notch on amp tone knob.
@Bognerman1411 ай бұрын
Sound the same. For hard rock and rock styles, Alnico V. Tighter and bigger sounding.
@stavrose18343 жыл бұрын
Hi Louis. Are you happy with the full montys? Any drawbacks?
@markn45262 жыл бұрын
A2'a have a meatier sound in both positions. The A5's are a little sweeter-sounding.
@TiagoEliasu7 ай бұрын
Alnico2 is more harsh, but no body.. A nice vintage or metalized lead punk sound... The alnico 5 has a natural nasal sound much more punch in heavy metal but a little generic specialy when the strings decay... Hard decision but easy judgin by the style you want
@angelajohnson88614 жыл бұрын
I like the tones with the magnets the way they were originally. A2 in the bridge and A5 in the neck. Just curious, why did you install the neck humbucker upside down? Are there a significant difference in tone compared to the screws towards the neck?
@LouisMalagodi4 жыл бұрын
You can turn it around to get a little brighter, less full sound. It's a subtle again effect again, for me its helps to balance out the two pickups. It's an old Peter Green trick (R.I.P.)
@FtnHills383 жыл бұрын
My vote A2 Bridge, A5 Neck
@steviewells55354 жыл бұрын
Personally preferred the fuller sound of the A5 kind of felt the A2 had a muddyness to the sound although that being said wasn't a massive difference.
@LouisMalagodi4 жыл бұрын
A2 seems to have more low mids which can be thicker in the bridge but muddy in the neck I've found
@2dazetake Жыл бұрын
The A2 magnets sound much sweeter, A5 is way too bright for my taste.
@classicalliberal-nationall51533 жыл бұрын
thx
@simonmok4191 Жыл бұрын
This entire 'shoot out' doesn't make sense at all. There is a lot more string movement under neck pickup compared to the bridge hence the neck pickup's output would be reduced to compensate and balanced with the bridge pickup... so if the bridge pickup has more output anyway, it makes no sense just to slap it into the neck position as this would give you too much output for that position. This is why aftermarket pickup manufacturers have position-specific models for each range. For example, Seymour Duncan has a 'Neck' and 'Bridge' model for each one of their designs. For a proper comparison, you would need to have a neck position-specific alnico II compared with a neck-specific alnico V in order to be a logical and fair comparison. Once again the same for the bridge position.
@seankenny53294 жыл бұрын
A2 more aggressive i.e. more in the 2kHz .... the A5 sounded softer less attack i.e. less in the 2kHz more in the 5kHz region to me and a fraction more in the lower end. Very subtle differences
@LouisMalagodi4 жыл бұрын
Yeah I agree, A2 seemed to push the amp a bit more due to extra midrange
@bobtone1013 жыл бұрын
What is funny these people are saying the A2 is more smooth, I am hearing the opposite, I really like the A5's, but I am a Big Fan of the A2's as well, to more guitars!
@nicopoppe48382 жыл бұрын
i don’t knie how everyone ist hearing with… nur the a2 is just linear and the a5 is has scopped mids
@VPicksGuitarPicks3 жыл бұрын
To me the difference is so insignificant it would not be worth the trade out.
@slashingbison25032 жыл бұрын
I just need to know which one make me play like slash 😂
@jordansjournal30773 жыл бұрын
A2s in both positions. No comparison. Just my preference.
@mcfek75753 жыл бұрын
Alnico 5 has more clarity than alnico 2
@davidbuzzin4263 жыл бұрын
👍🇺🇸❤A2
@oficinadomarcheto Жыл бұрын
A2 in Last example more dirty
@moforockband3 жыл бұрын
did you swap the magnets and keep the coils the same? One pickup may have had more coils? Great chordwork 1:40 to 2:00, loved it
@LouisMalagodi3 жыл бұрын
I only swapped the magnets, each pickup stayed in the same position with the same height, thanks dude!
@blissfulhumanoid95362 жыл бұрын
Did you have to do any soldering for this change up?
@jasonism123 Жыл бұрын
A2
@lagartodeath14emd3 жыл бұрын
alnico 2 !!!!!!!!!! is betterrrrrr!!!!!!!! ( for mi obbiusly )
@RustyRaceHorse4 ай бұрын
I cant hear a difference. I don’t think actually swapped them.
@LouisMalagodi4 ай бұрын
I can ensure you I did swap the magnets. This was the first video I ever made, all on my phone, would have been better with a cut to me showing the process of swapping the magnets. Also pick attack is hard to get exactly the same, it could and should have been closer. A2 has slightly thicker midrange, A5 has a more focused midrange, a cut around 300hz ish compared to A2 and slightly more bass and treble than A2.
@stewarttomkinson33562 ай бұрын
A5 more mud
@55maltesers3 жыл бұрын
Alnico 2 sounds like slash, Alnico 5 sounds like metallica
@noelportillo86338 ай бұрын
Alnico 5 has more treble
@pippopinats87822 жыл бұрын
I don't feel a lot of difference 😩
@hobbytronika Жыл бұрын
alnico 5 has more meowts and more cats than alnico 2 ;)