I’ve always preferred A2 humbuckers and listening to this I think it’s the same with the P90 for the same reasons. The highs can be brought up or down with the amp tone stack but there’s something in the mids that A2 has that’s just sweet and smoky to me.
in clean tones, variations with the tone button gives the same brigthness but in saturation, the alnico II is deeper, more balnced and defined as the alnico 5 frequencies are harsh !
Loved this comparison. Thanks for posting. I could 'pick up' on mid range level differences. I'd say A2 creamier, A5 more punchy. I have ordered the Harley Benton cst 24 kit, and a bunch of parts off aliexpress to tinker with the project, on their way. I went with the Donlis Alnico 2 jobbies. I'll post a video down the line, and remember to tag you in it when the project is done. Very helpful video. Good pickin.
The alnico 5's sounded brighter in crunch and distortion tones, but the alnico 2's seemed warmer and more vintage. I like the 2's better. If I wanted to shred I probably wouldn't choose a P90 in the first place.
Interesting comparison. HB sized P90s are different than the regular ones so it's not an easy decision if you are looking to install a regular sized P90. A5 have more attack to my ears and better suited to driven sounds.
Good job! I'm gonna write what I heard before reading the comments below so that I won't be influenced: honestly I could barely tell the difference between them. There are clearly more highs on the Alnico 5 ones but you have to be actively looking to distinguish in order to hear. I feel the Alnico 2 are very slightly duller on the high frequencies so it gives the impression that they're more "balanced" in terms of highs, mids and lows. By the way: I'm watching this because I would like more early 50's chime (T-Bone Walker and other blues cats of that era) on the neck P-90 of a ealry 2010's Epiphone les paul special. I have a somewhat "bipolar goal" of having T-Bone Walker's neck pickup tone in the neck and Tony Iommi's tone on the bridge. 😁
It helped that the a5’s had lower impedance also.. Impedance to magnetic flux ratio of the 5 was crisper.. Had the 5 been balanced with several less turns then smoothness and attack would have been a better blend.. leaving the Amp to the volume..
Alnico 2 has that rude midrange, soft lows, and muted highs. A5 has strong lows, sharp highs, and the mids sucked out. For my money, the A2 is richer sounding.
@@heythere6983 Pickup construction and tonewood definitely plays a part. I once had an all mahogany LP that sounded absolutely muddy with a2, and awesome with a5 and ceramic.
I prefers A2 just a little over A5 but it is out of stock right now . I could go with A5 , It delivers more clarity over stock but I have two questions What about tone in pos 2,3,4 after replacing stock humbuker with P90 single coil ? Did you get 60 cycles buzz in neck pickup position ? REGARDS
Hello, I also prefer A2 and I kept it in this guitar :) Currently positions 2 and 4 works same way as position 3, I was not using 2 and 4 much and didn't wanted to replace switch from 5pos to 3pos. Yes, you can hear a little buzz on neck now, especially on high gains but it's not annoying for me :)
so many variables. it would help to know the source for distortion. The cleans were very dynamic, low no compression and thin with a2. The could be solved with hotter a2 or compressor or boost or several gain stage pedals and or amp volume - power tube compression. I don't know the wood in the guitar or the source for the dist. gtr, but the a2 sounded better by a mile on chords... single notes might have thin high E - the A5 always is great for soloing but the volume rolled to 8 or less distortion with this pick on chords for sure.
I have those humbucker sized p90 on a neck position on two guitars. A2 has more character and generaly more preasing sound. I don't like p90 sound on a bridge position, like many other people.
Thankyou so much for posting this...you are a great musician...2 sounds better on the cleans to me...but with compressed or driven tones...some highs get lost and they get darker. Maybe better to use 5s and cock the volume or tone to cut some sharpness on cleans and still have a fuller spectrum available for compressed or driven tones...or even when rolling the volume way back to spank a backing rhythm that's not too dominating w/o attenuating a narrower pickup spectrum... Listening back w/o looking to notice the differences. I do like the 2s but can't add those highs...i can cut them from the 5s though. They both have good qualities...but are definitely different. I like the woody tone of your guitar...maybe a lacquer finish ???chambered??? or a very select airy sounding wood...wondering if those are gently potted pups...hollowish tones In a good way Anyway...great vocal tone on that guitar. Listening again...they favor different places on you fret board too...so I guess it would depend a lot on the player and the guitar...very voicy pups.
Thank you very much for this comment! Personally I prefer A2 in neck position but for bridge I will choose A5 because of those highs you mentioned. Regarding guitar (I don't have her anymore) body was swamp ash, without chambering, all together was nicely resonating. Now I sold this Cort and bought HB Fusion II with roasted maple neck and will search for good pickups for her :)
Great sound, though I still prefer the soapbar... I have had these humbucker sized ones, but it is all up for tastes.... Anyway your sound is impressive
Give alnico 4 a chance, more balanced than A5 and A2, somewhere in between strength wise too ;-) Iron Gear Blues engines are a nice entry point for Alnico 4 humbuckers.
Czy polecasz VTONE VH-90C jako przyzwoite jakościowo przetworniki? Chciałbym rozjaśnić brzmienie humbuckera w pozycji neck i przybliżyć troche brzmienie do Stratowego singla. Mógłbyś mi doradzić czy VTONE VH-90C podoła temu zadaniu? Myślałem też nad SD Phat Cat, ale kiedyś miałem i nie był zbyt jasny w brzmieniu - miał mega dużo środka - nie był zły, ale szukam czegoś jaśniejszego w rozmiarze humbuckera.
Zdecydowanie polecam VH90C, po ten jak odkryłem ten pickup specjalnie zamawiałem otwór na humba w moim tele żeby mieć go pod gryfem :) Świetnie brzmi, ma to okrągłe jasne brzmienie jak single neck
@@grzesiekkulpa8735 a jeszcze pytanko... alnico 2 czy 5 polecałbyś do tego co pisałem wyżej? Słuchałem porównania na słuchawkach, ale nie mogę się nadal zdecydować
Alnico 2 and 5 sound very close at clean, but overdrive, 2 sounds a bit darker and dirtier where the 5 sounds cleaner and brighter. I'd probably go with the 2's if I'm refitting a vintage guitar and the 5's for a modern guitar.
Over all I'd stick with A2, however, for "crunchy" tones I think the A5" was a bit better. Considering I don't play "crunchy" or distorted music the A2 is by far my personal choice. Love them! I get more than enough crunchy from my LP with Seymour Duncan A2 "Pearly Gates" Humbuckers.
I’ve always preferred A2 humbuckers and listening to this I think it’s the same with the P90 for the same reasons. The highs can be brought up or down with the amp tone stack but there’s something in the mids that A2 has that’s just sweet and smoky to me.
and natural and interactive
copy an paste much? you say the something on every pickup video. clown
Respect friend. This demonstrates what I have experienced. Good job!
in clean tones, variations with the tone button gives the same brigthness
but in saturation, the alnico II is deeper, more balnced and defined as the alnico 5 frequencies are harsh !
Loved this comparison. Thanks for posting.
I could 'pick up' on mid range level differences.
I'd say A2 creamier, A5 more punchy.
I have ordered the Harley Benton cst 24 kit, and a bunch of parts off aliexpress to tinker with the project, on their way.
I went with the Donlis Alnico 2 jobbies. I'll post a video down the line, and remember to tag you in it when the project is done.
Very helpful video. Good pickin.
A2 cleans are like frosty, fresh and clear morning. A5 cleans are like sultry noon.
Thanks for the video. Alnico 2 is more in the "spirit" of a P90 to my ears... A french musician.
The alnico 5's sounded brighter in crunch and distortion tones, but the alnico 2's seemed warmer and more vintage.
I like the 2's better. If I wanted to shred I probably wouldn't choose a P90 in the first place.
The BEST comparation....❤
Thanks! :)
Interesting comparison. HB sized P90s are different than the regular ones so it's not an easy decision if you are looking to install a regular sized P90. A5 have more attack to my ears and better suited to driven sounds.
A2 better for clean tones and A5 for dirty tones
A5 for a dark guitar that needs brightening up, or if you’re doing contemporary metal stuff. A2 for everything else 😃
Good job! I'm gonna write what I heard before reading the comments below so that I won't be influenced: honestly I could barely tell the difference between them. There are clearly more highs on the Alnico 5 ones but you have to be actively looking to distinguish in order to hear. I feel the Alnico 2 are very slightly duller on the high frequencies so it gives the impression that they're more "balanced" in terms of highs, mids and lows. By the way: I'm watching this because I would like more early 50's chime (T-Bone Walker and other blues cats of that era) on the neck P-90 of a ealry 2010's Epiphone les paul special. I have a somewhat "bipolar goal" of having T-Bone Walker's neck pickup tone in the neck and Tony Iommi's tone on the bridge. 😁
I had same thoughts when comparing those 2 :D
It helped that the a5’s had lower impedance also..
Impedance to magnetic flux ratio of the 5 was crisper..
Had the 5 been balanced with several less turns then smoothness and attack would have been a better blend.. leaving the Amp to the volume..
Alnico 2 has that rude midrange, soft lows, and muted highs. A5 has strong lows, sharp highs, and the mids sucked out. For my money, the A2 is richer sounding.
donlis pickups, some of them, are made as hybrid, so fat strings (strat single coil) are a5, and thiner strings are a2, great thing
@@VanjaSpirin Dónde puedo conseguirla en Aliexpress para una Strato?
Maple fretboard suck out midrange too. On a rosewood board mids would be clearer .gibson p90 Guitar’s def don’t lack thick mids
@@heythere6983 Pickup construction and tonewood definitely plays a part. I once had an all mahogany LP that sounded absolutely muddy with a2, and awesome with a5 and ceramic.
Thanks. It was interesing)
How about Alnico 2 neck and alnico 5 bridge...or vice versa?
Thankyou for posting this.
I prefer the equalizer on my setup That way I can have both :)
Yes there are many ways to achieve desired tone :)
🤘
How do these compare to Alnico 3 and 4?
I prefers A2 just a little over A5 but it is out of stock right now .
I could go with A5 , It delivers more clarity over stock but I have two questions
What about tone in pos 2,3,4 after replacing stock humbuker with P90 single coil ?
Did you get 60 cycles buzz in neck pickup position ?
REGARDS
Hello, I also prefer A2 and I kept it in this guitar :) Currently positions 2 and 4 works same way as position 3, I was not using 2 and 4 much and didn't wanted to replace switch from 5pos to 3pos. Yes, you can hear a little buzz on neck now, especially on high gains but it's not annoying for me :)
You change the pickups yourself? How you make a comparison that fast
Ye, changed them by myself, whole video took me about one hour
so many variables. it would help to know the source for distortion. The cleans were very dynamic, low no compression and thin with a2. The could be solved with hotter a2 or compressor or boost or several gain stage pedals and or amp volume - power tube compression. I don't know the wood in the guitar or the source for the dist. gtr, but the a2 sounded better by a mile on chords... single notes might have thin high E - the A5 always is great for soloing but the volume rolled to 8 or less distortion with this pick on chords for sure.
My winning combo is a 7k alnico 5 neck humbucker (Dimarzio EJ Custom) and an 8.2k alnico 2 (Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates) for the bridge.
Great demo!
Im going to get A5, but in this video I hear A2 more clean sound. I think A5 is for more crunch and powerful sound, but for price of clean tone.
I have those humbucker sized p90 on a neck position on two guitars. A2 has more character and generaly more preasing sound. I don't like p90 sound on a bridge position, like many other people.
🤘
Thank you 👍
Thankyou so much for posting this...you are a great musician...2 sounds better on the cleans to me...but with compressed or driven tones...some highs get lost and they get darker. Maybe better to use 5s and cock the volume or tone to cut some sharpness on cleans and still have a fuller spectrum available for compressed or driven tones...or even when rolling the volume way back to spank a backing rhythm that's not too dominating w/o attenuating a narrower pickup spectrum... Listening back w/o looking to notice the differences. I do like the 2s but can't add those highs...i can cut them from the 5s though. They both have good qualities...but are definitely different. I like the woody tone of your guitar...maybe a lacquer finish ???chambered??? or a very select airy sounding wood...wondering if those are gently potted pups...hollowish tones In a good way
Anyway...great vocal tone on that guitar.
Listening again...they favor different places on you fret board too...so I guess it would depend a lot on the player and the guitar...very voicy pups.
Thank you very much for this comment! Personally I prefer A2 in neck position but for bridge I will choose A5 because of those highs you mentioned. Regarding guitar (I don't have her anymore) body was swamp ash, without chambering, all together was nicely resonating. Now I sold this Cort and bought HB Fusion II with roasted maple neck and will search for good pickups for her :)
@@grzesiekkulpa8735 but I did notice on power chords higher up the neck the 5s got a sweeter mid honk.
Yes...that body definitely resonates.
alnico 2 bridge alnico 5 neck ?? what do you thing dude
It could be good choice since bridge position is brighter and neck darker sounding :)
Alnico II all way
Does the vtone p90 makes hum like single coils? Or it is noiseless like a normal humbucker when used with distortion?
Hello, You can hear some hum on P90 like on single coils
Great sound, though I still prefer the soapbar... I have had these humbucker sized ones, but it is all up for tastes.... Anyway your sound is impressive
thanks for comment! :)
All sounds good.
is donlis ?
Donlis-aliexpress
A2 wins all categories for me.
Nice video 👍👍👍
Thanks!
As a metal guitarist trying to expand my views I want to like A2 but I just don't... Gonna go with some SD '59 (A5). Awesome video! Thanks a ton! :)
Thanks! Anyway, it's worth to have one guitar in collections for clean tones with A2 :D
Give alnico 4 a chance, more balanced than A5 and A2, somewhere in between strength wise too ;-) Iron Gear Blues engines are a nice entry point for Alnico 4 humbuckers.
@@grzesiekkulpa8735 Oh for sure! :D
probaj donlis pickupe. bolji od duncana a duplo jeftinjiji. moj izbor je a2 za neck i clean i a5 za bridge i drive. preporučam :)
A5 ballsy grit!👍
A2 are not for everyone. A5 versatile can't go wrong
dają radę,całkiem konkretne.
Każdy coś dla siebie znajdzie :)
@@grzesiekkulpa8735 dokładnie😁
What app are you using to measure strength and orientation of the magnets?
Hi, its Sensors Multitool app for android
Just Adjust the EQ of the Amp, the height and tilt of the pickup, no need to buy new pickups or magnets
What pot values? 250? 300? or 500k?
Hello, 500k stock pots
👍🇺🇸❤250K are way better than 500k .....rolls off some highs for a sweeter natural tone & feel👍
@@davidbuzzin426 it's crazy how pot values effect a pickups tone .
@@smokepeddler🤓 it sure does 250k...rules 👍
Czy polecasz VTONE VH-90C jako przyzwoite jakościowo przetworniki? Chciałbym rozjaśnić brzmienie humbuckera w pozycji neck i przybliżyć troche brzmienie do Stratowego singla. Mógłbyś mi doradzić czy VTONE VH-90C podoła temu zadaniu? Myślałem też nad SD Phat Cat, ale kiedyś miałem i nie był zbyt jasny w brzmieniu - miał mega dużo środka - nie był zły, ale szukam czegoś jaśniejszego w rozmiarze humbuckera.
Zdecydowanie polecam VH90C, po ten jak odkryłem ten pickup specjalnie zamawiałem otwór na humba w moim tele żeby mieć go pod gryfem :) Świetnie brzmi, ma to okrągłe jasne brzmienie jak single neck
@@grzesiekkulpa8735 Dzięki 😀 A przy okazji... super porównanie i świetną masz technikę gry - gratulacje 😀
@@grzesiekkulpa8735 a jeszcze pytanko... alnico 2 czy 5 polecałbyś do tego co pisałem wyżej? Słuchałem porównania na słuchawkach, ale nie mogę się nadal zdecydować
@@wowson75 ja osobiście preferuje A2, A5 ma minimalnie więcej góry ale basu też, A2 gra bardziej środkiem :)
I can't see a huge diference.
What's your recording setup?
It is really simple: guitar - > Headrush Gigboard - > PC with Reaper :)
What string gauge do you use?
I use Elixir 10-52 for all my 6 string guitars :)
@@grzesiekkulpa8735 interesting, heavy bottom?
To my ear...not enough difference to make a big deal about!
Alnico 2 all the way, for everything, for life
Alnico 2 4ever!)
It’s personal taste but I think A2 kicks A5’s butt
👍🇺🇸❤A2
I also prefer A2 :)
A5 is more snappy.
2:41 2:58
5's sound best except in the first excerpt. The 2's were better there.
Thanks for comment, I prefer A2 which is little softer
Alnico 2 and 5 sound very close at clean, but overdrive, 2 sounds a bit darker and dirtier where the 5 sounds cleaner and brighter. I'd probably go with the 2's if I'm refitting a vintage guitar and the 5's for a modern guitar.
Hi, well I prefer alnico 5
Over all I'd stick with A2, however, for "crunchy" tones I think the A5" was a bit better. Considering I don't play "crunchy" or distorted music the A2 is by far my personal choice. Love them! I get more than enough crunchy from my LP with Seymour Duncan A2 "Pearly Gates" Humbuckers.
This use real amp or amp simulator? The sound bold
AMP simulation from Headrush Gigboard
Blues alnico 2 , more drive alnico 5
Alnico v
Alnico 2 Is more round. Jazz tone
5 na OD większy pazur pokazują
dokładnie tak też to słyszę :D
#2, warmer sound in clean, not metal.
Alnico 2 defo better
when a string touch a fret : horrible sound ,withe alnico II or 5 . Too bad
There's like no difference lol.
what guitar is this / looks very nice / I bought A2s today for neck Tele, to be honest I cant tell much difference between them
It is Cort G290 FAT :)