What is the primary purpose of the Slash Alnico II Pro Set?

It is designed to give a player's various guitars the exact tone of Slash's legendary recording instrument used on Appetite for Destruction.

What does 'Zebra' refer to in this product name?

Zebra refers to the visual appearance of the pickup coils, where one coil is black and the other is cream.

Which magnets are used in these pickups?

These pickups use Alnico II magnets, which provide a warmer, smoother tone compared to Alnico V.

Is this a single pickup or a pair?

This is a complete set including both the neck and bridge position pickups.

What is the typical price for this set in the UK?

The set typically retails for approximately £291.

Can these be installed in any guitar?

They are designed for humbucker-routed guitars, most commonly solid-body single-cutaway models like the Les Paul.

How does the bridge pickup differ from the standard APH-1?

The Slash signature bridge pickup is wound with slightly more output to provide more drive and sustain.

Do these pickups include covers?

No, the Zebra version features exposed coils without metal covers.

What kind of wiring do these pickups use?

They typically feature traditional single-conductor braided shield lead wire.

Are these pickups suitable for metal?

While they can handle high gain, they are voiced for classic hard rock and may lack the extreme output and tightness required for modern metal genres.

Who is the manufacturer of these pickups?

The pickups are manufactured by Seymour Duncan.

What is the tonal characteristic of the neck pickup?

The neck pickup is known for being warm and creamy with excellent sustain, ideal for fluid lead parts.

Gear article

Seymour Duncan Slash Alnico II Pro Pickup Set (APH-2)

The Seymour Duncan Slash Alnico II Pro Set is a pair of humbucking pickups designed to replicate the specific tonal characteristics of the 1986 Derrig Les Paul copy used by Slash during the recording of Appetite for Destruction. This specific 'Zebra' version features a distinctive aesthetic with one black and one cream coil per pickup. The set is engineered to provide the warmth and sustain necessary for Slash’s signature hard rock lead and rhythm tones.

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Background and Development

The development of the Slash Alnico II Pro set was driven by the guitarist's desire to achieve the exact sonic profile of his legendary recording instrument across his broader collection of live guitars. While Slash has used standard Alnico II Pro humbuckers for years, this specific signature set was voiced to match the unique output and EQ curve of the solid-body single-cut guitar used on his most famous studio recordings.

By standardising the pickups in his touring instruments to match his primary recording guitar, the set allows for consistent gain stages and frequency response regardless of the specific guitar being used on stage. The Zebra finish included in this set is a classic aesthetic choice that mirrors the look of vintage humbuckers without covers.

Technical Features and Design

The APH-2 set utilizes Alnico II bar magnets, which are known for a weaker magnetic pull compared to Alnico V, allowing the strings to vibrate more freely for increased sustain. Key technical specifications include:

Custom Winding: The bridge pickup is wound with a slightly higher output than the standard Alnico II Pro to provide the extra 'crunch' required for hard rock.
Construction: High-quality materials including a silver/nickel bottom plate and single-conductor braided lead wire.
Zebra Aesthetics: Exposed coils featuring a contrasting black and cream design.
Voicing: Specifically tuned to enhance the mid-range frequencies and provide a smooth high-end roll-off.

Sound Character

The primary characteristic of the Slash Alnico II Pro set is its 'sweet' and warm disposition. Unlike high-output ceramic pickups that can sound compressed or harsh, these pickups maintain a natural, open quality. The bridge pickup provides a punchy mid-range that helps lead lines cut through a dense mix, while the neck pickup is voiced for thick, buttery sustain that avoids becoming 'muddy' or indistinct. When played through a high-gain British-style amplifier, they produce the saturated, singing overdrive associated with late-80s rock.

Suitability and Applications

This pickup set is primarily intended for players using solid-body single-cutaway guitars who wish to emulate the 'Appetite' era tone. However, its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of genres beyond hard rock, including blues, jazz-fusion, and classic rock. It is best suited for players who rely on their volume knob to clean up their signal, as the Alnico II magnets respond dynamically to changes in input volume and picking intensity.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to the standard Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro (APH-1), the Slash signature set offers a slightly hotter bridge output and a different frequency response intended to make modern production guitars sound more like a vintage 1980s instrument. While other brands offer 'PAF-style' pickups, the Slash set is unique in its specific focus on a singular, famous recording tone. It sits at a higher price point than mass-produced generic humbuckers, reflecting its signature status and specialized winding process.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary purpose of the Slash Alnico II Pro Set?: It is designed to give a player's various guitars the exact tone of Slash's legendary recording instrument used on Appetite for Destruction.
What does 'Zebra' refer to in this product name?: Zebra refers to the visual appearance of the pickup coils, where one coil is black and the other is cream.
Which magnets are used in these pickups?: These pickups use Alnico II magnets, which provide a warmer, smoother tone compared to Alnico V.
Is this a single pickup or a pair?: This is a complete set including both the neck and bridge position pickups.
What is the typical price for this set in the UK?: The set typically retails for approximately £291.
Can these be installed in any guitar?: They are designed for humbucker-routed guitars, most commonly solid-body single-cutaway models like the Les Paul.
How does the bridge pickup differ from the standard APH-1?: The Slash signature bridge pickup is wound with slightly more output to provide more drive and sustain.
Do these pickups include covers?: No, the Zebra version features exposed coils without metal covers.
What kind of wiring do these pickups use?: They typically feature traditional single-conductor braided shield lead wire.
Are these pickups suitable for metal?: While they can handle high gain, they are voiced for classic hard rock and may lack the extreme output and tightness required for modern metal genres.
Who is the manufacturer of these pickups?: The pickups are manufactured by Seymour Duncan.
What is the tonal characteristic of the neck pickup?: The neck pickup is known for being warm and creamy with excellent sustain, ideal for fluid lead parts.