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    Categories>Technology>Slash Signature Pickups: APH-1 vs. APH-2 Comparison

    Slash Signature Pickups: APH-1 vs. APH-2 Comparison

    18 min
    |
    |
    May 7, 2026
    TechnologyHistoryEducation

    Explore the differences between Slash's signature APH-1 and APH-2 pickups. Learn how these Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro sets define his iconic classic rock tone.

    Slash Signature Pickups: APH-1 vs. APH-2 Comparison

    Best quote from Slash Signature Pickups: APH-1 vs. APH-2 Comparison

    “

    Your guitar is a system. The pickups are just the messengers. You have to listen to what the wood is saying first.

    ”

    This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

    Input question

    I want to know everything about apt-1 pickups for a Les Paul

    Host voices
    Lenaplay
    Milesplay
    Learning style
    Deep
    Knowledge sources
    Seymour Duncan Inside The Alnico II Pro Slash Signature Set - Seymour Duncan
    link
    https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/latest-updates/inside-the-alnico-ii-pro-slash-signature-set
    Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro, APH-1 and TBAPH-1 – GuitarPickups.xyz
    link
    https://www.guitarpickups.xyz/products/seymour-duncan-alnico-ii-pro-aph-1-and-tbaph-1
    ... | Seymour Duncan Forums
    link
    https://forum.seymourduncan.com/forum/the-pickup-lounge/6238568-duncan-pickup-history-when-was-the-aph-1-introduced
    Pickup Comparison Chart - Seymour Duncan
    link
    https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/latest-updates/pickup-comparison-chart
    What's the difference between the Alnico II Pro and the Slash model? | Seymour Duncan Forums
    link
    https://forum.seymourduncan.com/threads/whats-the-difference-between-the-alnico-ii-pro-and-the-slash-model.211994/
    Alnico 2 Pro's vs. AP2 Slash Signature Pups | My Les Paul Forum
    link
    https://www.mylespaul.com/threads/alnico-2-pros-vs-ap2-slash-signature-pups.139325/

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The APH-1, known as the Alnico II Pro, is the legendary pickup that Slash used in his handmade replica guitar to record his biggest hits. The APH-2 is the official Slash Signature set designed to replicate that specific magic. While both focus on a classic rock vibe rather than the high-output trends of the 1980s, the APH-2 is specifically tuned to capture the nuances of the gear used on his most famous recordings.

    During the mid-1980s, most guitarists used high-output pickups and neon, pointy guitars for a saturated shred tone. Slash moved in a different direction by using a vintage-style Les Paul equipped with Alnico II Pro pickups. This choice allowed him to bring a classic rock sensibility back to hard rock, favoring a tone that sounded like it was unearthed from a different era rather than following the 'hotter is better' trend.

    If you are looking to capture the specific magic of Slash's sound, both the APH-1 and the APH-2 Slash Signature set are excellent choices. The APH-1 is the original model found in his famous recording replica, while the APH-2 is a dedicated signature version. Both Seymour Duncan models utilize Alnico II magnets to provide the warm, vintage-style output necessary for achieving that iconic hard rock sound found on his classic albums.

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    Key Takeaways

    1

    The Day the Pointy Guitars Met Their Match

    2

    The Music Store Discovery and the Rise of Alnico II

    2:11
    2:30
    2:48
    2:53
    3:12
    3:29
    3:45
    4:01
    3

    The Mystery of the Derrig Replica

    4:14
    4:27
    4:43
    4:57
    5:12
    5:29
    5:41
    5:52
    4

    Under the Hood of the Slash Signature APH-2

    6:09
    6:25
    6:38
    6:43
    7:07
    4:01
    7:44
    7:59
    8:09
    5

    The Magnet Magic: APH-1 vs. The Jazz

    8:21
    8:34
    8:47
    4:01
    9:13
    9:28
    9:45
    9:58
    10:13
    6

    Tonal Landscapes: Cleans, Crunch, and Lead

    10:24
    10:37
    10:53
    10:58
    11:14
    11:21
    11:36
    4:01
    12:06
    7

    The Weight Relief Factor: Choosing Your Set

    12:14
    12:27
    12:39
    4:01
    12:55
    13:06
    13:20
    13:39
    14:01
    8

    Your Les Paul Playbook: How to Decide

    14:09
    14:20
    14:36
    14:51
    15:04
    15:24
    15:40
    16:04
    9

    Finding Your Own Voice in the Slash Legacy

    16:19
    16:37
    16:53
    4:01
    17:17
    17:27
    17:40
    17:45
    17:52

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