Aero Instrument Level 2
(Humbucker)
Submitted at: 9:41, 4/26/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: Humbucker, Passive
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: N/A used
Purchased from: Was already on the guitar
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Charvel 1983
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Don;t know what was in the guitar prior to this.
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Shred
Reason for pickup change:
Sound
Perceived output level: Similar to PAF
Tone: Well balanced, lots of charactor, sustain, bell like highs, very articulate.
Sonic evaluation: I have a Framus Cobra (high gain boutique amp) with 2 - twin 12" Bag End speakers. These are the best PAF style pick ups I have heard. I have had many Seymour Duncans, Dimarzios, Bill Lawrence, Gibson Dirty Fingers and many original pups that came with various guitars.
This is the ultimate PAF. Does not color the sound of the guitar at all - lets the wood tones come through.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play fast and slow melodic shred with lots of complicated runs and arpeggios. This pup is suitable for either neck or bridge depending upon what sound you like. I have this in the bridge position since I have only one pickup on this particular guitar.
Overall Rating
Comments: Not only would I buy another one, I am buying 2 more for a custom guitar that I am having made by Jackson. I have been playing 30 years and owned numerous guitars with all different kinds of pick ups.
This pick up is fantastic. Sustain, articulation, etc...
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted at: 22:38, 1/29/2002
Product Info
Pickup features: Typical PAF style pickup. Reverse Zebra Bobbins
Impedence or other specs: I don't know, must be about 8 or 9 k.
Price Paid: N/A
Purchased from: Got it from a close friend who was switching to using only Strats from Les Pauls
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Duncan Antiquity
Other pickups on guitar: Gibson 490
Artists using this pickup: I haven't the slightest idea.
You musical style(s): Classic Rock
Reason for pickup change: The Antiquity seemed nice sounding, but it sqeauled all the time when run through a high gain amp, or even a loud low gain amp.
Sound
Perceived output level: I'd say a little more output than the Antiquity
Tone: Really well balanced and full without any mud or clutter. It possess a tonal quality that is hard to describe, but wonderful to behold to one's ears.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a 1960 Les Paul that someone removed the original pickups from a long time ago. They were replaced with DiMarzio PAFs, but that really didn't give the me the sound I felt the guitar deserved to possess. I am playing it through a Bogner Shiva amplifier.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It would seem that this pickup is good for all style that I play, from classic top forty, to more modern styles. Turn down the tone control, and it's jazz city. Full, bouyant and warm, with plenty of punchiness.
Overall Rating
Comments: I am sure I would buy it again it it were stolen, but I think, considering the value of the guitar it's in, the theif would probably just steal the guitar, regardless of what pickups are in it.
I've been plaing about 37 years, and have a large collection of vintage guitars and amps, as well as some of the modern boutique varieties like the Bogner.
I really love the way this pickup brings out the best in the woodtone of the guitar. There's such a depth in the sound that the previous pickup sounded flat and sterile by comparison. It compliments the Gibson 490 in the neck quite well, when run ala Peter Greene together and out of phase with it, and when switching from one to the other. The notes sustain very nicely and billow slightly a few moments after they are picked. The transition into the harmonics is very smooth and adds another dimension to one's playing, and when it happens, one has transcended into that ethereal world of the sonic bliss that only sweet sounding controlled feedback can bring one to.
There's nothing to hate about these pickups.
Well, I obviously compared it to the Antiquities, the DiMarzio PAFs, but I also tested it against the Fralins I have another LP, and even though every guitar has it's own signature in it's tone, I had breifly installed the Fralin pickups in my 60 LP to see if they would suffice.
Needless to say, neither the bridge or neck Fralin did the trick for my ears in that guitar. I am considering trying to get another one for the neck position of my guitar, but the 490 R really seems to belong there.
I chose this one because in my buddies Gibson it sounded so beautiful, soaringly musical and sweet, that I begged him to let me put it in my vintage LP before he sold his humbucker equiped guitars. He was happy with the DiMarzios in return, and also traded the 490 as well. This pickup has given me more than the sound I was looking for. It has made playing much more of a soul satisfying pleasure to me than it already was.
I don't what else to say, except that it's like having a beautiful AND intelligent woman for your wife and being in love forever.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Monte
Submitted at: 14:37, 3/15/2001
Product Info
Pickup features: PAF type humbucker...passive...6 screws and 6 slugs.Zebra
Impedence or other specs: 8.23k
Price Paid: US $$125
Purchased from: Aero Instrument
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: 83 Charvel San Dimas
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: SD Full Shred, Anderson H-3, SD Screamin" Demon
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ????
You musical style(s): Rock/metal
Reason for pickup change: The old pickup was cool..but it's a Duncan
Sound
Perceived output level: Better than any Fralin,Duncan, Anderson, DiMarzio I have used.
Tone: Perfect...balanced..the notes bloom..sustain forever..seeet but not shrill..harmonics are better than any other pickup I've used..The perfect PAF tone...just like a real 59 Gibson...but like one of the best 59 gibsons. Smooth, articulate, very good note definition...not muddy...I am awestruck.
Sonic evaluation: This is a Charvel with an alder body and maple/rosewood neck. The amps are a rack system and a Soldano 100 watt head.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup is amazing...any style. It blew away the Bardens.
Overall Rating
Comments: I'd get a new one right away. I've been playing over 20 years, but the guy who's guitar it went in has been playing 30 years. This is the best PAF style pickup I have ever used, and I've used all of them.
I am recommending it to all the working pro players I am associated with, who are searching for that perfect PAF sound. I wouldn't suggest that non-pros buy it..(Aero Instruments is not a mass producer)..unless they want to have the best sound that no-one hears. I have a level 3 model as well...it's a bit louder, but not as PAF sounding..it's more open sounding, more like a Bill Lawrence 500, but with a better low end, and a little less articulate on the bass strings, due to the bigger low end.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value