TopHat 2-vs-Habenero 2

[JLH]

Sorry, I do not have the ability to give you sound clips so, you will have to just take it from this:

Guitar: 2001 Custom Shop R9, flame top, 9 lbs
Electronics: RS super pots, CTS tone pots, 500 K + Vitamin Q .022/.015 Caps, wired 50's style
Amp: Marshall 100 SLP/4/12 greenbax

Habenero 2's have the Habenero sizzle or smooth grind we have all come to know and really appreciate with the Habenero design/wind, the H2's hit the front of the amp just as expected, are just a little softer than the H5 due to magnet. These pickups are A2 heaven as they have great clarity, dynamics with very nice tight lows, not a lot of mids and smooth singing highs.The pickups however are not dark in any way

The Tophat 2's were also very nice, not as soft , They feel or IMO have more mid's than the Hab 2's and that is the biggest difference in these two pickups. They actually IMO get more of the SLASH edge "if I dare use the name" than the Habenero 2's, think (Night Train). They also have great clarity, not as smooth and therefore the highs are a little less bell tone like.These pickups also are not dark in anyway.

[b-squared]

Thanks for the review!

BB

[5F6-A]

thank you for your review.... **** are great. My AIV hab is a beast lurking in the forest waiting to wail... sweet and smooth or wild and unpredictable, it can handle it all.

[JLH]

Well, the Habenero's are really the one pickup that can handle it all, 2's, 4's,5's, your magnet choice. My all time favorites are the Hab 5's.
I would like to check out a 4
And thanks for the thanks

[captcoolaid]

Originally Posted by JLH

Well, the Habenero's are really the one pickup that can handle it all, 2's, 4's,5's, your magnet choice. My all time favorites are the Hab 5's.
I would like to check out a 4
And thanks for the thanks

Mee too! Good review. I agree with what you say 100%. The Top Hats and the **** are 2 cool different monsters.

That was informative ,Thanks More people should post stuff like this

[FLICKOFLASH]

[Kickstand]

How do the Hab 2's differe tonally from the Hab 5's?

[JLH]

"Tonally", Great question.Believe it or not, the Habenero 5's are configured or wound in a way that smooths out the typically edgy Alnico 5 Magnet, therefore the reason this pickup is IMO the baddest after market pickup I have ever tried ( and that is a bunch$$$$). Check out the "Tone Quest" report on these, they loved these pups and they are truly as unbiased and as "terse" as it gets.
So, The Hab 5's have the Balls that really rock the front end of your amp with no evidence of any A5 edge that can fatigue your ( and the audience) ear.

The Alnico 2's have the same wind however, the tone is all A2 and therefore has that characteristic mid that does not hit the front of the amp as hard , they are very singing or bell tone and smooth, just do not jump out or hit as hard like The Hab a A5.

The difference is in the magnet if i am correct, ( ask WB) and so it is as simple as that.
The difference to me is how well the Habenero pickup works with the A5, The Hab 5 is like no other Alnico five I have ever tried.

I have a guitar with both Hab 2's and Hab 5's, it is the best of both worlds

[SKATTERBRANE]

I have heard it said that Hab 2's and T.H. 2's have never been seen together at the same time.

[Big John]

Ha!

[JLH]

There is a sighting here in the East. Seen it with my own two eyes, I hate double black coils, Ha!

[Kickstand]

Is it possible to try a different magnet in the ****?

[JLH]

My intention is not to take anything away from the TH 2, Hab 2 or Hab 5. They are all badass pups, They are in Les Pauls that I own, I like them all!!!!
Most of us have a favorite pickup that just has a special MOJO that is just special, I have a Hab 5 that is just that. It is great to be able to have a choice based on a gig, a song or a mood, Hab 2, Hab 5, the best of both worlds. Everyone should have a guitar with each!