Ibanez AF151 & Ibanez PM2--Finish aside, They appear to be the same?

**Para** · 09-05-2014, 04:23 AM

I turned the pickup as an experiment it puts the pole pieces exactly under the 24th harmonic, Wes Montgomery did it on his L5, it does seem to change the sound slightly but that could be just imagination my ears aren't what they were once. The orientation of the humbuckers on Gibson guitars is because Seth Lover thought they looked better that way, originally he didn't want exposed pole pieces but Gibson overrode him.

**helios** · 09-06-2014, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Para

I turned the pickup as an experiment it puts the pole pieces exactly under the 24th harmonic, Wes Montgomery did it on his L5, it does seem to change the sound slightly but that could be just imagination my ears aren't what they were once. The orientation of the humbuckers on Gibson guitars is because Seth Lover thought they looked better that way, originally he didn't want exposed pole pieces but Gibson overrode him.

Hi,
I understand. I've tried the same experiment myself with other guitars. Jeff

**ooglybong** · 09-06-2014, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by helios

Hi Para, Now that you've reversed the pickup on your AF-151, it's going to sound like a PM2! Jeff

Not sure what you're getting at here, but maybe I'm missing something; the stock PM-2 has its polepieces nearer to the neck, so how might turning the pickup around make it then sound more like the PM-2?

Originally Posted by helios

Hi, I understand. I've tried the same experiment myself with other guitars. Jeff

What were the results of your experiments? Any or much appreciable difference? TIA....

**Para** · 09-06-2014, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by ooglybong

Not sure what you're getting at here, but maybe I'm missing something; the stock PM-2 has its polepieces nearer to the neck, so how might turning the pickup around make it then sound more like the PM-2?

What were the results of your experiments? Any or much appreciable difference? TIA....

@ooglybong The PM-2 has 22 frets the 151 has 20 so the pickup on the PM-2 is nearer the bridge, turning the pickup on the 151 has placed the pole pieces in approximately the same positon, I turned the pickup purely as an experiment because Wes Montgomery did it on his L5.

@helios I would be interested in hearing what you thought about turning the pickup when you tried it Jeff.

**helios** · 09-07-2014, 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by Para

@ooglybong The PM-2 has 22 frets the 151 has 20 so the pickup on the PM-2 is nearer the bridge, turning the pickup on the 151 has placed the pole pieces in approximately the same positon, I turned the pickup purely as an experiment because Wes Montgomery did it on his L5.

@helios I would be interested in hearing what you thought about turning the pickup when you tried it Jeff.

Hi,
I tried reversing the neck pickups on a Epi Byrdland and on a Warmoth L5S copy (in attached photo), not the AF-151. The neck pickup reversed wasn't overtly different in sound-perhaps a bit more treble bite. Both pickups together however sounded a little out of phase. I returned the orientation to stock mainly because my OCD was kicking in telling me it didn't look right.
Jeff

**Para** · 09-07-2014, 05:07 AM

I turned the pickup back for the same reason, it didn't look quite right, the slight increase in treble was probably what I heard as well. There shouldn't be a problem with phasing with 2 pickups by turning one, it doesn't alter the polarity of the magnets. Seth Lover said the orientation of the pickups was arbitrary they had the pole pieces opposing because he thought it looked better. Thats a nice looking trio especially the L5 copy.

**JefferySmith** · 09-11-2014, 11:42 PM

So did I. Huge markdown for a $1,300 guitar. Hope it is worth at least the paying price.

**Ghostlady** · 09-12-2014, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by helios

Hello,
The PM2 and the PM200 are both made in Japan? I notice that the price of the PM200 is about 3X ($3000+) the the price of the PM2. The AF151 & PM2 are priced about the same (around $1000) . This would lead me to think that only the PM200 is made in Japan. Best wishes, Jeff

No The PM2 is MIC, the PM200 is MIJ by Fujigen

**Para** · 09-12-2014, 06:29 AM

The AF151 is made in China.

**bohemian46** · 09-16-2014, 07:09 PM

I bought one from Sweetwater for my grandson to use in his high school Jazz band and jazz classes.
$519 including case and shipping. Arrived in great shape. Nice guitar. He is thrilled. It was a surprise.

I am tempted to get one for myself though I prefer blonde finishes.