Problems with my set of Seth Lovers - Need help!

[johan]

Just bought a '96 Hamer Artist Customs which comes stock with Seth Lovers. The previous owner used different set of pick-ups. He put a set in prior to shipping. I opened her up today and the neck pickup is from 96 (like the guitar) but the bridge unit is from 2002. I guess that shouldn't be any problem. (See pic)



Plugged in I could immediately hear a BIG difference. Neck pickup sounds full and fat - like expected. BUT the bridge pickup is weak and thin. What's the problem? I unsoldered the pickups and measured them. The neck measures 7.5k Ohm and the bridge 7.2k Ohm according to my "digimeter".
I thought the bridge should be closer to 8.1kOhm (Duncan specs).

I've checked the solder joints and the pots and they all seem ok.

Any ideas????

- Johan
Sweden

[Benjy_26]

Re: Problems with my set of Seth Lovers - Need help!

I do beleive that you have two neck pickups in your axe. Judging from the resistance values, and if you intend to keep both of these pickups in your guitar, I would put the one that is currently in the neck, at the bridge, and the one that is now at the bridge I would put it in the neck. This should give you a bit more balance than you have now.


BTW, beautiful guitar, man.

[johan]

Re: Problems with my set of Seth Lovers - Need help!

What I thought...but then again the sticker says SH55B. Should be a bridge pickup. Easy to swap the sticker though. If they are both neck pickups I'll probably look into something else.

[Jeff_H]

Re: Problems with my set of Seth Lovers - Need help!

That is interesting. The sticker clearly indicates it's a bridge model. It could simply be that it was mislabled at the factory. I highly recommend putting the hotter neck model in the bridge before you decide to try something else. I used a 59(n) in the bridge position of one of my guitars for quite some time, and I really liked the result....so you may be plesantly suprised as well. I can't remember who told me this, maybe Evan or Jeremy, but I believe Seymour himself is known to use a neck bucker in the bridge slot from time to time.

Must be something to it if the man himself does it.

[johan]

Re: Problems with my set of Seth Lovers - Need help!

I'll do just that. Bridge pup in neck and neck pup in bridge. That will answer alot of questions I hope. May be a mislabled bridge pickup. Thanks guys!

[John Wymore]

Re: Problems with my set of Seth Lovers - Need help!

I have never seen a Seth bridge that measures below 7.9 so it's likely your pickup is labeled incorrectly or has other issues.

While swapping the location will help you some I highly doubt you will be totally happy with 7.5K in the bridge either. Switching is a worthwhile experiment but I feel you will be happier if you make the move and get a true bridge pickup in there.

[Jeffrec]

Re: Problems with my set of Seth Lovers - Need help!

I agree with Black Rose. My Seths register in the "8's I think. If you switch the pups prior to getting a new bridge Seth, try raising the height for the time being an dsee if that helps with the output and tone. However, getting a new pup will be the real answer.

Good luck,

Jeff

[Thames]

Re: Problems with my set of Seth Lovers - Need help!

Nice axe Johan... really nice!