Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
Yup. Edited my post as soon as I caught my mistake.
Yup. Edited my post as soon as I caught my mistake.
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20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
- Thread starter Scott Olson
- Start date
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
This January is the second time I will have ever gone to NAMM as I have no consistent means of going. And while I didn't get the chance last time, I vow to hug EVERY SINGLE SEYMOUR DUNCAN REPRESENTATIVE THERE, no matter how awkward it gets. That includes Mr. Duncan himself.
Didn't get to last time but I did snag a nifty pickup necklace from MJ that I still have actually. She shall be the first to receive a hug.
This January is the second time I will have ever gone to NAMM as I have no consistent means of going. And while I didn't get the chance last time, I vow to hug EVERY SINGLE SEYMOUR DUNCAN REPRESENTATIVE THERE, no matter how awkward it gets. That includes Mr. Duncan himself.
Didn't get to last time but I did snag a nifty pickup necklace from MJ that I still have actually. She shall be the first to receive a hug.
DreX
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
Supposedly Ken Parker sold Parker Guitars because he didn't want to deal with the business side of things anymore, and now he's back to being a one man show.
I didn't get the impression Seymour was heavy into product development lately, maybe this isn't even a secret, I don't know. I see/saw guys like Frank Falbo in YouTube videos talking about the Zephyr and P-Rails without mentioning Seymour specifically, and frankly, as a vintage leaning guy, they don't seem like the sort of offerings he'd be crazy about. OTOH I can appreciate stepping away from R&D after so many decades, if this is indeed the case. Most of the other pickups makers out there don't have half the product range of Seymour Duncan. I'd imagine a guy would have their personal taste in pickups that would drive the direction of their pickups offerings, but what do you do when you've satisfied all of your own personal wants and desires from a pickup? Like LtKojak alluded to, how do you make the perfect nu-metal offerings if you aren't personally passionate about nu-metal? Most of the other makers like Lollar or Fralin have a small, focused product lineup compared to Seymour Duncan, and I suspect any one person only has so many pickups in them before they're done.
I get the feeling Steve Blucher is responsible for most of the products that have come out of DiMarzio since the 90's. I bet Larry DiMarzio decided he had designed all the pickups he could ever personally feel passionate about, and needed outsource passion in order to carry on the brand.
Maybe there's a sense that there are no more holes in the vintage product lineup to be filled, but I'd still like to see some more lower output pickups from SD. Fender just came out with the Pure Vintage '56, '59 and '65. I have the previously released '54 and the new '59, and both are killer sets. How closely they relate to the pickups of those respective years is anyone's guess, but they sound distinct, and they're low output. The Five-Twos are interesting low output product, but I'd also like to see Two-Fives, where the A2 is on the bass side and A5 on the treble.
Supposedly Ken Parker sold Parker Guitars because he didn't want to deal with the business side of things anymore, and now he's back to being a one man show.
I didn't get the impression Seymour was heavy into product development lately, maybe this isn't even a secret, I don't know. I see/saw guys like Frank Falbo in YouTube videos talking about the Zephyr and P-Rails without mentioning Seymour specifically, and frankly, as a vintage leaning guy, they don't seem like the sort of offerings he'd be crazy about. OTOH I can appreciate stepping away from R&D after so many decades, if this is indeed the case. Most of the other pickups makers out there don't have half the product range of Seymour Duncan. I'd imagine a guy would have their personal taste in pickups that would drive the direction of their pickups offerings, but what do you do when you've satisfied all of your own personal wants and desires from a pickup? Like LtKojak alluded to, how do you make the perfect nu-metal offerings if you aren't personally passionate about nu-metal? Most of the other makers like Lollar or Fralin have a small, focused product lineup compared to Seymour Duncan, and I suspect any one person only has so many pickups in them before they're done.
I get the feeling Steve Blucher is responsible for most of the products that have come out of DiMarzio since the 90's. I bet Larry DiMarzio decided he had designed all the pickups he could ever personally feel passionate about, and needed outsource passion in order to carry on the brand.
Maybe there's a sense that there are no more holes in the vintage product lineup to be filled, but I'd still like to see some more lower output pickups from SD. Fender just came out with the Pure Vintage '56, '59 and '65. I have the previously released '54 and the new '59, and both are killer sets. How closely they relate to the pickups of those respective years is anyone's guess, but they sound distinct, and they're low output. The Five-Twos are interesting low output product, but I'd also like to see Two-Fives, where the A2 is on the bass side and A5 on the treble.
Evan Skopp
SDUGF Founder
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
Seymour's personal interests lie in passive pickups, mostly, but not all in the vintage realm. So that's where most of his inventions live.
As for nearly all other Seymour Duncan products (including active pickups, acoustic guitar pickups, amplifiers and pedals); they were designed by Kevin Beller and his team. And even the Seymour-designed pickups pass through Kevin and his team as they create assembly drawings, production procedures, bills of materials, and all other documents that allow those pickups to be manufactured consistently and with the same quality level for years to come. Plus Kevin and his team create the tools, jigs, and fixtures that allow those products to be built on the production floor. Kevin is a quiet guy and he shies away from the spotlight; but don't underestimate his role in the creation of nearly every SD product going back to Year One.
Have MJ make you a set.
Seymour's personal interests lie in passive pickups, mostly, but not all in the vintage realm. So that's where most of his inventions live.
As for nearly all other Seymour Duncan products (including active pickups, acoustic guitar pickups, amplifiers and pedals); they were designed by Kevin Beller and his team. And even the Seymour-designed pickups pass through Kevin and his team as they create assembly drawings, production procedures, bills of materials, and all other documents that allow those pickups to be manufactured consistently and with the same quality level for years to come. Plus Kevin and his team create the tools, jigs, and fixtures that allow those products to be built on the production floor. Kevin is a quiet guy and he shies away from the spotlight; but don't underestimate his role in the creation of nearly every SD product going back to Year One.
Have MJ make you a set.
DreX
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
I might yet, I've ordered over a dozen pickups from the custom shop now so I'm not anti-custom pickups, but I mean I'd like to see a two-five as a product offering, both because it's a counterpoint to the existing five-two, but also because if it breaks, or is lost/stolen, it's an off-the-shelf item.
I might yet, I've ordered over a dozen pickups from the custom shop now so I'm not anti-custom pickups, but I mean I'd like to see a two-five as a product offering, both because it's a counterpoint to the existing five-two, but also because if it breaks, or is lost/stolen, it's an off-the-shelf item.
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El Supremo
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
There's no Duncan PAF with an A4 magnet yet, whilst I've read many reports here that claim the '59 sounds best with that particular magnet (the neck version that is). I bet there'd be some interest for a dedicated A4 neck pickup as an alternative to the '59 neck with an A5.
There's no Duncan PAF with an A4 magnet yet, whilst I've read many reports here that claim the '59 sounds best with that particular magnet (the neck version that is). I bet there'd be some interest for a dedicated A4 neck pickup as an alternative to the '59 neck with an A5.
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
why would you want the 2/5 pup? ive done it and it doesnt sound that good. mushy wound strings and bright shrill plain strings. i wound the pup on an oval bobbin like youd find on an ssl3 so i could flip it over and test it both ways. 2 on the plain strings was the clear winner.
why would you want the 2/5 pup? ive done it and it doesnt sound that good. mushy wound strings and bright shrill plain strings. i wound the pup on an oval bobbin like youd find on an ssl3 so i could flip it over and test it both ways. 2 on the plain strings was the clear winner.
DreX
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
That would be awesome if they made the 5/2 a reversible bobbin. I just prefer warm lows and articulate highs, rather than the reverse. I listend the YouTube vids of the 5/2, and the wound strings did seem overly pronounced to my ears. I'll probably order it in reverse eventually, I like to taste test, I'm not on a quest for tonal perfection.
That would be awesome if they made the 5/2 a reversible bobbin. I just prefer warm lows and articulate highs, rather than the reverse. I listend the YouTube vids of the 5/2, and the wound strings did seem overly pronounced to my ears. I'll probably order it in reverse eventually, I like to taste test, I'm not on a quest for tonal perfection.
LtKojak
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
To me, a 2/5 design just makes no sense, not even as a neck p'up. An A2/A3 maybe is closer to what you're asking for... but I still think your idea is counter-intuitive.
HTH,
Drex, the 5/2 idea works brilliantly in the right context. My PRS SE EG has a 5/2 bridge p'up, where the other two are normal A5 single-coil p'ups. This formula takes away the inherent brittleness of the slanted design, without losing the "quack" and at the same time allowing me to use the slanted bridge p'up on its own, without the highs-induced teeth-ache of the slanted, A5 bridge p'up.
To me, a 2/5 design just makes no sense, not even as a neck p'up. An A2/A3 maybe is closer to what you're asking for... but I still think your idea is counter-intuitive.
HTH,
DreX
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
I have the SSL-1, Ant I and Ant II all in guitars, that pretty well covers the gradient of magnetic pull.
My major gripe with the Ant I, with it's weaker magnets, is that the higher strings are just too dark and lacking in presence, but I like that the bass strings are "bass", and not infringing on the higher strings' territory with their bright, harmonic content, as is the case with strong/bright SSL-1's.
It's ultimately comes down to preference, I won't tell you your ears are wrong or that your preferences make no sense, but I think if you're going to offer five-two, it makes sense to offer two-five since the precedent is already there, and if they had used the reversible bobbin, the product would already exist by default.
I have the SSL-1, Ant I and Ant II all in guitars, that pretty well covers the gradient of magnetic pull.
My major gripe with the Ant I, with it's weaker magnets, is that the higher strings are just too dark and lacking in presence, but I like that the bass strings are "bass", and not infringing on the higher strings' territory with their bright, harmonic content, as is the case with strong/bright SSL-1's.
It's ultimately comes down to preference, I won't tell you your ears are wrong or that your preferences make no sense, but I think if you're going to offer five-two, it makes sense to offer two-five since the precedent is already there, and if they had used the reversible bobbin, the product would already exist by default.
DreX
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
If they call it the '59 with an A4, a lot of guitarists might think "tiny difference, who cares", but if they take a page from Fender's play book and call it's the '58, that might attract some interest, suddenly it becomes a time machine. I'm a sucker, I'd go for it.
If they call it the '59 with an A4, a lot of guitarists might think "tiny difference, who cares", but if they take a page from Fender's play book and call it's the '58, that might attract some interest, suddenly it becomes a time machine. I'm a sucker, I'd go for it.
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
i can see the point of making the 5/2 on a different bobbin but as a stand alone pup i dont think it would be worth while since i doubt there is much of a market. it sounded really unbalanced. i basically only play live and your usage may vary but the top cut thru in a bad way and the bottom was almost non-existent in the mix.
one of the last times i was out in santa barbara seymour gave me some advice as to where to go for a hike in los padres, very beautiful. hes a wonderful man and i enjoy it everytime i get the chance to see him
i can see the point of making the 5/2 on a different bobbin but as a stand alone pup i dont think it would be worth while since i doubt there is much of a market. it sounded really unbalanced. i basically only play live and your usage may vary but the top cut thru in a bad way and the bottom was almost non-existent in the mix.
one of the last times i was out in santa barbara seymour gave me some advice as to where to go for a hike in los padres, very beautiful. hes a wonderful man and i enjoy it everytime i get the chance to see him
ItsaBass
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
The original DuPont codes for the two colors are different, and neither of them are "20." Sonic was 2295 and Daphne was 2804. Is "20" a GM number?
The original DuPont codes for the two colors are different, and neither of them are "20." Sonic was 2295 and Daphne was 2804. Is "20" a GM number?
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Edgecrusher
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
I didnt say dupont... its aCadillac codes... their own internal code for those colors is 20. Here notice both of these the list the paint code as 20
I didnt say dupont... its aCadillac codes... their own internal code for those colors is 20. Here notice both of these the list the paint code as 20
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ItsaBass
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
I reasoned by now that this was a Cadillac color code (you did not specify that originally; you just said "color code"). But those are just renumberings of DuPont codes, and the GM numbers could (and did) change at any time. For instance, for a time, #20 referred to whatever DuPont color they decided to use for light blue in any given year, be it Sonic or Daphne, or whatever else. When trying to get the right color, you've either got to use the DuPont color codes directly, or accurately cross reference the car manufacturer's code to the DuPont code that it referred to that particular year.
I reasoned by now that this was a Cadillac color code (you did not specify that originally; you just said "color code"). But those are just renumberings of DuPont codes, and the GM numbers could (and did) change at any time. For instance, for a time, #20 referred to whatever DuPont color they decided to use for light blue in any given year, be it Sonic or Daphne, or whatever else. When trying to get the right color, you've either got to use the DuPont color codes directly, or accurately cross reference the car manufacturer's code to the DuPont code that it referred to that particular year.
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
Which was the point of me telling my anecdote earlier... The mistake i made when i refinished the music master was asking for cadillac color number 20. The man opened up a huge old book of color tabs and said ok here yah go without realizing he gave me the 1958 color which is actually a different color from the 1956 one. He even wrote "daphne blue" on the can he mixed for me but it didnt dawn on me that Cadillac number 20 changed shade from year to year.
This info is easy to find now... try finding it in 1995. Hell most of the paint guys i talked to didnt have color charts that old. I cant remember what book i ran into but it mentioned that Sonic blue was a Cadillac number 20
Which was the point of me telling my anecdote earlier... The mistake i made when i refinished the music master was asking for cadillac color number 20. The man opened up a huge old book of color tabs and said ok here yah go without realizing he gave me the 1958 color which is actually a different color from the 1956 one. He even wrote "daphne blue" on the can he mixed for me but it didnt dawn on me that Cadillac number 20 changed shade from year to year.
This info is easy to find now... try finding it in 1995. Hell most of the paint guys i talked to didnt have color charts that old. I cant remember what book i ran into but it mentioned that Sonic blue was a Cadillac number 20
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
I thought i made this clear in my original post
I thought i made this clear in my original post
ItsaBass
New member
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
How's that? You generically used the term "color code," and said nothing about the actual paint manufacturers' codes.
There's nothing "wrong" about your post, and I'm not saying there is. I'm just expanding on it so that the meaning is clear.
How's that? You generically used the term "color code," and said nothing about the actual paint manufacturers' codes.
There's nothing "wrong" about your post, and I'm not saying there is. I'm just expanding on it so that the meaning is clear.
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Scott Olson
SD Media Manager
Re: 20 Random Seymour W. Duncan Facts
The team here is pretty diverse with different musical instruments and SD has always been able to serve all musicians, not just those of a particular instrument or genre. There's a lot of respect for those differences and I don't think it's a this or that, if you do a pickup for metal guitarists that somehow you've given up on traditional folks, so long as you keep your attention properly focused on serving everyone. It probably goes without saying that Black Winter and SLUG weren't from Seymour (but SLUG was developed by Derek Duncan) but we've had plenty of other products that he had a part in. And he's the wizard of the Custom Shop with Derek and MJ. In fact, just recently he was just developing some new signature pups for a great and pretty well known Tele player.
I figured as much, Evan. So, Cathy must've had new advisers in the middle management lane in the last two years, had she not?
I wonder who this/these guy/s is/are. Also, last two-year's new products seem NOT to have come from Seymour's idea tank... am I right?
I mean... so many new products for the Metalhead demographic... is it at all possible for Seymour to even relate?
*I*, for one, should know how difficult it is; more and more of my own customers are getting younger and "louder", to put it mildly.
I'm afraid that one of these days I won't be able to understand their musical language, so I won't be able to help'em with their rig and their "tone" anymore.
I wonder how one cope when you grow apart from your audience, or demographic, so to speak. Or is just me getting older and grumpier by the minute?
Sorry for the rant.
The team here is pretty diverse with different musical instruments and SD has always been able to serve all musicians, not just those of a particular instrument or genre. There's a lot of respect for those differences and I don't think it's a this or that, if you do a pickup for metal guitarists that somehow you've given up on traditional folks, so long as you keep your attention properly focused on serving everyone. It probably goes without saying that Black Winter and SLUG weren't from Seymour (but SLUG was developed by Derek Duncan) but we've had plenty of other products that he had a part in. And he's the wizard of the Custom Shop with Derek and MJ. In fact, just recently he was just developing some new signature pups for a great and pretty well known Tele player.
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