59 vs. antiquity in sg
- Thread starter EFK
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Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
I've had both in the same LP Standard.
The Ant's are very close to original PAFs, for me they had an edgy 'bucker tone and leaned towards the bright side a little too much. They did have a very cool open sound to them that most PAF copies don't have. The 59's were fuller, a little warmer and smoother sounding. The '59's are what stayed in the guitar.
I found the '59's responded better for me, they handled running more gain better but they are not exactly true to a vintage PAF, they are a more stylized vision of of it than the Ant. Both are excellent pups, 2 of my faves.
I've had both in the same LP Standard.
The Ant's are very close to original PAFs, for me they had an edgy 'bucker tone and leaned towards the bright side a little too much. They did have a very cool open sound to them that most PAF copies don't have. The 59's were fuller, a little warmer and smoother sounding. The '59's are what stayed in the guitar.
I found the '59's responded better for me, they handled running more gain better but they are not exactly true to a vintage PAF, they are a more stylized vision of of it than the Ant. Both are excellent pups, 2 of my faves.
T
Thunder
Guest
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
59's also have A5 mags and do sound great in an SG. The unpotted version might remind you of Clapton's 'Fool' SG.
59's also have A5 mags and do sound great in an SG. The unpotted version might remind you of Clapton's 'Fool' SG.
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L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
When I think SG I think of Eric Clapton with Cream. And the alnico 5 59 would be closer to those pickups than the alnico 2 Antiquity. Remember, when Clapton recorded with that SG those pickups were only a few years old - not forty or fifty.
When I think SG I think of Eric Clapton with Cream. And the alnico 5 59 would be closer to those pickups than the alnico 2 Antiquity. Remember, when Clapton recorded with that SG those pickups were only a few years old - not forty or fifty.
SlowGroove
New member
vegetablejoe
New member
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
How would one go about unpotting a '59?
How would one go about unpotting a '59?
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
If you allow me to interpolate from my Explorer experience (not the same, but both full mahogany short scale), the Ants were pretty useless in there. The Ants are among my favorite pickups in Les Pauls but I think they need a lot of mass to drive them (like P-90ties).
I never tried the '59s in my Explorer before I sold it.
I can tell you that the Jazz was a wonderful neck pickup in there, though.
If you allow me to interpolate from my Explorer experience (not the same, but both full mahogany short scale), the Ants were pretty useless in there. The Ants are among my favorite pickups in Les Pauls but I think they need a lot of mass to drive them (like P-90ties).
I never tried the '59s in my Explorer before I sold it.
I can tell you that the Jazz was a wonderful neck pickup in there, though.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
Same here. The '59 works well in SG's; the neck doesn't have the bassiness it sometimes does in LP's.
Same here. The '59 works well in SG's; the neck doesn't have the bassiness it sometimes does in LP's.
T
Thunder
Guest
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
Well noooooo, I couldn't stop myself. I already had the antiquities just sitting there. I have to admit this was somewhat of a loaded question as I've had unpotted 59s in there forever and admittedly it sounds spectacular. Only other pickups that were ever in that guitar, however, were burstbucker pros which didn't suit it and I couldn't stop thinking about that set of antiquities. I'm lazy though and those full-face sg pickguards are a pain in the a** so I put it off and put it off but a recent string change gave me a chance.
I do NOT like them. I must say, the cleans are very nice, all the usual superlatives - open, airy, great sustain blah blah... I especially like the neck and middle positions w. these. When I crank up the amp for some drive, however (straight into tube amp), the neck still sounds pretty good - not quite as clear as the 59 but nice, different - but the bridge is just plain thin and weak sounding no matter how I adjust it. It's not a brightness issue (they certainly are bright) as the 59 bridge w/ 500K is also very bright, it's just that it seems all brightness with nothing substantial backing it. I have never been an A2 fan and I was hoping these would change that. Not in this guitar. I'm going to leave them there for a bit, fool around w/ amp settings and see if I can improve things and give them a chance.
This is a very resonant and bright sg, btw. I can very definitely see how these pickups would compliment a darker, fuller, heavier guitar - just as recommended above!
Wonder how these sound w/ full-charged A2? My big neo blocks are a bit lonely....
Well noooooo, I couldn't stop myself. I already had the antiquities just sitting there. I have to admit this was somewhat of a loaded question as I've had unpotted 59s in there forever and admittedly it sounds spectacular. Only other pickups that were ever in that guitar, however, were burstbucker pros which didn't suit it and I couldn't stop thinking about that set of antiquities. I'm lazy though and those full-face sg pickguards are a pain in the a** so I put it off and put it off but a recent string change gave me a chance.
I do NOT like them. I must say, the cleans are very nice, all the usual superlatives - open, airy, great sustain blah blah... I especially like the neck and middle positions w. these. When I crank up the amp for some drive, however (straight into tube amp), the neck still sounds pretty good - not quite as clear as the 59 but nice, different - but the bridge is just plain thin and weak sounding no matter how I adjust it. It's not a brightness issue (they certainly are bright) as the 59 bridge w/ 500K is also very bright, it's just that it seems all brightness with nothing substantial backing it. I have never been an A2 fan and I was hoping these would change that. Not in this guitar. I'm going to leave them there for a bit, fool around w/ amp settings and see if I can improve things and give them a chance.
This is a very resonant and bright sg, btw. I can very definitely see how these pickups would compliment a darker, fuller, heavier guitar - just as recommended above!
Wonder how these sound w/ full-charged A2? My big neo blocks are a bit lonely....
drew_half_empty
Looking for Real Life
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
just put the 59 back in the bridge
just put the 59 back in the bridge
Hellion
New member
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
I think either of those would sound excellent in an SG. The 59's would probably sound a bit more "modern", since the Antiquities are supposed to sound "old", but they're both very clean and clear sounding pickups and that's not going to hurt an SG at all. If you want to split the difference, I agree with drew_half_empty, put the 59 in the bridge position.
I think either of those would sound excellent in an SG. The 59's would probably sound a bit more "modern", since the Antiquities are supposed to sound "old", but they're both very clean and clear sounding pickups and that's not going to hurt an SG at all. If you want to split the difference, I agree with drew_half_empty, put the 59 in the bridge position.
Hellion
New member
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
Why would you want to do that? You can't get much better than they are potted.
Why would you want to do that? You can't get much better than they are potted.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
+1. The SG bat wing pickguards certainly do complicate PU & magnet swaps. Makes you appreciate guitars with standard PU rings! Also agree with your accessment of A2's; always seems something is missing tone-wise and that there's another magnet that can do the job better. If it's a hearing defect on my part, you must have it too.
+1. The SG bat wing pickguards certainly do complicate PU & magnet swaps. Makes you appreciate guitars with standard PU rings! Also agree with your accessment of A2's; always seems something is missing tone-wise and that there's another magnet that can do the job better. If it's a hearing defect on my part, you must have it too.
Re: 59 vs. antiquity in sg
Hahahaha yes I'm certain I have defective hearing. I haven't heard anything I've liked since about 1985!
"Why would you want to do that? You can't get much better than they are potted."
Not to rehash an old debate but I've tried both types in the same guitar an to my 'defective' ears, there is an *extremely* noticeable difference. In fact, I'd say the antiquities sound more modern and the unpotted 59s sound old!
I played with the antiquities quite a bit today. I just can't get a good sound with them. So out with them! Next up, an old pair of Seths with an A5 neck and an A4 bridge. Let's see how this works out...
Oddly enough, as much as I love this guitar, I think those full-size pickguards on SGs are ugly as all get out. The rest of the fiddle makes up for it, though, where it matters. I keep planning on doing some kind of funky conversion or something different with it, but never get around to it.
Hahahaha yes I'm certain I have defective hearing. I haven't heard anything I've liked since about 1985!
"Why would you want to do that? You can't get much better than they are potted."
Not to rehash an old debate but I've tried both types in the same guitar an to my 'defective' ears, there is an *extremely* noticeable difference. In fact, I'd say the antiquities sound more modern and the unpotted 59s sound old!
I played with the antiquities quite a bit today. I just can't get a good sound with them. So out with them! Next up, an old pair of Seths with an A5 neck and an A4 bridge. Let's see how this works out...
Oddly enough, as much as I love this guitar, I think those full-size pickguards on SGs are ugly as all get out. The rest of the fiddle makes up for it, though, where it matters. I keep planning on doing some kind of funky conversion or something different with it, but never get around to it.