'59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

S

SJ318

New member
Hello,
I have never tried a '59 bridge p'up. So, if you used the same mag in both the 59 and the Seth,
say an RCA5 in both, or a regular A5, as long as both have the same mag, what would the different winds sound like. What would they have in common? What wouldn't they have in common? I use
A5 as an example because I like RCA5's and UOA5's, and use them in my Seths, and all my pickups, the UOA5 being my favorite in all humbuckers for the last year or so.
Steve Buffington
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

The wind is going to be the main difference I think. Both are wound on the same machine, but to different ends. The 59' is always going to have tighter lows and tighter highs, IMO. The Seth, even with a UOA5 or an RC5, is going to be more mid present but with some openness (no wax potting) to the tone that you'll never get with the 59', due to the wax potting. The Seth will likely tighten up in the bass a bit with either A5, but the UO will retain some sweetness and detail that will get lost with the stronger A5 varieties.

However, I do think the lines between the two would blur the most with a polished A5 in each. The magnet will really take over the Seth in that instance. I prefer the sound and feel of A2 magnets, so I know I would prefer the 59' with the UOA5 and if I had to change mags in the Seth, I'd go UOA5 as well.
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

Yes,
The UOA5 in my Seth is the best sounding to me, over all the many mags I've tried. Jeff_H, I would be ordering a 59 in double parchment so I always ask for no wax. Does this change your opinion knowing I will be going for a 59, no wax, and use an UOA5?
I should have mentioned the no wax part. My fault, sorry.
Steven Buffington
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

Seths generally have more mids than a 59. Also, the lack of wax potting in a Seth makes it more touch-sensitive, if you use a style that depends on that sort of thing.
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

Steven.... it would change my opinion a bit knowing the 59' will not be wax potted. In that case and with a UOA5 in both, I think it becomes harder to tell them apart. I still think the 59' will have more bass/treble and the Seth more mids, but to the untrained ear they will sound very similar. I think it would be easier to tell the difference clean, but under gain it would be much more difficult.

I think in this case the 59' will be a great sounding vintage pickup and I would love to hear it actually. I sure do wish we could still order shop floor customs in double cream. Oh the good old days.

I may take one of my APH's in double cream and ask for it to be rewound to a non potted 59'b with a RC UOA5 magnet. Great idea Steven.
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

The only difference between a Seth bridge and an unpotted '59b, will be the microphonic properties due to the mechanical differences between the bobbins, as the '59s are polycarbonat and the Seths are butyrate. I don't believe the winds are so different to make any audible difference.

/Peter
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

Jeff and Mincer -
Thanks for the responses. On one my Seths, I have a RCA5, in a mahogany LP Jr., in my SG RI 61, I have a Seth with an UOA5 (also roughcast). The LP Jr. has a spike in the mids, and is touch sensitive, playing clean and hitting it a little harder it almost has a spitting sound in the mids, raspy. Better than an A5 but still not what I want.
When I put the UOA5 in the SG, it all evened out, not like an A4, but "pretty" for lack of a better word. Just even and sparkling sounding over all the frequencies. When I hit it hard it was just louder, did not go raspy on me. Both of my guitars have the exact same electronics, bridges, necks, strings, set up- nothing left to chance, they both weigh about the same. So you can see why I like the UOA5's so much.
The 59 I would like to try as many say it is very close to a real PAF, which I once had, but traded for something I couldn't afford. The UOA5 comes closest in my Seth. So a non wax potted 59 W/UOA5 sounds like a really good way to go. I have come to the end and will play one last farewell gig for any of my still living high school fans (no joke) and some new ones I was lucky to get from Seattle. So, as I will be playing only in my condo, clean is how I like it. I've got the best gear for me I could ever want, so this will be my last p'up most likely. I have a Princeton RI that is just the best, total Mike Bloomfield to Peter Green type of cleans. I've got a beautiful semi hollow PRS Zack Meyer that the double parchment 59 will look great in. It's a Tiger Stripe/Honey burst. Ok, thanks,
Steven Buffington
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

Discharged/Peter -
Is it just me? You seem to know a lot about everything there is, but for whatever reason, whenever I ask something, you always talk over my head, or say something negative, or put a wet blanket on everything.
I don't know you at all, did I offend you somehow? I do not want to sow seeds of disrespect at all, but every time I see your name on one of my questions, I am instantly put in a "Pavlov's dog" situation, I get sick to my stomach, afraid to read it, and when I do it is something negative, way to technical, or just a wet blanket statement, like the one you just put up.
Many people talk about the big differences they notice with 59's, Seths, Jazz, with this mag or that.
I don't know what else to say, thanks for responding, I suppose. But they make me feel sick in my stomach or stupid.
Steven Buffington
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

SJ318 said:
You seem to know a lot about everything there is, but for whatever reason, whenever I ask something, you always talk over my head, or say something negative, or put a wet blanket on everything.
Click to expand...
Mr. Buffington, I'm very sorry you feel this way, as I, to be completely honest, am trying very hard to comprehend what specifically you're referring to, but failing miserably.
SJ318 said:
every time I see your name on one of my questions, I am instantly put in a "Pavlov's dog" situation, I get sick to my stomach, afraid to read it, and when I do it is something negative, way to technical, or just a wet blanket statement, like the one you just put up.
Click to expand...
IMHO, saying that there'll probably be no bigger difference between a Seth bridge and an UNPOTTED '59B with the same magnets but the one caused by the difference rigidity of the materials used for each p'up, which it'll probably be not audible is a wet blanket statement to you? I think it clearly addresses the specific question with specific info.
SJ318 said:
Many people talk about the big differences they notice with 59's, Seths, Jazz, with this mag or that. I don't know what else to say, thanks for responding, I suppose. But they make me feel sick in my stomach or stupid.
Steven Buffington
Click to expand...
Well, many people perceive the same things differently, and talk about differently, even though it might mean the same thing. But are you saying to me, specifically, to refrain to answer your posts if my answers are "way over your head"? And now tell me: how am I supposed to know what is or what isn't "over your head"? How am I supposed to know what you know and what you don't know?

I usually try to post in a succint manner, with what I feel is the reflection of my hands-on, factual experiences, using a language that's not my own mother-tongue. If you find fault with that, I can only suggest you to put me on the "ignore" list, if my answers make you feel uncomfortable, as I fail to understand how and/or why the words I use can cause that effect; I honestly just can't figure out what exactly that request is.

/Peter
 
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Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

Steve......

I bet the parchment 59' looks great in your PRS. I'd like to see a picture of that if you have time. I'd also like to hear more about this last gig you're going to be playing. I hope it's a happy occasion. The Princeton RI you mentioned is supposed to be a great sounding amp, though I haven't played through one. It's been a long time since I've owned a Fender. I used to have a Hot Rod Deluxe and a Blues Jr, but sold them in favor of Marshall amps. I never felt like I should have more than one amp, though I'm not sure why? Having a small great sounding amp with beautiful cleans does sound appealing.
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

Looking to replace a Dimarzio humbucker in the neck of a G&L Bluesboy with a SD, and looking at Seth Lover (which G&L typically uses--someone modded this guitar) or a 59. Can anyone tell me what the difference in sound would be, and make a recommendation on which to pair with the G&L single coil in the bridge? Can get the 59 for half the cost of the Seth Lover, both in 4 conductor.

Thanks.
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

if you can get the 59n for half the cost, i would go for that. if you find youd like something a little different, a magnet swap is cheap and easy.



going back to steves comment to peter... steve, i dont know what you are talking about either. peters comment seemed fairly straightforward and without malice. ive never listed to the two pups side by side with the same magnet but im sure they are fairly similar in many ways since they are wound on the same machine
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

ken5849 said:
Looking to replace a Dimarzio humbucker in the neck of a G&L Bluesboy with a SD, and looking at Seth Lover (which G&L typically uses--someone modded this guitar) or a 59. Can anyone tell me what the difference in sound would be, and make a recommendation on which to pair with the G&L single coil in the bridge? Can get the 59 for half the cost of the Seth Lover, both in 4 conductor.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'd stick with the Seth. It is a perfect match for the bridge MFD in the Bluesboy. The Seth is worth the extra money, IMHO.

Bill
 
Re: '59 vs. Seth Lover with same mag: difference?

It's hard to argue against a set of Seths, but an unpotted 59 set with the same magnet will sound extremely similar. It would be hard for me to really justify the extra cost. I got a great deal on some used Seths though.
 
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