A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

[Travis]

I think I'm going to grab a set of the 50th Anniversary Seths while they're still at MF. I'm still trying to decide between the A2 or A5 versions, though. I'm going to drop them in my Hamer Special FM, which right now it has a Seth in the neck with an APH-1 in the bridge. I really like the way it sounds, but it just needs a little something extra. I was going to put the Brobucker in the bridge, but I think I want to keep this guitar more vintage-ish.

I just put a set of Duncan Ultimates in my Hamer Artist Korina and those things sound absolutely amazing.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=62115

I'm thinking they probably sound pretty close to the A5 Seths.

Any opinions at all? Thanks a bunch.

 

[Travis]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

Wow, no one cares to comment? Let me guess, all the guys with experience with these pickups haven't logged on to the board yet today.



That or they just don't like me. :dunno: :2: :31:

 

[Curly]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

well, Gearjoneser has tried both Seths and the A2 Annies. I believe he said the hotter specs aren't that noticeable, but he left the Annie set in his LP.

personally, I'd be partial to the A2, but so what? Get the A5s if you'll like those better. I happen to think the regular A2 Seths have enough presence and bite.

 

[capnhiho]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

My A2's arrived from MF today. Going to load them into my Ibanez Artcore 335 clone (AS-73) as soon as I collect new pots, etc. I haven't heard them yet but feedback from this forum convinced me the A2's would work for me. I'm going for a more classic vibe.

What's the deal? Website and catalog say only 150 sets have been made, but mine say they're #090 out of 300. Did they make 150 A2's and 150 A5's for a total of 300 sets? Did they increase the production due to demand? (hard to believe now that they are in the "Clearance" section) Did Seymour run out of labels and substitute the "out of 300" or ??? I bought them for tone, not for the limited edition value, so I'm not reallyworried about it - just curious.

 

[seafoamer]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

Could ya do an A2 in the bridge, & an A5 in the neck? That could be cool.

 

[Travis]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

From what I've read, there were 150 A2's and 300 A5's. And I think they're only available in pairs, so no mixing and matching. If so, I think I would do an A5 in the bridge and an A2 in the neck. But that's just me. If the A2's aren't noticeably different from run of the mill Seths, then I think I would probably go for the A5's. For something different, you know.

 

[jdm61]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

I ordered a pair of the A2's from MF for the clearance price......now I feel exclusive AND frugal:fingersx:

 

[hamerfan]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

It wouldn't be too hard to fit A5 into the Annis, even if they have covers. But i would go from the basic sound of the guitar and the personal fav of sound. I'm a A4 and A5 fan, because i like it clear and bright.

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

well, Gearjoneser has tried both Seths and the A2 Annies. I believe he said the hotter specs aren't that noticeable, but he left the Annie set in his LP.

personally, I'd be partial to the A2, but so what? Get the A5s if you'll like those better. I happen to think the regular A2 Seths have enough presence and bite.

I agree with, Curly. I prefer A2's.

 

[JeffB]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

I'm tempted to get these now that the price is so low (and ditch the covers)...

anyone know the specs? how hot they are? Are they even winds like a Seth?

 

[capnhiho]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

My bridge 50th Ann Seth is 8.78 K and the neck is 7.51 K. Not sure about the windings, but they ARE Seths so I guess that makes 'em even winds.

 

[JeffB]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

My bridge 50th Ann Seth is 8.78 K and the neck is 7.51 K. Not sure about the windings, but they ARE Seths so I guess that makes 'em even winds.

Thanks for the FYI.

I've seen the Seth term thrown around alot with these, but I didn't know officially they were just a handwound Seth. I thought they may differ somehow.

Hmmm....I'm gonna ponder on a set of A2s. Does anyone here have the A2s? I 've only read experiences with the A5s.

 

[Travis]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

My biggest concerns with the Seths are these:

1) Will the A5 Seth sound all that different from a 59? I understand that it will be hand wound and non-potted, but otherwise they're very similar, right? The 59 is a great pickup and very versatile, plus it's one of Duncan's least expensive. If I didn't care about having an exclusive engraved, limited pickup, what would be the point of spending the extra cash?

2) The A2 Anniversary Seth probably won't sound any different from a run of the mill Seth, at least not to the point that I could tell. Now, if I wanted to get a brand new set, then I could see springing for the Anniversary set as they've been discounted so much. But since I already have a Seth Lover in the neck of the guitar I was thinking about putting them in, why not just pick up a used Seth for the bridge? Again, it comes back to having an exclusive limited run pickup. If all I care about is the tone, why would I need the Anniversary Seths?

 

[Curly]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

If all I care about is the tone, why would I need the Anniversary Seths?

you came to the wrong place if you want us to talk you out of it!

I have a set of Seths, but I've thought about getting the Annies anyway - they're a limited run, they're wound a little hotter, and I heard Seymour say they were very cool.

if you didn't have a set of Seths, it would be an easier decision, but this is your call

Does anyone here have the A2s? I 've only read experiences with the A5s.

ask Gearjoneser what he thinks ... he has Seths, Anniversary A2s, and he usually prefers C5s

 

[jdm61]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

sounds like the anni's are about the same as some of the custom shop stuff like the Peter Greens (w/o the reversed magnet of course) The A2's stike me as maybe being Antiquities w/o the aging process.

 

[Travis]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

Regular Seths are Antiquities w/o the aging process. The Anniversary Seths are Seths wound by MJ and engraved, limited to 150 A2 and 300 A5.

I'm really fighting the urge to pick up a set of the Anniversary Seths. I know this is the wrong place to get that kind of help. In the end, I'll probably get a set. I'm weak afterall. Plus, they do sound cool (as an idea, I don't know what they sound like in the real world).

 

[jdm61]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

What do regular Seth's cost discounted? MF sold me the A2 annis for $200 with free shipping which is less than i see people "discounting" the regular Seths for on Ebay. i was pretty much prepared to pay $250-$300+ for the Peter Greens or Antiquities or at least $200-220 for regular Seths so it seemed like a no brainer to me.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

I bought a set of the A2s and they will be going into a HCSB 1996 Les Paul 1960 Classic Premium Plus, probably tomorrow. We shall see.

I also have a set of Antiquities going in my 1995 Honey Burst Classic PP.

I'm excited...I'm not one to do a lot of pickup swapping, but the 498r/500T set in my Classics are just too compressed with my Mesa Mark Series amps--though I'd be they would sound decent for hard rock through a JCM 800. I just felt I need something with a little less output, and a little more versatility.

I'm just going to wire them into the Gibson controls for a start, and we'll see about pots later on--scientifically take it one step at a time.

I think if I were getting them for a 335, I would have opted for the A5.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

I've got a set of A2's.....serial #004 (not sure how that happened).

I put them in the Hamer Studio I had & they were PERFECT in that guitar(sold the guitar/kept the Seths :wink.

I don't know how or IF they differ from the normal Seth's but I do know they are smooth as hell & as soon as I can find another humbucker guitar worthy of them, I'll be putting them right back in there!

 

[capnhiho]

Re: A2 or A5 Anniversary Seths?

I keep reading in this thread about 150 sets of A2's and 300 sets of A5's being produced but my Anniversary *A2's* are CLEARLY labelled #090 out of 300.

I'm confused. :dunno:
(but again, I bought them for the TONE and the discounted price, not for their collectability)