Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

[Mike D]

Hey guys! Well, after a full trial of my '57 Classics in my 2000 R9, I've decided that I need a change. I want to get the classic '59 Les Paul sound, specifically something like Sambora's '59 LP:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFPcMlNml0s

I love that outro solo (5:10). I've been going back and forth between the Seths and Antiquities (as recommended by Lew). I have experience with the Seth bridge in an LP Custom, and it sounded great. I've never tried the Seth neck - I had an Alnico II Pro in that Custom (which I also loved). I've really been interested in giving the Antiquities a shot. For those of you that have experience with these pups, what would the Antiquity bridge be like compared to the Seth that I loved? I know the mags are aged, so I was wondering how much of an effect that has on the sound. Which do you prefer and why?

Also, I'm debating whether I want to stay with nickel covers or go with zebras or double creams... Let me know what you think! I saw a pic of Daize Shayne's LP (which looks really similar to mine) on the Dimarzio website's gallery and it looked killer with zebras!

Thanks!!!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

I think when it comes to pickups like the Seth, Antiquity, AIIPro and Pearly Gates it's hard to say which is "better". You really have to try them and see for yourself. They're all SO good and all based on the classic pre 1960 paf design...and that's that's the truth of the matter. I don't think you could make a wrong choice out of those four pickups...they all will sound great.

That said, those pickups are all based on the original paf design where Seth Lover specified an alnico 2 magnet. Bt 1959, Gibson was substituting alnico 5 in some and by 1960 I'm pretty sure all were alnico 5...because alnico 5 is cheaper. So Sambora's '59 might have pickups closer to the '59B.

Lew

 

[Mike D]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

Sure, the choices are driving me crazy. I think I'm leaning toward giving the Antiquities a shot, Lew.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

Sure, the choices are driving me crazy. I think I'm leaning toward giving the Antiquities a shot, Lew.

Couldn't go wrong with the Antiquities. The Antiquities have a vibe no other pickups in the Duncan line have. MJ is a master pickup winder and her pickups have "personality". Lew

 

[tone4days]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

i can not add specifically to your Q re: sambora's tone ... but i can say that a set of Ants in an R8 was a tonal nirvana for me (of course, the bogner was part of the calculus too) ...

not a bad tone in the bunch among those you mentioned .. just gotta find the one that does 'it' for ya

have fun - good luck
t4d

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

Mike.

I have a recent R8 loaded with a set of Antiquities and I will say it's quite an amazing sounding guitar. I prefer Ant's to Seths for the most part...I will agree with Lew and say that it's really just a matter of thast that in the end is all up to you. The aged magnets in the Ants are funny...they actually have a pretty dramatic effect on the tone, it's not something you couls have explained to you but I'll try...the ants have a hollow type of tone and the depth on the tone is un real and very 3D sounding. I am also a big fan of Peraly Gates pickups but they are not as smooth as Seths or Ants so that might not be what you are looking for. A2Pro's are nice but I find them to be like a modern take on a PAF so maybe not them either...You might very well be on the right track with the Seth's or Ants but when it comes down to it you'll just have to pull the trigger on a set, roll with them and see what happens! I will add this, if it makes it any easier for you...you will not be able to chose bobbin colour on a set of Ants, if you try it will force the order to become a full on CS order and the price will go up a good bit...you could order Seths inwhatever colour you wanted a w/o paying extra...you'll just have to wait a little longer to get them.

 

[Mike D]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

Mike.

I have a recent R8 loaded with a set of Antiquities and I will say it's quite an amazing sounding guitar. I prefer Ant's to Seths for the most part...I will agree with Lew and say that it's really just a matter of thast that in the end is all up to you. The aged magnets in the Ants are funny...they actually have a pretty dramatic effect on the tone, it's not something you couls have explained to you but I'll try...the ants have a hollow type of tone and the depth on the tone is un real and very 3D sounding. I am also a big fan of Peraly Gates pickups but they are not as smooth as Seths or Ants so that might not be what you are looking for. A2Pro's are nice but I find them to be like a modern take on a PAF so maybe not them either...You might very well be on the right track with the Seth's or Ants but when it comes down to it you'll just have to pull the trigger on a set, roll with them and see what happens! I will add this, if it makes it any easier for you...you will not be able to chose bobbin colour on a set of Ants, if you try it will force the order to become a full on CS order and the price will go up a good bit...you could order Seths inwhatever colour you wanted a w/o paying extra...you'll just have to wait a little longer to get them.

Thanks for your description. I really appreciate the help. Good to know about the bobbin colors too.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

I prefer Seths to Antiquities. I was OK with the Ant neck, but the Ant bridge I found lacking in punch. Could be the aged magnet. Alnico II Pros are nice but I found the top end a bit compressed.

Far and away the best pickups I've tried in my Les Pauls are the Pearly Gates. They have that vintage tone, warm but rude on top. Very versatile pups.

I'd go with nickel covers in that guitar.

 

[Mike D]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

I prefer Seths to Antiquities. I was OK with the Ant neck, but the Ant bridge I found lacking in punch. Could be the aged magnet. Alnico II Pros are nice but I found the top end a bit compressed.

Far and away the best pickups I've tried in my Les Pauls are the Pearly Gates. They have that vintage tone, warm but rude on top. Very versatile pups.

I'd go with nickel covers in that guitar.

I've only tried the Seth Bridge and I have to say it was wonderful. I was a little concerned about the Antiquity bridge for the reason you mentioned.

Keep the posts coming about the nickel cover vs. exposed bobbins too!

 

[ErikH]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

For a tone like Richie's there, I think you'll need an A5 PAF. That's a killer solo he did there. I'd be more inclined to go with an aged A5 vs an A2. An aged A5 sits right between a full strength A5 and a full strength A2, giving qualities of both. I haven't used the Antiquities or Seths myself though so all I can say is go with the ones that match what I outlined if you want to.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

Sounds like a Brobucker in the bridge and an Antiquity at the neck.

 

[Mike D]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

For a tone like Richie's there, I think you'll need an A5 PAF. That's a killer solo he did there. I'd be more inclined to go with an aged A5 vs an A2. An aged A5 sits right between a full strength A5 and a full strength A2, giving qualities of both. I haven't used the Antiquities or Seths myself though so all I can say is go with the ones that match what I outlined if you want to.

Good point. I know Gibson began using A5's in 1959, but I wasn't sure if that tone was more A2 or A5. Thanks for the input.

 

[Mike D]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

Sounds like a Brobucker in the bridge and an Antiquity at the neck.

What were the specs on the Brobucker again? I'll have to look for the post. I remember it sounded awesome from the specs I read. I should have jumped on the boat when you guys were ordering the batch.

 

[Mike D]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

What were the specs on the Brobucker again? I'll have to look for the post. I remember it sounded awesome from the specs I read. I should have jumped on the boat when you guys were ordering the batch.

Nevermind, I found it!:smack:

 

[C-Martin]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

the flame on that thing is amazing, tho i thend to prefer a more subtle flame.. tho its probably increased by the angle and the lighting.. it looks like a sweet axe!

sorry i dont have any usefull info for you though, dont have much knowledge about les paul guitars and im searching for pickups for my own too... but if you could, id like a link to the brobuckers specs.. it would be greatly apreciated.

 

[Mike D]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

the flame on that thing is amazing, tho i thend to prefer a more subtle flame.. tho its probably increased by the angle and the lighting.. it looks like a sweet axe!

sorry i dont have any usefull info for you though, dont have much knowledge about les paul guitars and im searching for pickups for my own too... but if you could, id like a link to the brobuckers specs.. it would be greatly apreciated.

Thanks, man! Yes, the flame does appear stronger at some angles, the first picture being one of them. It definately is a sweet axe, looks and feel. The neck is sooo nice. The tone's not quite what I'm looking for, that's why I'm looking for some advice. Right now I'm also trying to decide whether it's an A2 or A5 magnet that I want, considering that 1959 was the transition year.

The Brobucker specs could be found here: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=60415&highlight=brobucker+specs+a5+dunaged

Thanks again

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

Sounds like a Brobucker in the bridge and an Antiquity at the neck.

The Brobucker was heaven in my R7, replacing a WCR Fillmore.

 

[Mike D]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

The Brobucker was heaven in my R7, replacing a WCR Fillmore.

I like the idea of maybe trying an aged A5 in the bridge position. How much hotter is the brobucker than something in the vintage line, like the '59 or the Seth?

 

[Fiesta Red]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

I seem to have read that Sambora was a JB and 59 user in his LPs.

-Mark

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Antiquities or Seths for my 2000 R9?

Mike,

I've got a R8 that I bought with Ants. I thought they sounded really nice, but they just weren't me. I liked the neck much more than the bridge though. It has a deep tone as Christian mentioned.

I switched out the bridge pup to a Seth which was way to quacky and bright in that guitar. From there I tried my Brobucker that I had in my Heritage. It sounded very nice. It had more mids than a 59 but more bass and treble than an Alnico 2 Pro. At the next string change i pulled the aged A5 and put in an aged A2 from an Ant. I thought, for me, it was a definite change for the better, I got a bit more rounded high end and warmth.

At that point I called up MJ and went on and ordered a (my second) 78 with vintage appointments (butyrate bobbins, unpotted, long legs) I got it about a month later and have been happy ever since.

In the neck I landed on a Seth neck. I was originally going to get a PG (with the same vintage appointments) but it would have been a full on CS job and I didn't want to go that far yet. I tried the Seth neck and have been really happy with it. Just the right amount of quack with lots of clarity for a neck pup.

I like the idea of maybe trying an aged A5 in the bridge position. How much hotter is the brobucker than something in the vintage line, like the '59 or the Seth?

The Brobucker is just a tad....I mean ever so slightly hotter than a 59B. The aged A5 mag pulls the EQ more towards the mids, so you get less true highs and lows but more high mids and low mids.....at least to my ears. The Brobucker is also a benchmark of clarity whether clean or dirty.

Hope that helps!

Luke