Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

Artie

Peaveyologist
Special thanks to forum bro yegbert for doing this temporary swap for my Ant II Tele bridge, so that I could try this out. :)

I've only had this installed since yesterday afternoon, but I'm fairly certain that this is the one. I think the Antiquity II might have a bit more open and airyness, but it lacks a smidgen of girth that the '55 has. The '55 has just the perfect amount of body and a bit more low end that I prefer. It has the high-end, but there's no brittleness or ice-pickyness at all. Its a perfectly balanced "twang".

Previously, the Custom 5, in my Peavey Tele, was my favorite Tele bridge. The C5 had the girth and the twang, but in comparison, it lacked the open high-end that's typical of a humbucker. (We're comparing 14.4k with 6.1k here.) But the C5 edged out the Ant II, (slightly), because I missed that low-end body. The '55 gives that in spades.

It won't surprise me if after I acquire my own '55, a few guitars go to the auction block. I can't put this thing down. And on a side note, it blends beautifully with the Stag Mag in the neck. I'm going to rewire this so that my 3-way has:

1. Bridge
2. Bridge - SM split
3. Bridge - SM full

There's no need to turn this puppy off - ever. :D

Thanks yegbert. Tele aficionado's need to try this pup.

Artie

Addendum: I originally traded a JD to flank for the Ant II. The JD had the low-end girth that I like, but the Ant II had the open airyness that was good too. The '55 seems to bridge the gap between the two. It has the body of the JD with the high-end "air" and harmonic richness that you come to expect from an Antiquity. I might go so far as to call the '55 the Antiquity version of the JD.
 
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Re: Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

Just played this through my buddy's H & K Edition Tube 20. Even sweeter. :)
 
Re: Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

They don't explicitly say, but I believe it is.

Btw Zhang, another forum bro offered to trade me one of your Tele bridge pups for my Ant II. (Temporarily.) When I trade back, I think I'll take him up on it. I'm curious to hear one of yours also.
 
Re: Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

Does the wax potting on the Antiquity II affect the tone at all? For whatever reason, I would've thought the '55 to have more bite.

- Keith
 
Re: Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

"more bite" is probably a good way to put it. I was saying "more girth". The difference between the two is subtle, but the '55 seems to have a wee bit more bottom. Maybe a bit more midrange. The Ant II maybe has a bit more "air".
 
Re: Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

Would you say the Ant II has something closer to that Roy Buchanan "Nancy" tone? Roy's tone had the ice pick thing going, but in a good way (IMO).
 
Re: Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

i think the ant II is more like roys tone
 
Re: Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

nah, i think the alnico 5 magnets give that clear high end. the alnico II ant I and alnico V ant II (confused yet?) are very similar except for the magnets and wax potting on the ant II. the alnico II ant I '55 has taller magnets and a few less turns i believe.

for roys tone i would get the alnico V antiquity II with no wax potting or maybe lightly potted
 
Re: Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

Now I'm in a situation where I'm grappling with the thought of replacing the stock bridge pup in my ASAT Classic with one of these guys. I wish I knew ahead of time how it would sound.
 
Re: Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

nah, i think the alnico 5 magnets give that clear high end. the alnico II ant I and alnico V ant II (confused yet?) are very similar except for the magnets and wax potting on the ant II. the alnico II ant I '55 has taller magnets and a few less turns i believe.

for roys tone i would get the alnico V antiquity II with no wax potting or maybe lightly potted

If you want Roy's tone, try Don Mare at this site

http://telecastermasters.jconserv.net/index.php
 
Re: Antiquity '55 Tele bridge review.

everything ive heard about donzo's tele pups has been great but ive never heard one. don is a character for sure and loves roy and the tone of nancy. hes spent alot of time trying to nail the licks, tone, and everything. i think hes selling some glob of red stuff stuck on a push/pull pot as the thing you need to nail nancys tone. dons a cool guy and used to be a long time member of this board
 
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