Antiquity HB vs. Seth Lovers

[Kelsey]

I have Seths in a semi-hollowbody and an Antiquity HB set in a LP. The Ants in the LP sound nice but are a little weaker than I'd like. How would Ants with new alnico 2 magnets sound compared to the stock Antiquity tone and the Seth Lover tone? Bascially, I'm trying to figure out whether I should switch to a set of Seths, a set of hotter Ants, or switch to stronger mags in the Ants.

Does anyone have experience with two or more of these options?

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Antiquity HB vs. Seth Lovers

Hi,

Try adjusting the hieght on the Ants first. They usually sound fantastic in a semi-hollow (e.g. 335). Then try the Seths. The Seths shouldn't be hotter, but have more of a bite to them when you first pick the string. They also have a tad mot mid-range to them.

As for full strength Antiquities, ask Jeremy. He was raving about them a while back.

Jeff

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Antiquity HB vs. Seth Lovers

A lot folks over at the Les Paul Forum swear by the Antiquities with Alnico 5 mags.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Antiquity HB vs. Seth Lovers

The Ants are in my LP, and the Seths are in my ES-137, so it's an apples and oranges comparison at this point. The Ants are adjusted very close to the strings (within approx 2/32") with the pole pieces set to match the fingerboard radius, except that I set the poles a touch higher on the low and high E strings of the neck pickup. They aren't bad, as they are nice and chimey on the plain strings, but they lack some definition and punch on the wound strings, esp. at the neck and under moderate OD.

I guess I should also clarify one part of my question: How do the clarity and the tone of the Antiquity HBs change with different magnets, and do they become very similar to Seths with full strength A2 mags? I realize there are other differences in the manufacturing of these HBs, so I'm wondering about the relative merits of switching mags or switching pickup sets.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Antiquity HB vs. Seth Lovers

I guess I should also clarify one part of my question: How do the clarity and the tone of the Antiquity HBs change with different magnets, and do they become very similar to Seths with full strength A2 mags? I realize there are other differences in the manufacturing of these HBs, so I'm wondering about the relative merits of switching mags or switching pickup sets.

As you get closer to an alnico 5 magnet, the tone will become brighter. The a-2 will be smoother sounding. A full strength Ant will be hotter than a Seth. As for clarity, Ants are very articulate to begin with, so I think the brightening of tone will be all you notice.

Try the Ants in your 137. If you're not happy with the ANts in the LP, try the Seths or a set of '59's. Simon_F loves the Seths in his LP. Ask him for his opinion too.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Antiquity HB vs. Seth Lovers

Hey Kelsey, here is what I think. Hope that it will be of some use to you:

Resistance values of Seths generally are lower. Thus, I don't think the comparison would be quite accurate.

But when you go to full strength a2 you'd realize a little thicker brighter and punchier tone. To my ears an ant with full strength a2 loses that to die for clarity a little bit. That's why I generally like to compensate for that with higher alnico magnets even tho the result would be again a lilttle brighter, punchier, but this time a little less thick. Thus my favorites in the neck ants are either the dun-aged a2 or an a3, not an a2.

In the bridge I prefer a5's and a4's (which one to chose of course depending on the particular guitar guitar) over anything else.

B

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Antiquity HB vs. Seth Lovers

dr.barlo,

Thanks for the input. I love the clarity and openness of the mids in the stock neck Antiquity, but I would like a bit more punch and clarity from the wound strings (esp. the low E and the A). I'm thinking that suggests an A3 mag for the neck. The bridge could be a bit fatter with a touch more bite for my tastes, so that sounds like it might call for a new A2. Does that sound close? I'm not familiar with the tonal qualities of A4, and I'm not sure that I would like the feel of A5 in the bridge, but I may be wrong about that since most of my experience is with Strat and Tele single coils.

What are the best sources for replacement magnets? Thanks to all for your help!

Kelsey