Antiquity II's and the Great Stratocaster Tone Quest

[Maximusgordon 2.0]

Hey guys,

I put a set of Antiquity Texas Hot pickups into my American Standard Strat recently. I thought they sounded good, but you loose a little too much sparkle for my taste. They grew on me after awhile, and I would have been rather happy with them, but decided to give the Antiquity II's a shot just in case...

I think they're fantastic.

I was worried they would be too bright and glassy, and not all that great for single note soloing, but I don't find that the case at all. They have that Stratty brightness too them, but they sound sweet instead of harsh. In a weird way, the bridge pickups actually sounds LESS harsh than the Texas Hot Custom. The overall tone is definitely brighter, but there's something about the frequency balance that manages to be bright and sweet at the same time. As much as I liked the Texas Hots (especially the neck pickup, which sound wonderful), I think we have a winner.

That said, I also ordered a set of Bare Knuckle Irish Tours when I got the Antiquities, which I've yet to try. I'm thinking of just sending them back, but might give them a spin, just in case.

The point being--- to my ear, the Antiquity II's might be the best Strat pickups I've heard in the Seymour Duncan catalogue. If you are worried about them being too glassy, you might be surprised. They are really nicely voiced.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Antiquity II's and the Great Stratocaster Tone Quest

Awesome review!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Antiquity II's and the Great Stratocaster Tone Quest

The Antiquity II is my favorite Strat pickup in the Duncan line.

I too feel that the Ant I, which is an Alnico 2 pickup, loses too much sparkle for my tastes. It is a really good sounding pickup and a lot of times I hear guys playing Strats and getting a very glassy bright sound that the Ant I “corrects”. So I can see why Seymour came up with it.

But for me, I prefer to use the Ant II...the A5 Surfer. It has the classic sound of a vintage Strat.

I don’t feel that the Ant I gets the sound of a vintage Strat. Too warm. Not enough treble for my tastes. Although I do like it...it’s just not the sound I hear in my head when I think of classic Strat tone.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Antiquity II's and the Great Stratocaster Tone Quest

The Antiquity II is my favorite Strat pickup in the Duncan line.

I too feel that the Ant I, which is an Alnico 2 pickup, loses too much sparkle for my tastes. It is a really good sounding pickup and a lot of times I hear guys playing Strats and getting a very glassy bright sound that the Ant I “corrects”. So I can see why Seymour came up with it.

But for me, I prefer to use the Ant I...the A5 Surfer. It has the classic sound of a vintage Strat.

I don’t feel that the Ant II gets the sound of a vintage Strat. Too warm. Not enough treble for my tastes. Although I do like it...it’s just not the sound I hear in my head when I think of classic Strat tone.

I think the Five Two, which, in concept is pretty modern, solves the problem of A2 vs A5 magnets. Great pickups.