Antiquity's Not Wax Potted? Feedback Problems?

[Alex Kaminski]

I am considering the Duncan Antiquity Humbuckers for a Gibson Les Paul Standard. I saw that they are not wax potted. I would appreciate advice from someone who has used these pickups regarding the feedback (microphonic). I play jazz and blues at small club level volumes. The amp is a Fender Twin.

(I have tried the Duncan '59 series in another Les Paul. I was satisfied, however, as I understand, Seymour Duncan actually makes the Antiquity series?)

Thank you.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Antiquity's Not Wax Potted? Feedback Problems?

Hey Alex - I've played the Seth Lovers (which are not wax potted) in several guitars and have had no issues. I had a Seth in the neck of my Dean Hardtail, and it was sweet. I also just played a semi-hollow Hamer Artist with a pair of Seths thru my Marshall with the gain all the way up, no issues there either.

I know I could get them to feedback and squeel if I had my Marshall closed to dimed, but how often do we really play like this. I would guess that you would have zero problems, even at club levels thru the twin. You've got a great set of pickups there.

If you want to hear a Seth thru my Marshall at fairly high gain, click on my soundclips and scroll down to the Seth Neck demo. Gain on about 8 thru my 2205.

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Antiquity's Not Wax Potted? Feedback Problems?

i have both the strat and tele antiquity sets and i have no feedback issues. i can get my 59's to feedback easier than the tele set.

ps the antiquity series pickups sound amazing

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Antiquity's Not Wax Potted? Feedback Problems?

According to Seymour himself, the single coil Antiquities ARE potted, it's just the humbuckers that are not, in keeping with how they were originally made.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Antiquity's Not Wax Potted? Feedback Problems?

I have the Seth Lover humbuckers in my Les Paul, which are also not potted. I've had absolutely no problems with unwanted feedback or squealing, and I play mostly classic rock at loud pub volume!

In my opinion unpotted humbuckers will only squeal if you play high gain or extremely loud.

You'll have no problems playing jazz and blues with the Antiquities.

 

[mrid]

Re: Antiquity's Not Wax Potted? Feedback Problems?

I only have issues with the Ants under extremely high gain.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Antiquity's Not Wax Potted? Feedback Problems?

It has also been my understanding that unpotted pickups only become a problem with age when the wire coilings stretch and have a little "give" to them. By potting them when they're new it eliminates this problem in the future. By potting them when they're older and already stretched it eliminates the problem by having the wax fill the space.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Antiquity's Not Wax Potted? Feedback Problems?

My advise is to install them, and use the loudest, highest gain settings you'll ever use.
Neck pickups rarely squeal, but I'd pot the bridge, if you run into that problem.

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Antiquity's Not Wax Potted? Feedback Problems?

According to Seymour himself, the single coil Antiquities ARE potted, it's just the humbuckers that are not, in keeping with how they were originally made.

in keeping with how the original tele pickups were made the bottom plate in not wax potted according to the website. which would cause feedback if the plate or cover were loose

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Antiquity's Not Wax Potted? Feedback Problems?

Hey Alex:

Welcome to the User Group Forum. Antiquity humbuckers are repros of 1950s PAFs, in every way -- including not being wax potted. That also means they were designed to be used with the amps of the day. And Fender made Twins back then. For jazz and blues and small club volume levels (and I'm assuming your amps are mic'd), I don't think you'll have any problems. But if you do, you can always send the pickup to Maricela in the Custom Shop and she'll wax pot it for you. I think she charges around $20 or so to do that.

I hope that helps.

- Evan