Custom->Super D-> Seth Lover

[benji657]

my pickup dilemma still persists..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QtvUcTUf5c
(keifer with burst)

my music tastes have mostly been more or less 70s-80s rock
with some bands from the 60s as well

the more and more i listen to older bands, the more i appreciate their guitar tones..its very open and dynamic..
im not going to describe it any further, cause words wont mean much now..
but basically open and lively.

while listening to the duncan soundclips (with good speakers) of the seth lover
i noticed something very subtle but dramatic at the same time

compared to other higher output buckers, the seth had that open and some sort of overtone filled tone going one..i couldnt hear that from any other pickup..some sort of high end presence..
and it still sounded just as heavy and rocking
i thought i was imagining it, so my parents did a blind test to be fair, and i could tell the seth lover apart from the rest

now i realize i dont need super heavy pickups to sound heavy
i need an open and toneful pickup to sound huge
something that also fills the sound with overtones..

im starting to think that even the custom (which many people say is a beefed up version of a paf) is even too much..

super dist. tried it. no no. too compressed sounding somewhat

im leaving the 59n in the paul permanently. i like this neck pup a lot.


so all you guys who have managed to read through this
or have a seth bridge/59n combo,
share your thoughts on this issue

yay or nay?

 

[ParameterMan]

Re: Custom->Super D-> Seth Lover

Yay.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Custom->Super D-> Seth Lover

Hey, benji. Read one of screamingdaisy's latest threads on Alnico and Ceramic magnets. He describes the same phenomenon as you... he feels that lower output pups can afford a heavier feel.

Once I take out my gut-ripping DD and replace it with an A5 pup rated at around 10k (should be arriving sometime soon), I'll let you know how it goes.

IMO, you would cop a better tone for the Crazy Train solo that you've got nailed down with a Super Distortion... but if your tastes go further than that - which I heavily suspect that they do, I'd get the Seths.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Custom->Super D-> Seth Lover

high-output pickups sound heavier through vintage-style amps...you need the high output to push the preamp into overdrive without a pedal.

if you rely on pedals or a high-gain channel-switcher, or you're playing a spot that'll let you crank your JTM45 up to 10, then a lower-output pickup is more what you need...i mean you've got gain knobs on the amps and pedals to adjust that stuff.

my amp, tho...volume, bass, treble...where's my boost gonna come from? gotta have a clean vintage-output pickup and a dirtier higher-output pickup in the same axe. this is why H/S/S/ and H/P90 are so functional to me.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Custom->Super D-> Seth Lover

I think if you get the Seth, you'll want to get it potted. At high volume with gain, they will feedback.

Bill

 

[BFahz]

Re: Custom->Super D-> Seth Lover

I think at age 16 you have figured out what it has taken me 23 years to figure out. Most hot pups compress the sound. A less "hot" pup allows a more open tone to the amp... and by todays high gain amp standards, you can get your gain from your amp (the output stage <not preamp stage>, if you want VH type tone).
People who used Super D's or Duncan Distortions always seem to be guitarists back "in the day" where the highest gain amps were the JCM 800. Today, mixing high output pups with these monster amps generally = **** tone.So question - do you have a more vintage amp or a modern high gain amp?