Did Duncan stop making the Livewire Classic II line?
- Thread starter Artie
- Start date
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Did Duncan stop making the Livewire Classic II line?
I have a couple of those. One is the Livewire Metal version. I've never installed it into anything yet, just because I don't have a good application for something so hot. I suppose I should, just to hear what it's all about.
I have a couple of those. One is the Livewire Metal version. I've never installed it into anything yet, just because I don't have a good application for something so hot. I suppose I should, just to hear what it's all about.
allstarrme
New member
Re: Did Duncan stop making the Livewire Classic II line?
The live wires metal and the blackouts metal are pretty much the same thing, just the blackouts used 9v instead of 18 and would be in phase with Emg’s if paired together.
The live wires classic and the live wires 2 classics were something their own though and they were pretty good from what I remember. But now you’ve got Emg retro actives and fishman classics which for that sound are arguably better, in a shrinking market. The Emg’s and fishman come preloaded in several guitars from schecter to charvel. I can’t think of anything other than the mustaine v’s that had live wires, and those were just active versions of a jazz/JB set, not the classics.
The live wires metal and the blackouts metal are pretty much the same thing, just the blackouts used 9v instead of 18 and would be in phase with Emg’s if paired together.
The live wires classic and the live wires 2 classics were something their own though and they were pretty good from what I remember. But now you’ve got Emg retro actives and fishman classics which for that sound are arguably better, in a shrinking market. The Emg’s and fishman come preloaded in several guitars from schecter to charvel. I can’t think of anything other than the mustaine v’s that had live wires, and those were just active versions of a jazz/JB set, not the classics.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: Did Duncan stop making the Livewire Classic II line?
Duncan did a really poor job of marketing the Classic II series. It's their weakest point when it comes to new designs, honestly. The Classic II's are pretty remarkable for what they are, but the focus was entirely on the "Blackouts" line when it came to marketing dollars, which is a shame.
The same thing is happening with the Duality series. There's tons of potential there and they are essentially the "next gen" of SD's active technology, but Duality pickups are selling for as low as $50 ea. and dealers can't move them because no one really knows about them even though they've been out for a couple years now.
If you get a chance to try the Classic II's, I strongly suggest you do!
Duncan did a really poor job of marketing the Classic II series. It's their weakest point when it comes to new designs, honestly. The Classic II's are pretty remarkable for what they are, but the focus was entirely on the "Blackouts" line when it came to marketing dollars, which is a shame.
The same thing is happening with the Duality series. There's tons of potential there and they are essentially the "next gen" of SD's active technology, but Duality pickups are selling for as low as $50 ea. and dealers can't move them because no one really knows about them even though they've been out for a couple years now.
If you get a chance to try the Classic II's, I strongly suggest you do!
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Did Duncan stop making the Livewire Classic II line?
Funny you should say that. Let me give you a little background story. Several years ago, I went to my favorite Duncan dealer/guitar shop, and ordered the Livewire Classic II Strat calibrated set, in white. They accidentally ordered the Classic II humbucker set. I have a really good relationship with these folks, having done some repairs and stuff for them. I asked them what kind of deal they could do to save them from sending them back. They let me have them at cost. Then they ordered the right thing.
So I've had the Strat set in my Fender Roadhouse Strat for quite awhile. Absolutely love 'em. (One of the best, underrated Strat sets ever.) But the humbuckers have been sitting on the shelf for years. Now, since I'm not that crazy about the EMG 81/85 set in my Schecter C-1 Platinum, they're going in there. But there's a problem:
There's no way I can put those white 'buckers in that gorgeous guitar. So, I want to take them to a local paint shop, that specializes in custom air-brushing, and get them done some way to match the Schecter. I suppose I could put them in for now, then take them out later for cosmetics.
I'm still trying to decide on the paint scheme.
Funny you should say that. Let me give you a little background story. Several years ago, I went to my favorite Duncan dealer/guitar shop, and ordered the Livewire Classic II Strat calibrated set, in white. They accidentally ordered the Classic II humbucker set. I have a really good relationship with these folks, having done some repairs and stuff for them. I asked them what kind of deal they could do to save them from sending them back. They let me have them at cost. Then they ordered the right thing.
So I've had the Strat set in my Fender Roadhouse Strat for quite awhile. Absolutely love 'em. (One of the best, underrated Strat sets ever.) But the humbuckers have been sitting on the shelf for years. Now, since I'm not that crazy about the EMG 81/85 set in my Schecter C-1 Platinum, they're going in there. But there's a problem:
There's no way I can put those white 'buckers in that gorgeous guitar. So, I want to take them to a local paint shop, that specializes in custom air-brushing, and get them done some way to match the Schecter. I suppose I could put them in for now, then take them out later for cosmetics.
I'm still trying to decide on the paint scheme.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Did Duncan stop making the Livewire Classic II line?
We will find out. I want to hear them.
P.S. They aren't really white. They're between white and cream. Kinda, an unpainted look. It's almost as if, Seymour Duncan intended that you''d paint them.
P.S.2. Dang! If I paint them, it will cover up the Duncan logo. I want to keep that. Sigh.
We will find out. I want to hear them.
P.S. They aren't really white. They're between white and cream. Kinda, an unpainted look. It's almost as if, Seymour Duncan intended that you''d paint them.
P.S.2. Dang! If I paint them, it will cover up the Duncan logo. I want to keep that. Sigh.
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