Firebird in a Tele: SM1 vs Antiquity

[Natman]

There has been tons of discussion about Duncan's firebird pickups (not to be confused with mini humbuckers...) but I still don't feel I've got a clear understanding yet on the difference between these two?

I know SM1 has A5 and is potted while Antiquity is A2 and unpotted, but how does this translate to sound?
Looking for folks who have tried both, need adjectvies more than just "sounds great".

My experience is only with the SM1 in neck position of a tele, and IMO should be the only pickup anyone should ever consider in that spot.
I happen to have an Antiquity set available from an old project which never got off the ground. Wondering if it would be even better or slightly worse?

I'm on the fence because I love Seths with A2, but wondering if it's the bass/scoop that I like from the SM1? I had a Custom Shop A2 Texas strat in the neck position once and found it too soft/smoky...

(I know, I know, just try it but I'm lazy when it comes to rewiring and this is a pickup discussion forum after all)
Thanks!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Firebird in a Tele: SM1 vs Antiquity

A telecaster's best attribute is bold punchy lows and open clean highs. The SM1n retains those qualities by virtue of being an Alnico 5 pickup that stays as tight as it's bridge counterpart. I agree that the SM1n is one of the most perfect pickups for a tele. Someone at Fender agreed, when they came out with the 52 Hot Rod Tele.

I've never heard an SM1b/SM1n combo in a tele, but I'd imagine it would be great. I have heard the Antiquity Firebird, as well as other brands of A2 Firebird and Mini Hums. They are softer on the bottom and top, and while sounding good for that ultra vintage "smokey" sound A2's are known for, a degaussed A2 isn't what I want to hear in a tele's neck position. Some players like it, but some of them also like weak A2 tele neck pickups, or worse, the bassy 50's neck circuit. The only A2 pickups I've ever liked in a tele were a Jerry Donahue bridge, PGn, and Seth Lovers.

 

[Natman]

Re: Firebird in a Tele: SM1 vs Antiquity

Ya the 52 Hot Rod Tele was my whole reason for trying the mini at the neck. I had the SM1n paidred with a SM3b and expected it to be awesome. I didn't like the SM3 AT ALL. It was more compressed and darker. The dirty tones were nice and hot but cleans couldn't hold a candle to the SM1n.

I then tried a Rio Grande Babybucker which was interesting -more spanky single coil tone, and having a mini toggle, it split pretty convincingly. Still it lacked something and I decided to go back to a single at the bridge since it's what makes teles so awesome.

I ordered a Reilander TP90 Grit which should arrive any day. I had a Fralin SP42 years ago and it was killer, so I have high hopes for this one.

I am leaning toward the SM1 instead of the Antiquity. Even with the logo, the shiny cover will probably look better too. I've got 500k and 375k pots with 4-way switch FWIW. Now if we could only ditch the 60 Hz hum and get the neck & bridge to balance!

Still a Seth neck is one of the most lovely humbucker tones I've ever heard...

A telecaster's best attribute is bold punchy lows and open clean highs. The SM1n retains those qualities by virtue of being an Alnico 5 pickup that stays as tight as it's bridge counterpart. I agree that the SM1n is one of the most perfect pickups for a tele. Someone at Fender agreed, when they came out with the 52 Hot Rod Tele.

I've never heard an SM1b/SM1n combo in a tele, but I'd imagine it would be great. I have heard the Antiquity Firebird, as well as other brands of A2 Firebird and Mini Hums. They are softer on the bottom and top, and while sounding good for that ultra vintage "smokey" sound A2's are known for, a degaussed A2 isn't what I want to hear in a tele's neck position. Some players like it, but some of them also like weak A2 tele neck pickups, or worse, the bassy 50's neck circuit. The only A2 pickups I've ever liked in a tele were a Jerry Donahue bridge, PGn, and Seth Lovers.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Firebird in a Tele: SM1 vs Antiquity

I have a SM-1n in my Tele paired with a STK-T2b Hot Stack in the bridge. They balance pretty well in terms of volume with 500K volume / tone and no 60Hz hum.

 

[Natman]

Re: Firebird in a Tele: SM1 vs Antiquity

Hey all, I finally got my tele together last night and played for about 90 minutes. I went with the Antiquity because lo and behold, it's A5 after all, not A2 like I thought. I was wrong.

Both pickups are amazing me, and I've tried quite a few.

The Antiquity has what I was hoping over the SM-1: more refined tone, a bit more complex and touch-sensitive. It's VERY clear and has lots of brightness with these pots.

The TP90 Grit is what I magine the Fralin SP43 to be. I didn't want to to too far into soapbar territory because I felt that part of what I liked so much in my SP42's was that they don't stray too far from a traditional tele sound. This sucker measured over 12k on my multimeter! Still I had to get the pole pieces up very close to the strings, and it took a LOT of tweaking to get the balance right. I really heard a ton of variation with each adjustment, it's the most sensitive of any pickup I've tried to adjustments. Anyway, when clean there is a midrange that is always there, and it bugs me a *little* but I forget about that very quick when I add some dirt. This is where the design comes through -tone is COOKING! Dynamic and gritty. Not dark or muddy or spitty despite being wound so hot. It matches super well with the firebird in the neck and I strongly recommend this one. It's a winner.