jdier
New member
Just wanted to share a super positive experience putting Antiquity II pickups in my new Highway One Jazz.
My bass is a newer HW1 that I picked up very lightly used for $570. It has a rosewood neck, honey trans finish, badassII bridge and the grease bucket tone wiring.
When I got it I really loved the feel and play of the bass but the pick ups were boomy. I expected I would have to replace them, but I thought they would be thin sounding. They actually sounded pretty nice, but did not quite cut enough for me and on low notes they really kind of farted. Just broke up.
So, Guitar Heaven is going out of business so I was able to pick up a set of the 60's Antiquity II's for $140. When I opened the control plate it turns out either the HW1's ship with 2 CTS pots or someone had already replaced the standard pots, so I just wired right onto the controls there.
The result is terrific. I have full lows that do not break up and highs that are very cutting if need be.
There were little thin brass plates under the foam of each pick up that had ground wires running to the control plate, but I ditched them.
Frankly I am surprised how quiet the bass is. I have a ground wire to the back of the badass and all the pots wired to common ground, but no shielding or anything else and there is little to no hum through my Bassman.
If anyone reading this is wondering if the Antiquity pick ups are worth the money I would say yes. I have Dimarzio, Bartolini, and standard Seymour Duncan Vintage pick ups in my other basses and while I like them all fine, these are clearly a step above.
I hope this info is of use to anyone considering pickups.
Jim
My bass is a newer HW1 that I picked up very lightly used for $570. It has a rosewood neck, honey trans finish, badassII bridge and the grease bucket tone wiring.
When I got it I really loved the feel and play of the bass but the pick ups were boomy. I expected I would have to replace them, but I thought they would be thin sounding. They actually sounded pretty nice, but did not quite cut enough for me and on low notes they really kind of farted. Just broke up.
So, Guitar Heaven is going out of business so I was able to pick up a set of the 60's Antiquity II's for $140. When I opened the control plate it turns out either the HW1's ship with 2 CTS pots or someone had already replaced the standard pots, so I just wired right onto the controls there.
The result is terrific. I have full lows that do not break up and highs that are very cutting if need be.
There were little thin brass plates under the foam of each pick up that had ground wires running to the control plate, but I ditched them.
Frankly I am surprised how quiet the bass is. I have a ground wire to the back of the badass and all the pots wired to common ground, but no shielding or anything else and there is little to no hum through my Bassman.
If anyone reading this is wondering if the Antiquity pick ups are worth the money I would say yes. I have Dimarzio, Bartolini, and standard Seymour Duncan Vintage pick ups in my other basses and while I like them all fine, these are clearly a step above.
I hope this info is of use to anyone considering pickups.
Jim
