Hollowbody pickup for Jazz...

[MDS]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about replacing the pickup in my archtop. This is my primary jazz box. The obvious choices would be the Antiquity PAF followed by the Seth Lover. I was talking to John Pisano(big time jazz guy) the other day about pickups and he was favoring a Kent Armstrong over the Seth but hadn't tried the Antiquities. I've actually heard bad things about the Benedetto and its price is pretty ridiculous. Most guys play old Gibsons, so PAFs seem to be the way to go, in general. Any thoughts from you guys?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Hollowbody pickup for Jazz...

If you're fond of Wes Montgomery's tone from his 60's L-5, the pickup closest to that would be the alnico 5 59N. The a5 Jazz would be similar but with a more extended high end and a little less bass.

The alnico 2 Seth Lover has a fat, clear tone that's a little warmer and less bright than the 59N or Jazz. A little less bass and a little less treble. This is the tone of a 50's paf...not the 60's patent number humbuckers Wes would have used.

The Antiquity is similar to the Seth but slightly more textured and hollow sounding.

Any of these four would sound great in a single pickup jazz box.

Lew

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Hollowbody pickup for Jazz...

59's would be a good choice - very clear and articulate. my hubby has a set of 59's in his Washburn Wes Montgomery J6 and is over the moon with them.

 

[MDS]

Re: Hollowbody pickup for Jazz...

Thanks Lew. The Seth sounds like it might be the best choice. I love Wes's tone, but I think for this guitar/me I'd like the warmer, milder highs of the Seth. Are there any problems with the fact that the Seth isn't potted? This guitar does squeal a bit from time to time right now, so I'd like to avoid that if possible, though tone is more important. I usually don't play super loud with this thing...

You described the Antiquity as more textured and hollow. I'm not sure what you mean by that. Could you expound?

Mike

 

[Artie]

Re: Hollowbody pickup for Jazz...

Hi msawitzke; I've been chomping at the bit for some Benedetto info.
Even though its not first-hand, could you expand any on what you've heard?

Thanks, Artie

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Hollowbody pickup for Jazz...

Thanks Lew. The Seth sounds like it might be the best choice. I love Wes's tone, but I think for this guitar/me I'd like the warmer, milder highs of the Seth. Are there any problems with the fact that the Seth isn't potted? This guitar does squeal a bit from time to time right now, so I'd like to avoid that if possible, though tone is more important. I usually don't play super loud with this thing...

You described the Antiquity as more textured and hollow. I'm not sure what you mean by that. Could you expound?

Mike

I hear the Antiquity as having a little more of an acoustic quality to it than the Seth, but both actually sound fairly similar. The Antiquity is a little smoother than the Seth and the Seth has a little more density to the mids...a little more honk and brightness from the Seth. Lew

 

[MDS]

Re: Hollowbody pickup for Jazz...

Hi msawitzke; I've been chomping at the bit for some Benedetto info.
Even though its not first-hand, could you expand any on what you've heard?

Nothing super specific. A buddy of mine who is a big time jazz guitar gear head just said he didn't care for them. I have a vague recollection that he said they were kinda flat and weren't very warm. Sorry, thats the best I can do, I just know he didn't like them. That certainly doesn't mean they're not great pickups, but there is so little info out there about them and they're so expensive that I'm probably gonna go with a Duncan.

Mike