Maybe it's just me. I like the warmth and kind of understated but refined characteristics of most A2 pickups. But I really dislike the Seth Lovers. They have a wiry top end in my experience that I just can't handle. Am I crazy (rhetorical question - this is a guitar blog so...) I'm into sound, do it for a living, and have them in a Heritage 535, Hamer Newport and have had them in a couple of others. Hate them. I play mostly clean and the top end just sounds disconnected from the rest. If there's a solution, please clue me in. I think they kind of suck for my personal tastes, but let me know. I do have a pair of Wolfetone Legends in a Les Paul and they're lovely so it's no that I don't like A2's in general. But the magnet is only part of the design. Thank, best to all.
Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
- Thread starter rom661
- Start date
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
I think if you hate them you can change them for a pickup you like anytime, it's just they've been sold as the holy grail of tone and for some of us, that just doesn't work, I happen to have the same problem with my Epiphone, it's got a 59 in the neck and I loathe the mid scoop it's got, but some people swear by it.
I think if you hate them you can change them for a pickup you like anytime, it's just they've been sold as the holy grail of tone and for some of us, that just doesn't work, I happen to have the same problem with my Epiphone, it's got a 59 in the neck and I loathe the mid scoop it's got, but some people swear by it.
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
I can't recall having run across that particular complaint about Seth Lovers... Might be a set up issue? Or perhaps you are trying to get a sound out of them that they aren't suited for on your guitars (too much treble, polepiece screws too far out?), and that doesn't quite work. Or maybe you aren't rolling off the tone knob far enough? Some pickups are designed to work that way, I never got along with strat single coils before I realized that most of the time, the sounds I liked are with the tone rolled off. An approach that worked poorly with the higher output humbuckers I mostly used in my main guitar.
It might also be the electronics, if you have 1M potentiometers in there, it could make things bright in a weird way.
Or it could be your amp settings. If you use darker pickups in other guitars, a high treble or presence setting at your amp might behave differently than with other pickups.
Every pickup can't work in every guitar for every taste. A guitar with excessive mids and no treble can sound terrible with fat or dark pickups, which are what is called for in many bright instruments. But that mid-heavy instrument may work best with a Custom 5 or '59.
Even if it's not the instrument, not every pickup is going to be to every player's taste. You might just prefer Antiquity humbuckers, or Pearly Gates, or even Alnico II Pros. Or something with an A5 or A4 magnet...
I can't recall having run across that particular complaint about Seth Lovers... Might be a set up issue? Or perhaps you are trying to get a sound out of them that they aren't suited for on your guitars (too much treble, polepiece screws too far out?), and that doesn't quite work. Or maybe you aren't rolling off the tone knob far enough? Some pickups are designed to work that way, I never got along with strat single coils before I realized that most of the time, the sounds I liked are with the tone rolled off. An approach that worked poorly with the higher output humbuckers I mostly used in my main guitar.
It might also be the electronics, if you have 1M potentiometers in there, it could make things bright in a weird way.
Or it could be your amp settings. If you use darker pickups in other guitars, a high treble or presence setting at your amp might behave differently than with other pickups.
Every pickup can't work in every guitar for every taste. A guitar with excessive mids and no treble can sound terrible with fat or dark pickups, which are what is called for in many bright instruments. But that mid-heavy instrument may work best with a Custom 5 or '59.
Even if it's not the instrument, not every pickup is going to be to every player's taste. You might just prefer Antiquity humbuckers, or Pearly Gates, or even Alnico II Pros. Or something with an A5 or A4 magnet...
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
I'm a fan of the Seth. I put a set in a Les Paul Supreme, replacing the 490r/498t. They transformed the guitar into a versatile tone monster FOR ME, able to cross classic rock, jazz, blues and country genres...exactly what I needed from this guitar. I also have a set of Custom Shop Seths and they are slightly over-wound. Perhaps my favorite PAF of all my guitars. They live in a 1996 Les Paul 1960 Classic.
I've never noticed any of the issues you have with the Seths. Everybody hears things differently and has different needs.
Bill
I'm a fan of the Seth. I put a set in a Les Paul Supreme, replacing the 490r/498t. They transformed the guitar into a versatile tone monster FOR ME, able to cross classic rock, jazz, blues and country genres...exactly what I needed from this guitar. I also have a set of Custom Shop Seths and they are slightly over-wound. Perhaps my favorite PAF of all my guitars. They live in a 1996 Les Paul 1960 Classic.
I've never noticed any of the issues you have with the Seths. Everybody hears things differently and has different needs.
Bill
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
They are one of my go to pickups for the neck, but the bridge isn’t versatile enough for me. If they’re not working, rip ‘em out, sell ‘em for what you can, reasonable price and get something that works. TONS of A2 options out there from all kinds of winders.
They are one of my go to pickups for the neck, but the bridge isn’t versatile enough for me. If they’re not working, rip ‘em out, sell ‘em for what you can, reasonable price and get something that works. TONS of A2 options out there from all kinds of winders.
BluesIsBlood12
New member
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
I'll grant you that it doesn't sound like most A2s I've used. In my LP, which is bright to begin with, the bridge is definitely brighter than other A2s. Not in a harsh way like the BB Pro's were. Just bright. I probably should spend some more time with pole pieces, but with the tone turned down it sounds pretty dang good. I don't think I would call it the Holy Grail though. I like Ants better, though I haven't tried them in this particular guitar.
I'll grant you that it doesn't sound like most A2s I've used. In my LP, which is bright to begin with, the bridge is definitely brighter than other A2s. Not in a harsh way like the BB Pro's were. Just bright. I probably should spend some more time with pole pieces, but with the tone turned down it sounds pretty dang good. I don't think I would call it the Holy Grail though. I like Ants better, though I haven't tried them in this particular guitar.
Blille
Well-known member
Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
It’s a wonderful pickup in my opinion but not all pickups are for everybody. If I didn’t like a pickup for sure I would not have it in several guitars given how many there are available in the market. My favorite A2 pickup is the A2Pro.
Have you tried to use the tone control with a small cap?
It’s a wonderful pickup in my opinion but not all pickups are for everybody. If I didn’t like a pickup for sure I would not have it in several guitars given how many there are available in the market. My favorite A2 pickup is the A2Pro.
Have you tried to use the tone control with a small cap?
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Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
Hey you like what you like, and hate what you hate.
I am not particularly fond of the JB or Distortion. But lots of people like them, and I am clearly in the minority. That's ok, I've been in the minority my whole life- I like it there.
Hey you like what you like, and hate what you hate.
I am not particularly fond of the JB or Distortion. But lots of people like them, and I am clearly in the minority. That's ok, I've been in the minority my whole life- I like it there.
Discharged
New member
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
Paraphrasing Game Of Thrones: "The Forum remembers™"! Now you can retire to your safe space and cry yourself to sleep, if that makes you feel better. :17:
/Peter
Not maybe. It DEFINATELY is you. The proof is written on your very first post in this very Forum, here.
What is "wiry"...? Define "wiry", as nobody knows what you're talking about.
Not crazy, just completely biased and misinformed.
This statement clearly shows that you simply don't know what a blog is, confirming my early statement.
What exactly do you do "for a living"? It's not at all clear.
If you so much "hate them", how come you have'em in at least four guitars? It just doesn't make any sense.
This statement makes no sense either.
This can be arranged, as long as you describe your beef in a way eveybody can understand what exactly you're talking about.
Without any context, one could argue that what it sucks at make'em sound good is you, but I digress.
The Wolfetone Legends are wound with more wire than the Seth Lovers. Specifically 5% more wire in the neck and 10% more wire than the bridge. If you don't like the Seths, that's what I bet the problem is. The Seths are too nuanced for you. Specially considering the way you got triggered when your favorite p'up in 2013, the Gibson '57 Classic, was criticized in the thread I provided the link for: you got so triggered that you signed up to this Forum just to dump on Seymour Duncan, clearly not understanding that he was not personally monitoring and/or censoring the posts posted, which, once again, proves the point I early made.
Paraphrasing Game Of Thrones: "The Forum remembers™"! Now you can retire to your safe space and cry yourself to sleep, if that makes you feel better. :17:
/Peter
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TVFV
Well-known member
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Was all that necessary? He just disliked the pickup.Not maybe. It DEFINATELY is you. The proof is written on your very first post in this very Forum, here.
What is "wiry"...? Define "wiry", as nobody knows what you're talking about.
Not crazy, just completely biased and misinformed.
This statement clearly shows that you simply don't know what a blog is, confirming my early statement.
What exactly do you do "for a living"? It's not at all clear.
If you so much "hate them", how come you have'em in at least four guitars? It just doesn't make any sense.
This statement makes no sense either.
This can be arranged, as long as you describe your beef in a way eveybody can understand what exactly you're talking about.
Without any context, one could argue that what it sucks at make'em sound good is you, but I digress.
The Wolfetone Legends are wound with more wire than the Seth Lovers. Specifically 5% more wire in the neck and 10% more wire than the bridge. If you don't like the Seths, that's what I bet the problem is. The Seths are too nuanced for you. Specially considering the way you got triggered when your favorite p'up in 2013, the Gibson '57 Classic, was criticized in the thread I provided the link for: you got so triggered that you signed up to this Forum just to dump on Seymour Duncan, clearly not understanding that he was not personally monitoring and/or censoring the posts posted, which, once again, proves the point I early made.
Paraphrasing Game Of Thrones: "The Forum remembers[emoji769]"! Now you can retire to your safe space and cry yourself to sleep, if that makes you feel better. :17:
/Peter
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
donaldr
Well-known member
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
Man if it's not going well in your life then do something else then replying to guitar threads...Not maybe. It DEFINATELY is you. The proof is written on your very first post in this very Forum, here.
What is "wiry"...? Define "wiry", as nobody knows what you're talking about.
Not crazy, just completely biased and misinformed.
This statement clearly shows that you simply don't know what a blog is, confirming my early statement.
What exactly do you do "for a living"? It's not at all clear.
If you so much "hate them", how come you have'em in at least four guitars? It just doesn't make any sense.
This statement makes no sense either.
This can be arranged, as long as you describe your beef in a way eveybody can understand what exactly you're talking about.
Without any context, one could argue that what it sucks at make'em sound good is you, but I digress.
/Peter
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
people like what they like, doesnt mean its wrong.
i like the seths and have a few but i have one guitar that the seth bridge sounded overly bright and almost harsh with 500k pots. i knocked the volume down to 250k and it made it much better. cant remember if i changed the tone as well but i know once i switched the volume i got along with the pup much better
people like what they like, doesnt mean its wrong.
i like the seths and have a few but i have one guitar that the seth bridge sounded overly bright and almost harsh with 500k pots. i knocked the volume down to 250k and it made it much better. cant remember if i changed the tone as well but i know once i switched the volume i got along with the pup much better
Discharged
New member
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
Oh, man... this kind of things you just can't make up. Reality is way more absurd than the most outlandish imagination.
Please, take a moment and re-read what you wrote. Let sink it in for a moment. Wait a little... a little more... and now!
At this point, I'm sure you'll be able to hear the swooshing sound of the irony going over your head.
Now you start laughing at yourself... or get triggered and b*tch about it. The choice is all yours to make.
I simply heartly thank you for the big, belly-aching laugh. Man, felt that gooooood! :18:
/Peter
Hi, Donald! :wave:
Oh, man... this kind of things you just can't make up. Reality is way more absurd than the most outlandish imagination.
Please, take a moment and re-read what you wrote. Let sink it in for a moment. Wait a little... a little more... and now!
At this point, I'm sure you'll be able to hear the swooshing sound of the irony going over your head.
Now you start laughing at yourself... or get triggered and b*tch about it. The choice is all yours to make.
I simply heartly thank you for the big, belly-aching laugh. Man, felt that gooooood! :18:
/Peter
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Discharged
New member
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
/Peter
No, that was not "just" it. You can find out for yourself the why if you click on the link I provided.
/Peter
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
Billie, donaldr, TheViewFromVenus, room661 -
That response to room661 from you know who is one of the most vicious, rude, inappropriate and mean responses I have read in all my years here. Thank god I blocked him. Why management doesn't "Discharge" this hate monger is beyond me. He did this to me every question I asked. I only saw it as you nice people posted it and pointed out how rude it was. That guy literally scares me sick to my stomach. Ignore it room661, the others here will help you.
SJ
Billie, donaldr, TheViewFromVenus, room661 -
That response to room661 from you know who is one of the most vicious, rude, inappropriate and mean responses I have read in all my years here. Thank god I blocked him. Why management doesn't "Discharge" this hate monger is beyond me. He did this to me every question I asked. I only saw it as you nice people posted it and pointed out how rude it was. That guy literally scares me sick to my stomach. Ignore it room661, the others here will help you.
SJ
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
Read through rom's profile and click on his 9 forum posts and see what he's had to say since 2013 when he joined, one of which is also complaining about his Seth Lovers.
Well, Discharge does have a point. Did you click the link where it shows rom661's very first post here? rom661 bumped up a 9-year-old thread (this was in 2013, mind you) just to defend Gibson Classic 57 pickups and say some not-so-nice things about Seymour Duncan.
Read through rom's profile and click on his 9 forum posts and see what he's had to say since 2013 when he joined, one of which is also complaining about his Seth Lovers.
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Like A2 PU's but not Seth Lovers...
Lol@theinternet
To the op: pearly gates pickups are a better than great set.
Lol@theinternet
To the op: pearly gates pickups are a better than great set.
