Major differences between 59s and Seths?
- Thread starter Travis
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Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: Major differences between 59s and Seths?
I've played both in my Les Paul.
The '59s have a bright top end and solid bass, whereas the Seths have a smoother more mid-focused tone that in turn gives the impression of a softer bottom end.
That's not to say that the Seths aren't bright, but they're less bright than the '59s.
They're both really nice pickups if you're looking for vintage humbucker tone.
This is a huge generalization that totally ignores other gear and technique factors, but think of Jimmy Page and Paul Kossoff. I'd say Page's tone is like a '59, Kossoff's is like a Seth.
I've played both in my Les Paul.
The '59s have a bright top end and solid bass, whereas the Seths have a smoother more mid-focused tone that in turn gives the impression of a softer bottom end.
That's not to say that the Seths aren't bright, but they're less bright than the '59s.
They're both really nice pickups if you're looking for vintage humbucker tone.
This is a huge generalization that totally ignores other gear and technique factors, but think of Jimmy Page and Paul Kossoff. I'd say Page's tone is like a '59, Kossoff's is like a Seth.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Major differences between 59s and Seths?
The major diff in terms of tone is that the 59 has more treble and more bass and the Seth has more mids and less bass and treble. ALSO: The Seth uses an alnico 2 magnet and a2 gives a pickup a squishier, more compressable tone that responds to changes in a players picking so you can shape the note more easily. A5 feels stiffer...but it will still sing beautifully. Lew
The major diff in terms of tone is that the 59 has more treble and more bass and the Seth has more mids and less bass and treble. ALSO: The Seth uses an alnico 2 magnet and a2 gives a pickup a squishier, more compressable tone that responds to changes in a players picking so you can shape the note more easily. A5 feels stiffer...but it will still sing beautifully. Lew
Travis
New member
Re: Major differences between 59s and Seths?
Well, they're in my new (new to me) 2001 Hamer Artist Korina. With that wood, do people have a general preference on the two pickups, 59s or Seth Lovers?
This is my first jazz/blues guitar as I normally reserve myself to the "shredder" type of axe. I would like to expand my horizons into different styles of music so this was a perfect acquisition for me.
Well, they're in my new (new to me) 2001 Hamer Artist Korina. With that wood, do people have a general preference on the two pickups, 59s or Seth Lovers?
This is my first jazz/blues guitar as I normally reserve myself to the "shredder" type of axe. I would like to expand my horizons into different styles of music so this was a perfect acquisition for me.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Major differences between 59s and Seths?
I find that I need to have a variety of pickups in my guitars to keep me happy...so no preference. I get bored with one sound. I find that I have to try at least 2 or 3 sets in any of my own guitars before I find the set that sounds best (to me) in any particular guitar. I rarely get it right the first time around...even after doing this for as long as I have been doing it. I can suggest pickups that make other people happy the first time with some frequency...but I'm much pickier when it comes to my own guitars and the way they interact with my particular amps. Lew
Travis said:
I find that I need to have a variety of pickups in my guitars to keep me happy...so no preference. I get bored with one sound. I find that I have to try at least 2 or 3 sets in any of my own guitars before I find the set that sounds best (to me) in any particular guitar. I rarely get it right the first time around...even after doing this for as long as I have been doing it. I can suggest pickups that make other people happy the first time with some frequency...but I'm much pickier when it comes to my own guitars and the way they interact with my particular amps. Lew
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Major differences between 59s and Seths?
I agree with Lew and I suffer the same diseases that come from playing guitar awhile and always searching for the best tones out of all of our equipment..It's an obsession with alot of us... :smack: :32: :wink:
With me it's cables,effects,pickups,my amp(s) and everything between my guitar and my amp...
Lewguitar said:
I agree with Lew and I suffer the same diseases that come from playing guitar awhile and always searching for the best tones out of all of our equipment..It's an obsession with alot of us... :smack: :32: :wink:
With me it's cables,effects,pickups,my amp(s) and everything between my guitar and my amp...
Travis
New member
Re: Major differences between 59s and Seths?
So given that I have the Hamer Artist Korina and I play through a Line 6 Flextone III (and a 5150 when I can), what would you recommend as far as the pickups go? Like I said before, I generally tend to choose "shredder" type guitars with high output pickups (Duncan Distortion is my absolute favorite). But I would like to gravitate towards some blues/jazz type music for some variety.
On my other guitars, I prefer smooth tones in the neck. I do a lot of my soloing with the neck pickup so "smooth" is the biggest thing I look for. I usually pick a hotter bridge pickup like the Distortion but that would be for a different style of music all together. I tend to spike my mids quite a bit and drop the treble a little as I can't stand anything that could remotely be grouped in the same class as "shrill".
Given this info, what would you recommend?
Lewguitar said:
So given that I have the Hamer Artist Korina and I play through a Line 6 Flextone III (and a 5150 when I can), what would you recommend as far as the pickups go? Like I said before, I generally tend to choose "shredder" type guitars with high output pickups (Duncan Distortion is my absolute favorite). But I would like to gravitate towards some blues/jazz type music for some variety.
On my other guitars, I prefer smooth tones in the neck. I do a lot of my soloing with the neck pickup so "smooth" is the biggest thing I look for. I usually pick a hotter bridge pickup like the Distortion but that would be for a different style of music all together. I tend to spike my mids quite a bit and drop the treble a little as I can't stand anything that could remotely be grouped in the same class as "shrill".
Given this info, what would you recommend?
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Major differences between 59s and Seths?
I think from your description the Seth Lovers would be fatter and smoother than 59's.
Since you say you tend to gravitate towards hot pickups, you might like the Seth neck and Custom Custom bridge too. You'll have the best of both worlds and both are very fat and smooth.
Lew
I think from your description the Seth Lovers would be fatter and smoother than 59's.
Since you say you tend to gravitate towards hot pickups, you might like the Seth neck and Custom Custom bridge too. You'll have the best of both worlds and both are very fat and smooth.
Lew
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