Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

K

kevinabb

New member
I searched loads of threads here; lots of great stuff but couldn't quite find the answer to this one.

The guitar is a Les Paul Elegant - tonewise, it's basically an LP Standard with chambered body and ebony fretboard. The neck pup is a stock Seth neck, 7.38K. It sounds perfect: fat, warm, but detailed.

In the bridge I'm choosing either a Seth neck (8.01K) or Antinquity (8.78K). They both sound generally pretty good, but a tiny bit too thin (trebly) and a bit too quiet - the neck is noticeably louder. I tried other pups, but these are the closest to what I want in the bridge.

I don't want to mess with the neck pup, like lowering it or anything. It is perfect as-is. I think either one of the bridge pups would be perfect if I can get it to be just a bit louder and fatter. I'd think the Ant, especially, is wound hot enough to easily get the extra volume I need. The key is to do it without making it brighter. Hopefully, actually making it fatter/warmer).

Anyone solved this type of problem? I have lots of mags to swap, so that's definitley an option.
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

Just put a full-strength mag of choice in the Antiquity. It will definitely get louder.
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

I find that the 78 is what I think is the proper bridge pickup for the Antiquity set. The Ant bridge has a weird wind for it's magnet. The 78 is more aggressive and powerful but still bright.

The Brobucker is noticeably darker and even more powerful, it might be for you, too.
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

I have a full charged A2 in my bridge Ant. Match made in heaven!
Was recommended by Jeremy i think
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

take that antiquity and put a stronger magnet in it. i would suggest a full strength a2, a8 or a degaussed a5. if that doesnt do it, sell it to me and get a brobucker :D

both a 59b and pearly gates are going to be brighter than a 8.78k antiquity with a full charged magnet.










im not joking either, i want it.
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

Thanks for the ideas, guys. I do have an A8 and full-strength A2, and I be trying hoth of those tonight. I have an A5 but it is full-strength, and I haven't yet gotten into degaussing or weakening a magnet. Not sure I have anything strong enough to do that. (Can I rub the magnet over a huge speaker mag like that in a Celestion 12-150?)?

I appreciate all the suggestions about other models of pickups. I have all of those mentioned except the '78. Bbut one of the reasons I'm down to Antiquity or Seth (other than that they are my favorite Duncans in a Les Paul) is that I really want double-creams in this guitar! The only ones I own are Seths and the Ant bridge. Vanity at its best!
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

kjrocks said:
Why do I bother? :(
Click to expand...

:friday: dont feel bad bro

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.

So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life's a piece of ****
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life...
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

kjrocks said:
Why do I bother? :(
Click to expand...

KJ, I deeply appreciated your response, so please don't think your effort was in vain. If I had a double-cream A2P you can bet I'd be taking your advice and giving it a try. But don't worry - I have a zebra A2P bridge, and in honor of your thoughtful suggestion I WILL GIVE IT A TRY TONIGHT! In fact I'll try it first, and if it sounds great I will keep it in the guitar and post a pic! :beerchug:
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

The APH is very bright and grindy. I don't think it's what is needed here.
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

kevinabb said:
The guitar is a Les Paul Elegant - tonewise, it's basically an LP Standard with chambered body and ebony fretboard.
Click to expand...

I had a '97 Elegant and have played a few others. Very bright and thin by LP standards (so to speak). It needed pretty beefy pu's to counter that.
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

kevinabb said:
KJ, I deeply appreciated your response, so please don't think your effort was in vain. If I had a double-cream A2P you can bet I'd be taking your advice and giving it a try. But don't worry - I have a zebra A2P bridge, and in honor of your thoughtful suggestion I WILL GIVE IT A TRY TONIGHT! In fact I'll try it first, and if it sounds great I will keep it in the guitar and post a pic! :beerchug:
Click to expand...

Please, no pity installs :) But at least you'll know if its the sound you're looking for. Let us know.
 
Re: Need more output from a bridge Seth or Ant

A couple of things. I also have a CS Elegant in the Peacock Blue, short neck tenon. Beautiful guitar--I have nine Les Pauls, and my Elegant is just so special. I think mine still has the stock '57 Classics and they work very well in this guitar.

I also have a couple of LPs from the 2007 Guitar Of The Week program that Gibson had going--both are chambered Classic Antiques with '57 Classic neck and '57 Classic Plus bridge pickups. I really love the sound of these guitars, too. The Classic Plus has a little more output and a more rounded tone with more mids. I think it is a very nice bridge pickup. These are uncovered double blacks, so that probably wouldn't work for you. :(

Sometimes it seems like it is hard to get the right balance between pickups in a Les Paul--get the neck too low and it loses its liveliness; to high and it obliterates the bridge pickup. Just food for thought--sometimes lower is actually better--use a clean boost to bring the volume back up and drive the amp a little harder.

No one has suggested it but I think in the bridge either a JB with a 250-300K pot might work well....seems to work well for Jeff Beck; OR a Custom Custom. The JB or the CC might be just the ticket to give you the mid-range power you seek.

I also think the Brobucker would be a good match for the Antiquity neck, though I haven't tried one. I love the Antiquity set I have in my honeyburst 1997 LP 1960 Classic. I still have the factory pots in there, and it is wonderfully rich and sweet.

Good luck, and enjoy that Elegant. I'd love to hear how this all comes out for you.

Bill
 
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