Original PAFs or Antiquites?

[75lespaul]

Got a Gibson 12 string and the pickups don't sound that great to me. It's a 1977 doubleneck with the original pickups. I have Ants in my 75 custom and I think they're unreal but the wiring in the doubleneck is a little complex for me to go ripping out pairs of pickups and trying new ones, so...

Anyone have an opinion as to whether the Antiquities sound better than the stock pickups? I've read that the late 70s Gibson PAFs weren't that good. Anyone live through it?

Thanks,
Mar :smoker: :saeek:

 

[techonly]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Late 70's buckers aren't PAF; if the tone isn't to your liking get new pups.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Late 70's buckers aren't PAF; if the tone isn't to your liking get new pups.

True dat.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Yeah, I know they're not real PAFs, but around here it seems like everything before 1980 on a Gibson is called a PAF.

I just wanted to know if the Ants would be that big an improvement over these pickups before I pay all that money or pull them out of my Les Paul to wire them up into the doubleneck to see how they sound, only to rip'em out again (got a matched set of creme in the LP so they'd go back in). I can live with what's in there now but I don't like to just "live" with anything. Of course, the only people who would be able to give me a valid opinion would be someone who's had or played both. Just trying to save myself lots of work and the opinions I've gotten on this forum have been great.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

IMO the Antiquities would be a big improvement over any of the 70's Gibson humbuckers I've owned. I've owned guitars with 70's Gibson HB's and the 70's Gibson HB's seemed like nothing special at all. I think of the period between 1966 and about 1980 or so as being Gibson's worst period. IMO, this is the period that brought about the replacement pickup industry because the stock pickups in Gibsons and Fenders were so mediocre. If you think the guitar merits them go for the Antiquities...the improvement should be dramatic. Lew

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Thanks Lew! I knew you'd come through. Yeah, I think the guitar is worth it. After all the sweat I've put into it, it is anyway. I didn't think my ears were decieving me with these pickups, though I'm not that familiar with the sound of an electric twelve up close and personal :smoker: :cool3: .

I'm gonna tuck myself in and dream of my Antiquities now. Later guys.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Got a Gibson 12 string and the pickups don't sound that great to me. It's a 1977 doubleneck with the original pickups. I have Ants in my 75 custom and I think they're unreal but the wiring in the doubleneck is a little complex for me to go ripping out pairs of pickups and trying new ones, so...

Anyone have an opinion as to whether the Antiquities sound better than the stock pickups? I've read that the late 70s Gibson PAFs weren't that good. Anyone live through it?

Thanks,
Mar :smoker: :saeek:

hey buddy...I have a 83 Moderne...it has the SAME pickups your Double neck has...I thought they were OK but nothing special, I recently put in a set of Pearly Gates and it's like haveing a whole new guitar! Gibson pickups post Late 69 up until the Burst Buckers are simply not very good IMO unless you are talking about P-90's, Firebird pups, of Epi Mini's that came in the LP Deluxes...the point is that I think a Set of Ants would be a HUGE improvement over the Stock pups!

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Ants are the way to go. Seths are a good choice too.

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Ants are the way to go. Seths are a good choice too.

very true

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Norlin-era pickups generally suck, the Dirty Fingers being a notable exception.

Grab yourself a set of antiquities and watch that axe come alive

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Yeah Baby!!! Scored a set of Antiquites to go in the twelve and I'm putting a JB 59 bridge and old Dimarzio super II in the neck in the six that I had in an Epiphone LP--made THAT guitar come to life also. I've got chills running down my spine anticipating the sound you guys are talking about. IMO nothing stimulates playing like getting off on a great sounding guitar! :smoker: :saeek:

 

[Armotron]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Nice. Good Luck!

 

[Thames]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

My advice would be :
- 2 Antiquities on the 12-string side
- 2 Seths on the 6 six string side.

For a cheaper option, A2P on the 12-string and '59s on the 6-string. Even cheaper would be a quad of '59s or Dimarzio PAF. You need a pickup with lots of clarity on the 12-string side.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

What exactly would be the difference between a (bridge) 59, Seth and Pearly Gates? Are they all pretty similar? :smoker: :saeek:

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

:smoker:

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

What exactly would be the difference between a (bridge) 59, Seth and Pearly Gates? Are they all pretty similar? :smoker: :saeek:

I'm not going to comment on the PG because I've never played one, but the other two....

They have similar output. The '59 is brighter and also has more bass, with a more solid feel to the bass. The Seth has a stronger midrange, with a softer spongier bass. The increased midrange gives the impression of less top end, though it is still quite bright. Overall the '59 is more aggressive sounding, the Seth is smoother but still has a great vintage bite.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Original PAFs or Antiquites?

Any Pearly Gates users? How are they different from the 59? Thames--I recognize Page and Lifeson--is the third guy Clapton? I can't figure it out. :smoker: :saeek: