Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

[Kelsey]

The Antiquity flatpole Tele set is indeed as good as everyone keeps saying. I was concerned about how it would sound in this American Series Tele, which has an alder body, a rosewood fingerboard, and a modern bridge, but it's just fantastic. The lead pup has a bit more high end and a bit less mids than the Jerry Donahue lead, but not by much. It does sound more lively and less compressed than the JD, and the low end seems more substantial than I expected. The 5/2 lead was nice, with smooth highs and mids and a full twangy bottom, but the Antiquity lead suits me better. I finally realized after careful testing and listening to the 5/2, JD, and Nocaster that I just like the Alnico 2 and Alnico 3 Tele pups much better than the Alnico 5's.

The Antiquity rhythm pickup was a pleasant surprise after the rather dull and low-powered 5/2 rhythm pup. The Antiquity has more output, a more open sound, and just enough brightness to keep it out of the mud -- it has the nice woody, smokey, hollow tones that a good Tele neck pup should have. From what I've heard live and in clips, I think the Antiquity Tele rhythm is the best traditional Tele neck pup that SD makes. I think it and the Fender Nocaster neck pup are among the very best vintage-style Tele neck pickups available. And the combined pickup tones of both the Antiquity and Nocaster sets are just plain beautiful and hum-free -- it's nice to have one hum-free place to hide. :burnout:

 

[Fatty]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

Sounds awesome.. I've been considering an Antiquity Tele neck for a while now. I'll have to check it out.

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

glad you like your ants.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

Almost 100% agreement. Congratulations! I'd like to know how these Antiquitys compare to the Nocasters I know you are fond of. Personally, I much prefer the Antiquitys, but what do you think? Lew

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

I think on a blind bet that the Antiquity set is the safer bet than the Nocaster set, but one set might prove nicer than the other in a particular guitar. To my ears, the A2 mags have spongier lows and mids than the A3 mags, which have a tighter and rounder tone. As a result, you get richer harmonics from the A2 but more bite and thump from the A3. I like both of these mags better than the A5's, which have more spring and twang but lack the solid, rounded mids of the A3's and the smoothness of the A2's. Just my 2 cents after some critical listening.

As I said, both the Ant. and Nocaster sets are RWRP, which I like, and they are well balanced and toneful through all 3 settings. The Nocaster neck pup is definitely brighter than the Ant neck pup, but the Ant has a bit smokier tone and is bright enough to stay out of the mud. If you want a traditional Tele set, it would be tough to beat the Antiquity or Nocaster set. Now, if you want something a bit bolder, I would strongly recommend the Phat Cat neck and JD lead combo, which is fat and sassy, as well as RWRP.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

Now, if you want something a bit bolder, I would strongly recommend the Phat Cat neck and JD lead combo, which is fat and sassy, as well as RWRP.

Have you actually tried that combo? My James Burton Tele sounds great with the Jerry Donahue pickup and is already routed for a humbucker size neck pickup. I've been thinking about putting a neck Phat Cat in it for a while now...just haven't got around to it yet. Thanks! Lew

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

Lew,

I have a Phat Cat neck and JD lead in another American Series Tele with heavy ash body and rosewood fingerboard. I had to adjust the JD to within 1/16" of the treble E string to match the output of the Phat Cat, but they sound great together now. It turns out that they make a RWRP set, which was a pleasant surprise (SD tech support did not expect this to be the case). This guitar is now my loudest and fattest sounding Tele by far.

I also really like Firebird-style mini-humbuckers as Tele neck pickups, and they afford a bit more choice in bridge pup options. I have a 4-conductor Duncan SM-3n paired with a Nocaster lead, and that guitar has the strongest low end thump of all my Teles. I think I'm done now. :wink: :dance:

Kelsey

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

Thanks! One reason I haven't tried the Phat Cat/Jerry Donahue combo is that I was afraid the Phat Cat might overpower the JD.

Lew

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

It will if you let it, but some tweaking should result in a good match. I've found that the match seems to shift slightly depending on how loud your crank it. Played at bedroom volumes, the Phat Cat may overpower the JD a bit because the PC is so full sounding. However, the JD catches up quickly as you crank the amp. The combined tone is very cool, too -- like some kind of 2/4 Strat meets Tele middle on steroids. You should try it some time!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

It will if you let it, but some tweaking should result in a good match. I've found that the match seems to shift slightly depending on how loud your crank it. Played at bedroom volumes, the Phat Cat may overpower the JD a bit because the PC is so full sounding. However, the JD catches up quickly as you crank the amp. The combined tone is very cool, too -- like some kind of 2/4 Strat meets Tele middle on steroids. You should try it some time!

I will. Right now my James Burton Tele has a set of Duncan Custom Shop Tele pickups in it but I want to move those to either my '54 Tele or my Nocaster. When I do, I'll reisnstall the Jerry Donahue and try a Phat Cat for the neck. Lew

 

[Falstaff]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

Are you talking about the 50's type Ants, or the 60's (Ant II) type?

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

I installed the early 50's flatpole set. I can definitely say that they are keepers after spending more time with them this weekend.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Out goes the 5/2 Tele set and in goes the Antiquity Tele set

Has anyone tried Antiquity II tele pickups? A-5?