Semi-hollow and A2 vs A5 pickups

[vintagepimpage]

From reading here the last couple weeks it sounds like you normally want to go for pickups that compliment your guitars natural sound. Am I wrong to assume that, generally, semi-hollows are strong in the mids and that's why many recommend pickups with A5 magnets... because they are stronger in the highs and lows and that helps balance with the sound the semi is already bringing.

My confusion comes where I see a lot of recommendations for Seth Lovers in a semi-hollow. With an A2 magnet I assume it would excel in the mids? Wouldn't that mean that in a semi you run the chance of the mids overpowering the lows and highs?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Semi-hollow and A2 vs A5 pickups

No - doesn't work like that at all.

A few general statements…

First - do not make assumptions about tone based SOLELY on the magnet. magnet type is a very broad tonal stroke. Magnet + Wind amount/style, gauge of wire and other sonic mojo all contribute.

Second - Amp may color/shape tone far more than guitar or pickup.

Third - Any two guitars, even if of the same construction could vary considerably.

Someone will probably drop on here and discuss mainly Epi Dot's etc. Yes - they can be good sounding guitars. But they can also range far and wide. Some may be ultra dark, others super bright. Construction varies widely.

IMO, the pup drives the tone second only to to the amp.

Guitar SCALE and pickup style (Single/HB) will matter more than anything else.

The level of highs/mids/bass in a guitar usually has to be pretty extreme to overwhelm the pickup. Especially the more "distinct" pups. A Seth is a fairly balanced thing - so you'll get more of the guitar's natural EQ curve, and not so hot. A Distortion is uber hot and has a pretty extreme curve, so if you put it in a 2x4, it'll sound like a Distortion.

A2P is a moderately distinct pickup, IMO. The bass/mids are no doubt prominent, and the highs are fat-round. But a pickup is not going to "add" to the mids, per say. It will only let what it there out. Or make crappy ones louder.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Semi-hollow and A2 vs A5 pickups

Yep, as mentioned above, the wind is much more important than magnet. In the case of Seths, they are a open honky type tone, the upper mids area making up for the loose open tone of the semi.

So you need either to find some clips of a pickup in a similar guitar, plus also playing said guitar+pickups through a similar amp.

 

[vintagepimpage]

Re: Semi-hollow and A2 vs A5 pickups

Thanks for the info Aceman. I'll get back to you later in my other thread. Obviously I got more homework to do...