Seth Lover Help

[sw532121]

Looking for a little advice from the experts. I've been a longtime SD fan, but this is actually my first foray into the world SD pickups.

I just acquired a 2007 Gibson SG Standard. It had the stock 490R & 498T pickups in it. I was pleasantly surprised by the clarity of the 490R, but I felt that the 498T was a too "modern" for my tastes. I tend go for lower output pickups. I'm primarily a rhythm player looking for classic and southern rock tones (think Allman, Black Crowes, Marshall Tucker, AC/DC, etc.) Needless to say, I decided that I wanted to change the bridge pickup. After some careful consideration, I chose a Seth Lover (SH-55b). Once installed, there was a huge drop in volume compared with the 498T, which was expected, but I'm finding that the pickup is lacking almost all low end. The pickup reads 7.7K on a meter, and sounds "normal" (except for the bass). With the amp (AC15) set the exact same, both of my Telecaster's bridge pickups have more bottom than the Seth Lover. Does this sound normal, or is there something wrong with the pickup?

If it is normal, I might consider moving the Seth Lover to the neck position to replace the 490R. If I do move the Seth to the neck, what would be your recommendation for a SD bridge pickup. I want something that is vintage output, isn't overpowered by the neck pickup, and has good bass response. Maybe a '59? Also, I've heard of people preferring a '59 neck pickup (SH-1n) in the bridge position over a the '59 bridge (SH-1b). Any truth to that?

Your wisdom is appreciated!

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Seth Lover Help

After some careful consideration, I chose a Seth Lover (SH-55b).

The Seth is a great p'up, but it's by no means a good match for the 490R.

If you liked the 490R so much, a 490T should've been your choice.

I wonder in what exactly you were basing your choice of the Seth bridge?

 

[sw532121]

Re: Seth Lover Help

I wonder in what exactly you were basing your choice of the Seth bridge?

I don't think the 490R / Seth Lover Bridge was too far of a stretch. Gibson states, "The 490R is a humbucker with the tonal characteristics of an original PAF, with a slight increase in upper mid-range response." The 490R has alnico 2 magnets, is PAF voiced, etc. The one currently in the SG measures at 7.55K.

Getting back to the original question, does my description of the Seth Lover sound like there is something wrong with it? The bass response is really shockingly low. And, if I move the Seth to the neck what would be your recommendation for a SD bridge pickup?

 

[lNllClK]

Re: Seth Lover Help

no, seth is bright and middy, not much base, I think your feeling is right, stick the seth in the neck and try a 59 in the bridge. 59 will give more bass i think and still qualify for a paf style pickup..

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Seth Lover Help

I would go with two Seth's. I have a pair in an all mahogany Hamer (similar to an SG, but with a thicker body). The Seth isn't overly bright in the bridge position but has a great midrange honk to it. It'll be great for what you want to play. I've had them in my SG as well and they're great.

 

[sw532121]

Re: Seth Lover Help

Thanks for the replies so far. I was just shocked by the lack of low end of the Seth in the bridge. I think I'm leaning toward moving it to the neck position. I'm looking at the '59 and the Alnico II Pro. In your experience, which will have the most low end in an SG?

 

[uOpt]

Re: Seth Lover Help

No, it is the SG's bridge position that lacks the low end.

More bass while similar would be in a Pearly Gates, or the 59 if you like scooped (might not go so well to have a mid hole either, though).

Or try a A2 magnet in your 498T.

A Tele is a thick-bodied piece and the A5 rod magnets in the Tele's bridge pickup ensure there's bass.

 

[lNllClK]

Re: Seth Lover Help

No, it is the SG's bridge position that lacks the low end.

More bass while similar would be in a Pearly Gates, or the 59 if you like scooped (might not go so well to have a mid hole either, though).

Or try a A2 magnet in your 498T.

A Tele is a thick-bodied piece and the A5 rod magnets in the Tele's bridge pickup ensure there's bass.

werd, pearly gates was a thought i had as well

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Seth Lover Help

Like I said, I've had the Seths in my SG and they didn't lack for low end or mids. I think that given that SG's can be somewhat bright to begin with, The '59 or PG would only accentuate that. JMO

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Seth Lover Help

You said that there was "a huge drop in volume" when you put the Seth in. Are you sure you got it wired correctly?

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Seth Lover Help

Thanks for the replies so far. I was just shocked by the lack of low end of the Seth in the bridge. I think I'm leaning toward moving it to the neck position. I'm looking at the '59 and the Alnico II Pro. In your experience, which will have the most low end in an SG?

If I was you, I'd try with an A4 magnet in the 490R and an A8 in the 498T.

It'll make that SG of yours a lean, mean, rock machine and then some!

HTH,

 

[blueman335]

Re: Seth Lover Help

I would go with two Seth's. I have a pair in an all mahogany Hamer (similar to an SG, but with a thicker body). The Seth isn't overly bright in the bridge position but has a great midrange honk to it. It'll be great for what you want to play. I've had them in my SG as well and they're great.

+1. Seth's are the answer to many guitar questions.

 

[sw532121]

Re: Seth Lover Help

Thanks for all the replies so far. It's a single conductor, and I've had two techs check it just to be sure the wiring was right (no cold solder joints, etc.). I just spoke with SD tech support, and they believe that the pickup was wired out of phase at the factory. I am sending it back to them now.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Seth Lover Help

Nope. If it is out of phase then it will still be at full strength when used alone.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Seth Lover Help

What if the coils were factory wired parallel instead of series? That would make it sound thin/less bass and also reduced output when used alone.

 

[sw532121]

Re: Seth Lover Help

Nope. If it is out of phase then it will still be at full strength when used alone.

I wasn't implying that the neck and bridge pickups were out of phase with each other. I definitely know what this sounds like. The lower output and thin bass was experienced when the bridge pickup was on by itself.

What if the coils were factory wired parallel instead of series? That would make it sound thin/less bass and also reduced output when used alone.

This is one hypothesis that tech support had. That or the bobbins were wired incorrectly at the factory. The SD support team was very helpful, and they're replacing it with no questions asked!