Seth Lover's verses Alnico II?

[blueman335]

Re: Seth Lover's verses Alnico II?

BB King told Billy Gibbons to try '7s. I think they have great tone.

I just saw a show this week with Billy Gibbons talking about that. It happened decades ago: Billy said he asked BB about using thick strings, and he told Billy he used 8's, after that Billy went to 7's. Both guys have had some great tones and playing styles. Why feel obligated to go to thick strings? Choose that gauge that works best for your hands.

 

[donaldr]

Re: Seth Lover's verses Alnico II?

My main instrument is bass guitar, so I cannot play on 9s. I have 10s on my Fender Strat and 11s on my Gibson Les Paul. More for the feeling than the tone.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Seth Lover's verses Alnico II?

My main instrument is bass guitar, so I cannot play on 9s. I have 10s on my Fender Strat and 11s on my Gibson Les Paul. More for the feeling than the tone.

Conversely, my main instrument is electric guitars with 9's, and I have no problem switching to bass.

But back to the OP's question: My two favorite Duncan PU's are Seth's and A2P's. Can't go wrong with either one.

 

[atreidesheir]

Re: Seth Lover's verses Alnico II?

This could be useless since this is so late after the original post... :smack:

I've swapped back and forth between AIIPros and Seths many times in my Les Paul with PIO caps, CTS pots and 50's wiring. I don't disagree with what others have already posted and will add that the Seths have a more distinctive "PAF" quality to them. They sound slightly microphonic and honky in a way that reminds me of old recordings of players using vintage PAFs back in the day. The AIIPros do lack, IMO, a bit of "magic" in comparison. They are just a bit more "plain" and a bit less complex in the their tone and response. That description makes the AIIPro sound bad, but that would be incorrect. They are great pickups. Perhaps even better than the Seths for heavier, more metalish music styles. But the Seths are closer to a PAF sound if that's what is desired.

I agree with this. A2P is great too. If you find a bargain on either pickups, jump on it.

 

[Studioplayer]

Re: Seth Lover's verses Alnico II?

I'm giving an update on my above post #13. After using my new set of Seth's, I'd say that they are just what I expected. They are just a bit brighter than the Duncan '59s that I had in my Les Paul. The Seth's higher resonant peak may have something to do with that. The bass is softer and not "boomy" compared to,the ’59s. I can use my neck pickup now without fear of it becoming heavy, so that I have to constantly use its volume and tone control. I play with pick and two fingers, so articulation and "touch control" are big part of my technique and tone.

The bridge Seth resembles, again, the '59 bridge, but much more controllable. I can get some "quack" from it when needed. It's very easy to keep under control, although I never had much problem with the '59 bridge. Combining both in the middle position, for me, improved the middle tone on my guitar. I like that tone both bright and full simultaneously. Compared to the '59s in the middle position, I have much more control over getting my preferred tone with the Seth's. I get bright on the higher strings and full and some articulation of notes on the lower strings e, a, and d.

I won't reveal my total cost of getting here, but as I tend to keep my guitars and pickups much longer than many players, I won't look back at any cost/performance ratios. It's the end result I have decided quite worth it.

Studioplayer

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Seth Lover's verses Alnico II?

I'm giving an update on my above post #13. After using my new set of Seth's, I'd say that they are just what I expected. They are just a bit brighter than the Duncan '59s that I had in my Les Paul. The Seth's higher resonant peak may have something to do with that. The bass is softer and not "boomy" compared to,the ’59s. I can use my neck pickup now without fear of it becoming heavy, so that I have to constantly use its volume and tone control. I play with pick and two fingers, so articulation and "touch control" are big part of my technique and tone.

The bridge Seth resembles, again, the '59 bridge, but much more controllable. I can get some "quack" from it when needed. It's very easy to keep under control, although I never had much problem with the '59 bridge. Combining both in the middle position, for me, improved the middle tone on my guitar. I like that tone both bright and full simultaneously. Compared to the '59s in the middle position, I have much more control over getting my preferred tone with the Seth's. I get bright on the higher strings and full and some articulation of notes on the lower strings e, a, and d.

I won't reveal my total cost of getting here, but as I tend to keep my guitars and pickups much longer than many players, I won't look back at any cost/performance ratios. It's the end result I have decided quite worth it.

Studioplayer

What amp and speakers do you use with it?

 

[Studioplayer]

Re: Seth Lover's verses Alnico II?

What amp and speakers do you use with it?

Thanks for the information you gave us in the quest, Lt. K. I read all your posts when I come upon them. I'm using practice amps currently. One is a little Blackstar with a Celestion in it. And the tiny, reliable Cube GX from Roland. I renewed my interest in and older Fender Deluxe 90 DSP with a 12" Celestion (Ipswich England model) that has been in semi-retirement.

Studioplayer

 

[bluezguy]

Re: Seth Lover's verses Alnico II?

I have a pair of Seths in my es335 dot reissue. I cannot get a Joe Pass tone or anywhere near - my opinion is it's the wrong guitar for that tone. The good news is; you will get amazing jazz tones of a different variety. When I gig (even solo), I pull off some creative instrumental Jazz of my own with the 335. I definitely take the Blues world by storm and I always end the night (band gigs) with Alvin Lee's 'Going Home.

I found when I replaced the stock 57 Classics, that the Seths took me a long time to 'dial in'. They are awesome pickups .. except in my Les Paul Std where I am having trouble matching them up to balance properly. Good Luck.