Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

[Knightrich]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Personally, I like to work with the inherent tones of each pickup position, rather than fighting them. That means I actually want a bright and biting bridge pickup and a warmer, smoother neck pickup. Modern balanced pickup sets try to fight this tendency of older pickup sets, but I actually like it the old way. So I am inclined to go A2 neck, A5 bridge, while others looking for a "balanced" set would probably do the opposite.

Consider: Seth neck, '59 bridge, or Seth neck, '59 neck in the bridge spot. Or Seth neck, Jazz bridge. Or Seth neck, Saturday Night Special bridge (A2 neck, A4 bridge in that case).

What would you compare the Saturday Night Special to? I did take a look at the WLHs as well. I was also recommended the Smooth/Classic set by Porter pickups which is an A2 neck with A5 bridge.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Do you have any luck on the forums here or do you suggest looking elsewhere like eBay? I see a ton for sale on eBay but most of them are uncovered.

I see a bunch on Ebay. Don't be afraid of uncovered versions either. Covers are cheap and easy to install.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

I never set my amps for one pickup. I want both PU's to sound very good with the same setting, hence my incessant tweaking of magnets, pots, alternative wirings, etc.

Same here, except I eq the amp to my neck pickup, then take the edge off the bridge with its tone control.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

What would you compare the Saturday Night Special to? I did take a look at the WLHs as well. I was also recommended the Smooth/Classic set by Porter pickups which is an A2 neck with A5 bridge.

The Saturday Night Special neck is chasing the T-Top and pre-T-Top tone (mid '60's through '70's Gibsons). The bridge is not based on anything old. It's just an overwound version of the neck, for volume balance. If you want the old school T-Top setup, with the thinner, lower volume bridge pickup, you get a pair of S.N.S. neck models. If you want the T-Top neck tone, but a more beefy and balanced bridge tone, you get a neck and a bridge model.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

i have two sets of sns so i should know this for a fact but both mine are covered, i thought the neck and bridge use different wire?

 

[Dreman]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

I would suggest that if you're unhappy with the stock pups in your Epiphone, you'll likely not be happy with Seths or any even-wound A2s. Especially if you want attack. If you want attack, then consider A5s or A4s. A4s may have less risk of boom along with the risk of less character.

As in any recommendation, you won't know until you try yourself. The '59 is the most popular vintage neck humbucker SD sells. Probably a good starting point.

 

[Knightrich]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Personally, I like to work with the inherent tones of each pickup position, rather than fighting them. That means I actually want a bright and biting bridge pickup and a warmer, smoother neck pickup. Modern balanced pickup sets try to fight this tendency of older pickup sets, but I actually like it the old way. So I am inclined to go A2 neck, A5 bridge, while others looking for a "balanced" set would probably do the opposite.

Consider: Seth neck, '59 bridge, or Seth neck, '59 neck in the bridge spot. Or Seth neck, Jazz bridge. Or Seth neck, Saturday Night Special bridge (A2 neck, A4 bridge in that case).

That’s interesting about the Jazz bridge. I feel like I hardly see that pickup mentioned here. Is it just not that popular?

 

[Knightrich]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

I would suggest that if you're unhappy with the stock pups in your Epiphone, you'll likely not be happy with Seths or any even-wound A2s. Especially if you want attack. If you want attack, then consider A5s or A4s. A4s may have less risk of boom along with the risk of less character.

As in any recommendation, you won't know until you try yourself. The '59 is the most popular vintage neck humbucker SD sells. Probably a good starting point.

You’re right about that. Nothing beats having it in the guitar to try it out. Whatever I end up choosing I’ll definitely post a clip of it.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Just to throw my two cents in, I’ve played a 335 through a Deluxe Reverb for many years.

I find the sound of a stock Alnico 5 59 neck model to lack mids, the treble to be a bit steely sometimes, and the neck 59 has too much bass. Scooped in other words.

Since I spend alot of time on the neck pickup, the search for a great neck bucker has been a quest of mine forever.

I much prefer Alnico 2 Seth Lovers. More mids, smoother treble and not so bassy.

But with a magnet swap, the 59’s can be turned into my favorite humbucker set.

Roughcast magnets. A3 in the neck and A2 in the bridge.

That’s now my favorite set overall. Works great in Antiquitys too.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

I'm not the biggest fan of Seth Lovers in a solid body electric, but for a DOT, it's a great combo.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

I'm not the biggest fan of Seth Lovers in a solid body electric, but for a DOT, it's a great combo.

I have Seth Lovers in a PRS SE Singlecut. I removed the covers.

They’re great but I prefer the 59’s and Antiquitys that I’ve modified.

Especially with RCA3 in the neck pickup. A3 neck and A2 bridge has become my favorite set of paf style humbuckers.

 

[Knightrich]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

I have Seth Lovers in a PRS SE Singlecut. I removed the covers.

They’re great but I prefer the 59’s and Antiquitys that I’ve modified.

Especially with RCA3 in the neck pickup. A3 neck and A2 bridge has become my favorite set of paf style humbuckers.

I’m definitely leaning towards the 59s. I think I’ve decided.

Now, is there any benefit to buying the covered set vs the uncovered and adding my own? Seems like it’s a $50 difference if bought new.

 

[Knightrich]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Just to throw my two cents in, I’ve played a 335 through a Deluxe Reverb for many years.

I find the sound of a stock Alnico 5 59 neck model to lack mids, the treble to be a bit steely sometimes, and the neck 59 has too much bass. Scooped in other words.

Since I spend alot of time on the neck pickup, the search for a great neck bucker has been a quest of mine forever.

I much prefer Alnico 2 Seth Lovers. More mids, smoother treble and not so bassy.

But with a magnet swap, the 59’s can be turned into my favorite humbucker set.

Roughcast magnets. A3 in the neck and A2 in the bridge.

That’s now my favorite set overall. Works great in Antiquitys too.

Did you feel like the 59s drove the amp a little too hard?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Did you feel like the 59s drove the amp a little too hard?

I don’t love them with the stock A5 magnets. Too much bass from the neck...and the bridge is not thick enough...needs more mids.

Of course that is just my tastes.

But I’ve been putting A3 in the neck and A2 in the bridge and then I LOVE THEM!

If you’re going to do the magnet swap, which is a must IMO, order them uncovered.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

The uncovered set might have a tiny bit more high end. I like the look of the cover better, however.

 

[Knightrich]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

The uncovered set might have a tiny bit more high end. I like the look of the cover better, however.

Agreed. I may just take the covers off the Epiphone humbuckers and put them on the new ones.

 

[Knightrich]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Just to throw my two cents in, I’ve played a 335 through a Deluxe Reverb for many years.

I find the sound of a stock Alnico 5 59 neck model to lack mids, the treble to be a bit steely sometimes, and the neck 59 has too much bass. Scooped in other words.

Since I spend alot of time on the neck pickup, the search for a great neck bucker has been a quest of mine forever.

I much prefer Alnico 2 Seth Lovers. More mids, smoother treble and not so bassy.

But with a magnet swap, the 59’s can be turned into my favorite humbucker set.

Roughcast magnets. A3 in the neck and A2 in the bridge.

That’s now my favorite set overall. Works great in Antiquitys too.

With that magnet swap do you find the neck more powerful than the bridge? I did have a guitar with Alnico 3s once but they were single coils in a Telecaster.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

With that magnet swap do you find the neck more powerful than the bridge? I did have a guitar with Alnico 3s once but they were single coils in a Telecaster.

No.

The Alnico 3 in the neck is weaker than the alnico 2 in the bridge.

They balance very well by properly adjusting pickup height.

Also, the guitar will ring better and longer, and you’ll get a “stringier”, more acoustic sound from the neck pickup...because, I think, the alnico 3 has less string pull than a2, a4 or a5.

 

[Knightrich]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Did you feel like the 59s drove the amp a little too hard?

Do you have a good recommendation to pair the 59 neck with? I can tell from some of the reviews and sound clips that the bridge is a little too mid-scooped for my taste. At least in a Les Paul. I’m fine to keep it stock for a while until I can change the magnet out if that solves some of I just don’t want the neck to overpower the bridge.
I considered getting a WLH bridge to pair it with?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Re: Seth Lovers vs ‘59s Epiphone Dot through DRRI

Do you have a good recommendation to pair the 59 neck with? I can tell from some of the reviews and sound clips that the bridge is a little too mid-scooped for my taste. At least in a Les Paul. I’m fine to keep it stock for a while until I can change the magnet out if that solves some of I just don’t want the neck to overpower the bridge.
I considered getting a WLH bridge to pair it with?

With a magnet swap you can eliminate the mid scoop in a 59B. Either an A2 or an A4, but especially the A2. I like the roughcast A2 from AddictionFX.

Or, since you want covers, just go for a set of Seth Lovers. They are alnico 2 and definitely not mid-scooped.

I was just playing my SE Singlecut with Seth Lovers. The one on the right. Great sound!