Seth Lovers vs. Antiquities
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Re: Seth Lovers vs. Antiquities
I like the Seths best, with just about TS-level (really 805) levels of gain in a 24.75" scale semi or solidbody. The Antiquities are cleaner and clearer to me, and suit really clean, older styles like chord melody better- jazz on a big hollowbody. The Seths seem to like a tiny bit of grit in there.
I like the Seths best, with just about TS-level (really 805) levels of gain in a 24.75" scale semi or solidbody. The Antiquities are cleaner and clearer to me, and suit really clean, older styles like chord melody better- jazz on a big hollowbody. The Seths seem to like a tiny bit of grit in there.
Ayrton
New member
Re: Seth Lovers vs. Antiquities
I have Antiquities in every Gibson I have except two. Those two LPs have WLH and the DiMarzio '59. I normally do not care for A2 based humbuckers, but for whatever the reason the Ants have it. I think I have tried just about every mainstream "PAF" pickup including some very well regarded boutiques models, and you can't beat the Duncans for what they cost.
I have not tried the Throbacks and possibly will one day, but supermodels would have to fly out of my closet before I could justify the cost difference. I have a set of Seths in the drawer, but I was under the impression (incorrectly) that the Seth windings were the same as the Ants but with a stronger magnet. Now that I have been informed, I will install them into something. I also have some vintage correct A2 and A5 magnets to try in the Ants.
For the record, I prefer the Ants over the both the '59 DiMarzios and the WLH set, but I am too lazy to swap them back, and I can live with the slightly different tone.
I have Antiquities in every Gibson I have except two. Those two LPs have WLH and the DiMarzio '59. I normally do not care for A2 based humbuckers, but for whatever the reason the Ants have it. I think I have tried just about every mainstream "PAF" pickup including some very well regarded boutiques models, and you can't beat the Duncans for what they cost.
I have not tried the Throbacks and possibly will one day, but supermodels would have to fly out of my closet before I could justify the cost difference. I have a set of Seths in the drawer, but I was under the impression (incorrectly) that the Seth windings were the same as the Ants but with a stronger magnet. Now that I have been informed, I will install them into something. I also have some vintage correct A2 and A5 magnets to try in the Ants.
For the record, I prefer the Ants over the both the '59 DiMarzios and the WLH set, but I am too lazy to swap them back, and I can live with the slightly different tone.
Nostalgic Distortion
New member
Jeffrec
New member
Re: Seth Lovers vs. Antiquities
I have both. The Seths seem to work better in my '61 LP reissue and an all mahogany Hamer (like a thicker SG). They have a different, more pronounced mid-range than the Antiquity. The Antiquities sound incredible in my LP Custom. I didn't care for them in the SG or Hamer.
I have both. The Seths seem to work better in my '61 LP reissue and an all mahogany Hamer (like a thicker SG). They have a different, more pronounced mid-range than the Antiquity. The Antiquities sound incredible in my LP Custom. I didn't care for them in the SG or Hamer.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Seth Lovers vs. Antiquities
I have a few Seth sets, love them as is, no mag swaps needed. My one Ant set was taken out and is sitting in a box. Don't like it's aged (degaussed) A2's at all, which is a somewhat common complaint here. At some point in the future I'll try it in something else with different magnets. Compared to Seth's, it's been a disappointment for me. I've seen people here praise Ant's, although they've never actually owned one; they assume that since Seth's are so good, Ant's must be even better. That is not necessarily the case. Maybe Ant's are fussier about the guitar they're in.
I have a few Seth sets, love them as is, no mag swaps needed. My one Ant set was taken out and is sitting in a box. Don't like it's aged (degaussed) A2's at all, which is a somewhat common complaint here. At some point in the future I'll try it in something else with different magnets. Compared to Seth's, it's been a disappointment for me. I've seen people here praise Ant's, although they've never actually owned one; they assume that since Seth's are so good, Ant's must be even better. That is not necessarily the case. Maybe Ant's are fussier about the guitar they're in.
Re: Seth Lovers vs. Antiquities
Seth's - for me are much better for my tastes than the Antiquities. I like either an A4 or an UOA5 best in the Seth, but the Antiquties, no magnet makes it sound good to me. Every mag except an A2 or the weaker A2 makes the Antiquity sound better, but still doesn't beat Seth's for me.
Steve Buffington
Seth's - for me are much better for my tastes than the Antiquities. I like either an A4 or an UOA5 best in the Seth, but the Antiquties, no magnet makes it sound good to me. Every mag except an A2 or the weaker A2 makes the Antiquity sound better, but still doesn't beat Seth's for me.
Steve Buffington
Discharged
New member
Re: Seth Lovers vs. Antiquities
Both sets have pretty different inherent tone-footprints. The Seths have a lighter tenor vibe, like Andrea Bocelli, when the Ants have a more muscular vibe, like Caruso or Pavarotti, specially when you use fully-charged magnets. An A3n/A2b mag swap work wonders with'em. I'm not a fan of the dun-aged mags, although they sound magnificent in certain musical contexts that I'm not personally involved.
/Peter
Both sets have pretty different inherent tone-footprints. The Seths have a lighter tenor vibe, like Andrea Bocelli, when the Ants have a more muscular vibe, like Caruso or Pavarotti, specially when you use fully-charged magnets. An A3n/A2b mag swap work wonders with'em. I'm not a fan of the dun-aged mags, although they sound magnificent in certain musical contexts that I'm not personally involved.
/Peter
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Seth Lovers vs. Antiquities
Taking the covers off of either set transforms them into more of a British Blues/Rock kind of pickup.
I have two sets of Antiquitys and three sets of Seths.
I prefer the sound with the covers off with my Seths: louder, more driving, more texture to the mids and a fatter, less steely tone.
I leave the covers on my Antiquitys although I’ve used them with the covers off too.
I don’t want my guitars to all sound the same and I like the more traditional bluesy/jazzy and less aggressive sound of the Antiquitys with the covers on.
But for a more aggressive blues/rock tone, taking the covers off and adjusting the pickup coils closer to the strings transforms either pickup set into almost a different pickup.
It is not a subtle difference. Not to me.
These two sets are my favorite Duncan humbuckers, along with the Pearly Gates set.
Taking the covers off of either set transforms them into more of a British Blues/Rock kind of pickup.
I have two sets of Antiquitys and three sets of Seths.
I prefer the sound with the covers off with my Seths: louder, more driving, more texture to the mids and a fatter, less steely tone.
I leave the covers on my Antiquitys although I’ve used them with the covers off too.
I don’t want my guitars to all sound the same and I like the more traditional bluesy/jazzy and less aggressive sound of the Antiquitys with the covers on.
But for a more aggressive blues/rock tone, taking the covers off and adjusting the pickup coils closer to the strings transforms either pickup set into almost a different pickup.
It is not a subtle difference. Not to me.
These two sets are my favorite Duncan humbuckers, along with the Pearly Gates set.
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Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Seth Lovers vs. Antiquities
I have production Seths in a chambered 2005 LP Supreme, replacing the 490r/498t. Love them! Massively changed the character of the guitar, turning it into a much more versatile instrument. Great for classic rock, blues, jazz, country...anywhere you'd want to use a great PAF.
I have two mid-90s Les Paul 1960 Classics with Premium Plus tops. The honeyburst has Antiquitys, while the HCSB has a set of Custom Shop 50th Anniversary A2 Seths they did for Musician's Friend. These have engraved covers and are wound slightly hotter than the production version. I REALLY LIKE THESE! Fuller, a little more mids, but still clear and versatile. Wish I'd bought tens sets of these!
And the Ants are also great in the other Les Paul. The mids have a delicious smokiness to them. Of course gain is not an issue with my Mesa amps. The stock 496r/500t sounded good, but they just had too much power for my amps. I love the craftsmanship of the Ants...they just FEEL special.
Both the Seths and Ants are unpotted, but feedback is always manageable...musical and controllable.
I love rhem both!
Bill
I have production Seths in a chambered 2005 LP Supreme, replacing the 490r/498t. Love them! Massively changed the character of the guitar, turning it into a much more versatile instrument. Great for classic rock, blues, jazz, country...anywhere you'd want to use a great PAF.
I have two mid-90s Les Paul 1960 Classics with Premium Plus tops. The honeyburst has Antiquitys, while the HCSB has a set of Custom Shop 50th Anniversary A2 Seths they did for Musician's Friend. These have engraved covers and are wound slightly hotter than the production version. I REALLY LIKE THESE! Fuller, a little more mids, but still clear and versatile. Wish I'd bought tens sets of these!
And the Ants are also great in the other Les Paul. The mids have a delicious smokiness to them. Of course gain is not an issue with my Mesa amps. The stock 496r/500t sounded good, but they just had too much power for my amps. I love the craftsmanship of the Ants...they just FEEL special.
Both the Seths and Ants are unpotted, but feedback is always manageable...musical and controllable.
I love rhem both!
Bill
Studioplayer
New member
Re: Seth Lovers vs. Antiquities
I
Know what you mean, Bill. My 2000 Classic became a more versatile guitar once the stock ceramics were replaced by a SD ’59 pair. Twelve years later, it became even more so when I put a set of Seths in it. You are correct when listing the genres of music the Seths can cover. I'm using an Orange amp right now and they fit that amp very well. Although the amp excels at high gain, the Seths can bring out all the "in-between tones" the amp has to offer......more powerful pickups might miss finding those tones. I came near going with Antiquities, but I figured the Seths should be tried first. I'm glad I did.
Studioplayer
I
Know what you mean, Bill. My 2000 Classic became a more versatile guitar once the stock ceramics were replaced by a SD ’59 pair. Twelve years later, it became even more so when I put a set of Seths in it. You are correct when listing the genres of music the Seths can cover. I'm using an Orange amp right now and they fit that amp very well. Although the amp excels at high gain, the Seths can bring out all the "in-between tones" the amp has to offer......more powerful pickups might miss finding those tones. I came near going with Antiquities, but I figured the Seths should be tried first. I'm glad I did.
Studioplayer
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