Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

[ExplorersRock]

Hey guys,

I have an Ant Neck, An APH-1 neck, an APH-2 neck, and a PG neck. But I have never tried a Seth and thus not sure if I want to get one. How is it different from the pickups I've mentioned here?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

I like Seth's much better than PGN's. Much more open and alive. I think I have 5 sets of Seths. Sold my one set of PG's. A2P's are my second favorite Duncan neck HB; nice high end, which is important to me (but not to everyone). I hear PGN's as the warmest of these 3 and having a smooth, rounded high-end, like for old school jazz. The aged A2's in Ant's are an issue for some people, as they reduce treble and output, neither of which a fully-charged A2 has an abundance of. Of course, these will sound different in various woods and guitar designs. In brighter woods, for PGN's and Ant's the high-ends open up.

I highly recommend getting a set of Seth's. I shouldn't have waited so long. A few of the Duncan employees have said here that it's their favorite Duncan PU.

 

[Davii]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

From what I've heard on the YouTube videos, Seths come across as smoother, and less brash/harsh [to my ears] than PGs. I've got 2 guitars with APH-2s, which seem to work well with the way I play, although I occasionally find the attack on the neck can be a little agressive. Still tweaking though.

If the option's there, I'd give the Seths a go

 

[Lucid_Lunatic]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

I've got A2 Pros, Seths and Pearly's in my LP's They all sound good. The Pearly's are a little harsher and the Seth's seem to be more open.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

From what I've heard on the YouTube videos, Seths come across as smoother, and less brash/harsh [to my ears] than PGs.

I'm assuming you're referring to the PGB as harsh. It's bright and thin, brighter and thinner than either a SethB or A2PB. That contrasts with the PGN which is warm and fat. Some players a big difference in EQ between bridge and neck, other guys aren't so thrilled.

 

[jimijames]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

Seth neck is unpotted so that alone makes a big difference. There's a character to the Seths that isn't in the PGn or the A2Pn. Call it hollow, call it woody, call it open, whatever. It's something that you have to hear to understand.

The pearly gates set is my favorite potted humbucker (both neck and bridge). It's not for everybody, admittedly. But for the life of my I can't figure out why. If you have a tube amp that you can turn up all the way until the power tubes start clipping, the pearly gates is like this midrange fist of cutting guitar balls (in the bridge) and warm woman tone (in the neck). It's clear enough that despite being dark in the neck position you can still hear all the notes. It's seriously one of those sounds that makes the back of the hair on my neck stand up. I understand THAT others don't like it so much and I respect their opinion so understand that you may not like it because it's thin or has too much treble or something like that.

I've said it before in a different thread but you really have to treat the PGb like a tele bridge pickup... It's not like your standard humbucker where you don't have to worry about your dynamics or your phrasing (as much... Obviously there are humbuckers that are really sensitive to phrasing, like the seth lover for example, but a tele bridge pickup will jump all over you... and even if you are on top of your game the treble can still be too much for some.)

I love love love the seth lover neck though. The seths have this character you can't get from any of the other pickups you mentioned. It's awesome, and I've never met anybody who didn't like the seth lovers. So, I would try them out. If I were to make a comparison the seth lovers are like running your hands over a really nice piece of rosewood whereas the pearly gates are like finished maple. Brighter, but not necessarily more detailed... I don't know. I can almost guarantee you'll like the seth but I can't say the same about the PG set. If you do like the PG set though you'll absolutely love it. They're those kind of pickups.

 

[Davii]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

I'm assuming you're referring to the PGB as harsh. It's bright and thin, brighter and thinner than either a SethB or A2PB. That contrasts with the PGN which is warm and fat. Some players a big difference in EQ between bridge and neck, other guys aren't so thrilled.

My general impression of either PG position, from what I'd listened to, though I'd have to admit to not paying close attention to exact details. It could well be the case, that I'd ended up with a lot of bridge, but I hadn't stopped listening thinking one particular position was the culprit for my dislike.

EDIT: I've just been flicking through a few more videos, and they're not as brash as I'd remembered.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

Hey guys,

I have an Ant Neck, An APH-1 neck, an APH-2 neck, and a PG neck. But I have never tried a Seth and thus not sure if I want to get one. How is it different from the pickups I've mentioned here?

The Seth is a slightly brighter and clearer version of the Ant.

Because of these characteristics, The Seth is the ideal p'up for semi- and full-hollow guitars.

HTH,

 

[blueman335]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

The pearly gates set is my favorite potted humbucker (both neck and bridge). It's not for everybody, admittedly. But for the life of my I can't figure out why.

Just not enough high-end in the neck, and too big a difference in bridge & neck EQ's for my tastes. I don't have either issue with A2P's or Seth's.

Agree with your assessment of Seth's. I think every PAF fan owes it to himself to try a set.

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

Well, I made a decision. It is time to try a Seth! Ordered, and on it's way!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

they are great pups. i love the seths and pearlys, the aph are ok but i much prefer the other two

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

they are great pups. i love the seths and pearlys, the aph are ok but i much prefer the other two

See I like the stock A2Ps as they have this great tone I can identify with rock. The Pearlys have some great grit. I know everyone says they "growl" but I like to call them raspy. Lots of character. The Ants have this INCREDIBLE classic rock tone in my Epi dot! It's my go to guitar for AC/DC and other 70's/Early 80's old school rock tone. I'm starting with a Seth neck, and I'm gonna put it in an Agile LP copy. The Bridge P-up is a Duncan Custom that I swapped a roughcast A3 in (CTN says its a pretty awesome version of the custom). Can't wait to see how this turns out!

 

[jimijames]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

Just not enough high-end in the neck, and too big a difference in bridge & neck EQ's for my tastes. I don't have either issue with A2P's or Seth's.

Agree with your assessment of Seth's. I think every PAF fan owes it to himself to try a set.

I mean, I do understand that people don't like it because of those reasons but I guess I meant more intuitively I enjoy the sound so much that it's hard for me to get into that headspace. It's like chocolate. Some people genuinely don't like it. I understand that they don't like it but it tastes so good to me it's like "how could you not like this? I respect your opinion but man are you sure?"

That's kind of my knee jerk reaction. I also have "dark" fingers, to where I frequently find myself turning up the treble so that could explain it.

I've gotta be honest though as much as I like the PGn, the Seth lover neck... I mean it's just better if you don't have to worry about feedback... I just can't play it through a loud rig without taking off the cover. Which, by the way, is my favorite neck humbucker - an uncovered Seth lover.



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[ExplorersRock]

Re: Seth Neck VS. Other A2 Duncan Pickups

So my wife picked up the mail on her way home and what's in it? The Seth I ordered on Thursday night from banjomikez on ebay! YES, HE REALLY SHIPS THAT FAST!

And here was my reaction when she said, "Hey are you expecting a pickup or something?"