Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
- Thread starter paspallum
- Start date
scottish
WeirdScienceologist
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
i have a few sets of them and they are real solid pups. they are basically exact replicas of the schaller golden 50s. are they gonna stand up to SD or boutique pups? maybe on very good day, but they are not far behind.
personally i like them a lot and for the price yeah, they cant be beat. make GFS humbuckers for example, sound like something your dog made in the basement.
i have a few sets of them and they are real solid pups. they are basically exact replicas of the schaller golden 50s. are they gonna stand up to SD or boutique pups? maybe on very good day, but they are not far behind.
personally i like them a lot and for the price yeah, they cant be beat. make GFS humbuckers for example, sound like something your dog made in the basement.
pstarove
New member
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
Paspallum, if you are searching a cheaper alternative to the Antiquities (keeping in mind our previous conversation), I strongly advice you to save a bit more, wait and get the real thing. This has been my experience. I always regretted having wasted my money on something "not so good by cheaper" and still wanted the real thing. In some cases I even sold the things I had bought to finally get what I wanted in the beginning.
Also, if you look at what those people who buy StewMacs, GFS and similar cheaper pickups install them into, you will see that they normally go into cheaper guitars and replace the stock pickups. I doubt that you'll find someone who replaced a set, let's say, Seth Lovers with StewMacs. For the price they might be good as well as GFS, and that is reflected in the rave reviews.
Harmony Central is a controversial source of information. You can find rave reviews about cheap Epiphones and complaints about Gibsons, but it doesn't mean that Epiphones are better than Gibsons.
P.S. BTW, what's up with your mailbox? I sent you several clips on Friday, but never get any response.
Paspallum, if you are searching a cheaper alternative to the Antiquities (keeping in mind our previous conversation), I strongly advice you to save a bit more, wait and get the real thing. This has been my experience. I always regretted having wasted my money on something "not so good by cheaper" and still wanted the real thing. In some cases I even sold the things I had bought to finally get what I wanted in the beginning.
Also, if you look at what those people who buy StewMacs, GFS and similar cheaper pickups install them into, you will see that they normally go into cheaper guitars and replace the stock pickups. I doubt that you'll find someone who replaced a set, let's say, Seth Lovers with StewMacs. For the price they might be good as well as GFS, and that is reflected in the rave reviews.
Harmony Central is a controversial source of information. You can find rave reviews about cheap Epiphones and complaints about Gibsons, but it doesn't mean that Epiphones are better than Gibsons.
P.S. BTW, what's up with your mailbox? I sent you several clips on Friday, but never get any response.
Me? A cheapskate?
Me? A cheapskate?
Yeah thanks guys... truly
No I'm hooked on the AntQ's....
I was just intersted in finding out if anyone thiught thise P/ups were any good at all... just to get a 'round' picture.
Hey Pstarove.. I don't know what is up with my mailbox... this happens from time to time.... stuff just doesn't turn up... I don't actually know where it goes missing or gets delayed... sometimes it'll turn up weeks late..sometimes never... but Yeah I haven't recieved any more soundclips or anything?
Paspallum
Me? A cheapskate?
Yeah thanks guys... truly
No I'm hooked on the AntQ's....
I was just intersted in finding out if anyone thiught thise P/ups were any good at all... just to get a 'round' picture.
Hey Pstarove.. I don't know what is up with my mailbox... this happens from time to time.... stuff just doesn't turn up... I don't actually know where it goes missing or gets delayed... sometimes it'll turn up weeks late..sometimes never... but Yeah I haven't recieved any more soundclips or anything?
Paspallum
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pstarove
New member
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
Then if you're still interested, the best thing I can suggest is that you follow this link:
http://gmail.google.com/
and sign up for a Gmail account, then send me a message. This way you'll surely get everything right.
Then if you're still interested, the best thing I can suggest is that you follow this link:
http://gmail.google.com/
and sign up for a Gmail account, then send me a message. This way you'll surely get everything right.
Meggo
New member
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
I was looking for neck humbuckers and bought some.
I have a StewMac Golden Age neck and I also have a 1985 Schaller Golden 50 neck. StewMac doesn't sound exactly like Schaller - close maybe.
I have also tried two GFS neck humbuckers, Dream 180 and Vintage bla bla.
I think both StewMac and Schaller sounds better than GFS. GFS sounded sterile and hard.
It ended up with a SD FS neck in my korea PRS (mahogany body) and the Schaller in my RG (ash body).
So good price, good pick up but I will buy pickups from SD or other big names in the future. They are better.
I was looking for neck humbuckers and bought some.
I have a StewMac Golden Age neck and I also have a 1985 Schaller Golden 50 neck. StewMac doesn't sound exactly like Schaller - close maybe.
I have also tried two GFS neck humbuckers, Dream 180 and Vintage bla bla.
I think both StewMac and Schaller sounds better than GFS. GFS sounded sterile and hard.
It ended up with a SD FS neck in my korea PRS (mahogany body) and the Schaller in my RG (ash body).
So good price, good pick up but I will buy pickups from SD or other big names in the future. They are better.
scottish
WeirdScienceologist
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
do it...probably the best option you'll get if you dont want to go higher in price. warning though, the overwound hot neck pup is pretty dark, i didnt like it too much in my mahogany axe
do it...probably the best option you'll get if you dont want to go higher in price. warning though, the overwound hot neck pup is pretty dark, i didnt like it too much in my mahogany axe
Pete Galati
New member
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
I hate spending a lot of money myself, otherwise most my guitars would have handwound pickups in them. But the way I figure it, the guitars you play the most, deserve the best pickups. Even if they are beat up and full of scars.
Pete
I hate spending a lot of money myself, otherwise most my guitars would have handwound pickups in them. But the way I figure it, the guitars you play the most, deserve the best pickups. Even if they are beat up and full of scars.
Pete
498 and Antiquity
498 and Antiquity
Hey Pstarove
Or anyone out there
I have 100% made up my mind of what I want to do...
I still want to 'run it by you guys'
I'm going to buy a set of Antiquity Humbuckers and a Gibson Bridge 498T.
I'll order them online from the same store...
They'll arrive together... then I'll have MY DREAM TONE (498T) that I have already heard and played through the same model amp I own.
And I'll have the P/ups that EVERYONE on ths Forum and EVERONE on Harmony central just says are TOPS.
I'll be poor... but I'll be covered either way! I won't be dissapointed.
I know I've asked this question before in a more simple way...
But would the 498 bridge and the AntQ neck work together at all?
Maybe if I didn't use the middle postion it would be fine..
Actually on ALL my Gibson type guitars..when ever I select the middle postion I NEVER have both pickups on full... I ALWAYS have the bridge P/up on 10 and the neck on 4 to 6... I prefer this 'blend'
So... in that case a Bridge 498 on 10 and an AntiQ neck on 10 might just be how I'd want it anyway?
does this new angle make a difference to how you might precieve a high output and a low output P/up working together?
And Pstarove I will try hooking up to G-mail tommorrow - I tried getting an account last year and it took too long to open the mail page.... it used to freeze up... but I'll try again.. I'm keen to hear your clips... still blown away with the crunchy riff on the first one!
Paspallum
498 and Antiquity
Hey Pstarove
Or anyone out there
I have 100% made up my mind of what I want to do...
I still want to 'run it by you guys'
I'm going to buy a set of Antiquity Humbuckers and a Gibson Bridge 498T.
I'll order them online from the same store...
They'll arrive together... then I'll have MY DREAM TONE (498T) that I have already heard and played through the same model amp I own.
And I'll have the P/ups that EVERYONE on ths Forum and EVERONE on Harmony central just says are TOPS.
I'll be poor... but I'll be covered either way! I won't be dissapointed.
I know I've asked this question before in a more simple way...
But would the 498 bridge and the AntQ neck work together at all?
Maybe if I didn't use the middle postion it would be fine..
Actually on ALL my Gibson type guitars..when ever I select the middle postion I NEVER have both pickups on full... I ALWAYS have the bridge P/up on 10 and the neck on 4 to 6... I prefer this 'blend'
So... in that case a Bridge 498 on 10 and an AntiQ neck on 10 might just be how I'd want it anyway?
does this new angle make a difference to how you might precieve a high output and a low output P/up working together?
And Pstarove I will try hooking up to G-mail tommorrow - I tried getting an account last year and it took too long to open the mail page.... it used to freeze up... but I'll try again.. I'm keen to hear your clips... still blown away with the crunchy riff on the first one!
Paspallum
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Pete Galati
New member
Re: 498 and Antiquity
Re: 498 and Antiquity
I don't see why it wouldn't work. I think the pickups Gibson sells as aftermarket pickups have four conductor cables, so if the pickups were out of phase, and that's not what you wanted, you could wire them into phase. I think Duncans are in phase with Gibsons anyhow though.
I think the balance between the pickups will depend on the height adjustments of the pickups.
Just personally I use out of phase pickups in Les Pauls, and my switch almost never leaves the middle position.
I tend to have the neck pickup turned up louder, and I adjust my tone by dialing the bridge pickup into that. But that's just how I do it. And I find the height adjustments of the pickups to be rather critical. Sometimes it take me a few days to get the height adjustments worked out.
Pete
Re: 498 and Antiquity
I don't see why it wouldn't work. I think the pickups Gibson sells as aftermarket pickups have four conductor cables, so if the pickups were out of phase, and that's not what you wanted, you could wire them into phase. I think Duncans are in phase with Gibsons anyhow though.
I think the balance between the pickups will depend on the height adjustments of the pickups.
Just personally I use out of phase pickups in Les Pauls, and my switch almost never leaves the middle position.
I tend to have the neck pickup turned up louder, and I adjust my tone by dialing the bridge pickup into that. But that's just how I do it. And I find the height adjustments of the pickups to be rather critical. Sometimes it take me a few days to get the height adjustments worked out.
Pete
Pete Galati
New member
Re: Different strokes
Re: Different strokes
I was just playing my a Les Paul Junior/Special last night, and I was noticing how hot that 498 pickup seems.
And here's what Gib says about the 490, which is the other PU in that guitar:
http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Divisions/Gibson Gear/Pickups/Modern Classics/
My guess is that would put it in the same power range of the Seth Lover, and the Antiquity.
So it's probably a good matchup if they both have sounds you like.
I've been dragging my feet about swapping out the 490/498 PU set in my guitar, because I kind of like that guitar's vibe, and I'm a little afraid of messing that up.
Pete
Re: Different strokes
I was just playing my a Les Paul Junior/Special last night, and I was noticing how hot that 498 pickup seems.
And here's what Gib says about the 490, which is the other PU in that guitar:
http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Divisions/Gibson Gear/Pickups/Modern Classics/
My guess is that would put it in the same power range of the Seth Lover, and the Antiquity.
So it's probably a good matchup if they both have sounds you like.
I've been dragging my feet about swapping out the 490/498 PU set in my guitar, because I kind of like that guitar's vibe, and I'm a little afraid of messing that up.
Pete
pstarove
New member
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
490R is in the same range as Seth Lover bridge (8.1-8.4k, Alnico2 magnet). In the neck it should sound like a duller, muddier Seth Lover. 490T is similar, it is like 57Classic Plus. but 498T is another animal (13.6K,Alnico5 magnet). It is like a brighter, harsher version of Custom5.
490R is in the same range as Seth Lover bridge (8.1-8.4k, Alnico2 magnet). In the neck it should sound like a duller, muddier Seth Lover. 490T is similar, it is like 57Classic Plus. but 498T is another animal (13.6K,Alnico5 magnet). It is like a brighter, harsher version of Custom5.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
They are alright pickups...nothing to rave about IMO but decent.
They are alright pickups...nothing to rave about IMO but decent.
Pete Galati
New member
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
Any guesses what the sonic differences will be from changing a 490/498 set to a '59 Duncan set?
At this point, it kind of looks like I'm going to replace the 490/498 set in my Les Paul Junior/Special when my unpotted '59 Duncans finally show up. Probably.
I'm about halfway through installing my Schaller Golden '50s set in my LP Standard, and if I like them, I'll be very hesitant to remove them. So I'm guessing the '59s will replace my 490/498 set.
Pete
Any guesses what the sonic differences will be from changing a 490/498 set to a '59 Duncan set?
At this point, it kind of looks like I'm going to replace the 490/498 set in my Les Paul Junior/Special when my unpotted '59 Duncans finally show up. Probably.
I'm about halfway through installing my Schaller Golden '50s set in my LP Standard, and if I like them, I'll be very hesitant to remove them. So I'm guessing the '59s will replace my 490/498 set.
Pete
pstarove
New member
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
First of all, I'd like to mention that I've never used any of these pickups myself, so my advice here is an educated guess at best. Decide yourself, whether my words are worth believing or not.
59n will be much more transparent than 490R, about the same output-wise, maybe a bit lower. the bass will be a bit boomy.
59b will be tonally similar to 498T, but less harsh, with a finer touch, with less output and a bit more detailed.
First of all, I'd like to mention that I've never used any of these pickups myself, so my advice here is an educated guess at best. Decide yourself, whether my words are worth believing or not.
59n will be much more transparent than 490R, about the same output-wise, maybe a bit lower. the bass will be a bit boomy.
59b will be tonally similar to 498T, but less harsh, with a finer touch, with less output and a bit more detailed.
big_black
Opaqueologist
Re: Stew Mac's Golden Age Humbuckers
I have a Stew-Mac Golden 50's in the neck position of my TB clone. It's bass-heavy and sounds similar to the '59n to my ear. This pickup works well with the aluminum neck, giving off a thick, pointed, "thuddy" tone. It is a loud pick (volume-wise)...slightly louder than the C5/'59 hybrid that is in the bridge position.
I have a Stew-Mac Golden 50's in the neck position of my TB clone. It's bass-heavy and sounds similar to the '59n to my ear. This pickup works well with the aluminum neck, giving off a thick, pointed, "thuddy" tone. It is a loud pick (volume-wise)...slightly louder than the C5/'59 hybrid that is in the bridge position.
