Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

[GOB]

I'm sure this place is inundated with threads like this; sorry to make my first thread here so unoriginal, but I'm coming up on needing to order a new set of pickups, and I'd appreciate input from the masters here!

I've got an Epi LP Custom; it's wiring is getting dodgy, and one pickup is on the fritz. I've decided to gut the electronics and replace everything to get it up and running again. The body is all mahogany (well, ok, supposedly there's a maple "veneer" too), rosewood fretboard, graph tech saddles, bone nut.

I don't have any big gripes about the Epi Pro Buckers in there now. They get the job done, but are a tad on the dark/muddy side - especially in the neck.


Qualities I like: Clarity, Definition, Consistency, Chime, Airy, Open, Tight, Headroom

Qualities I'm not crazy about: Fat, Round, Warm, Compressed, Focused


I need lots of versatility. It's not uncommon for me to play jazz, country, rock & roll, and 80s metal all in the same gig. I am all about clarity and definition. I come from a Strat and Tele background and I still like some of that snap and airy quality when I can get it. I really don't like fat, round, warm tones out of my pickups. I don't want them too thin, but I want them tight and clear.

I usually use EMG's (85X bridge / 60AX neck is my favorite combination of all time), but I think I want passive pickups in this guitar. I've never used Duncans before, but I've been noticing I always like the sound of them in other peoples guitars when I play them. I think they might be a good fit for me, but I'm not exactly sure where to start.


Looking around, I'm thinking the Jazz might be a good neck pickup for me. I like a fairly bright sounding neck pickup with a very tight low end response. I'm not sure what to pair with it in the bridge though. The clips of the JB on the website sound way too dark for me.


Anyway, there's some info. Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

WLH set would work.

 

[marcello252]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

Even a blues set would work (59 bridge and neck), maybe changing the neck magnet to an A4 or an A3

 

[blueman335]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

WLH set would work.

I think WLH's lean towards the categories the OP's "Qualities I'm not crazy about: Fat, Round, Warm, Compressed, Focused." Can't say I've heard any chime from my WLH's. For the bright, clear sound the OP's looking for, a Jazz set is much closer.

 

[wickedmartini]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

I'm kind of going through a similar situation with a new LP Standard. I haven't looked at pickups for an LP in a long time. Most of my guitars are Strats and Teles. Some great feedback from this board here: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?311026-Versatile-bridge-humbucker-for-Epiphone-LP

I hope that helps. There are also a pile of videos and clips available. There are a lot of choices. You came to the right place.

 

[GOB]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

Some of the comments I read about the 59 make me hesitant about it. I hear things like "boomy" a lot, which sounds like the opposite of what I'm looking for.

I noticed in the description of the Seth Lover bridge, it says "almost piano like percussive quality". That is probably the most perfect description of what I like that I can think of. Maybe I should add that line as a tl;dr to my original post

I know next to nothing about the different magnet types, but going through the website, I'm noticing that the bridge pickups I'm liking the sound of the most seem to mostly use Alnico 2 (Antiquity, Seth Lover, Alnico II Pro). But I also really love the clips of the Jazz bridge model, which I noticed uses an Alnico 5.

Can someone give me just the basics about how the magnet type impacts the overall tone?

Thanks for the responses so far!

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

Hi there. Your name is GOP and you use the term "dodgy". I love you already...welcome.

First of all, everyone who says Whole Lotta Love set is absolutely right.

I want to chime in with something different because you mentioned Jazz and EMGs in the same thought.

Bro...try a set of Black Winters. The unimaginable versatility of those pickups is staggering and the very best part is if the output is too much for you...just turn down the volume and it somehow becomes exactly the pickup you need at the lower volume.

Again...for a minute there it sounds like you want a more classic vibed pickup and I agree with the rest of the guys. If you want the EMG experience only WAAAAAAAAAAY better...try the Winters.

 

[GOB]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

Hi there. Your name is GOP and you use the term "dodgy". I love you already...welcome.

First of all, everyone who says Whole Lotta Love set is absolutely right.

I want to chime in with something different because you mentioned Jazz and EMGs in the same thought.

Bro...try a set of Black Winters. The unimaginable versatility of those pickups is staggering and the very best part is if the output is too much for you...just turn down the volume and it somehow becomes exactly the pickup you need at the lower volume.

Again...for a minute there it sounds like you want a more classic vibed pickup and I agree with the rest of the guys. If you want the EMG experience only WAAAAAAAAAAY better...try the Winters.

Cool, I'll check 'em out!

Thanks

 

[Leon Of Late]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

As a very general rule, A5 magnets produce tight lows, crisp highs and a more scooped mids profile. A2 on the other hand has more rounded off lows, sweeter, softer highs and more mid range. More balanced. The wind has a lot to do with it, but those are the general properties. Also, there is nothing wrong with putting an A5 mag pickup in the bridge and an A2 mag pickup in the neck. A59'b and an Alnico Pro IIn for example.

As far as sets, it sounds to me like you might prefer the Seth Lovers.

 

[GOB]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

As a very general rule, A5 magnets produce tight lows, crisp highs and a more scooped mids profile. A2 on the other hand has more rounded off lows, sweeter, softer highs and more mid range. More balanced. The wind has a lot to do with it, but those are the general properties. Also, there is nothing wrong with putting an A5 mag pickup in the bridge and an A2 mag pickup in the neck. A59'b and an Alnico Pro IIn for example.

As far as sets, it sounds to me like you might prefer the Seth Lovers.

Cool, thanks for the info!

I've wondered about the Seth Lovers. How do they compare to the Antiquity set? Seems like the differences between the two are pretty subtle

 

[Leon Of Late]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

I've not owned a full set of either, but I love the Seth as a neck pickup and I just bought an antiquity bridge that I really like. FWIW, the Antiquities are a little more mellow and laid back, while the Seths are a little more present and immediate. The Antiquities have this certain character that is hard to put a finger on. As the notes bloom there is just a certain something the notes have that make it different. I realize I lack the words to describe it properly.

When you say you like clarity, chime, openness and airy.... to me that sounds like the Seth Lover. The Ants have it also, but in a slightly mellower manner. A couple of things help me when I think about these two specific pickups and their similarities and differences. The Seths sound like going back to 1957 and getting a brand new set of PAF's. The Ants sound like those same pickups but 50 years later after hundreds of gigs in smoky, hot and sweaty clubs, with all the miles in between rattling around in the trunk of a car.

I read a great post on these two pickups a month or so ago, by the gentleman who recorded many of the clips on this site.... playing a Hamer in most of them. He loves both pickups but said the Ant's are more "interesting." I'll have to look and see if I can find it now.

 

[Leon Of Late]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

Ok, this isn't the exact post I'm thinking about, but it's by the same guy and this explains the differences a lot better than I can.

Lots of interest in the Antiquity set lately... I wonder why? :wink:

There are distinct sonic differences between the Seth Lovers and the Antiquity set.

The Seth Lovers have a rounded and thick pick attack... not bright but very strong and present. Good balance of sustain, bloom, honk, growl and definition... basically why people love them. You can get a vintage or modern sound out of them...very versatile set of pickups to be so vintage correct as far as materials and design goes.

The Antiquities set have a similar amount of growl and honk but are a bit darker with more fundamental and less harmonic content. They are also a bit weaker in terms of power. You lose some definition and sustain because of the decreased harmonics and less power.

The strengths of the Antiquities are: how they NAIL the sound of the 60s, Paul Kossoff, Clapton, Neil Young etc. You don't have to play 60s covers to appreciate the tone... the vintage tone sounds great in modern applications. I wrote two fairly up to date & modern sounding songs for the new video demo and I didn't feel that the Antiquities lacked anything in a modern or current context. The slight decrease in sustain wasn't enough to actually effect my playing... they have enough juice.

What was really interesting about the Antiquities was that they had an almost clipped attack that gave away to loads of bloom. This gives the set a great degree of depth that is quite unique sounding and harkens back to the glorious vintage tone we have come to enjoy from the classic recordings of the 60s and 70s. You won't get any icepick from the Antiquity humbucker set and you'll get deep smokey tones that actually sit well in a mix despite their smoother sonic imprint.

The Antiquities are unique and will actually help give the player a more signature sound due to it's uncommonly good depth. Yeah, you lose some attack, definition and power but the clarity is still good and you get all of that deep bloom that is quite rare in the pickup world.

 

[elelpe]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

Jazz set.

or

Demon bridge - Jazz neck.

 

[Lecio93]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

Jazz set is the way to go. The Jazz neck is clear, tight, open sounding and really versatile.
I guess that the Jazz bridge can dial metal tones with the right amp

 

[elelpe]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

Jazz set is the way to go. The Jazz neck is clear, tight, open sounding and really versatile.
I guess that the Jazz bridge can dial metal tones with the right amp

Jolly has proved it.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

I was thinking any of the following:

Jazz Set

Jazz n 59/Custom bridge

Or even…as per Lucy…A Jazz Distortion. But I defer to the Black Winter suggestion

 

[Mincer]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

A Jazz & Custom will get you there. All of what you like and certainly none of what you don't. You could go down to the 59/Custom Hybrid, if the Custom sounds too big & bold (my guess is that the Custom will work).

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

A Jazz & Custom will get you there.

+ another

That pairing is never coming out of my LP!!!

 

[GOB]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

A Jazz & Custom will get you there. All of what you like and certainly none of what you don't. You could go down to the 59/Custom Hybrid, if the Custom sounds too big & bold (my guess is that the Custom will work).

How well does the Custom clean up?

The description of it sounds good for what I want, but I've been hit or miss on ceramic magnet pickups in the past.

 

[GOB]

Re: Trying to decide on my first set of Duncans

One more question:

I'm intrigued by what I hear from the Full Shred set. Any thoughts/experiences with those?