Weak Seth Lover Bridge PU

[Avirex]

Hello,
I think I may have a problem with Bridge Seth Lover PU.
Let's start by saying that I've been a Duncan PU user for a bit of time now.
I have a 59/JB set in a DBZ imperial (killer PU in that guitar)
A set of Seth Lover in a Korean Sheraton 2
Antiquity set in my Strat
Another set of Set Lover in an Epi standard plus top pro (not so nice in that Epi anyway, very muddy and closed, probably because of the guitar itself) that I just sold to buy a 1995 Gibson Les Paul (I kept the PU anyway)
As I already have a 2017 gold top Tribute Les Paul with a Gibson 490 set PU, I decided to have a try with those Set Lover in the 95 LP (which comes with 490/498).
The neck PU is alright, gorgeous and much better than the 490, totally alive compared with how it sounded in the EPI, but if I switch to the bridge PU the sound is terribly weak and the 2 PU are unbalanced.
I already noticed that in the EPI LP and Sheraton but it wasn't that evident.
Needless to say, I tried to rise the PU a bit but without any satisfying results.
Could it be that this particular bridge PU is not OK?
I can hardly imagine that a Gibson LP that sound so well with SL Neck PU can sound so terrible with the bridge version.

Thank you for any advice.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Weak Seth Lover Bridge PU

Do you happen to have a meter to test that it is giving its full output? That wound be a great place to start and isolate the problem to the pickup itself (and not the wiring or installation issues, etc).

 

[AZ Picker]

Re: Weak Seth Lover Bridge PU

I'll guess the volume pot is cooked on the bridge pickup from swapping pickups. They can only take being heated a few times. I'd replace it with a good quality 500k audio taper job from CTS or Bournes and see if that fixes the issue.

 

[Avirex]

Re: Weak Seth Lover Bridge PU

Time to get a meter (mine is old and out of order) and I'll test the PU.
I'm not sure the pot is cooked as it never has been touch before that anyway.

 

[Avirex]

Re: Weak Seth Lover Bridge PU

First thing I did was to check the bridge PU soldering.
I think I solve the problem.
I was already sure that this 95 Les Paul was a killer axe when I bought it. In fact I think it was a bit overpriced but I took it all the same.
I wanted to fuel it with something better than the 490/498, and here we are.
Now that the bridge PU sounds as it should I hear that incredible twang that the guitar has unplugged.
And the neck PU is heaven, I can't believe how rich and complex the tone is compared to the same PU in the EPI ( As I said dead and muddy).
Now I hear two bright and fat PU, but never aggressive. Sweet is surely a good definition.
If you compare to this video (same PU and same black Gibson Les Paul guitar), the sound is very similar but with something more (in better).
Maybe due to the fact that I play it in a 72 super reverb that sounds sweet by itself, or because this LP really sounds well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj08Lj5DkqI

 

[Mincer]

Re: Weak Seth Lover Bridge PU

I am happy you sorted it out! That video is a great example, so if yours sounds like that, you are in great shape!