Wilkinson humbuckers good as Seth Lovers

[madguitar26]

Hi all,im a little bit low on cash lately and from reading descriptions of em wilkinson humbuckers(the nickel ones),found that theyre designed like the original seth lovers.

has anyone tried em and know how do they compare to say duncan´s seth lovers?

thanks

 

[Kam]

Re: Wilkinson humbuckers good as Seth Lovers

I'm not sure which ones you are talking about but I had a set of nickel covered Wilkinsons that came stock on an SG copy I have at the minute. They were a lot better than most stock pickups I've heard, particularly for classic rock and bluesier sort of sounds. Pretty low output, especially the neck pickup, though it did make up for it in warmth. Personally I noticed a huge improvement when I replaced them with a set of '59s, the tone was a lot more open, definitely a lot more articulate and it seemed less muffled or something. I'm not sure if you're talking about the same ones I had but I wouldn't put them in the same league as Duncans.

I also haven't used the Seths so I can't compare them. Sorry if this was little or no help, I've had very little sleep today...

 

[blueman335]

Re: Wilkinson humbuckers good as Seth Lovers

The thing is, there aren't that many ways to make a PU, so 'designed like' means very little. You have a magnet and a bobbin with wire wrapped around it. 'Duncan Designed' PU's don't have nearly the tone quality of real Seymour Duncans. There are big differences in the quality of materials and the secret ways that they're wound. Those give clarity & definition. When you 'upgrade' PU's by going form one set of cheap ones to another, you may not be any better off.

Instead I'd try to buy a set of used American or European-made PU's, maybe someone here, or thru eBay, can ship to you. Used PU's go for about half the price of new ones, and sound much better than a new cheap one. Used Schaller & Carvin PU's sell for around $20 to $30, and sometimes Duncans & DiMarzios go for around $40.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Wilkinson humbuckers good as Seth Lovers

Also look into the Tonerider Pickups made by a Englishman in a korean workshop.

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Wilkinson humbuckers good as Seth Lovers

Funnily enough I just fitted a Wilkinson humbucker into the middle of my Epiphone Black Beauty (between an Alnico 2 Pro bridge and 59 neck) and I prefer it to the Phat Cat I took out.
However, that's not a normal wiring situation so I'd go with the general advice that used Duncans will be way better than Wilkinsons.
Toneriders do get a good rep, but I've not tried any yet. I can't find any used and if I can find a used 59 for £40, when a new Tonerider is near £30, I'll go with the used Duncan 59!