Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

[Lewguitar]

I know some of you have done this!

I have a set of 59’s sitting in a box that I changed the Polished A5 magnets out for Roughcast A5. I had them in my ‘95 PRS Custom 22.

My goal was to get a sound more similar to the sound of Clapton’s SG that he played with Cream.

It worked...to some degree anyway. Smoother treble and more texture...to the mids I guess. That would be one way of describing the sound.

Ended up replacing them with a set Antiquitys tho, and I like that sound even better.

I’d like to try a set of Alnico 2 magnets in those 59’s.

If I went with Polished A2, would the 59’s start sounding like pickups like the Seth Lovers?

Or if I went with Roughcast A2, would the 59’s start sounding like pickups like the Antiquitys?

 

[Discharged]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

My ES-339 has a covered A3n/A2b-modded '59 set. Both mags are custom repros of actual magnets from the '50s, coming from broken PAFs and P-90s, which composition, and BH curve were the result of destructive analisys and mass-spectometer readings Both are Roughcast.

The biggest difference lies on the neck p'up. The Seth is lighter, even-sounding and "polite", for the lack of a better term.

The '59n has more of a vowel sound, but with the A3 it gets closer to the Seth, specially in the dynamics dept.

Both bridge p'ups sound very similar, although I personally prefer the '59b over the SethB as it feels a bit more "commanding", specially in soaring single-note lead runs using an early-breakup tone.

I think the A3n/A2b mag combo sounds absolutely remarkable in a '59 set. Highly recommended!

/Peter

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

The thing is, I’m not happy with the Dimarzios in my ‘99 Axis. Just not my sound.

I’m definitely a PAF kinda guy and my favorite humbucker tones came from those 60’s British and American blues guys: BB King, Albert King, Eric Clapton w/Cream, Mick Taylor and Peter Green w/John Mayall, Jeff Beck on Truth, Mike Bloomfield w/Butterfield and Electric Flag, etc.

Anything I put in my Axis will have to have the baseplate feet altered so I can screw them in directly, with no mounting rings. That’s the way EVH designed it.

So the 59’s are going to be the ones I alter. I’ll have to shorten the legs and make the feet V shaped...like those Dimarzios.

My favorite humbuckers are Antiquitys and Seth Lovers but I don’t want to alter a set of those.

I’d rather alter the 59’s and also try to make them sound more like Antiquitys, Seth’s or PG’s.

 

[Discharged]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

Anything I put in my Axis will have to have the baseplate feet altered so I can screw them in. That’s the way EVH designed it.

So the 59’s are going to be the ones I alter. I’ll have to shorten the legs and make the feet V shaped...like those Dimarzios.

http://www.mojotone.com/Pickups_x/PickupParts_x/Humbucker-Short-Leg-Frame-Nickel-Silver-49-2mm

This short-legged baseplate fits Duncan bobbins and covers to perfection. Guess how I know...?

/Peter

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

https://www.axesrus.co.uk/Humbucker-Mounting-Base-Plate-Triangle-Mounts-p/ppfr10.htm

You could just buy the baseplates with the right feet and put the Duncan bobbins on them.

I could. But I have a full shop and altering the 59’s doesn’t scare me. The legs are too long but I’d like them a little longer than the Dimarzios so I can get them a little closer to the strings. The Dimarzios are so hot that they’re set about 1/4” away from the underside of the strings when the strings are held down at the highest fret. I like my PAF style humbuckers a little closer to the strings than that.

 

[Discharged]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

I could. But I have a full shop and altering the 59’s doesn’t scare me. The legs are too long but I’d like them a little longer than the Dimarzios so I can get them a little closer to the strings. The Dimarzios are so hot that they’re set about 1/4” away from the underside of the strings when the strings are held down at the highest fret. I like my PAF style humbuckers a little closer to the strings than that.

You could get the short-legged baseplates and put some springs under the feet to regulate the height.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

You could get the short-legged baseplates and put some springs under the feet to regulate the height.

I’d be worried the pickups wouldn’t sit level.

What I might do is pack foam between the base plate and floor of the pickup rout as an adjustment spring.

Have you tried that?

Or just shim them and screw them down tight.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

I have a older 59 set in my 2016 Gibson Midtown Standard that have been retrofitted with some rough A2's. I don't know that I'd say they sound like Seth's but in that guitar they are pretty darn terrific!!!

I had originally bought a set of Seth's for the Midtown & Antiquity's afterwards. Both sets sounded good in it but the A2 59's were pretty much exactly what I wanted & they were wax potted which was definitely nice since its a Semi-Hollow!!! The best part was I already had the Vintage Blues set kicking around the house so I was able to get it where I wanted it tone wise for the cost of a couple magnets...

LOL, I now love that guitar more than my wife!!!!!

 

[Discharged]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

shim them and screw them down tight.

That's the best solution. A lot of trial-and-error involved, though. You first need to stabish the distance of the "sweet spot", hence the use of the springs is kinda mandatory.

Then you can cut the shim and screw it down firmly.

/Peter

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

I have a older 59 set in my 2016 Gibson Midtown Standard that have been retrofitted with some rough A2's. I don't know that I'd say they sound like Seth's but in that guitar they are pretty darn terrific!!!

I had originally bought a set of Seth's for the Midtown & Antiquity's afterwards. Both sets sounded good in it but the A2 59's were pretty much exactly what I wanted & they were wax potted which was definitely nice since its a Semi-Hollow!!! The best part was I already had the Vintage Blues set kicking around the house so I was able to get it where I wanted it tone wise for the cost of a couple magnets...

LOL, I now love that guitar more than my wife!!!!!

Ouch!

I have some rough A2’s. I’m going to give those a try.

I like the rough A5’s in them now, but compared to my Antiquitys and Seth’s (uncovered, like the 59’s) the 59’s are not as thick. Not as much snarl...not as much in the way of pick squealing harmonics when I use my Klon KTR.

Not as robust.

I have a PRS SE with no pickups at the moment.

I’ll try the A2 modded 59’s in it first and determine the correct (for me) distance from the strings too.

Then if I love them, put them in my Axis.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

I've used the short rubber tubes that you use on the underside of Fender pick guards to adjust the height on direct mount pickups before and it worked fine. They're wide enough that the pickup sets level.

Or you can just modify them, shim them and screw them down.

 

[SFW]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

The A2 59s are very nice. Had a set in my Les Paul for a long time. As for direct mounting, I use the foam that comes in the pickup package underneath the pickup to act as a sort of spring. Works very well. That’s how I have my Charvel set up. Try the A2s. I think you’ll like them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

The A2 59s are very nice. Had a set in my Les Paul for a long time. As for direct mounting, I use the foam that comes in the pickup package underneath the pickup to act as a sort of spring. Works very well. That’s how I have my Charvel set up. Try the A2s. I think you’ll like them.


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Could you try to describe the difference the A2 magnets made?

I’m going to find out for myself in a day or two, but I’m curious what you think.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

Ok...the A2 magnets are in the 59’s.

Now I’m going to put them in a PRS SE Singlecut ($300 guitar but a nice one) and crank it up.

More later.

 

[SFW]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

Could you try to describe the difference the A2 magnets made?

I’m going to find out for myself in a day or two, but I’m curious what you think.

While I don’t have a set of Seths, I do own a set of Ants. The A2 does move the 59 more in that direction. It has a more balanced tonality than the A5. To me, it’s more noticeable in the bridge and is just more pleasing to my ear.




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[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

More later.

It's later. How's the crankin?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

I have nothing to add other than to say I wish Seymour Duncan would move to the smaller triangular feet and same size bobbin with F spaced poles like the rest of the civilized world.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

i like them. Fat and warm. Very forgiving.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

It's later. How's the crankin?

My girlfriend came over...we went for a long hike in the mountains, then went to a sports bar for burgers and the olympics...then beddie bye.

Full day...but no cranking.

 

[Discharged]

Re: Will a 59 set with Alnico 2 magnets sound more like Seth Lovers?

Full day...but no cranking.

Hey Lew; I'm still thinking about all the extra effort you're willing to put on just to install a p'up set. So bear with me; It's the pragmatic in me doing the talking, you know?

Anyhoo; if a customer came to me with your wish, I'd suggest two things:
1. Change the p'up's cavity foot shape from triangular to square, so just any p'up would go in there, not just Di Marzios. And you don't even need special tools to do that, a simple chisel, guided by two steady hands would work wonders, even for the unexperienced.
2. Use p'up rings to install the p'ups, specially considering that Music Man actually offers other models that do use p'up rings, so yours wouldn't really stand out like a sore thumb, if you asked me, of course.

Lew, would you consider using p'up rings to install the p'ups on the Axis?

/Peter