lifewithasong Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Hi All, Well, I think that I mentioned somewhere that I had gotten another 575--this time with a spruce top and single neck pickup (and mahogany back and sides) just before the holidays. Been playing with it over the past week with a new nut, set-up, and "breaking-in" period (at least for me--it's a 2003, I believe). At this point, Ive decided that I really like the HRW for jazz stuff, but still wonder about other pickups I've liked in the past. For reference, I replaced the Schallers in my standard H575 with a couple of Stewart MacDonald's Parsons Streets (Alnico V at the bridge and Alnico II at the neck), and these have made this guitar a keeper for good (even though I listed it FS right before the holidays). Anyhow, I'm curious to hear impressions from anyone who has compared the HRW with either the Seth or the Parsons Streets in an archtop. The only thing about the HRW that makes me pause is the overall greater clarity (which I am not used to)--I suspect that it uses an Alnico V magnet, whereas the SL and PS use Alnico IIs and are unpotted. Also: In the past I've played a Gibson '57 Classic--which also uses an Alnico II magnet but is potted--and liked it. So, I've come to prefer PAF-style pickups with Alnico IIs, and wonder if one of these might push this guitar into "the zone." But then are my ears telling me the truth when I play this HRW and like it this much? Also for reference, I like to play in a set of strings for a couple of days before I get the tone that I really like on an archtop, and the set on this one now (D'Addario 13s) have only a few hours' playing time so far. After tomorrow they may settle in and "mellow" out some more--meaning that I could decide that I like the HRW even more. . . ! and
FredZepp Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Nice pics... that is a beauty. I'll let others comment on the pickup comparison , but I'll say that I'd expect Seths to be a bit more PAF sounding , less hi-fi.
Steiner Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Hi Lifewithasong. Nice looking 575 there! I just put Phat Cats in a 575 according to SD's recommended wiring and haven't determined if they are optimized just yet. It had SD Seth Lovers (Louvers?) in it but sounded too much like the other 575 I have with HRWs. There are subtle differences between the two pickups (Seth & HRW) but determining better is too close for me to make an emphatic claim. The pots and caps in the guitar can make a difference too (amongst a myriad of other factors). You're on a learning journey; enjoy!
Guest HRB853370 Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Hi All, Well, I think that I mentioned somewhere that I had gotten another 575--this time with a spruce top and single neck pickup (and mahogany back and sides) just before the holidays. Been playing with it over the past week with a new nut, set-up, and "breaking-in" period (at least for me--it's a 2003, I believe). At this point, Ive decided that I really like the HRW for jazz stuff, but still wonder about other pickups I've liked in the past. For reference, I replaced the Schallers in my standard H575 with a couple of Stewart MacDonald's Parsons Streets (Alnico V at the bridge and Alnico II at the neck), and these have made this guitar a keeper for good (even though I listed it FS right before the holidays). Anyhow, I'm curious to hear impressions from anyone who has compared the HRW with either the Seth or the Parsons Streets in an archtop. The only thing about the HRW that makes me pause is the overall greater clarity (which I am not used to)--I suspect that it uses an Alnico V magnet, whereas the SL and PS use Alnico IIs and are unpotted. Also: In the past I've played a Gibson '57 Classic--which also uses an Alnico II magnet but is potted--and liked it. So, I've come to prefer PAF-style pickups with Alnico IIs, and wonder if one of these might push this guitar into "the zone." But then are my ears telling me the truth when I play this HRW and like it this much? Also for reference, I like to play in a set of strings for a couple of days before I get the tone that I really like on an archtop, and the set on this one now (D'Addario 13s) have only a few hours' playing time so far. After tomorrow they may settle in and "mellow" out some more--meaning that I could decide that I like the HRW even more. . . ! and Believe in your own ears-they won't lie to you.
lifewithasong Posted January 16, 2011 Author Posted January 16, 2011 Thanks for the replies guys! FredZepp, are the HRWs known for being more "hi-fi?" My first impression when I got the guitar (with the deader strings on it--which I prefer) was WOW. I even played around with a couple of different capacitors, but have come back to the stock yellow one (as I had for the standard H575 neck--went with a Russian PIO at the bridge controls on that one).
GuitArtMan Posted January 16, 2011 Posted January 16, 2011 Beautiful guitars. Aren't the StewMac humbuckers made for them by Schaller? I'm 99% certain the old "Golden Age" humbuckers were Schallers. How do they differ from the stock Schaller?
lifewithasong Posted January 16, 2011 Author Posted January 16, 2011 Well the "Golden Age" and "Parsons Street" use different materials--the latter are meant to duplicate a PAF they have in the shop there at StewMac. With the PS, you get to choose additionally whether you want an Alnico II magnet or an Alnico V (the Golden Age pickups come stock with an Alnico V--a slightly brighter, tighter, and clearer-sounding magnet). The stock Schallers that come in most Heritages have the Alnico V magnet. All I know is that after swapping pickups over the years in various guitars, I prefer Alnico II mags for what I'm after, and putting a PS Alnico II in the neck of my standard 575 nails exactly what I want in a jazz tone. Add that to the fact that it's a Heritage,and you've got. . .heaven.
FredZepp Posted January 17, 2011 Posted January 17, 2011 Thanks for the replies guys! FredZepp, are the HRWs known for being more "hi-fi?" My first impression when I got the guitar (with the deader strings on it--which I prefer) was WOW. I even played around with a couple of different capacitors, but have come back to the stock yellow one (as I had for the standard H575 neck--went with a Russian PIO at the bridge controls on that one). Yes, the HRW's have a clarity to them , for sure. But a Seth is an open, airy pickup, so not worlds apart.
Gitfiddler Posted January 17, 2011 Posted January 17, 2011 Life~ If you like the HRW's, then you are in good company. Many jazz artists have praised them. I'm no big time jazzer, but for playing at home or jamming with others, I prefer HRW's to many other pickups. My next favorite PAF's are Kent Armstrongs. If you can score a set of his personally wound pickups (not the cheaper Pacific Rim licensed brand) you will be in tonal nervana. That being said, I just got my first set of Seths and really love their Alnico II warmth and smoothness in my 535. I can only imagine how great they would sound in a full hollow archtop. As was previously stated, go with your own ears. Tone is such a personal thing and there are so many great pickups available these days. Enjoy your tone quest.
NoNameBand Posted January 17, 2011 Posted January 17, 2011 I really like the Seth Lovers in a semi-hollow body. Very creamy and warm. My only concern and I have voiced this before with the Seth Lovers would be possible feedback issues with a hollow-body as they are not potted just like the originals. If you will be using this guitar on stage with any kind of volume, I would be careful. Nice 575.
smurph1 Posted January 17, 2011 Posted January 17, 2011 Believe in your own ears-they won't lie to you. There ya GO!!
Kuz Posted January 17, 2011 Posted January 17, 2011 Nice pics... that is a beauty. I'll let others comment on the pickup comparison , but I'll say that I'd expect Seths to be a bit more PAF sounding , less hi-fi. BINGO!!! HRWs for Archtops, Jazz, and a dead clean tone that is more Hi-Fi sounding. SETHS (or other similar PAFs)for Blues, Classic Rock, Southern Rock, Country, ect... IMHO
NoNameBand Posted January 17, 2011 Posted January 17, 2011 BINGO!!! HRWs for Archtops, Jazz, and a dead clean tone that is more Hi-Fi sounding. SETHS (or other similar PAFs)for Blues, Classic Rock, Southern Rock, Country, ect... IMHO +1
rjsanders Posted January 17, 2011 Posted January 17, 2011 had Seths in my Millennium Ltd Ed & HRWs in Millennium DC (similar woods, semi-hollows). Seths sounded warmer, a little less output. HRWs a little more modern, even (across bandwidth), a little more output. like 'em both.
MartyGrass Posted January 17, 2011 Posted January 17, 2011 had Seths in my Millennium Ltd Ed & HRWs in Millennium DC (similar woods, semi-hollows). Seths sounded warmer, a little less output. HRWs a little more modern, even (across bandwidth), a little more output. like 'em both. I agree.
lifewithasong Posted January 19, 2011 Author Posted January 19, 2011 Thanks guys for all of your input. Anybody want the HRW? I decided today that it's just a little too "hi-fi" for what I'm doing. Anyone got a nickel or chrome Seth Lover or even a Gibson '57 Classic they'd like to work out some kind of trade for? I remembered that I have a handwound pickup lying around that I got off of Ebay last year (that has a short in it somewhere--need to send it back for repair--again--it's already been back to the guy once). Anyhow, it's wound much like a SL, but potted, so I wired it up this afternoon and got enough of a taste of what might be--and prefer it (but I think it's time to send this one back to that guy. . .for good) That said, the HRW is nice--it seems to me that it might be more suited in a solidbody. Very balanced and clear. . .but I like warmer.
Hfan Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 I really like the Seth Lovers in a semi-hollow body. Very creamy and warm. My only concern and I have voiced this before with the Seth Lovers would be possible feedback issues with a hollow-body as they are not potted just like the originals. If you will be using this guitar on stage with any kind of volume, I would be careful. Nice 575. I have a 575 with Seths, you are correct about the feedback being a concern. I also have a 157 with stock Schallers, both gold plated, maybe an experiment may be in order. I origionally wasn't a big fan of the Schallers but have warmed up to them after doing some pup height and amp adjusting. Thanks for this thread guys, I found it very informative.
SouthpawGuy Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I must have a different set of ears than everyone else, eh hold on a sec, I do ! I find the HRWs to be far hotter than Seth Lovers. I have the HRWs in a semi solid Millie and a solid body VIP2. Seths are in the Prospect and in the neck position of a couple of G&L Bluesboys. I can see how the jazz guys like the HRWs, they would be great into an amp with lots of clean headroom where 95% of the time the neck pickup is used and the amp set with a very clean tone. I have the HRWs adjusted below the top of the pickup rings on both the Millie and VIP2 and they still clip the front end of my Cube 30x when set to JC120 mode. For those not familiar the VIP2 is an '80s Heritage model, a set neck strat type with twin humbuckers, and Kahler locking trem. In that guitar I like the output, in the MIllie not so much. The bridge position does a very good impersonation of a hot rodded tele while looking like a smooth jazz guitar, a real wolf in sheeps clothing. I have a set of Seth Lovers ready to go into the Millie. The Seths in the Prospect are the business. Same for the Bluesboys. just my 2c,ymmv,etc.
lifewithasong Posted January 21, 2011 Author Posted January 21, 2011 Yeah, I agree. The HRWs are a bit hotter than a Seth (or a Parsons Street pickup).
lifewithasong Posted January 21, 2011 Author Posted January 21, 2011 Yeah, I agree. The HRWs are a bit hotter than a Seth (or a Parsons Street pickup).
peerless Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 +1 Actually, the HRWs are great for hard rock and blues. Thats the cardinal sign of a good pickup. IT can be used for a lot of different styles because it basically does its job of providing good tone. What you do with it is in your fingers and other equipment. I don't have all the answers but I do know that the HRWs can rock out with the best of them. These pickups are good pickups as defined above and produce good tone in either arch tops suited for mellower jazzy styles or solid bodies which you can play blues or even metal. Their clarity can be put to good use when helping to push an overdriven signal and rolling back on the vol gives you a very nice classsic PAF tone. HRWs can also get jazzy in solid bodies. Years ago, I called Heritage and asked Ren about Antiquities verses something else in order to get the best true paf sounding pup for my 150. He told me he was almost finished with what had been a pet project of his for quite some time. A set of pickups that would blow you away and deliver the goods in spades. I sorta fell out of the guitar scene for awhile as I worked on some electronic music projects but when I returned the HRWs were out and I realized he had achieved his goal. They are great pickups and very versitile. DO not pigion hole them. JUst like with the original PAF, you can't do that. Look at how many different styles the oroignal PAF is used for, again this is the tell tell sighn of a very good pickup; versatility. Nothing can hold a candle to Bare Knuckle Pickups these days. Especially when it comes tot their vintage PAF lines. I am surprised that more Heritage players aren't using them yet. My HRW equipped 140 is the only guitar I did not replace with a BKP.
peerless Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 +1 Actually, the HRWs are great for hard rock and blues. Thats the cardinal sign of a good pickup. IT can be used for a lot of different styles because it basically does its job of providing good tone. What you do with it is in your fingers and other equipment. I don't have all the answers but I do know that the HRWs can rock out with the best of them. These pickups are good pickups as defined above and produce good tone in either arch tops suited for mellower jazzy styles or solid bodies which you can play blues or even metal. Their clarity can be put to good use when helping to push an overdriven signal and rolling back on the vol gives you a very nice classsic PAF tone. HRWs can also get jazzy in solid bodies. Years ago, I called Heritage and asked Ren about Antiquities verses something else in order to get the best true paf sounding pup for my 150. He told me he was almost finished with what had been a pet project of his for quite some time. A set of pickups that would blow you away and deliver the goods in spades. I sorta fell out of the guitar scene for awhile as I worked on some electronic music projects but when I returned the HRWs were out and I realized he had achieved his goal. They are great pickups and very versitile. DO not pigion hole them. JUst like with the original PAF, you can't do that. Look at how many different styles the oroignal PAF is used for, again this is the tell tell sighn of a very good pickup; versatility. Nothing can hold a candle to Bare Knuckle Pickups these days. Especially when it comes tot their vintage PAF lines. I am surprised that more Heritage players aren't using them yet. My HRW equipped 140 is the only guitar I did not replace with a BKP.
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