Help With My Pickup Decision

[MrB]

Ay Carumba,

 

I started out trying to chose between 3 similar, but slightly different, Seymour Duncans, and now we're talking about:

Gibson 57 Classic

Lollar P-90

Tom Short

Stephens Design

Burstbucker Pro

Burstbucker 1

Burstbucker 2

Burstbucker 3

496R

498T

Nothing is ever easy, is it?

I don't think it's true that a humbucker is a humbucker, there is quite a range of variation in the sound. Enough to keep me obsessing about it.

I checked with the folks at SD, and it is possible to order a Seth Lover that is wax potted, for an upcharge.

For the next 5 minutes I'm leaning toward:

Neck: wax potted Seth Lover

Bridge: Alnico II Pro

Sadly, it will probably keep changing until the UPS man walks out of the door in Kalamazoo.

 

Mr B

[Blunote]

Were the folks at SD able to describe if there was any difference between a wax potted Seth and an SD-59?

[MrB]

Blunote,

 

Check out their website, SD has a lot of info:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/

 

The main difference (in addition to potted/non-potted) is

the '59 has an Alnico V magnet

(bright, glassy, scooped mids, punchy bass)

and Seth has an Alnico II magnet

(warm, round, enhanced mids, spongy bass)

Given the maple body of the Millie, which tends to sound bright,

I'm leaning toward the Seth and Alnico II Pro.

Hoping the guitar won't be too dull, will still have some nice smooth highs.

What I really don't like is a harsh, brittle top end.

And hoping the bottom won't be too soft.

I do like playing a solid bass line when I'm fingerpicking.

 

Mr B

[Blunote]

Good to know.

 

My H150 deluxe (the one in my moniker) was incorrectly advertised new with Seths, and delivered with 59s. The dealer sent me the Seths which I had installed. So I was able to listen to both pickups in the same guitar within a couple of hours. I'd agree that the Seths have a warmer, more full bodied sound. Whatever else they are, they're not dull.

 

The 59s had a more nasel tone on the high end.

 

I liked the 59s, but really enjoy the Seth Lovers. I think you will too.

 

By the way, unless they changed the Millie since mine was built, it will have a mahogany body and maple cap just like most other Heritage models.

[DetroitBlues]

All I know is that Bluenote's Millie sounds awesome....But those are HRW's if I'm not mistaken.

[SouthpawGuy]

 

By the way, unless they changed the Millie since mine was built, it will have a mahogany body and maple cap just like most other Heritage models.

 

I thought that also but looking at the specs for the Millie DC on the Heritage site it has maple top, back and sides. Due to the arched back construction I suppose ? The Millie Std Ultra has a flat back with mahogany back and sides with an arched maple top.

[Blunote]

 

I thought that also but looking at the specs for the Millie DC on the Heritage site it has maple top, back and sides. Due to the arched back construction I suppose ? The Millie Std Ultra has a flat back with mahogany back and sides with an arched maple top.

I'd like to hear one one day. Mahogany a fairly bright tonewood as it it. I suppose maple is bright-er.

All I know is that Bluenote's Millie sounds awesome....But those are HRW's if I'm not mistaken.

That's correct. My millie is loaded with HRWs. My 150 deluxe has the Seth Lovers. I think it's pretty awesome too.

[MrB]

Blu,

 

Thanks! I was hoping to find someone who had tried the two pickups (Seth vs '59) in the same guitar.

Looks like you helped me finalize my choice:

Neck: Seth Lover, wax potted

Bridge: Alnico II Pro

 

To all cult members,

 

As soon as she arrives, I'll post photos and report on the sound.

 

Thanks for all your help,

Mr B