Duncan Seth Lover Vs Schaller pickup on an H575

[LaVonne]

Hi Everyone,

 

I haven't owned an electric in ages but I'm in the process of searching for a used H575. I would love opinions on the differences between the Seth Lover and Shaller pickups. I'm not necessarily looking for good Vs bad but rather how they differ in tone and over all characteristics. I’ll be using the guitar for swing rhythm, chord melody and other Jazz related stuff.

 

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoghts.

 

 

 

[schundog]

LaVonne, you need to CHANGE that status; get some electrics! I have a 575 with Schallers. If you ever get to Central Illinois, let me know, you are welcome to play it and decide for yourself. Schallers get a lot of grief from people, and many, if not most, change them. I changed from Schallers to Seymour Duncan Antiquities (basically Seth Lovers) in my 535, and am quite happy with the results. The Schallers weren't BAD, the Antiquities just seem a bit sweeter sounding to me in THAT guitar. I have Schallers in my H-170, and they are a perfect fit for that platform, IMHO, a solid body guitar. My 575 came with the Schallers, and I have considered changing them just for the sake of changing them, but last night I was playing it quite loudly (clean channel of an amp cranked up to breaking up level) and, for ME, it was just about the perfect tone for Blues/Rock. They aren't bad pickups at all, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Will other pickups sound different? Of course. Better?! Purely subjective, again, in my opinion. I don't sweat over the cloth-covered wire mojo, or know the nostril circumference or underwear size of the great pickup winders of the past (just kidding here; some go WAY overboard on their boutique cork-sniffery). I just know if it sounds good, it IS good. Oh, and thanks for the chance to show off my 575!

 

 

 

[Blunote]

I pretty much agree with Brian. Having had both, I generally prefer Seth Lovers for their clarity and vintage sound. The Schallers tended to be a bit muddy at times.

 

For jazz, or swing rhythm the Seth's would be better, I think. HRWs would be better.

[MartyGrass]

The best advice I have for you on this decision is to not worry about it. It's wasted energy.

 

It makes little sense to search for a guitar based on the pickups it comes with, especially if you are restricted to PAF style pups.

 

Seths and Heritage Schallers produce slightly different sounds, all else being equal. Schallers are slightly chimey. But all else won't be equal.

 

Almost any amp can adjust the sound toward your liking. The heft and material of your strings change the final product a lot. And it is surprising how the choice in picks makes a big difference. Plus there are many other factors within your control, such as the angle of the pick attack and where on the string (fore or aft) you pluck it, that dramatically influence what comes out of the speakers.

 

Find a guitar you like the looks and feel of then play it for six months. Try different strings, picks, technique and amp settings. If you remain frustrated in your sound, consider a different set of pups then.

 

I'm sitting in a room right now with a group of guitars. Among them are five different types of PAF style pups. I play all of them regularly. There are only minor differences among them IMO.

 

When I pick one up it is based on whether I want a solid, semi-hollow, or hollow body, a Bigsby or not, and what type of strings.

 

I recognize I'm in a small minority that shares this opinion. But I once believed the choice in PAFs really mattered. Now it is clear to me that much of it is hype and marketing. The most experienced and talented Gibson luthiers told me this many years ago, but I thought they were out of touch with the times. They weren't. They were wise.

 

The Heritage owners and Ren Wall also agree. Of course they are all Gibson progeny. They did not apologize for Schallers over the years. Nor are they embarrassed by the current use of SDs.

 

To be clear, I'm talking about PAF style pups, not HRWs, single coils, and hot pups.

 

In the end it's your money, your time and your choice. And the pleasure is in the journey, not crossing the finish line.

[peterbright]

I've switched pickups on 4 guitars (out of ~ 80 I've owned) and it made a noticeable improvement on 1 of those.

[DetroitBlues]

LaVonne, you need to CHANGE that status; get some electrics! I have a 575 with Schallers. If you ever get to Central Illinois, let me know, you are welcome to play it and decide for yourself. Schallers get a lot of grief from people, and many, if not most, change them. I changed from Schallers to Seymour Duncan Antiquities (basically Seth Lovers) in my 535, and am quite happy with the results. The Schallers weren't BAD, the Antiquities just seem a bit sweeter sounding to me in THAT guitar. I have Schallers in my H-170, and they are a perfect fit for that platform, IMHO, a solid body guitar. My 575 came with the Schallers, and I have considered changing them just for the sake of changing them, but last night I was playing it quite loudly (clean channel of an amp cranked up to breaking up level) and, for ME, it was just about the perfect tone for Blues/Rock. They aren't bad pickups at all, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Will other pickups sound different? Of course. Better?! Purely subjective, again, in my opinion. I don't sweat over the cloth-covered wire mojo, or know the nostril circumference or underwear size of the great pickup winders of the past (just kidding here; some go WAY overboard on their boutique cork-sniffery). I just know if it sounds good, it IS good. Oh, and thanks for the chance to show off my 575!

 

 

 

Show off.

[Hfan]

I just put Seths in my 157 that had Schallers in it previousely. The difference is slight but there. I liked the Schallers and I could see them being good for a 575 type, they have a nice clear quality to me. Really, without making high quality recordings of before and after, making a comparison is hard. After tweaking the Seths in the 157 I'm very happy with them, not better just different.

 

If you get a guitar with Schallers, or any pickup I suppose, I'd give them a chance.

 

One thing about Schallers is it is very hard to find their rings in the US (two adjustment screws per side). You can use a single screw type though.

[LaVonne]

Thanks for the comments. I'll probably decide mostly on the guitar in the best condition but I wanted to get a feel for the differences in pickup although not a deciding factor.

 

Beautiful H575!!! I love the pcikguard.

[Guest HRB853370]

The best advice I have for you on this decision is to not worry about it. It's wasted energy.

 

It makes little sense to search for a guitar based on the pickups it comes with, especially if you are restricted to PAF style pups.

 

Seths and Heritage Schallers produce slightly different sounds, all else being equal. Schallers are slightly chimey. But all else won't be equal.

 

Almost any amp can adjust the sound toward your liking. The heft and material of your strings change the final product a lot. And it is surprising how the choice in picks makes a big difference. Plus there are many other factors within your control, such as the angle of the pick attack and where on the string (fore or aft) you pluck it, that dramatically influence what comes out of the speakers.

 

Find a guitar you like the looks and feel of then play it for six months. Try different strings, picks, technique and amp settings. If you remain frustrated in your sound, consider a different set of pups then.

 

I'm sitting in a room right now with a group of guitars. Among them are five different types of PAF style pups. I play all of them regularly. There are only minor differences among them IMO.

 

When I pick one up it is based on whether I want a solid, semi-hollow, or hollow body, a Bigsby or not, and what type of strings.

 

I recognize I'm in a small minority that shares this opinion. But I once believed the choice in PAFs really mattered. Now it is clear to me that much of it is hype and marketing. The most experienced and talented Gibson luthiers told me this many years ago, but I thought they were out of touch with the times. They weren't. They were wise.

 

The Heritage owners and Ren Wall also agree. Of course they are all Gibson progeny. They did not apologize for Schallers over the years. Nor are they embarrassed by the current use of SDs.

 

To be clear, I'm talking about PAF style pups, not HRWs, single coils, and hot pups.

 

In the end it's your money, your time and your choice. And the pleasure is in the journey, not crossing the finish line.

What he said, +100,000. But still, take a trip to Central Illinois to see Shundog, LaVonne, he usually has cold beer. Not that I would know, just hearsay, I have never been invited myself!!!

[schundog]

What he said, +100,000. But still, take a trip to Central Illinois to see Shundog, LaVonne, he usually has cold beer. Not that I would know, just hearsay, I have never been invited myself!!!

The jamming starts at 2:30, slammer. Feel free to come up if you can make it! Oh, and indeed, there is cold beer in the fridge!

[H]

 

 

 

These pics are really, really good, S-dog Great subject, great composition.

[Vanschoyck]

Nice guitar.

 

I have a Sweet 16 with a Seth and that pickup I would describe as very sweet sounding. I don't have a Shaller to compare it to, but to a Gibson 57 Classic, it is more rounded, mellower, not as much cut.

[shook494]

I like my Schaller's in my 157. I think they are under rated pickups.

[barrymclark]

I agree with Marty. They are both great. I made the silly mistake of changing the Schallers out before just to go right back. My 575 just happened to come with Seths. Had it come with Schallers, they'd still be in there. Both are quality and will get you where you're going.

 

My experience is the the Seths sound thicker and the Schallers are, what Marty said, 'chimey'.

 

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

[smurph1]

LaVonne, you need to CHANGE that status; get some electrics! I have a 575 with Schallers. If you ever get to Central Illinois, let me know, you are welcome to play it and decide for yourself. Schallers get a lot of grief from people, and many, if not most, change them. I changed from Schallers to Seymour Duncan Antiquities (basically Seth Lovers) in my 535, and am quite happy with the results. The Schallers weren't BAD, the Antiquities just seem a bit sweeter sounding to me in THAT guitar. I have Schallers in my H-170, and they are a perfect fit for that platform, IMHO, a solid body guitar. My 575 came with the Schallers, and I have considered changing them just for the sake of changing them, but last night I was playing it quite loudly (clean channel of an amp cranked up to breaking up level) and, for ME, it was just about the perfect tone for Blues/Rock. They aren't bad pickups at all, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Will other pickups sound different? Of course. Better?! Purely subjective, again, in my opinion. I don't sweat over the cloth-covered wire mojo, or know the nostril circumference or underwear size of the great pickup winders of the past (just kidding here; some go WAY overboard on their boutique cork-sniffery). I just know if it sounds good, it IS good. Oh, and thanks for the chance to show off my 575!

 

Man That's Purdy!! I really liked the Schallers I had in my old H-140, before I snapped the headstock.. But I live in West Virginia!!

 

 

[smurph1]

 

LaVonne, you need to CHANGE that status; get some electrics! I have a 575 with Schallers. If you ever get to Central Illinois, let me know, you are welcome to play it and decide for yourself. Schallers get a lot of grief from people, and many, if not most, change them. I changed from Schallers to Seymour Duncan Antiquities (basically Seth Lovers) in my 535, and am quite happy with the results. The Schallers weren't BAD, the Antiquities just seem a bit sweeter sounding to me in THAT guitar. I have Schallers in my H-170, and they are a perfect fit for that platform, IMHO, a solid body guitar. My 575 came with the Schallers, and I have considered changing them just for the sake of changing them, but last night I was playing it quite loudly (clean channel of an amp cranked up to breaking up level) and, for ME, it was just about the perfect tone for Blues/Rock. They aren't bad pickups at all, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Will other pickups sound different? Of course. Better?! Purely subjective, again, in my opinion. I don't sweat over the cloth-covered wire mojo, or know the nostril circumference or underwear size of the great pickup winders of the past (just kidding here; some go WAY overboard on their boutique cork-sniffery). I just know if it sounds good, it IS good. Oh, and thanks for the chance to show off my 575!

 

Man That's Purdy!! I really liked the Schallers I had in my old H-140, before I snapped the headstock.. But I live in West Virginia!!

 

 

 

[Dell18]

Yep. What Marty said. Couldn't put it better. I got a 535, not knowing what pups were in it. Took it to PSP and someone pointed out "2 screws, Schaller or HRW". Got home, pulled 'em while restringing it and was gutted to see they were "just" Schallers. First practice with that guitar? My drummer and singer (who is a killer drummer, decent guitar, bass player) both looked at me and said "that thing kicks ass. You're best sounding guitar." I have more expensive pups in every one of my guitars but that one does indeed sound the best. I truly think amp and guitar type are way more important. I'd follow MartyGrass's thinking, I think he's dead on here.