jmb27 Posted March 26, 2009 Posted March 26, 2009 Just a quick note (and question) I am in the process of (re) acquiring a 150CM Classic. it's currently loaded with '59s and I am wondering what a switch to Seth Lovers or Alnico IIs might do for playing jazz/country/light-driven rock tones (using Dr Z Galaxie and/or Carmen Ghia). any input muchly appreciated. 8) cheers always, eh Joel
mars_hall Posted March 26, 2009 Posted March 26, 2009 In my opinion, switching to either of the two you mentioned would give the guitar a brighter sound. I would think the 59 would be preferable for your application. my 2 cents
Kuz Posted March 26, 2009 Posted March 26, 2009 I agree. I have been speaking with Jason Lollar and Jon Gundry (Throbak) and both agree that Degassed (lower powered) A5 magnets are what give you the warm, creamy break up tone. I had Seths in my 555 and where they are bright, articulate, and airy, they are a little gritty & bright. Put in degassed A5 PAFs and I have that smooth bigger creamier tone.
Reverb Posted March 26, 2009 Posted March 26, 2009 If you get it and find you're unhappy with the 59's you might check out Bare Knuckle Mule humbuckers. They are pretty diverse in their sound in my opinion. Here's a link to all the BK's sound clips. There is also some stuff on youtube to listen to. http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/inde...p?topic=11736.0
yoslate Posted March 26, 2009 Posted March 26, 2009 I had Seths in my 555 and where they are bright, articulate, and airy, they are a little gritty & bright. Put in degassed A5 PAFs and I have that smooth bigger creamier tone. I'd posted this in another thread. Copied it here to second Kuz's characterization of the Seth's: Just completed a swap. Put Phat Cats in two of my Heritages, so the Schallers came out. They were OK, but nothing special. Have an exceptional '73 LP Deluxe made over to look like a '60 cherryburst. Had a set of '74 Dimarzio PAF's in it. Way too hot for my taste. Schallers went into it for a while. It was...OK, but I really wanted a vintage PAF tone, one I thought the Dimarzios overwhelmed with their output. Spent some time on Duncan's site, A/B-ing sound clips. Great fun! Decided on Seth Lovers. Kuz happened to be selling a pair, great price. I got them; they're in. Gorgeous tone in that Paul! Clear without harsh; transparent, yet with character...without any characteristic predominating; the neck p'up just on the warm side with a nice tapered breakup as you get into it; the bridge is "bridge," stopping just short of twang, not at all brittle; and middle position gives up that balanced Bloomfield honk, a slightly rounded, authoritative bite that sounds great for chunking little chords for rhythm and gives that unmistakable LP tone for lines. "Carmelita Skiffle" lives! An excellent pickup!
brentrocks Posted March 26, 2009 Posted March 26, 2009 I put Alnico II in my Gary Moore and i am very happy with the tone they produce.....not too trebbely....the neck is smoth and warm, but the bridge has enought bite to do hard rock if you wanted.
jmb27 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Posted March 26, 2009 thanks for the input guys. I am heading over to the shop later today ... guitar in question is the one in my avatar .... still not sure what sort of brain-fart/stroke-of-genius/panice button moment I was havin' when it left the fold..... ;D 8) cheers always, eh Joel
Rude Dog Posted March 26, 2009 Posted March 26, 2009 I can't really help, but I had a set of Seth Lovers in my 150 that I miss; never played a guitar with 59s though. But I like your choice of gear. I have a Carmen Ghia too.
michaeljames Posted March 27, 2009 Posted March 27, 2009 ??? So what I'd like to know is this: if the HRWs are so highly sought after, why does everyone continue to talk about 'the other guys' so much? Mind you, I have late 60s T-tops, Tim Shaws, Ibanez Super 70s, 70s T-tops, early 70s Super Humbuckers, blah-blah-blah. I also have a set of HRWs that I have yet to install. I bought them because of the 'Ren' Gibson Heritage factor, and based upon little info and vague reviews. It seems that the 'hype' of the HRWs has waned in favor of the more (today) popular 'boutique' 'handwound' pups. Should I throw my HRWs in the trash? Or install them in a beat up Epi? Just curious. And cynical comments aside - why doesn't anyone, really, talk about HRWs when they list an ever growing liteny of 'boutique' pickup builders? ???
JohnCovach Posted March 27, 2009 Posted March 27, 2009 I've got HRW's in my Millie DC and they're fine--maybe a little too forceful for my tastes, but they have their "sound." One big reason they don't get more attention is they are hard to get. It's much easier to buy DiMarzios, Duncans, or Lollars. I have three 150's (Duncan 59's, Lollar Imperials, Lollar P-90s) and a 157 (Seths). I prefer the Imperials for a humbucker, then the Seths, then the 59's. The P-90s are great too, but a whole other ball game sound-wise.
barrymclark Posted March 27, 2009 Posted March 27, 2009 I've got HRW's in my Millie DC and they're fine--maybe a little too forceful for my tastes, but they have their "sound." One big reason they don't get more attention is they are hard to get. It's much easier to buy DiMarzios, Duncans, or Lollars. I have three 150's (Duncan 59's, Lollar Imperials, Lollar P-90s) and a 157 (Seths). I prefer the Imperials for a humbucker, then the Seths, then the 59's. The P-90s are great too, but a whole other ball game sound-wise. Not to mention that they aren't the cheapest pickups in the world.
jmb27 Posted April 5, 2009 Author Posted April 5, 2009 bumpin .... just to confirm, I will be getting the guitar back ... don't plan on making any changes at this time ... that said, it may be a while and a couple of paychecks before I see the guitar again ..... 8) hope y'all don't mind me bein' on the forum without owing a sweet Heritage guitar at this time ... cheers always, eh Hoel
barrymclark Posted April 5, 2009 Posted April 5, 2009 bumpin .... just to confirm, I will be getting the guitar back ... don't plan on making any changes at this time ... that said, it may be a while and a couple of paychecks before I see the guitar again ..... 8) hope y'all don't mind me bein' on the forum without owing a sweet Heritage guitar at this time ... cheers always, eh Hoel Hey, you aren't the only one. Working on it. Been a long time admirer of Heritage. Marrying into the family gave me the kick in the pants I needed towards getting one. Selling off guitars as we speak to fund one.
High Flying Bird Posted April 5, 2009 Posted April 5, 2009 I have a 150 and it is a fine instrument. Out of the 3 Heritage guitars that I own it is the weakest link... but what a weak link it is. Heritage makes such nice guitars that their "weak link" is any other company's strong point. Get that 150 back then get yourself a 535. These are two "must have" guitars for any Heritage owner.
barrymclark Posted April 5, 2009 Posted April 5, 2009 Just out of curiosity, what makes it the weak link?
Hfan Posted April 5, 2009 Posted April 5, 2009 Regarding the 150 as being a weak link, for me it has been the only one of my guitars I have picked up since I bought it about a month ago. It has Bare Knuckle Stormy Monday pickups and I've been playing it straight through my Blues Junior which I've added most of Bill M's mods to. Sound great and just feels comfortable to me. I bought a 575 Custom in 2007 but I never really bonded like this with it. For a long time I've been a single coil guy (Tele and G&L) but this 150 is turning me around. Reminds me of the two Les Pauls I owned many moons ago as well as my old Guild Bluesbird unfortunately, all long gone. I'm thinking a 535 may be in order next.
barrymclark Posted April 5, 2009 Posted April 5, 2009 I hear you. I just want a 157 and a 137DC. I think I'd be good then. Just don't have the room for much more with an electric upright and an acoustic... and an amp and my recording gear taking over me and the wife's bedroom. haha.
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