sykofiddle Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 I'm looking at an H-535 with Schaller humbuckers. They sound a little muddy and brittle. What would folks suggest pickup wise to take the edge off the mid-range, tighten up the lows, and give an overall warmer more bluesy tone? Any suggestions?
JohnCovach Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 I've got Duncan 59s in my 535 and they sound great.
yoslate Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 syko: Reference page 5 of this site for "Antiquity's on H150," and "Heritage pickup advice," and page 6 for "Seth Lover bridge report." I think you'll find ample, informed discussion there. Happy hunting.
GuitArtMan Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 Duncan Seth Lovers. Period. End quote. You can thank me later.
grayta Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 I've got Duncan 59s in my 535 and they sound great. Agreed.
Kuz Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 I've got two 555s. One that I had HRWs installed in. The other they were out of HRWs for 6 weeks so I had them put in Seth Lovers '59s. They both are very good but I would give a big nod to the HRWs. Period. End quote. You can thank me later as well. ;D
sykofiddle Posted January 19, 2008 Author Posted January 19, 2008 Can't a guy get a straight answer around here? ;D Seriously, I'll thank you all now and ask a follow up question - Between the SD 59's and Set Lover's, both of which of I've read very good things about, which set is: higher output warmer vs./brighter cleaner vs. crunchier ?? Please put answers in quotes.
Thundersteel Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 I've always thought the SD 59s sounded muddy. The Seth Lover's, to me anyway, are warmer & crunchier. I think the output is about the same.
Kazwell Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 I have Seth Lovers on my H-150. They sound great, but like all tone junkies I am still open to moving up if that is even possible. After doing some extensive research on various boutique pickups I am zeroing in on Jason Lollars Imperial Humbuckers. From all reports they are the next step up from Seth Lovers. Crunching the numbers now to get the funds ready, they aren't cheap -over $300 for the pair. Will keep the forum posted on what they sound like if and when I make this happen.
Kuz Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 Ren told me personally and I agree, if you want the closest thing to PAF then go Seth Lover. I think HRWs are warmer and fatter without being muddy. The Seth Lovers & HRWs may have close to the same output, but the HRWs SOUND like they have more output because of the warmer fatter tone. Ren told me to stay clear of SD '59s unless you want a brighter, crisper tone. He REALLY tried to talk me out of SD 59s, and it wasn't to sell me his HRWs because they were out of HRWs at the time.
tulk1 Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 Ren told me to stay clear of SD '59s unless you want a brighter, crisper tone. He REALLY tried to talk me out of SD 59s, and it wasn't to sell me his HRWs because they were out of HRWs at the time. So why do they keep using them, then? Seems a somewhat ambiguous answer, to me.
Kuz Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 I believe it is an up-charge from SD '59s to Seth Lovers ( and I know HRWs are $40 more than the Seth Lovers). So 1. They probably want you to up-charge for the other Pickups. and 2. They can't afford to stock more than 3 higher priced pickups and the SD '59s are their middle price point pickup, not the cheaper Schallers and not the more expensive HRWs. Just my guess. ??? But even my dealer strongly encouraged me to choose Seth Lovers or HRWs over the SD 59s (which I was going to do anyhow)
GuitArtMan Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 I've got two 555s. One that I had HRWs installed in. The other they were out of HRWs for 6 weeks so I had them put in Seth Lovers '59s. They both are very good but I would give a big nod to the HRWs. Period. End quote. You can thank me later as well. ;D So did you get Seth Lovers or Duncan '59s? They are different pickups. The Seths are Alnico II, scatterwound, un-balanced coils and not potted. The '59s are Alnico V, balanced coils and potted. I personally prefer the Seth Lovers to the '59s. I also had two 535s, one with Seths and one with HRWs - I prefered the Seths, but tone is subjective.
GuitArtMan Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 Ren told me personally and I agree, if you want the closest thing to PAF then go Seth Lover. I think HRWs are warmer and fatter without being muddy. The Seth Lovers & HRWs may have close to the same output, but the HRWs SOUND like they have more output because of the warmer fatter tone. Ren told me to stay clear of SD '59s unless you want a brighter, crisper tone. He REALLY tried to talk me out of SD 59s, and it wasn't to sell me his HRWs because they were out of HRWs at the time. Wierd. I'm not sure I would have called the HRWs warmer. To me they had a somewhat HiFi sound. They seemed to have a bit deeper bass and more highs, not the traditional midrange emphasis of a PAF. In my case the HRWs definitley had more output, even after lowering the pickups, and would overdrive my amp while at the same setting the Seth Lovers would be clear.
111518 Posted January 19, 2008 Posted January 19, 2008 I apologize in advance if this a "doh" response, but there are sound samples of the different humbuckers on the SD page, and for a few bucks 'ole Seymour will sell you a whole CD of humbucker samples (a few more gets you a DVD). Great to get people's feedback, but I'd try to get my own ears involved as much as I could. One man's warm is the next man's muddy. Don't know that I'd buy the sample stuff, but I would listen to the online samples. (and maybe you have.)
Kuz Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 So did you get Seth Lovers or Duncan '59s? They are different pickups. The Seths are Alnico II, scatterwound, un-balanced coils and not potted. The '59s are Alnico V, balanced coils and potted. I personally prefer the Seth Lovers to the '59s. I also had two 535s, one with Seths and one with HRWs - I prefered the Seths, but tone is subjective. One 555 has Seth Lovers. The other has HRWs. FWIW, I like the HRWs better. To my ear they are warmer, fatter, and as mentioned more output. It's hard to go wrong with either set
GuitArtMan Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 One 555 has Seth Lovers. The other has HRWs. FWIW, I like the HRWs better. To my ear they are warmer, fatter, and as mentioned more output. It's hard to go wrong with either set Ok, fair enough. What you seem to like about the HRWs is what I didn't like. Just goes to show one mans warm is another mans muddy; one mans crisp and clear is another mans scratchy and piercing.
Heritage525 Posted January 20, 2008 Posted January 20, 2008 I put a set of SD Pearly Gates in my H550 - love em! A
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