Antiquities or Seth Lovers?

[ZeppHead]

I'm looking to replace the pickups in my Epiphone ES-345, and I can't decide between Antiquities and Seth Lover's, thoughts?

 

[LtKojak]

I have/have had two 335s with either set, so I might be able to help you in your quest.

What kind of tone/vibe/player are you looking for?

 

[ZeppHead]

Hmmm, just that vintage sound I suppose.

 

[C Squared]

Either would deliver, though so would a set of 36th Anniversary from DiMarzio

 

[ZeppHead]

What's the real difference between the two?

 

[C Squared]

Antiquities look and sound old, aged magnets, from the custom shop. $$$
The Seth Lovers look new and were a tad brighter from what I remember. $$

Neither is wax potted, so feedback may be an issue

 

[ZeppHead]

Ah

 

[Deus Vult]

Antiquities from what I've heard and read.

I recommend WCR ($$$) or Throbak ($$$$)

 

[rykus]

I never liked my SL,thought they sounded to clean and a little sterile. But liked and played Ant. for quite a few years, they sound much better IMO.

That being said, some of the winders are producing quite a lot better sounding PU's for not much more money.I have tried quite a few now and wouldn't likely go back.... still haven't sold my 3 sets of ant's though!

 

[LtKojak]

Hmmm, just that vintage sound I suppose.

Well, if you handle gives an ida of what you like, I'd say a Seth Lover set, modded wih an A3 mag in the neck and an UOA5 mag in the bridge will make you happy, as it's the most "Page-y" sounding in a semi-hollow.

In my case, as I like my p'ups bright and sharp, my Seth Lover set is A4 modded, and my Ant set is UOA5 modded, also counting that the 1st 335 hosting the Seths is an all-maple one, and the 2nd one is a Mahogany neck and center block, maple body one, making the Ant set sound particulary sweet. I didn't like the degaussed A2 mags in the Ants, even though the harmonic complexity; the fully-charged UOA5s did bring the guitar to life, without noticeably losing the harmonic complexity characteristic of the Ant set.

HTH,