High Gain Seth Lover?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 8len8
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8len8

8len8

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Is there a pickup with the tone of a Seth Lover, but higher output and tighter low end?
 
I think I’d try the Duncan custom shop and see if they can make one.
 
Duncan 78 model, it is around 9K.

If you need more output than that then try a Duncan SH-6N(ceramic magnet) at 12-13K used to be Seymours Hot Pickup before the Duncan Custom and JB.
 
I can't really say that I know of a pickup that sounds similar to the Seth Lover that is considerably higher output and tighter bottom.
The Seth Lover has such a distinctive tone and so much of it is due to that looser low end and such.
I have opted to use the Pearly Gates set instead of the Lovers when wanting to play with more gain and volume, as they give me a great vintage PAF kind of sound but with less noise and squealing, and while it does have a spongier bottom end it's a bit easier to tighten it up than with the Lovers, at least in my experience.
I think other pickups such as the SD 78 and even the SH11 Custom Custom are good alternatives too, definitely tighter and higher output/lower noise and they're excellent pickups, not sure I'd say they're overall very "similar" to the Seth Lovers though, but I guess that's subjective.
I agree with the comment earlier about contacting Duncan's custom shop/customer help, they can give you several suggestions for both custom shop options as well as what current production models might suit your needs best. They also can customize your Seth Lovers such as wax-potting them in order to make them more easily useable for higher gain tones.
I'd seriously consider getting in touch with Duncan and seeing what they could suggest for you. I'd be interested in hearing what comes of it if you do.
 
I had the same dilemma. My R9 went from Custombuckers to Seth’s then to Antiquities. Never quite there. Moved on to Custom Shop PG’s……closer but a bit too full/soft for high gain rhythms. I then contacted the CS and they built me an overwound Antiquity with a slightly degaussed, roughcast A5. This pickup is perfection. I left the CS Pearly in the neck. My 2nd choice would be the BKP Riff Raff that’s in my V. I find them very similar.
 
8len8 said:
Is there a pickup with the tone of a Seth Lover, but higher output and tighter low end?
Click to expand...
Why not try a Fralin Pure PAF or Modern PAF, you have a selection on the output you want or he may even overwind something hotter for you.
 
Saturday Night Special.
Or, SH-5. That'll be around 14k, I believe. "PAF on Steroids" is their slogan on that one. It's my go-to. Highly recommended.
 
Another vote for PG
You wind too high I think u get away from the base tone of a seth.
 
Unfortunately in passive pickup design you can’t change any aspect of a given pickup’s spec without it having knock-on effects on its EQ, dynamics and output. If you take a Seth Lover and wind it hotter you’ll make it dark and looser. If you change the magnet to a more powerful one you’ll brighten it and lose some midrange.. etc
However, have you tried raising your Seth Lover super close to the strings? Literally get it as close as you can without the strings hitting the pickup. That’ll give you tighter lows and more output. In case you’re concerned, there will be no issues with string pull given it’s a bridge humbucker with an Alnico II magnet
 
The least tonally invasive change you can do is to order a potted Seth Lover. Potting might focus the tone ever so slightly, thus tightening it, but it'd be a very subtle change. You might even perceive the slightest reduction in output actually. Just accept that the SL's shortcomings make it what it is.
 
I would think the lower wind Suhrs like the SSV and Thornbucker might give a little boost and mids. But not a lot.
 
I will say it again best PAF for the money is a Sheptone. I have owned most of the replicas and for the money they cant be beat imo.
 
Love my Wolfetone Marshallheads. Great for classic rock and high gain stuff. Work well with volume roll off if you’re guitar is wired right.
 
I had a PG set in a Les Paul. A PG+ in the bridge and regular in the neck. Sounded great for high gain. When I get my custom made Kurt Wilson Explorer those are the pickups I'm going to have installed.
 
I’m gonna make an odd suggestion. EMG Fat-55.

I got ahold of one of these used and it is by far the most passive, least active, least EMG sounding EMG I’ve ever played. Sounds a lot like the SH-18 Whole Lotta Humbucker, but with a touch more output and a touch tighter bottom end.
 
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