Seymour Duncan Antiquities Vs Seth Lovers through a Marshall JCM800

[@pichichi...cuilote4650]

This guy looks like Gary Moore ! . ;)

[@the_cleaner]

a cross between gary moore and jim morrison :D

[@TheMichaelseymour]

Tarkin rubbish....he looks like Dan from Nazareth.

[@CyberNoise86]

He looks like Valeriy Dubinin from Aria (band)

[@less_concerned1221]

I was thinking more of Wreck-it Ralph??

[@bozopennywize]

came here for this comment

[@lathspell87]

As an owner of a set of antiquities in my LP, I would never remove them. They make my '02 Standard sound like it's from the 50's.

[@bryanwilliams3665]

I have had an Antiquity set for over 20 yrs and 5 weeks ago did something crazy . I swapped them over, put the 7.5k Low Wind in the bridge and the Overwound 8.4k in the neck set REALLY Low (to balance Vol). It radically changed the sound!. Instant Jimmy Page from the Album /Film The Song Remains the Same. The "Hollow chirp" Middle Sound is incredible. The Bridge Sounds like a "telecaster on steroids' and the neck is incredibly 'Woody' like you'd imagine a bowed cello to sound (much more so than the 7.5k that was there before) It is now like 3 different guitars.. The new sound is on my channel. The Page tone ( i understand not everyones favourite) is elusive unless the low wind is in the bridge.

[@arnolddealiii4259]

Seth Lovers sounded killer. The antiquities are a very close second.

[@Guitargasdotcom]

Hi thanks for your thoughts. I have to admit I wasn't overly happy with this vid, I did do another but am yet to upload it. They are both great pups, I think the Seth's have a little more clarity and bite, honestly it's kinda hard to describe the difference, they both sound very similar but there is still something unique to both sets of pups. All the best...

[@EvLoutonian]

Dig it! Great guitars, too (: Did you end up uploading the other video you did? I'm a big fan of the Seth Lover humbuckers. Haven't tried the Antiquities PAF's, but I have tried Antiquity II Firebird and Mini-HB's. I found them both to be a bit lacking on the nice mid's, and relatively thin or sharp up top. Whereas I love the standard Duncan 'Vintage' model mini-HB's. Would be curious if you think the Antiquity PAF's have a relatively more trebley response like that, compared to Seth Lover?

[@raulgrangeiro]

EvLoutonian I would like to see that video too

[@bruhdamartinasty3636]

Seth Lover/bridge 1:04 Antiquities/bridge 1:35 Antiquities/neck: 2:12 Seth Lover/neck: 2:44 Seth Lover/both clean: 3:29 Antiquities/both clean: 3:54

[@homonavitus6113]

Seths sounded like they had an EQ in em, very cool tone. The Antiquities are of the same beauty, but little bit more sparkling, opened and ruder. I like them both the same, and I think that they are the best pickups I ever heard.

[@SrDeMaFp]

You explained it way better than I could have. I agree 100%

[@jimmygrant3151]

Yeah, agreed, to my ears the Antiquities sounded open, and loose, a bit harsher, while the Seth Lover's sounded closed and tight, very precise. I can see why people like the Seth Lover's. However, both are excellent pickups. I have a set of Seth Lover's in the mail. Can't wait to try them out in my Les Paul.

[@Terryomalleyonline]

Antiquity Bridge and Seth Neck would be my choice..... Great comparison. Thanks for posting.

[@jduncanm3golf]

Haha think I'd do the opposite. To each his own!

[@adamwatson6916]

Terry O'Malley many people use that combo and it's great.

[@Renato84Br]

Fuck awesome! Cause I just spent 260 bucks for this combo to replace the 490R/490T on my beautiful Gibson 2017 Tribute LP, based on a few hours of youtube listening (before choosing the SD Ant bridge/SL neck combo, I had close to zero knowledge of humbucker choices). Almost went for Slash A2P on the bridge, by the way.

[@Renato84Br]

Terry, the Seth Neck clean setting sounds so damn sweet on every comparison video. I've bought this combo, waiting for arrival.

[@hammondsphoto]

To me, Antiquities have a warmer but slightly grittier, more involving tone - they really are the easiest way to make any axe sound 50 years old. If you want to sound vintage and use minimal effects they can't be beat. But the Seth Lovers also sound pretty vintage too and are a little cleaner and tighter-focussed so maybe a better bet if you use more effects. I have them in an Epiphone Sheraton, which I use as a real all-rounder from jazzy to jangle to rock, and it chimes like a bell when it sounded pretty muddy with the stock pickups. Antiquities are also twice the price so to my mind more something you'd put in your 'ultimate axe'. The Seth Lovers are my go-to for replacing the muddy pickup you find in Epiphone-level guitars as they really transform the sound. In either case, if added to a cheaper guitar you may as well upgrade the wiring too as it really allows the pups to show themselves off.

[@adamwatson6916]

hammondsphoto the seth are meant to make a led paul sound like it would if you bought one new in the late 50s or early 60s . the ants are designed to sound like a paf that is 50 years old. it's just 2 different kinds of vintage.. the seth would be better for the classic rock era of guitar tone. it's hard to beat duncan for alnico 2 pickups . it's hard to make alnico 2 pickups that sound bright clear and open but seymour nails it he has a passion for alnico 2 based pickups and does it so much better then gibson. I does with the 57s 490s burstbucker 1 2 and 3

[@danielcarter3928]

what wiring do you recommend ?

[@bestplans9051]

I went with the Seth Lovers in my LP and no regrets at all. Great tone plenty of sustain. A nice growl to them and the high leads are much richer sounding. I listened to both on Seymour Duncan's website and just found the Seth's to have a little more umph of power to them while still retaining a really great mid-range tone. Absolutely perfect for Boston, Grand Funk, Audioslave, Foghat, Garbage, and yeah even Gary Moore lol.

[@TheRichie213]

You look like an older Jim Morrison! I'm going with the Seth Lovers. Just got them. Thanks for the review!

[@blackpieceofwhite]

Really like your demos, Seth Lovers sound great!

[@Fulltondano]

This was awesome...this dudes Antiquity face is so Rock and Roll...he could just stand there and the place would rock!

[@skullheadwater9839]

That's Bon Scott's son of course he looks the part.

[@TheZooman22]

Nice review, I would like to try the Seth Lover pickups...I would like to see if the un-potted pickups pick up more of the vibe of the guitar.

[@Epiphone1978]

For a moment i thought you were Gary Moore!!!

[@MrPorsche27]

He looks like every guitarist I've ever known.

[@danielcarter3928]

i love the antiquities. i’m gonna start saving up for a set.

[@angusorvid8840]

I hear these are about the best traditional style PAFs on the market.

[@TheGhostGuitars]

Seth Lover's for the bridge, Antiquities for the neck does it for me.

[@RLMUD]

Seth lovers have a much more smooth round sound but both are nice sounding pickups

[@zwip778]

+RLMUD vintage PAFs don't sound this round though... I like the roundness too don't get me wrong, but on this video it sounds as round as a 490R. My vote is for the Antiquities for a more traditional PAF sound

[@JT-gm4fk]

@@zwip778 that's technically false. Vintage pickups were not all wound the same. They would also have sounded different in the hands of different guitars, guitarists and amps.

[@Guitargasdotcom]

Hi Kris, yeah to my ears they are both so similar it's hard to tell em apart at times. I am still yet to do a more comprehensive demo on these pups. It's coming but not sure how soon it will be. Cheers

[@bimwopbarn47]

nice demo thanks. seths were more sort of processed sounding. very nice, but then the antiquities just have something raw and special coming out - pure excitement!

[@stratolestele7611]

Gosh, it blows my mind at how clueless people are! Just amazing.

[@bimwopbarn47]

@@stratolestele7611 say what?

[@cgarciaad]

Hi! Greetings from Brazil!!! I know that you know that YOU'RE GARY MOORE !!!!

[@21whitman]

Mr Ozgooner. I heard the exact same thing. The antiquities have a full range sound and their not as buzzy or tinny sounding as the lovers. I am suprised I didnt think I would have heard that much of a different but there is quite a large difference. Good Vid thanks.

[@jeremydmccann]

The Seths sound a little brighter to me. Both sound great, but I think I prefer the Lovers. I like a brighter pickup.

[@justslymo]

I can hear the lower output on the antiquities...good shoot out.

[@Incuensuocha]

I put some Antiquities in my Les Paul to replace the original Burstbucker Pros. What a huge improvement. I’m now looking to change the pickups in my es-339 because the stock 57 classics sound too muddy for me, especially in the neck. I’m thinking of going with the Seth Lovers. This video helped.

[@kennyh5083]

If the 57's are muddy then you need to change the pots to 500k and the caps to .001, 57's are NOT muddy pickups! They were created by Tom Holmes and basic copys of his $600 HB's! In a Guitar Player shoot-out they came in second only to Holmes custom would HB's.

[@Incuensuocha]

@Paulo Rossi I went with the Seth Lovers. They sound fantastic!

[@agirotto1]

Antiquities for me. They sound delicious!

[@vwccrline]

I like the live raw tone of the Seth Lovers but the Antiquities sound fat and thick which isn't a bad thing. Love that Gold Top who is that made by?

[@photopicker]

They both sound amazing. I love the antiquities. But the Lovers are amazing too.

[@bryanwilliams3665]

Nice Demo! .. Middle Sound with Distortion: Arguably the 'Primary Tone' for Jimmy Page. Used for Black Dog , Rock and Roll, Whole Lotta Love and lots more.. However the reason it won't sound correct on 99% of Les Pauls is UNLESS The Low Wind Antiquity 7.5k was installed in the Bridge Slot and the Overwound 8.4k is in the neck (set really low under pickup ring ) You won't get the "Hollow Chirp" phase cancellation . I have done this with my Antiquity set and it replicates the Led Zeppelin Tone from the film at Madison Square Garden . Its on my Channel for Jimmy Page nuts.

[@krispatel1]

Think I'll go for the SL's. I think the clean tone way way better for my style and I prefered the smooth sound.

[@SrDeMaFp]

Can we give it up for this guy's playing and vibrato? DAYUM!

[@jp6l6]

I own Antiquities because I prefer these of course but... But I wonder which pickups you used to adjust the settings of your amp ? It changes everything... Think of it.

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

Sounds great man. Pref the Seths for ryth and the others for solos. Both good though.

[@classicrocker889]

I like the Antiquties , I want one for my 81 Les Paul Custom.

[@FoundryStreetJason]

Sounds like the antiquities had slightly more of a clear sound . Seths had a more warm "vintage" sound. Both sounded to have the same output. Both sounded nice

[@queasyRider3]

ah shoot. Now I like them both. I already have the Seth Lover on both LPs. I might need to get me some Antiquities for one of the LP; you know, get one to sound a bit different than the other seeing as they both have the "it" sound, for different tunes. Thanks for the demo!

[@AntiquitiesGiftshop]

Perfect way to get the message over

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

Bridge Pickup: jump back and forth from 1:15 to 1: 45 with headphones, it is really tough to tell the difference. Neck Pickup: 2:13 and 2:46 again, a very subtle difference. Both: 3:30 and 3:53 A more pronounced difference, but still subtle.

[@bestplans9051]

True but as you get louder the small subtleties become more noticeable. The mid-range in the Seth's don't fade off as much.

[@robertwilsoniii2048]

His face when he switches to the Antiquity neck pickup is like "are you freaking kidding; this is amazing." 2:14

[@mikeatl4953]

Thanks - Nice demo. I'm really trying to decide between Antiquities and Pearly Gates - tough choice, close and both sweet?

[@paradiswest4395]

I like the both. Antiquity in the bridge. Seth Lover neck. Best of both worlds.

[@ShaneMcCrae]

I have the Seth Lovers in a 335. They are stunning.

[@MrOzgooner]

To me the antiquities sounder fuller and more open in the bridge. Not as dark sounding but the different guitars can have a bearing on that.

[@timj41]

great demo mate, these are pretty close spec wise i.e. both alnico 2 magnets and neither are wax potted, very keen on one or the other of these models just cant decide which

[@aarons058]

I have heard it described like this: Seth lovers: brand new 1955 paf off the shelf, And Antiquity hb, same pickup only played for 50 years.. (and I have owned and used both)

[@deepwaterrehab7685]

The real winner here is the amp. Hard to make something sound bad through that beast.

[@OurOnePassion]

I think I prefer the Lover in the bridge but the Antiquity in the neck. The Antiquity seems to have more cut/clarity in the neck to my ears - which I prefer - compared to the fuzzier Lover. I'd take either, though!

[@ethangoode635]

The Seth Lover's seem to have a little more bite, at least to my ear.

[@richardgregory3644]

enjoy your reviews I want to ask in your opinion which one is better for a Skynyrd like sound?

[@Rachamacha]

GFS' professional line matches the quality for around half the price right? I mean, they sound really good to me, but what do you guys think? Only downside being, that they're unpotted.

[@ricmel8008]

I wonder how the Seymour Duncan Jazz would do in this Shoot out

[@bradt.3555]

How much of the difference is pickups and how much is guitar? Gotta use same guitar! Switch pickups out!

[@Sparky6string]

The answer- Antiquity bridge and Seth Lover neck.

[@robertwilsoniii2048]

agreed.

[@MrAshe68]

Yes it is but a Burstbucker 2 or 57 Classic are VERY similar.They are all very sweet sounding. Ahhhhh nerd alert!!!

[@PVowner]

So Robby Krieger taught Jim how to play guitar……WAIT!!! JIM YOUR ALIVE!!!!

[@michaelray5023]

Hell yeah. Seth Lovers are the shit!

[@BadCat1990]

JMC800?

[@burrencrawler]

Seth Filippo ha ha ha, yes I copped that too... A WTF 800

[@thomasrosales8786]

What’s your settings on that 800? Sounds phenomenal

[@thirdroompro]

Duncans, they have more harmonic richness, however I have to wonder since it is in 2 diff guitars we may not be getting an exact comparison.

[@kimhansen6384]

They are both Duncans :-)

[@somebodyelseuk]

I thought the Antiquity was basically a reliced version of the Seth, but it sounds like the Antiquities might have A5 magnets instead of the SLs A2? I prefer the Seths, but I'd be happy with the Antiqities if they put an A4 magnet in... but I AM making assumptions based on what I'm hearing.

[@Skoora]

Prefer the Antiquities. Clearer in the mids and treble. Plus it's not miced and a cell phone vid always sound so much more thin and obnoxious than it does in the room. So the Antiquities if they appear not as thick as the SL's probably in the room sound more articulate, with plenty of low end. If all I have to do is turn up the bass on the amp to compensate I'll choose a pickup that had great mid and treble character all day long.

[@jp6l6]

Skoora You're totally right but KZbin can't return this and here the people seem to prefer Seths sound fatter.

[@geet77777]

what kind of les paul copys are those guitars??? they seem decent

[@Tomekkplk]

Holy shit.. as soon as it started I thought "Is this Gary Moore!?" Gold top, JCM800, the head..

[@azguitar]

You did a great job on this pickup comparison! I would choose the Seth Lover pickups, as they seem to have quite a bit more midrange and sound less compressed than the Antiquities.

[@bestplans9051]

Exactly what sold me on them AZ. I listened to the sound samples for several weeks before deciding on the Seth's and so glad I did :)!

[@deandee8082]

can I like both?

[@nsc217]

Antiquities sound warmer on the clean sound. I like the Seth better with distortion. Antiquities clean

[@TheMjriley5150]

Great demo, thanks mate!

[@TheStrataminor]

Great review!! Keep it up guys!

[@preshamoore]

Seth Lovers all dam dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy !

[@matteobianco8440]

mike moe

[@boldreker]

hey great video what about SD alnico pro II on neck and -SD Antiquity or -Di Marzio 36th PAF on bridge? Ibanez Art 200 fm (les paul style) I want more dinamics for classic rock and hard rock.

[@MRay-zj4ro]

Interesting comparison, man. Thanks much. :)

[@adamwatson6916]

Antiquity sounds like kossoff its has that dry chalky quality that you hear in kossoff tone . The seth lover sounds more like a page style tne . Its grittier and more biting and has a faster attack . Some people on the duncan forum have said if you put unoriented A5 mags in the seth lover they will nail the page tone as well as many boutique set which is interesting because there are a few boutique winders using unoriented A5 mags in their page sets. Rewind electric uses uoa5 in his pre 72 page set and they are considered by many to be the best page set available . Sigil pickups uses uoa5 in his bluesman 72 page set and there a couple others using that magnet as well for their page sets .

[@ericoglesby2614]

Expert advice needed ! I'm looking for a bridge pickup that is darker than my jb and a 57 , I want low mids and rounded thick sound , please guide me to a normal output pickup that is darker than a 57 and a jb

[@lifeson241]

Did gary more play seth lovers?? Whatever they were,,, his sound is one of the best ive ever heard.

[@alanfender123]

he hasn't aged a day since he was 15

[@SHEMAMAN]

alanfender123 he must have had a hard paper round.

[@donarmando916]

I don't trust any comparistion if the guitar is not the same and i definitely need to hear them clean, i mean real clean, not crunch but given what is presented here i like the Antiquities better for distortion and the Seth Lovers better for clean but obviously you are a rock guitarist so i would rather choose the Antiquities.

[@jockeyshift1]

Both are great but the antiquity don't sound as muddy to me. The lovers have more gain but not the clrarity.

[@simMFquiring]

SH-55 is the way to go buy this video by far

[@skullheadwater9839]

You know if you play softer it cleans up a lot more right? You do know....right friend?

[@jorge5150]

I think Antiquities are brighter and Seth Lover are smoother. The chords sound better with Ants but the solo sounds better with Seths.

[@brianknickerbocker8518]

I as usual have no idea, only sounds as good as my comp and I can just barely tell the difference, Not sure why I keep checking out these comparisons,when I still have this crap old computer.Thanks

[@glennmattison3180]

Antiquities are a little more open single coil sounding which is what a PAF Should be. I like the more creamy Seth lover in the neck and the Antiquity in the bridge. For my level of ability its probably splitting hairs.

[@genewiley3376]

Great video comparison. Thank you!

[@richardthatcher8842]

Yes, the Seth Lover HB sounds better, though not too far.

[@Guitargasdotcom]

Yeah I like the Seths too, I did do another couple of vids, check out my channel, I only just uploaded them so they should be easy to find. Cheers

[@arnolddealiii4259]

Never tried the Professional line but I've used the 59' GFS and the VEH before and they are good pickups but every Seymour Duncan I've ever had and Lord know I've had a lot, just sounds fat and loud. GFS always had a kind of high end treble sound to them like they are really bright. Good for a dark guitar not so good for an already bright sounding guitar. Nothing wrong with Bright, just got to go case by case. And made in China... I'm American and support American made products only now.

[@ocelotl23]

seth lovers are amazing, i found them more touch sensitive.

[@jp6l6]

javier gallegos Actually, Antiquities are more touch sensitive, even a lot believe me.

[@JT-gm4fk]

@@jp6l6 I found the opposite to be true

[@adamwatson6916]

the antiquities sound a bit hotter . both pickups are extremely similiar th only differences in design are the antiquities have slightly more output . the seth is 8.1 in the bridge and the ant is 8.5. they are both alnico 2 but the ants have their magnets aged or weakened. so the ants are basically an aged seth lover. I find the ants a shade darker and fuller. the seths are a bit brighter and smoother. I would use the ant in the bridge and the seth bridge model in the neck because I prefer slightly overwound pickups 8k for the neck and 8.5 in the bridge is my preferred out put.

[@mrhat6098]

Damn little difference...as there should be. The "antiquities do not measure on the ohm meter that differently. Try the Pearly Gates vs Lovers for a good contrast of tonality.

[@andreas2826]

jcm 800? since when jcm 800 were combo amp?

[@frunosura]

The 4104 model

[@kevinsandstrom5833]

oh hey its Gary Moore

[@MrSvetoslavMironov]

Seth Lovers!

[@-thirteen]

seth

[@pedrolanhas4120]

This shows me I am absolutely "deaf", I can tune guitars with a pitch fork easily, play chords, sing in tune... but I have to assume I can hardly tell these pickups apart. Because I enjoy a reasonable (at least) sound reproductions, I am listening through a pair of M-audio speakers at the proper height... not the most common computer speaker setup, I suppose... Sould I run my computer sound through a PA system?

[@Mohindrex]

You shouldn't have too. I'm listen with my iPhone speaker and I can here the difference. For one the Seth lover neck pickup is smoother sounding than the antiquity neck pup. Hear any difference there??

[@dzean]

They are quite similar. I'm looking to change out the stock pickups in a prs SE i have. The antiquities bridge pickup has a bit more bite on the upper end when playing chords. The hardest to call is the neck pickups. Listen without watching the video, but it seems like the Antiquities has a slightly rougher sound on the neck position, and the Seths have a tighter sound.

[@pedrolanhas4120]

When you make the amp a little cleaner, (for the midle position demonstration on the toggle switch) I think I can find the Seth Lovers a bit warmer . I hapened to install seth lovers on my ES-335 copy a while ago, and I could not be happier.

[@rudyhamblee523]

i like your demo..

[@davidbakerscuba]

Jimmy page famously used the middle position with lots of overdrive.

[@JIMJAMSC]

I bought the zebra antiquities simpy for their looks.Same with a gold aged pair to put in a LP.Just for cosmetic coolness.Dont get me wrong they sound great but I have been swapping pickups chasing tone for 30 years.Maybe its surviving the 80s hair metal years and my ears are ruined but they all sound close to me especially when you run em through a high gain Marshall.With a $120 MXR 10 band eq I can make most any of my 30 or so guitars sound about the same regardless of pickups.

[@Rachamacha]

Actually, I think they're made in Korea, since they contain Artec parts. Replacing the magnet would solve any eq issues though right?

[@bestplans9051]

Nope, made in Santa Barbara, CA at their plant.

[@lifeson241]

Seth Wins!!!

[@jayhoe8174]

Seth all the way