Ibanez AFJ95 - Seth Lover Pickups?

[blackcat]

Thanks for that Frank.

[Longways to Go]

How would you describe the qualities of the Classic 57' and it's suitability for a small bodied archtop with laminated spruce top?

not sure how to answer about the sound other than note that the Classic 57 comes as the stock pickup on many beautiful sounding Gibson LP's, 335s, 175s, etc. That's pretty much good enough for me.

BTW, I'm not dissing the Seth Lover in any way. Just not my personal favorite.

[blackcat]

not sure how to answer about the sound other than note that the Classic 57 comes as the stock pickup on many beautiful sounding Gibson LP's, 335s, 175s, etc. That's pretty much good enough for me.

BTW, I'm not dissing the Seth Lover in any way. Just not my personal favorite.

Wolfgang certainly seems to like the 57':

[TH]

Wolfgang certainly seems to like the 57':

These A/B comparisons are to be taken with a grain of salt. Once a new pickup is in, you can also get great variation from something as simple as adjusting the pickup height, strings, and so many more variations. I know you need to get information, but anybody can talk a smooth talk about what they like in their favourite pickup and convince you of the differences, and it'd be true for them, but blackcat, trust me, get one that's in the ball park and use it. It's going to be an improvement, but sad to say, it's up to you to know how you play and what brings out your best.
Pickups are a very personal thing. The better a player you are, the more you know about what you need. The better the pickup you have to begin with, the more inclined you are to get better.
Get the Seth Lover (or any other PAF type alnico II pickup). Live with it, and if it's not right for you at the start, then return it. (Did I mention Duncan allows that within 7 days?) and you'll come to feel the differences (quite subtle) in the different pickups.
When I was younger, I liked the Gibson PAF. It was smooth and warm to my ear. But as I grew as a player, I realized the Jazz was right for me. Nobody's description or persuasive arguments could have told me that. It was just a need for something that wasn't there and my encounter with a different alnico magnet.
You'll get much more from starting with a good replacement and "fitting it to yourself" over time. That's when you'll know if it's the right one. Sad truth but it's a great process. You'll fall in love with the SL or the Gibson, or the '59. They're all good and in the same lineage.
I think you'll be in good hands with all of them.
David

[blackcat]

These A/B comparisons are to be taken with a grain of salt. Once a new pickup is in, you can also get great variation from something as simple as adjusting the pickup height, strings, and so many more variations. I know you need to get information, but anybody can talk a smooth talk about what they like in their favourite pickup and convince you of the differences, and it'd be true for them, but blackcat, trust me, get one that's in the ball park and use it. It's going to be an improvement, but sad to say, it's up to you to know how you play and what brings out your best.
Pickups are a very personal thing. The better a player you are, the more you know about what you need. The better the pickup you have to begin with, the more inclined you are to get better.
Get the Seth Lover (or any other PAF type alnico II pickup). Live with it, and if it's not right for you at the start, then return it. (Did I mention Duncan allows that within 7 days?) and you'll come to feel the differences (quite subtle) in the different pickups.
When I was younger, I liked the Gibson PAF. It was smooth and warm to my ear. But as I grew as a player, I realized the Jazz was right for me. Nobody's description or persuasive arguments could have told me that. It was just a need for something that wasn't there and my encounter with a different alnico magnet.
You'll get much more from starting with a good replacement and "fitting it to yourself" over time. That's when you'll know if it's the right one. Sad truth but it's a great process. You'll fall in love with the SL or the Gibson, or the '59. They're all good and in the same lineage.
I think you'll be in good hands with all of them.
David

Brilliant summary David and thank you for taking the time to reflect/reply.

David

[LtKojak]

+1 on the Duncan Jazz. The neck pickup in my ava(gui)tar is allegedly a Jazz II - which isn't actually in the SD catalogue, but works really well.

For the record: the Jazz p'up is actually a misnomer.

It was designed for a country player named James Milner, just as the bridge p'up was designed for Jeff Beck.

As Seymour couldn't get approval for the use of their names, the "James Milner" p'up became the "Jazz Model" and the "Jeff Beck" became the "JB".

Putting an A2 magnet in the Jazz, that actually makes it an APH-1, aka "Alnico II Pro".

My Gibson L-5 CS copy host an A3n/A2b-modded Jazz set, which's not going anywhere anytime soon, if ever!

HTH,