sw686blue Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 Salutation my friends,I recently acquired a 1996 Hamer Artist with a wraparound bridge. It comes stock with 2 SD Seth Lover pickups and I really dislike them. To be more specific, it's the bridge pickup that I find quite boring. It can't do the chugga-chugga stuff and to be honest, it doesn't do rock stuff well either (at least not in this guitar)! Compared to my Artist Mahogany with '59s, that guitar smokes. It has become my number 1 guitar. I find that the Artist Mahogany in super kool silver sparkle btw, can get me pretty much any sound I want.So, I'm thinking about doing some pickup swapping, maybe try a '59 or a Rio BBQ in the bridge position. What are your opinions of the Seth Lover and what would you suggest for the Artist (mahogany back with thick maple cap)?Thanks.NickP.S. If someone has an extra set of TonePros locking studs (imperial) let me know, I need some for the Artist.
Jack C Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 Just for kicks and giggles, I tried a BBQ, a JB and a Dimarzio in my old maple-top Artist. Nothing else sounded as good as the Seth to me. I thought it did rock really well. Dang, I miss that guitar. Jon - if you're still out there and wanting to sell, let me know.
FunkyE9th Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 Do the Seth's have the cover on them. I have a '59 (neck) and JB (bridge) I might be willing to trade. -FunkyE9th
sw686blue Posted July 15, 2005 Author Posted July 15, 2005 Do the Seth's have the cover on them. I have a '59 (neck) and JB (bridge) I might be willing to trade. -FunkyE9th Yeah they have covers.Nick
FunkyE9th Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 Do the Seth's have the cover on them. I have a '59 (neck) and JB (bridge) I might be willing to trade. -FunkyE9th Yeah they have covers.Nick If you're interested in a trade email me... [email protected]The pups I have came out of my Hamer Studio.Nickel covers?-FunkyE9th
sw686blue Posted July 15, 2005 Author Posted July 15, 2005 Do the Seth's have the cover on them. I have a '59 (neck) and JB (bridge) I might be willing to trade. -FunkyE9th Yeah they have covers.Nick If you're interested in a trade email me... [email protected]The pups I have came out of my Hamer Studio.Nickel covers?-FunkyE9th Sorry about that, sometimes my brain is stuck in neutral. Yes, they have nickel covers. I'll e-mail you and we can discuss.Thanks.Nick
Rock City Guitars Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 Have you tried a DiMarzio P.A.F.? That pickup and the Rio Barbeque are my 2 favorites in just about any guitar. I've never understood the hype with Duncans. They always sound one-dimensional to me.Corey
tafkathundernotes Posted July 15, 2005 Posted July 15, 2005 I had an Artist (Vanguard) with Fralin Un-buckers in it . It was a great sounding guitar.
Guest galejt Posted July 16, 2005 Posted July 16, 2005 I had an Artist (Vanguard) with Fralin Un-buckers in it . It was a great sounding guitar. I still have one and they do!
JonO Posted July 16, 2005 Posted July 16, 2005 Just for kicks and giggles, I tried a BBQ, a JB and a Dimarzio in my old maple-top Artist. Nothing else sounded as good as the Seth to me. I thought it did rock really well. Dang, I miss that guitar. Jon - if you're still out there and wanting to sell, let me know. Jack,I sold the Artist about a year ago. I ended up with Wyldbil's special '92 Special (with BCR neck repair, and JB and '59 p/u's) and a G&L ASAT Special. I like the Special much better for rock/metal stuff. I think the solid mahogany with JB and '59 is a great combo for that type of music. Lately, I've actually been missing the Newport (although I could do without the Bigsby)--I really liked those PhatCats.Take care,--Jon.
bobsessed Posted July 16, 2005 Posted July 16, 2005 Some of you fellers think the stock Duncan P90's are too hot....in my Vanguard they're wonderful. The Seth's in my '96 Artist Custom are perfect. I tend to think the guys at Hamer do a fine job matching p'up's to guitars. I'd never change them. Besides, it can't be real good for your pots to heat them up a hunnerd times changing pups. -Bob-
kizanski Posted July 16, 2005 Posted July 16, 2005 Some of you fellers think the stock Duncan P90's are too hot....in my Vanguard they're wonderful. The Seth's in my '96 Artist Custom are perfect. I tend to think the guys at Hamer do a fine job matching p'up's to guitars. I'd never change them. Besides, it can't be real good for your pots to heat them up a hunnerd times changing pups. -Bob-I couldn't disagree more.Hamer uses the same pickups in everything. There is very little "matching" going on. They don't even offer open coils or cream rings, unless you want to pay through the nose.Duncan '59's in guitars that list out at over $6,000? C'mon, isn't there something a little more "top shelf" that they could use?They spec'd the Duncan Hot P90's in that goldtop Monaco III that I recently had, and they could not have been more wrong for that guitar.I loved everything about that guitar except the way it sounded plugged in, and as an electric guitar, I would consider that to be one of the prerequisites.Rather than get into the hassle of changing them out, I sold the guitar.
LordOfTheThighs Posted July 16, 2005 Posted July 16, 2005 SHLABOTNIKS! That reminds of Mork saying: Shazbot
bobsessed Posted July 16, 2005 Posted July 16, 2005 You do make some good points there, Kizanski. Maybe I'm just too lazy to change pickups. (hehehe)!
paul144 Posted July 16, 2005 Posted July 16, 2005 I just bought a 2000 Artist Custom that has Peter Florance Voodoo '59's in it, and I love them...they are a bit pricey at $280 a set though, but they sound awesome.
belgian Posted July 17, 2005 Posted July 17, 2005 Some of you fellers think the stock Duncan P90's are too hot....in my Vanguard they're wonderful. The Seth's in my '96 Artist Custom are perfect. I tend to think the guys at Hamer do a fine job matching p'up's to guitars. I'd never change them. Besides, it can't be real good for your pots to heat them up a hunnerd times changing pups. -Bob-I couldn't disagree more.Hamer uses the same pickups in everything. There is very little "matching" going on. They don't even offer open coils or cream rings, unless you want to pay through the nose.Duncan '59's in guitars that list out at over $6,000? C'mon, isn't there something a little more "top shelf" that they could use?They spec'd the Duncan Hot P90's in that goldtop Monaco III that I recently had, and they could not have been more wrong for that guitar.I loved everything about that guitar except the way it sounded plugged in, and as an electric guitar, I would consider that to be one of the prerequisites.Rather than get into the hassle of changing them out, I sold the guitar. That guitar (monaco III) had an alternative wiring and another bridge pickup (it should have been SD SP90-3B custom in the bridge and SD SP90-2N hot in middle and neck), and I don't know if that affected the sound ? I am very happy with my sound, and I find those a very matching set. But as a newbie in P-90's, I don't have any references.
belgian Posted July 17, 2005 Posted July 17, 2005 Very nice looking guitar! Really love the look of those M3's! I custom ordered a Monaco 3 Goldtop with custom wiring...instead of the chicken head 5 way, I had them replace it with a 3 way toggle for standard neck/bridge operation. The middle p'up was always on but I had a 3rd knob added to bleed in as much or little of it as needed. It was GORGEOUS, bound F holes, locking sperzels, Natural grain back....only thing was the tone I was looking for was NOT there. Dont know if the wiring job was the culprit or the Duncans just weren't up to snuff. I tried for months of p'up height adjustments, tone knob variations, amp settings, etc...I finally gave up and had to sell it. I thought about buying Lollars or other replacement p'ups but couldn't bear the disappointment if they didn't help not to mention dropping another $300 on an already high dollar custom order. I hope your experience is the polar opposite of mine and you fine tonal nirvana!This is a quote from the gear page on the same guitar. The previous owner also had trouble with it .
kizanski Posted July 17, 2005 Posted July 17, 2005 Very nice looking guitar! Really love the look of those M3's! I custom ordered a Monaco 3 Goldtop with custom wiring...instead of the chicken head 5 way, I had them replace it with a 3 way toggle for standard neck/bridge operation. The middle p'up was always on but I had a 3rd knob added to bleed in as much or little of it as needed. It was GORGEOUS, bound F holes, locking sperzels, Natural grain back....only thing was the tone I was looking for was NOT there. Dont know if the wiring job was the culprit or the Duncans just weren't up to snuff. I tried for months of p'up height adjustments, tone knob variations, amp settings, etc...I finally gave up and had to sell it. I thought about buying Lollars or other replacement p'ups but couldn't bear the disappointment if they didn't help not to mention dropping another $300 on an already high dollar custom order. I hope your experience is the polar opposite of mine and you fine tonal nirvana!This is a quote from the gear page on the same guitar. The previous owner also had trouble with it . Why would the wiring configuration be the problem?Of course it was the pickups. They were simply too hot and tight.
tgoss Posted July 17, 2005 Posted July 17, 2005 I replace the Seth in my bridge position with a '59 that I pulled out my Korina Artist (which got a JB) and while the Seth had a great tone I couldn't get that extra "chunk" as you put it. It makes it a little more versatile for the kind of stuff I need to do.
belgian Posted July 17, 2005 Posted July 17, 2005 Very nice looking guitar! Really love the look of those M3's! I custom ordered a Monaco 3 Goldtop with custom wiring...instead of the chicken head 5 way, I had them replace it with a 3 way toggle for standard neck/bridge operation. The middle p'up was always on but I had a 3rd knob added to bleed in as much or little of it as needed. It was GORGEOUS, bound F holes, locking sperzels, Natural grain back....only thing was the tone I was looking for was NOT there. Dont know if the wiring job was the culprit or the Duncans just weren't up to snuff. I tried for months of p'up height adjustments, tone knob variations, amp settings, etc...I finally gave up and had to sell it. I thought about buying Lollars or other replacement p'ups but couldn't bear the disappointment if they didn't help not to mention dropping another $300 on an already high dollar custom order. I hope your experience is the polar opposite of mine and you fine tonal nirvana!This is a quote from the gear page on the same guitar. The previous owner also had trouble with it . Why would the wiring configuration be the problem?Of course it was the pickups. They were simply too hot and tight. We're going off topic, but your seller posted on another topic.http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/index.p...=25entry37468Maybe it was because that one had a maple top.
kizanski Posted July 17, 2005 Posted July 17, 2005 Maybe it was because that one had a maple top. A maple top might change the intrinsic sound of a guitar, that's true.All the more reason why the hot P90's are the wrong choice for Hamer to use in it.Hamer doesn't change pickups according to a guitar's ingredients, that was all I was trying to point out.
ac15 Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 Kizanski,You are 100% correct about the pickups in the Monaco 3. Those overwound Duncans sound horrible if you're interested in getting a great clean sound. I was very disappointed when I first plugged in the guitar but fortunately, knew before I bought the guitar that I would be changing the pickups to Lollar p-90's (I ordered it from an out of state dealer before playing one.) It made a night and day difference in the sound and now I love it. But those Duncan pickups are a bad idea. If they insist on using Duncans I think the vintage p-90 would be a better choice, although not as good as the Lollars.Steve
JES1680 Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 Call me crazy, but I like the stock p90's in my M3. Sure Lollars are better for clean / blues, but for rock and roll, I like the ouput of the SD bridge.
MCChris Posted July 21, 2005 Posted July 21, 2005 Call me crazy, but I like the stock p90's in my M3. Sure Lollars are better for clean / blues, but for rock and roll, I like the ouput of the SD bridge. The stock P90s in the Korina Special I bought a couple of weeks ago will be gone this weekend. WAY too hot and loud; I figured this out within seconds of plugging in to my Valvetech. Even in rock'n'roll it ain't cool to have whistling feedback happening between every note! None of my humbucker guitars do this. I'm scaling back to Duncan Vintages; hopefully that'll help, because it's a beautiful guitar with great feel.
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