We’ve got a showdown between two legendary guitar pickups: the Seymour Duncan 59 and the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover.
These pickups are like the heavyweight champs of the guitar world, both with their own unique qualities and tonal characteristics.
It’s a battle of vintage warmth and modern versatility, each vying for the title of ultimate pickup.
So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the world of tone as we compare the Seymour Duncan 59 and Seth Lover guitar pickups.
Key Takeaways
- The Seymour Duncan 59 pickup is a vintage-style humbucker with a rich, detailed harmonic response and good sustain. It is not suitable for players seeking high-output or high-gain pickups.
- The Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups are hand-built to Seth Lover’s original design and offer a sweet high-end response and vintage output coils for rich harmonic content. They are suitable for a wide range of musical genres and are perfect for achieving a vintage P.A.F. sound.
- Both pickups offer excellent note clarity and articulation and pair well with neck-position pickups. The Seth Lover pickups are designed to be paired with the Seth Lover neck model.
- The Seymour Duncan 59 pickup may require potentiometer upgrades for optimal performance and has limited color options available. The Seth Lover pickups have an un-potted nickel silver cover for a piano-like percussive quality and enhance the playing experience, inspiring exploration of guitar tones.
- The pickups we used below are reviewed for the bridge. Both of these pickups can be used in the neck position. Seymour Duncan sells the same version of the pickup or the neck. (SH-1N, SSH-55N)
Seymour Duncan 59 Guitar Pickup
We absolutely love the Seymour Duncan 59 guitar pickup for its vintage flair and flexible tones. As a vintage-style bridge humbucker, the Seymour Duncan 59 Model SH-1 is a faithful re-creation of the classic PAF humbucker found on Gibson’s iconic late-1950s Les Paul. With plain enamel wire, a long-legged bottom plate, and a 4-conductor cable, this pickup delivers a slightly scooped midrange and is vacuum wax potted for squeal-free performance.
The 59 Model SH-1 is known for its rich, detailed harmonic response, good sustain, and excellent note clarity and articulation. It pairs exceptionally well with its neck-position counterpart, allowing for a well-balanced and versatile tone.
Here are the product specs, pros, and cons of the Seymour Duncan 59 guitar pickup:
Product Specs:
- Vintage-style bridge humbucker
- Plain enamel wire
- Long-legged bottom plate
- 4-conductor cable
- Vacuum wax potted
- Color: Black
- Item Weight: 6.9 ounces
- Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.85 x 1.65 inches
- Item model number: SSH-1B
Pros:
- Vintage tone with flexible options
- Rich, detailed harmonic response
- Good sustain
- Excellent note clarity and articulation
- Pairs well with neck-position pickup
Cons:
- Not suitable for players seeking high-output or high-gain pickups
- May require potentiometer upgrades for optimal performance
- Limited color options available
Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Pickups
In our experience, the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups offer a warm and open tone that’s perfect for achieving a vintage P.A.F. sound. These pickups are hand-built exactly the way Seth Lover designed them, ensuring the authenticity and quality of the tone they produce.
The use of an Alnico 2 bar magnet adds a sweet high-end response, while the vintage output coils contribute to rich harmonic content. The un-potted nickel silver cover further enhances the overall sound, providing a piano-like percussive quality.
One of the standout features of the Seth Lover pickups is their balanced low-end warmth and smooth top end. This makes them suitable for a wide range of musical genres, from blues and jazz to classic rock. Whether you’re looking to replicate the iconic tones of players like Jimmy Page or Slash, or you simply appreciate the classic P.A.F. sound, these pickups deliver.
Additionally, the Seth Lover pickups are designed to be paired with the Seth Lover neck model, creating the perfect P.A.F. setup. This combination ensures a balanced and cohesive tone across both the bridge and neck positions of your guitar.
Overall, the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups are a fantastic choice for guitarists seeking a vintage P.A.F. sound. Whether you’re playing a Gibson Les Paul or a Fender Stratocaster, these pickups will undoubtedly enhance your playing experience and inspire you to explore the rich history of guitar tones.
Product Specs
- Position Bridge
- Nickel Cover
- Conductor 1 Conductor
- 42AWG plain enamel mag wire
- Magnet Alnico II
- DCR 8.3K
- Output Vintage
- String 6
- Type Humbucker
- Item model number: SSH-55B
Pros:
- Balanced low-end warmth and smooth top end
- Airy humbucker tone for your bridge position
- Full-sounding chords with articulate feel
- Designed to be paired with the Seth Lover neck model
- Authentic design and construction
- Wound with Seymour’s original Leesona winding machine
Cons:
- 40% more expensive than most of Seymour Duncan’s humbuckers
- Not a high output pickup, so it may not be suitable for heavy metal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Pickups Be Used in a Guitar That Originally Had the Seymour Duncan 59 Pickups?
Yes, the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups can be used in a guitar that originally had the Seymour Duncan 59 pickups. Both pickups have similar tonal qualities and can be easily swapped without any major modifications.
Are the Seymour Duncan 59 Pickups More Suitable for a Specific Music Genre?
The Seymour Duncan 59 pickups are often considered versatile and suitable for a wide range of music genres due to their balanced tone and clarity. They can be a good choice for players looking for a pickup that can handle different styles of playing. If you play lot of hard rock and heavy metal, you may find the output too low. That said, they can still sound good with heavy distortion.
Can the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Pickups Be Wired in Parallel Instead of Series?
Yes, the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups can be wired in parallel instead of series. This wiring configuration can provide a different tonal characteristic, offering a wider and more open sound compared to the series wiring.
Are There Any Additional Color Options Available for the Seymour Duncan 59 and Seth Lover Pickups?
Yes, there are additional color options available for both the Seymour Duncan 59 and Seth Lover pickups. These options allow for customization and personalization, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your guitar.
Conclusion
In conclusion, after comparing the Seymour Duncan 59 and Seth Lover guitar pickups, it’s clear that both offer exceptional tonal qualities.
However, the 59 pickup stands out with its warm and vintage sound, while the Seth Lover pickups provide a smooth and articulate tone.
Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and the desired sound for each individual player.
As the saying goes, ‘Beauty is in the ear of the beholder,’ and these pickups certainly deliver in that regard.
