Seymour Duncan Antiquity 50's

Humbucker
Passive

The main feature in this p/u is the 'aging'. The p/u cover has this aged coating of 'grime, smoke' or something.

Like a fine wine, the electronics in this p/u are supposed to sound mellower with the aging. But I don't know, let me hear the same p/u without the aging.

I like the p/u very much.

I put these p/u on a Jay Turser Les Paul with f holes in both the neck and bridge.

It came with these Epiphone p/u that were hotter but huge bottom end. Not for me. I wanted more mids.

At first I tried some Seth Lover '59s and they also emphasized the bottom.

The Antiquetys definatly have more mids or maybe just mellower lows.

This is not a real hot p/u. I think that's a good thing, it allows you to hear more 'wood'of the guitar more.

But in all fairness, compare this to a Gibson Les Paul with Burstbucker p/u, I'd have to go with the Gibson. Anyday.
I'd like to check out the Burstbuckers on the Jay Turser because I can't shell out $4,000+ for the Gibson.

I'd say the Antiquety/Jay Terser gets me 90% the way there. The guitar plays great. Great feel, sustain is good, looks great after giving it a face lift ( hand carved pickguard, knobs, toggle, trapizoid tailpiece ) Amazzzing what you can do with a Dremmel and some nice wood.

Overall this p/u has given this guitar a new more balanced tone than its ever had. That makes it a 10.

The Gibson comparison I feel is unfair because that guitars wood is so special, it just vibrates,The Turser can't compare.
I'm sure the Antiquety in the Les Paul would be awesome. Probably a little mellower than the burstbuckers.

But that may be better for my sound.

I have found the whole guitar tone thing to be quite difficult.

There are so many choices. So many combinations of components.

HarmonyCentral has been my #1 tool for figuring this stuff out.

I've been playing for 42 years and been learning about tone ever since.

I've played long enough to know what 'my' sound is. I know who I am and the tone that sound requires.

My tone ranges from dirty Robben Ford to majestic Steve Kimock to tapastries of sound ala Bill Frisell.
So the lower output of the Antiqueties is better for me.
But,

My main guitar is my G&L ASAT. A simple but stunning sounding guitar.

My guitars go into a Smart People Factory 'GREENLINE' overdrive.
A GREAT pedal.

This goes into a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue with a Rola Celestion G12-65 speaker. in excellent shape, 30 yrs old like new. Sounds GREAT.
This amp is soon to be modded or rebuilt by Torres Engineering that will 'Dumbleize' it. Very,very cool. Go to Torres Enineering in amp reviews. They have cool mods for lots of amps.
This amp will sound killer and it sounds great now.

In my effects loop I have the wonderful RedWitch 'Pentavocal tremolo'
my trem search ended with this gem. All RedWitch fx are superb over the top made of best parts etc...
I also have the Digitech Reverb ( for long cathedral verb )
and the Guyatone MD3 Delay with 3 seconds of delay and 3 position toggle
turn the rate and you get beautiful smooth sweeps with NO glitching.
Frisell would love this pedal.
But I'm always on the lookout for better gear so you never know.

All components connected with GeorgeL cable and Monster guitar cable.


Here's my last thought,

Your tone is only going to sound as good as the weakest part in your tone chain. For me, it's the FET switching in my Digitech and Guyatone pedals. No true bypass. Some people like the FET slant on their tone.
But bad cables, bad soldering, bad pots, they all effect our tone.
Be aware of what makes tone sound good in your tone chain.

The Antiqueties were a great choice for this one guitar I have.
My tone chain is strong.

Pickup features: single coil/passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: american standard(stock)
Other pickups on guitar: /
Artists using this pickup: originaly desinged for Seymours personal friends request
You musical style(s): Blues/R&B/Rock/Country/Jazz/funk
Reason for pickup change: While the stock pickups sound ok,side by side with the real deal they fall short.For my taste, I was looking for that "bell tone" sound that the early Strats all seem to have especialy in the neck position.

Perceived output level: The output is nearly the same as stock to my ears. 6.1k to 6.9k range. You still need an amp!
Tone: Balanced, open, responsive
Sonic evaluation: Almost exclusivly Peavey classic 50s 4x10,4x12,2x12,and 5150combo2x12, sometimes with a 4x12. YamahaT50 head, MesaBoogie MKIIc, Marshall JTM 50 head, Fender Super reverb,Twin reverb,and Line6 Ax2 combo,and a POD. WHEW!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I called upon to play fairly wide range of styles ranging from Blues,Rock, Country, all of which these pickups perform extremly well in the studio as well as at live performances. As for which position this pickup is unsuitable,I think that would be up to the individual artist/musician. I've found these pickups to be very versatile under many different circumstances and perhaps just as important, they allow me to find the sounds that I'm hearing in my head.

Comments: If it were destroyed or stolen I would deffinetly buy it again! I've been playing for 28 years....oh man! I really love the smell of these pickups right out of the box! mmmmmm! vintage! I compared them with Fenders 57/62 reissue p/u's and Dimarrzio. I choose the Seymour Duncan Antiquity because they are a faithful reporduction of the original 50's p/u and I beleave in his product and dedication to producing a superior product that is what it says it is. Pure tone.Yes I am very satisfied with these p/u's. Upon hearing my guitar several of my friends/coleages placed orders for thier guitars. Thank you for your time, I hope you found this review helpful.