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Anyone used them? What are your thoughts & impressions, compared to vintage Firebird units AND other aftermarket pickups?

Thanks,
Tony

Nobody?????

Tony

I like the Antiquities. I think they come closest to original pickups compared to anything else I've heard. I have NOT heard Lollars, so I cant comment on those, but for sure the Ant's sound better than Duncans SM-1, 2, or 3, or DiMarzio's. I spoke to one of Duncans tech guys, and he says the Ant's are closer in construction to a '63-'65 FB pickup, and have more warmth than SM-1's, etc. I would agree that they definitely sound "older", or more open sounding, for lack of a better term.
Im not nuts about FatTone pickups either. They sound a little better than the standard Duncans or DiMarzio's, but really are kinda like the stock pickups in a newer 'Bird more than they're like older pickups. I'd call them "tight" sounding as opposed to open sounding. Like they accentuate certain frequencies more than others. They make 3 different outputs on the FatTones. I heard the hotter model, and it didnt sound much different than a new FB pickup to my ears.
All of the aforementioned (except the Ant's) sound kinda flat and lifeless to me, but more importantly, lack the character of an older FB pickup, which the Ant's come closest to, IMO.

Thanks! I was wondering when somebody would post an opinion. I like the "standard issue" vintake Duncans, so I'd probably REALLY like the Antiquities!


Tony

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum -recently discovered while searching for Firebird posts.

Have a 1990 Firebird V in cherry. Great guitar.

However, like others, have been struggling with the ceramic pickups. Originally popped in an Antiquity in the neck position but wasn't over the moon about it. However, subsequently have been advised that 1) should change to a 500k volume pot 2) adjust the Antiquity very close to the strings.

Currently, I have the stock pu back in while searching for the ultimate sound. Have gotten satisfactory (but not great) results by lowering the neck pickup on the bass side to be equal with the surround and raising the treble side to just above the surround. Much better and clearer but not great.

Still searching for that ultimate Johnny Winter tone! As a side note, can't believe that Gibson put in the ceramic pu's in Johnny's signature model. The clip where Johnny tries out the guitar on Highway 61 proves that these pu's DO NOT sound like the originals.

Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
John

I set my neck pickup with the bass side 1/16 to 1/8 above the ring, with the treble side a bit higher. I'm using vintage Gibson units & standard issue vintage Duncans on my Birds.
If you want JW's tone, a cranked blackface Fender would help. He's also been known to use metal fingerpicks.

Tony
PS - Welcome to the forum!

Thanks Tony,

Would you recommend 500k pots for the neck position with the Antiquity re-installed? Still searching for that tone!!!

Cheers
John

While I've never tried the Antiquities, I use 500Ks on all 3 of my birds, which either have vintage Gibsons or vintage style units. 500K pots will send less highs to ground providing more treble & slightly more output. They sound more "natural", like a REAL FB to me. Just MHO, of course.

Tony

Thanks Tony,

Heard the same thing re 500k pots from others.

Cheers
John

For what its worth I have a 300k on the neck and 500k on the rest with my Kent Armstrongs.

remember Im just here to throw a wrench in the works