Seymore Duncan 52 pickups

[scooteraz]

So, I have been doing research on some other pickups for my AmDeluxe Tele. Yesterday, I was at the opening of a new guitar store and lutherie near my house. As part of the opening, they were drawing for prizes, and I won the Seymour Duncan pickup of my choice. I saw serendipity smile my way.

Don't know anything about Duncan tele pickups, but the 52 set and the Jerry Donahue bridge-Alnico II Pro neck set both looked interesting. Went to the website to check for sound clips, but was not impressed by the quality of the clips as played back on my laptop (even with headphones). So, I have little idea as to how either sounds.

Anybody have experience with either of these sets? Advantages or disadvantages to either. Are the Duncan descriptions in the catalog or web site accurate? Does either have better twang; how about growl?

Thanks for any help you may have.

[david henman]

...i have a seymour duncan nashville five-two in the bridge of my aerodyne tele. i like it a lot. i find it hard to fully or accurately describe the tone. it certainly doesn't seem to be missing anything. rich and full bodied, with lots of sustain, if that helps. deep lows and no ice pick highs. i mostly play it clean.

the original stock pickup was thin and brittle. i replaced it with a gfs lil puncher, which was way too muddy for my taste and needs. i tried a lace gold sensor, which was not bad at all, but the sd 5-2 does the trick.

-dh

[scooteraz]

David:

Thanks for the input. Since I get the one SD pickup free, I think I will order the set. Doesn't seem to be a lot of users out there, so maybe I will have a slightly unique Tele tone. That would be a good thing.

[Kelsey]

I have a JD lead paired with a Phat Cat neck in one tele, and I tried the 5/2 set in another. I really liked the 5/2 lead, but the 5/2 rhythm pickup seemed kind of flat and muddy to me. I also don't really like the A2Pro Tele neck pickup for similar reasons. The JD/PHat Cat combo is excellent. I would pair the 5/2 lead with an SM-1 or SM-3 mini-HB or a Phat Cat or PAFHB neck pickup. I guess I would give the edge to the JD over the 5/2 lead, but barely so.

[david henman]

Originally Posted by scooteraz

David:
Thanks for the input. Since I get the one SD pickup free, I think I will order the set. Doesn't seem to be a lot of users out there, so maybe I will have a slightly unique Tele tone. That would be a good thing.

...i wish i could be more help in describing the sound. it is certainly satisfying but, more to the point, it really brought out the tone of the aerodyne tele.

with the stock pickups, and then with the gfs bridge, i was thinking of giving up on this guitar. but i had a hunch that the guitar had really great tone. the five-two was definitely the key to unlocking it.

that said, i don't think you can go wrong with any reputable brand or model, especially duncan.


-dh

[scooteraz]

Originally Posted by Kelsey

I have a JD lead paired with a Phat Cat neck in one tele, and I tried the 5/2 set in another. I really liked the 5/2 lead, but the 5/2 rhythm pickup seemed kind of flat and muddy to me. I also don't really like the A2Pro Tele neck pickup for similar reasons. The JD/PHat Cat combo is excellent. I would pair the 5/2 lead with an SM-1 or SM-3 mini-HB or a Phat Cat or PAFHB neck pickup. I guess I would give the edge to the JD over the 5/2 lead, but barely so.

Yeah, I decided to go with the 5/2 set because I could not decide what to pair with the JD bridge. Also, I have a 52 VHR tele, so I already have a tele with a mini-hum, and I wanted one that is 2 SCs. Before I won the one pickup, I was looking at all sorts of ideas; Barden, Mare, HD, SD, RioGrande, Voodoo, Fred Stuart, Budz, etc. But, what the heck, this was like one free chance. I figure that if I hate them, I can sell them for more that I got them for on e-bay.

Or put the Scns back in, and just deal with the guitar. If I played better, maybe the Scns would sound better to me.

Will let you guys know what I think after installed. Thanks.

[bri]

I have a SD 5-2 in the bridge spot in my Nashville Tele and I like it a lot. Rich, full bodied tone with no ice pick. Highly recommend them.
Brian

[bobthecanadian]

I also have the SD FiveTwo bridge pickup. Sounds great. Excellent tele sound and great tone.

Ole Fuzzy seems to like 'em a lot, too.

[hwestman]

I actually didn't get off on the 5-2. I found it a bit too full and dull sounding but then again I start to realize that overwound pickups aren't for me...

Harald

[Jason R.]

I have SD 5-2 pickups in my '94 Tele. Love 'em. I have the SD Jerry Donahue in the bridge of my '94 Peavey Reactor (Tele copy). Love it too. Thick and sounds even better going through a tube screamer set for a little sweat.

[sudancat]

I have the SD 5/2 bridge in one tele and the 5/2 set in another tele. Love'em.

I'm not good at describing the sound but SD website info on the 5/2 describes it pretty good. I have never been able to decide by listening to clips whether its pick ups,amps or efx pedals. The clips all sound the same to me.

I don t think you'll regret getting the 5/2s. I'm also the owner of the SD 54 and SD Broadcaster bridge pups matched with the vintage neck pups and love them also. Never tried the JD pups, but either way you cant go wrong with SD.

[psychotelepathic]

I have one and it's a great choice for a bright guitar. I just built a light swamp ash tele and the 5/2 seems to tame the highs and add rich lows. However, I had it in a guitar that was already a little dark, and didn't like it. Take the existing tone into account before trying one. If it's bright, I say go for it.