Hey guys i'm new to the forum , and i want to make a pickup swap on the bridge my Gibson SG Standard '05 , right now it has the JB/59 combo , but after reading a lot of the threads here i believe the custom series can be a better choice on the bridge of my SG . I play blues, classic rock , hard rock and metal ( not extreme metal or anything just ozzy , metallica , maiden, mostly 80's metal) on this guitar , but i wanted to have more punch and bottom end and less trebly highs ( i guess that's JB fault), wich pickup do you guys think that's gonna give a nice bottom end and punch on the lows and tame the highs of the JB ( i know that's impossible but i want that this SG sounds more like a Les Paul than like a SG, right now i can't afford a Les Paul for now and thats the main tone that 'i m chasing) so what you guys think ? is it possible to achieve a tone that feels more like Les Paul on a Sg ? ( my choices for now are the Custom Vs Custom 5 and Alternative 8 , since i live in Brazil and dont see a lot of the Crazy 8 around here and looks like that would be the perfect choice for that tone ^^
Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
- Thread starter JMag13
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Edgecrusher
New member
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
Crazy 8 wont instantly make a SG into a Les Paul. But i have to ask you this... what is your idea of a Les Paul sound? A guitar sound is a lot of variables that work in combination with each other. Its easy to blame the pickup but maybe your lack of punch comes from somewhere else. The trebly highs might just be inherent in the guitar....So what is the rest of your rig? Have you tried changing the pickup height and adjusting the pole pieces?
Crazy 8 wont instantly make a SG into a Les Paul. But i have to ask you this... what is your idea of a Les Paul sound? A guitar sound is a lot of variables that work in combination with each other. Its easy to blame the pickup but maybe your lack of punch comes from somewhere else. The trebly highs might just be inherent in the guitar....So what is the rest of your rig? Have you tried changing the pickup height and adjusting the pole pieces?
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
Hi Edgecrusher , yeah i know "les paul tone" is a bit vague , the rest of my rig is a Marshall JCM 800 2003 Reissue-gigs rehearsals , Marshall DSL 5c-bedroom practice , Marshall 4x12 1960a (V30s and Greenbacks) and a 1x12 V30 Mesa Boogie(MXR ZW-44 as Overdrive and Boss RV-3 for reverb/delay and Fender Strat AM Standard '06 with Dimarzio FT2 bridge and Area 58 middle/neck) but what i want is a pickup with more bottom end , lows more defined and with more punch (the JB doesnt have lows like this) and less mid-spike , i want a more warm tone , but with a high output (to play the metal songs) 'im almost describing a Custom for you
and to be honest i'm really between the Custom and the Custom 5 , the alternative 8 i never heard it , but people here on the forum seems to be high on alnico VIII for SGs , so that made me curious altough i know the Alternative 8 isnt like the Crazy 8 that was the pickup that i wanted . The trebly thing its because i play with an SG with a JB through a Marshall with V30's , i need a pickup to be less bright or mid spike as the JB is and to sound more warm , with more punch and more lows and that tames the highs of the rest of my rig
Hi Edgecrusher , yeah i know "les paul tone" is a bit vague , the rest of my rig is a Marshall JCM 800 2003 Reissue-gigs rehearsals , Marshall DSL 5c-bedroom practice , Marshall 4x12 1960a (V30s and Greenbacks) and a 1x12 V30 Mesa Boogie(MXR ZW-44 as Overdrive and Boss RV-3 for reverb/delay and Fender Strat AM Standard '06 with Dimarzio FT2 bridge and Area 58 middle/neck) but what i want is a pickup with more bottom end , lows more defined and with more punch (the JB doesnt have lows like this) and less mid-spike , i want a more warm tone , but with a high output (to play the metal songs) 'im almost describing a Custom for you
and to be honest i'm really between the Custom and the Custom 5 , the alternative 8 i never heard it , but people here on the forum seems to be high on alnico VIII for SGs , so that made me curious altough i know the Alternative 8 isnt like the Crazy 8 that was the pickup that i wanted . The trebly thing its because i play with an SG with a JB through a Marshall with V30's , i need a pickup to be less bright or mid spike as the JB is and to sound more warm , with more punch and more lows and that tames the highs of the rest of my rigblueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
You could put a different magnet in your JB, like an UOA5 or A2. More mids and less treble than a stock JB. Some guys here are pretty fond of C8's in SG's (Custom or Custom 5 with an A8 magnet). They're warm, with punchy mids, tight low end, and high output.
You could put a different magnet in your JB, like an UOA5 or A2. More mids and less treble than a stock JB. Some guys here are pretty fond of C8's in SG's (Custom or Custom 5 with an A8 magnet). They're warm, with punchy mids, tight low end, and high output.
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
That would be a great tryout blueman335 , but since i live in Brazil , do a magnet swap here is so easy like finding a cheap R9 for sale . Here i have to make a right choice because they dont have return policy or anything ( welcome to the jungle ^^ ) so i have to get it right on the first buy . What do u think it would be the best shot for me ? a Custom or Custom 5 ? ( or another alternative )
That would be a great tryout blueman335 , but since i live in Brazil , do a magnet swap here is so easy like finding a cheap R9 for sale
. Here i have to make a right choice because they dont have return policy or anything ( welcome to the jungle ^^ ) so i have to get it right on the first buy . What do u think it would be the best shot for me ? a Custom or Custom 5 ? ( or another alternative )
Heaven&Hell
New member
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
Super distortion!!!
Sent from my Death Star.
Super distortion!!!
Sent from my Death Star.
lostinthemasses
New member
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
I have an Alternative 8 in my Iommi SG and it sounds fantastic, it's wired up to a Triple Shot, which really helps with versatility since there's a Fernandes Sustainer in the neck position.
I have an Alternative 8 in my Iommi SG and it sounds fantastic, it's wired up to a Triple Shot, which really helps with versatility since there's a Fernandes Sustainer in the neck position.
Mr. B
New member
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
This is only one opinion, but I always think of the SG and Les Paul as tonal opposites. The Les Paul has a big bottom and very clear present highs, so I like to add pickups that fill in the mids and do not have too much bass or sharp treble themselves. It balances out. The SG, on the other hand has a lot of natural mids and needs to have the highs and lows filled in a bit. Mid-scooped pickups do well here.
I would have said the Custom sounds like what you want, but the highs can sometimes sound a little harsh to my ears with that ceramic magnet. The Custom 5 works better in SG's than anything else I've tried it in, but I just don't like it much. It is too scooped. Alnico 8 has been too aggressive in every pickup I've tried it in, but if you are into that... In my personal SG I've tried a dozen combinations and have ended up with the original 498t and a '59 neck.
This is only one opinion, but I always think of the SG and Les Paul as tonal opposites. The Les Paul has a big bottom and very clear present highs, so I like to add pickups that fill in the mids and do not have too much bass or sharp treble themselves. It balances out. The SG, on the other hand has a lot of natural mids and needs to have the highs and lows filled in a bit. Mid-scooped pickups do well here.
I would have said the Custom sounds like what you want, but the highs can sometimes sound a little harsh to my ears with that ceramic magnet. The Custom 5 works better in SG's than anything else I've tried it in, but I just don't like it much. It is too scooped. Alnico 8 has been too aggressive in every pickup I've tried it in, but if you are into that... In my personal SG I've tried a dozen combinations and have ended up with the original 498t and a '59 neck.
Gibson 1964
New member
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
I don't believe you can really make an sg sound like an LP. I have tried it and found it to be a futile gesture.
I don't believe you can really make an sg sound like an LP. I have tried it and found it to be a futile gesture.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
Customs and C5's work well in mahogany, and they're the same PU except for the magnet. I can send you a couple magnets for free, for your JB or a Custom variant. I've sent magnets to forum members in 10 countries because it was too expensive/difficult for them to get them on they're own. PM me if you're interested.
That would be a great tryout blueman335 , but since i live in Brazil , do a magnet swap here is so easy like finding a cheap R9 for sale
Customs and C5's work well in mahogany, and they're the same PU except for the magnet. I can send you a couple magnets for free, for your JB or a Custom variant. I've sent magnets to forum members in 10 countries because it was too expensive/difficult for them to get them on they're own. PM me if you're interested.
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
Thanx blueman35 , apreciate that
, so i think i'm gonna buy the custom and in case i dont like it i'm gonna PM you for another magnets if that's ok with you ( I heard that alnico VIII magnet works the best for SGs , seymour should have turned the Crazy 8 a regular production i dont get that 
)
Thanx blueman35 , apreciate that
, so i think i'm gonna buy the custom and in case i dont like it i'm gonna PM you for another magnets if that's ok with you ( I heard that alnico VIII magnet works the best for SGs , seymour should have turned the Crazy 8 a regular production i dont get that )blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
The C8 isn't a production PU either, which baffles many of us. It's arguably the best of the Custom family.
The C8 isn't a production PU either, which baffles many of us. It's arguably the best of the Custom family.
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
Hey JMag13. Have to agree with Mr.B that an LP and an SG are two different beasts. I have a 70's SG with Patent number pups and a 90's SG with a 498 and 490 and have never been able to get a true LP sound out of either. However, you :headbang:could get a heavier SG sound with the right pups and amp settings.
Hey JMag13. Have to agree with Mr.B that an LP and an SG are two different beasts. I have a 70's SG with Patent number pups and a 90's SG with a 498 and 490 and have never been able to get a true LP sound out of either. However, you :headbang:could get a heavier SG sound with the right pups and amp settings.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
Right, you can make an SG sound 'heavier'. It won't sound just like an LP, but it's still a nice sound. My heaviest-sounding SG has an UOA5 498T and an A5 490R. I think it also helps if they have a thicker neck, as there's not much wood in the body.
Right, you can make an SG sound 'heavier'. It won't sound just like an LP, but it's still a nice sound. My heaviest-sounding SG has an UOA5 498T and an A5 490R. I think it also helps if they have a thicker neck, as there's not much wood in the body.
grungeman55
New member
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
Since we're talking about SG's and Tony Iommi tones I have a Duncan custom sh-5 in my SG and i think it sounds TERRIBLE, hate it. Needs more output, nice clarity in the lows, cutting in the highs, nice midrange, responsive touch, yadda yadda yadda. Now my Gibson is a 2010 model and the pickups aren't soldered to the pots but there's like a computer board style thing going on and the pickups are plugged in. What would you guys suggest is a good pickup that I good use? I want something like the JB or the Distortion. and before you say why I don't just get those it's because I don't want to deal with the hassle of add the jack thing to the wires, been there done that. Also don't mention the Tony Iommi custom pickup, I don't really like have artist models of things.
thanks y'all
Since we're talking about SG's and Tony Iommi tones I have a Duncan custom sh-5 in my SG and i think it sounds TERRIBLE, hate it. Needs more output, nice clarity in the lows, cutting in the highs, nice midrange, responsive touch, yadda yadda yadda. Now my Gibson is a 2010 model and the pickups aren't soldered to the pots but there's like a computer board style thing going on and the pickups are plugged in. What would you guys suggest is a good pickup that I good use? I want something like the JB or the Distortion. and before you say why I don't just get those it's because I don't want to deal with the hassle of add the jack thing to the wires, been there done that. Also don't mention the Tony Iommi custom pickup, I don't really like have artist models of things.
thanks y'all
Gibson 1964
New member
Re: Best Pickup For an SG ( Custom vs Custom 5 vs Alternative 8)
Ditch the circuit board, get 4 new pots for $20 and rewire it normal and use the pickups you want.
or, swap the magnet in your custom. A8 maybe?
Gibson stock pots I feel often are too low a value. I don't know what are in the 2010 model, but I would throw 500k CTS in there and try your custom out with that before making a judgment, at least that is what I would advise.
Ditch the circuit board, get 4 new pots for $20 and rewire it normal and use the pickups you want.
or, swap the magnet in your custom. A8 maybe?
Gibson stock pots I feel often are too low a value. I don't know what are in the 2010 model, but I would throw 500k CTS in there and try your custom out with that before making a judgment, at least that is what I would advise.
