Bridge pickup recommendation for a 2016 Gibson SG HP

[dorq]

Hello everyone!

So I'm looking to replace the bridge pickup on my 2016 Gibson SG HP. The stock pickups just have no clarity or power to them. I play in a metal band, we're in dropped D and I'm the only guitar player, so I really need the sound to cut through, and notes to be clear. I'm using a Peavey 6505 2x12 combo amp (Man is that thing a beast!). I play mostly rhythm, but do solo from time to time (just not very well!) I kind of have it narrowed down to a handful of pickups, but I'm open to suggestions:

• SH-6/Distortion
• Nazgul
• Pegasus

or possibly

• Dimarzio Titan which seems to have a similar focus/vibe as the Pegasus

I will probably leave the neck pickup alone, as I never use it anyways.... if I was going to replace it, I'd possibly do the Mayhem set (for the SH-6) or the Sentient to go with the Nazgul or the Pegasus.

I think that the guitar is all mahogany.

Here's a photo of it.
The thing on the pick guard is the plastic wrap, I left it on for a while after getting it, but it has since been removed

 

[esandes]

Check out the video in this link...
https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/latest-updates/keith-merrows-new-6-string-metal-bridge-shootout

 

[dorq]

Check out the video in this link...
https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/l...ridge-shootout

Yep, I've watched that video (and many others like it) about a million times already Been down the YouTube rabbit hole for longer then I'd care to admit.

I've also watched tons of videos by Mike Stamper as well, great side by side pickup comparisons
https://www.youtube.com/user/mikestamper

 

[Despair]

If you want an upper mids, cutting sound with a biting presence, the Distortion is just exactly that.

If you want to fill the low end in more, I'd consider something else, maybe a Custom, or if you want those screaming harmonics, maybe a PATB-2b Parallel Axis Distortion? Can be a bit woollier than a standard Distortion, but that shouldn't be a problem in Drop D in an SG, which tend to be airy, mid-focused guitars. PATB-2b is an amazing, totally gonzo metal pickup. Sustain, harmonics, blazing leads, growling riffs and roaring thrash. But the looks can be offputting.

Nazgul's a great choice if you want a slightly more balanced Distortion.

Pegasus seems like it would probably be a good choice if you want a bit more finesse and range in your bridge pickup. I'm least familiar with it, of the bunch.

For the neck, is the reason you don't use it because you don't like the particular neck pickup? Gibson has a tendency to do muddy, often A2, stock neck pickups that just don't work for many people. Not enough sparkle for clean (especially in models with an A5 or ceramic bridge pickup), not punchy enough for a lot of tastes for riffs, and narrow appeal for lead tones.

Pretty hard to argue with the Sentient, it's a great all-around neck pickup. Seems to be liked by those who like the Jazz, those who like the '59, those who aren't happy with either, and those who want something in between. SH-6n is great if you want a hot neck pickup. But the Sentient is no slouch for leads with a hot amp, either.

Custom bridge, SH-6n neck is another interesting combo, for a bit more scream from the neck, and chunky rhythm from the bridge.

 

[ItsaBass]

If clarity and tightness under a lot of gain in a drop tuning was my goal, I actually might make my first experiment with the Jazz Bridge. That will give you a clean, dynamic signal going into your amp, which you can then tailor as desired using your amp's knobs. You can always build a clean and tight pickup up into something massive sounding. It's harder to get that clarity and tightness if you are starting out with a hot signal. The '59 Bridge would be my second experiment. A beefier sound, for sure, but still not overwhelming enough to make things muddy most of the time.

I might be tempted to go with a Wilde L-500 too. I'd probably start with the L, or maybe the R since you are drop tuned.

I also might consider converting one of your tone knobs to use a Wilde Q Filter instead of the stock capacitor. That will let you dial out some low end to tighten up any mud you might encounter. I would especially consider this if you end up going with a hot pickup.

 

[dorq]

If you want an upper mids, cutting sound with a biting presence, the Distortion is just exactly that.

If you want to fill the low end in more, I'd consider something else, maybe a Custom, or if you want those screaming harmonics, maybe a PATB-2b Parallel Axis Distortion? Can be a bit woollier than a standard Distortion, but that shouldn't be a problem in Drop D in an SG, which tend to be airy, mid-focused guitars. PATB-2b is an amazing, totally gonzo metal pickup. Sustain, harmonics, blazing leads, growling riffs and roaring thrash. But the looks can be offputting.

Yeah, not digging the looks on the PATB-2B to be honest. Also seems to be trembucker only, not standard spacing

Nazgul's a great choice if you want a slightly more balanced Distortion.

Yeah kind of feeling the vibe from that pickup, just concerned that it might be a bit too midrangy for the guitar...

Pegasus seems like it would probably be a good choice if you want a bit more finesse and range in your bridge pickup. I'm least familiar with it, of the bunch.

For the neck, is the reason you don't use it because you don't like the particular neck pickup? Gibson has a tendency to do muddy, often A2, stock neck pickups that just don't work for many people. Not enough sparkle for clean (especially in models with an A5 or ceramic bridge pickup), not punchy enough for a lot of tastes for riffs, and narrow appeal for lead tones.

Pretty hard to argue with the Sentient, it's a great all-around neck pickup. Seems to be liked by those who like the Jazz, those who like the '59, those who aren't happy with either, and those who want something in between. SH-6n is great if you want a hot neck pickup. But the Sentient is no slouch for leads with a hot amp, either.

Custom bridge, SH-6n neck is another interesting combo, for a bit more scream from the neck, and chunky rhythm from the bridge.

I don't use the neck pickup much as normally I just play rhythm, and keep the guitar in bridge pickup only. Never really liked the sound on the neck pickup anyways form this guitar. I like the guitar, but I feel that Gibson kind of cheaped out on the pickups here. I've never felt the need to replace pickups on any of my other guitars (ESP, Solar, Schecter) or even most of my other Gibsons (Other than my LP Mark II, where I put an EMG 81 Active into the bridge).


Thanks for all the recommendations, a few things to think about!

 

[dorq]

If clarity and tightness under a lot of gain in a drop tuning was my goal, I actually might make my first experiment with the Jazz Bridge. That will give you a clean, dynamic signal going into your amp, which you can then tailor as desired using your amp's knobs. You can always build a clean and tight pickup up into something massive sounding. It's harder to get that clarity and tightness if you are starting out with a hot signal. The '59 Bridge would be my second experiment. A beefier sound, for sure, but still not overwhelming enough to make things muddy most of the time.

I might be tempted to go with a Wilde L-500 too. I'd probably start with the L, or maybe the R since you are drop tuned.

I also might consider converting one of your tone knobs to use a Wilde Q Filter instead of the stock capacitor. That will let you dial out some low end to tighten up any mud you might encounter.

I've not really fallen in love with any of the sound samples I've heard from the JB, but it has gotten lots of rave reviews on line, even for metal/dropped tuning. I did call Seymour Duncan and spoke to Justin who recommended the SH-6. Said that while other pickups are more specialized (Nazgul/Pegasus) that the Distortion is a good all-around pickup for all kinds of music.

I know that SD has a 21 day return/exchange policy, so I may just go for the Nazgul or the Distortion, and if I really hate them, get them exchanged for something else.

Also not sure if it's worth doing both pickups now, rather than regretting not doing them both at the same time when I do decide I want to swap out the neck pickup. The Mayhem set is in stock, as is the Nazgul/Sentient set (While the SH-6B is out of stock at the moment)

 

[Despair]

SH-2B Jazz bridge isn't a bad idea, depending on how hot you like your bridge pickup. I don't think I'd do an L-500XL in an SG, it doesn't tend to have a lot of bass (but is VERY tight because of that).

SH-4 JB is not what I would pick in most SGs. Unless you love honk. Low end is likely to be lacking, too. Great pickup in the right guitar, even beyond it's hair metal fandom, but it wouldn't be in my top 30 bridge pickup choices for your guitar and music.

As far as Trembucker vs standard spacing, do be aware Gibson has been using wider spacing that is closer to trembucker for most guitars for quite a while. I don't know what the SG HP model is, but most reliable way is to measure the string spacing yourself and see whether it is closer to 52mm (fender/trem spacing) or 49-50mm (standard spacing). I found a Gibson page for the SG Standard 2016 HP, but despite detailed specs on everything else, I can't find anything about string spacing at the bridge or bridge pickup. The model's 498T bridge & 490R neck pickups are Alnico II, which is the last magnet I'd look for in most humbuckers for your preferences. [Sure, in a SLUG or Diablo, it'd be fine. But magnets as blade pole pieces are a rather different construction.]

Also, the 2 per string Parallel Axis polepieces have a more even magnetic field, so perfect alignment has less impact than other pickups.

And I'd absolutely nail down the bridge pickup before deciding what to do about the neck pickup. I was just pointing out some alternatives, in case you want to do something like bridge for tight rhythm tones, neck for fat leads.

The Nazgul does have a distinctive tone for metal rhythm, I posted when tired and was actually thinking of the Black Winter which is the more flexible metal bridge pickup.

 

[Mincer]

My thought is that if you are in a 1 guitar band, the Black Winter is the one. It takes up a huge swath of frequencies, and fills out the stage, having only one guitar.

 

[dorq]

My thought is that if you are in a 1 guitar band, the Black Winter is the one. It takes up a huge swath of frequencies, and fills out the stage, having only one guitar.

OK thanks Mincer , I'll look into some sound samples - a lot of the ones I've heard were very mid-boosted, but I'll definitely give them another listen!

 

[EmiAba]

It looks like a sg special to me not a HP. Anyway I am quite sure the pickups in it are 490R/490T, both A2 and in paf range, and yes it is all mohagany. For that guitar I'd go with a 59 or a jazz in the neck and a regular custom or a C8 for the bridge. Or a DP103 and a super distortion if you want to go with dimarzio

 

[dorq]

It looks like a sg special to me not a HP. Anyway I am quite sure the pickups in it are 490R/490T, both A2 and in paf range, and yes it is all mohagany. For that guitar I'd go with a 59 or a jazz in the neck and a regular custom or a C8 for the bridge. Or a DP103 and a super distortion if you want to go with dimarzio

It's a Gibson SG HP...I've checked the SN, plus it had the robotuners on it (removed by the previous seller) and has the titanium nut. thanks for the recommendations EmiAba !

 

[dorq]

It's a Gibson SG HP...I've checked the SN, plus it had the robotuners on it (removed by the previous seller) and has the titanium nut. thanks for the recommendations EmiAba !

This was the reply I got from Gibson Customer Service: re the SN on the SG.

"This serial number was used on a 2016 SG Faded HP model which had worn brown finish and G-Force robot tuners:"

 

[GuitarDoc]

My recommendation for the bridge is the Custom or a Custom with an A8 magnet (the unofficial "C8" pup). This is the perfect pup for an SG and super versatile. Like was previously said, if you go with a high output pup you're going to lose clarity that you can't get back no matter what you do with your amp. With lots of distortion/overdrive you're gonna get mud. A low output pup has great clarity but it's not very beefy (which is what your thin-bodied SG needs for a bridge pup). The Custom is an in-between output pup with great clarity, but it's also very beefy and can handle a high distortion amp without getting muddy.

IMO the SG needs a beefy pup that won't get muddy...lots of mids in an all mahogany guitar but the thin body of the SG needs more than what a 59 or a Jazz can offer.

 

[Securb]

My thought is that if you are in a 1 guitar band, the Black Winter is the one. It takes up a huge swath of frequencies, and fills out the stage, having only one guitar.

I was thinking the same thing. I installed a Black Winter for a buddy with a similar guitar and the thing was a fire breathing beast.

 

[dorq]

I was thinking the same thing. I installed a Black Winter for a buddy with a similar guitar and the thing was a fire breathing beast.

Cool thanks for that....so many decisions! Torn between the Nazgul, Black Winter, Distortion, and now the Jupiter hot rails!!!


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[esandes]

The nazgul and dimebucker sound awesome in the video comparison.

 

[dorq]

So I think I'm leaning towards the SH-6. I spoke to Seymour Duncan again today, and Justin once again recommended the Distortion. I figured it's not just a "one trick pony" metal pickup, and still sounds really good and is pretty versatile.

They aren't in stock on seymourduncan.com, but sweetwater, musiciansfriend, and probably other sites do have it in stock.

I will have to get one of those pigtail adapter cables as my SG has the circuit board for the pots and volume jack and switch, and I really don't want to replace all that as well right now.






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[SweetClyde99]

You can find those adapters for a decent price on eBay with some pretty good wiring instructions. I just went through a lot of pickup swapping on a very bright sounding Gibson LP Special. I still have one of those adapters installed on a SD Alternative 8, and I’m trying to decide if I should sell it as-is and maybe save a Gibson owner some trouble or cut off the adapter first.

 

[dorq]

You can find those adapters for a decent price on eBay with some pretty good wiring instructions. I just went through a lot of pickup swapping on a very bright sounding Gibson LP Special. I still have one of those adapters installed on a SD Alternative 8, and I’m trying to decide if I should sell it as-is and maybe save a Gibson owner some trouble or cut off the adapter first.

Hey SweetClyde99 How much would you be selling the Alternative 8 w/the Gibson pigtail on it for Maybe we can both have our problems solved at the same time?