Custom in SG Vs. Strat

[mr breaker]

I've had a Custom in the bridge of my Strat plus (maple neck) for some time now, and decided to put one in my SG as well and get rid of those stock gibson pups.


So I put a 59N/Custom combo in the SG...it sounds great...but it seems I get less gain from the Custom in the SG than in the Fender.


Is this normal, or could it be the way the pup is setup?


Also the 59 is very trebley when the tone is on 10...but when I have it set to about 6-7 it's got a sweet sound.

 

[mr breaker]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

no one has any insight on this?

 

[LucidInterval]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

Correct wiring?
Same height?
Same string gauge/tension?

The tone bleeds treble so that is OK.

 

[mr breaker]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

The pups are closer to the strings in the Strat.

If I raise them on the SG, how will that affect the tone? Will it give me higher output?

 

[Dirtyking]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

It may be the difference in woods. A mahogany SG plus a Custom pup will have a darker tone than your strat (unless your strat is mahogany too).

 

[MattPete]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

Keep in mind that the bridge pickup in an SG is closer to the bridge than it is to the strat. As you get closer to the bridge, the strings have less vibrating energy, and this might account for the different.

 

[mr breaker]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

so will adjusting the pup height make a difference?

 

[Gamera]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

Just out of curiosity, mr breaker, is that Strat an HSS setup? If so, does that Custom overpower the singles or is it a good match? What other pups are in that Strat?

 

[castiron]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

so will adjusting the pup height make a difference?

yes it does.

when i had my bc rich bronze warlock i raised the pups and it gives u more output to a more punchy trebley sound. but i think it decreases ur sustain or bass or something.

 

[kard2565]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

Does the strat have a 250k volume pot and the sg a 500k? If so that would explain why the pup is brighter in the sg.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

what wood is your strat body? alder or ash

 

[mr breaker]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

Just out of curiosity, mr breaker, is that Strat an HSS setup? If so, does that Custom overpower the singles or is it a good match? What other pups are in that Strat?

Yeah, its a HSS, its got the Custom and two fender lace pups...blue and silver.

The Custom obviously has higher output, but its matched well with the single coils. (I also have a custom in an Epi LP and it gets similiar output to the strat)


I'm not sure what wood the body of the strat is...its a 1983 Strat plus with a maple neck. (I bought it used 6 years ago)


I also don't know what the pots are...I havent changed them, so whatever is standard. The SG is a 1961 reissue from 2002


If I change the SG to a lower vol pot how will that effect it?



(I really do like the tone I'm getting out of the SG as it is now, but it is a little on the bright side, and doesn't have quite as much gain as I would prefer)

 

[Marcel]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

The pups are closer to the strings in the Strat.

If I raise them on the SG, how will that affect the tone? Will it give me higher output?

yes it.Pickup height is one of the most important thing to adjust in my opinion....but what I'm telling here? if the pickup is nearer it will give you more output and it will change the sound. You have to find your own sweet spot where it sounds the best. seymours specs on the faq are a good point to start.
if i remember right the custom shouldn't bet too near to the strings, but i just played it one week. I like the JB very near to the strings

lower pot value will give you a bit less output and a bit less highs the sound will be a bit warmer maybe.

 

[mr breaker]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

Just for an update...

I finally got around to adjusting the pup height. I raised the custom in the SG quite a bit, and now the tone and output matches my strat pretty close.

Before it the SG had more of an AC/DC tone, now its more rock-sounding which is what I'm going for.


I thought it sounded good before...now it sounds perfect!

 

[Marcel]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

Just for an update...

I finally got around to adjusting the pup height. I raised the custom in the SG quite a bit, and now the tone and output matches my strat pretty close.

Before it the SG had more of an AC/DC tone, now its more rock-sounding which is what I'm going for.


I thought it sounded good before...now it sounds perfect!

nice to hear....

 

[midnite_man]

Re: Custom in SG Vs. Strat

Just for an update...

I finally got around to adjusting the pup height. I raised the custom in the SG quite a bit, and now the tone and output matches my strat pretty close.

Before it the SG had more of an AC/DC tone, now its more rock-sounding which is what I'm going for.


I thought it sounded good before...now it sounds perfect!

I agree with you, 'bro. I have a Custom/59 combo in my Epi G400 (SG) and it sounds great, too! Definitely an excellent pup for rock sounds both clean and distorted, IMO.
I liked that Custom so much I also put one in my Epi LP, and it sounds excellent in there as well.

Rock on!