Debating a pickup change for my new SG

[Mike CT]

I have an SG with a 490R/490T setup and have been contemplating swapping the bridge to a 498T. I play classic metal (maiden, priest, Metallica, AC/DC, etc) down to modern country (Jason aldean, Eric church, etc.) which is basically plain old rock really. I play through a Marshall DSL 40CR so I can boost some gain via the preamp there on the various channels.

Based on hearing that the 498T may get a little muddy, I started looking at the SD pickups and it seems like combination that comes up the most is the Custom/59, but I also hear the Custom 5/Jazz combo. It seems like the Custom 5 is a little more scooped which I’m not too sure about based on what I play. Honestly, I’m still a little confused about if it’s better to go hotter with a pickup or not as hot, and just juice the gain through my DSL amp as well.

I’m not completely unhappy with my current pickups — it certainly sounds like AC/DC when nailing the A chord 3 times - haha - and I don’t want to lose that kind of grittiness or the ability to have some articulation.

Also, if go with the SD setups, is it recommended to leave the covers off? Right now I have the covers on and if I got the 498T my gut tells me I’d probably keep it on b/c that’s the way the 490R is.

I’d love any guidance here. Thanks!

Mike

 

[Big Mike Blues]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

COvers look great and have minimal impact on tone IMO. It effects it some, but the look is great

In an all mahogany guitar like that, I'd probably look at the C59/Hybrid and the 59 neck. Or Jb/59. The Jazz neck is great too, but I think the 59 will give you more of the bottom end that can be lacking on an SG.

JB in mahogany is one of my favorite rock tones ever, so bear that in mind. But its versatile for sure. The custom is a good choice as well, little hotter and angrier without that mid bump of the jB.

C5 sounds very scooped to me and I'm not a fan.

 

[Mike CT]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

I didn’t think about the hybrid, so will take a look at that. I didn’t mention JB because feedback on the boards seemed a lot more mixed about it in all mahogany. I’ll throw that one in the mix again too. The easy switch seems to just do the 498T but my gut tells me any combination of these SD pickups will be a little more dynamic......but I still won’t lose that growling sound that I love with this guitar. It’s so different than my LP.

 

[BluesIsBlood12]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

I have only had the 59/Custom hybrid + 59n combo in a Les Paul, but based on it's tone there I think it would rock in an SG. Many people love 59s in SGs, as well as others with A5 magnets. The scooped tone fills in the highs/lows that an SG is typically missing. I have not tried 59s, but I loved the Whole Lotta Humbucker set, which is very similar EQ-wise and would probably be a little better for the music you listed.

As for covered or not, I like the look of covers, but I usually go uncovered b/c I like to swap magnets. Removing covers is a pain to me.

 

[BluesIsBlood12]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

Oh, one thing to note, if you haven't ever opened up your control panel. You probably have the Gibson circuit board to contend with, so if you go non-gibson pickups then you'll have to replace the wiring or find an adapter to connect the new pickup to the board.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

'59's are great in the neck slot of an SG, regardless of what's in the bridge.

A '59 in the bridge will be bright and mid scooped, more than some player want. The '59/Custom hybrid will be similar overall but with a little more output and clarity. Custom 5's (SH-14) take it up a notch and have been popular in SG bridges here for a long time. The Custom (SH-5) is a good choice for metal but not for country. JB's can work well, but also occasionally bomb out in mahogany.

A forum favorite is the Custom 8 (in SG's too), which is any of the Customs with an A8 magnet. Good output, full mids, firm low end, sounds good clean. Probably the versatile Custom variant for playing the most genres.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

Why don't you put a A5 in the 490R and a UOA5 in the 498T before swapping them and try if you like them?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

I'd think that the Hybrid is great middle ground between a dynamic pickup, and a modern, more compressed one. I don't think a Custom 5 would work here- you need mids for classic rock & metal sounds.

 

[Cdwillis]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

I got a faded SG a few weeks ago and have been experimenting with pickups. It’s such a mid heavy guitar that you could use alnico 5 based pickups like a custom 5 or 59s and the guitar won’t sound super scooped like you might assume. If you don’t like the 490r, swap an alnico 5 in and it’s basically a t-top. Try Custom 5 bridge and if you find it too scooped swap a $3 magnet from addiction fx in to tweak it.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

Pearly Gates bridge for AC/DC to country. It has the top end. Roll the tone off slightly for rock, dime it for country.

Whole Lotta Humbucker is like a sweetened Pearly Gates or 59. It’s instant Angus.

59/Custom is fantastic all around, but a little thin flat and even to me (compared to PG and WLH) for specifically classic rock/metal to country IME. YMMV

I can’t picture a JB working in an SG for country.

Custom can work. Mine is like a brighter cleaner Distortion in my SG. The Custom rolls off to clean better for me.

Custom Custom is another option. Little more mids but still has some top end.

S-Deco is another great one for rock to country. That’s what I have in my SG now. It’s in between a PG and WLH. Sounds very much like a Jazz Bridge, which would be another great option.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

Bridge:
Custom 8
Custom 5
Hybrid
Pearly Gates
Screamin Demon

Neck:
59
Jazz
Demon

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Debating a pickup change for my new SG

I've tried a dozen bridge pickups in my SG, and have ended up back with the 498t that came in it. Currently, I have an UOA5 magnet in it to better balance with the Duncan 59 neck I have in it, but it is a bit clearer with the original A5 magnet. The only Duncan bridge I still wonder about trying in the SG is the Brobucker. I've been too cheap to try it so far.