Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

[aidoHORROR]

Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Hey this is my first post,

I’ve recently got myself a Gibson SG and want to upgrade the pickups to Seymour Duncan’s. I play in a metal/metalcore band in drop B. Currently it’s just the stock 490 pickups and they are fine but I’d like a pickup to handle a bit more of the low end notes I play. I play through a Pod proX on a Marshall 800 sim with a 4 band EQ, noise gate and a screamer pedal. Sometimes we pitch shift -5 also. I was originally drawn to the SH-4 due to Linde from HIM using one in his bridge and I also really like Daron Malakian sound on mesmerise/hypnotise and I believe he uses stock Gibson pickups. After a bit more reasearch I like the Pegasus/sentient set up due to them being originally meant for 7-8 string guitars and could take on the drop tuning. Is there any other pickups I should consider or have missed. I do play clean also and would like a nice neck clean tone and have heard the Nazgul can get crunchy which is not ideal.
PS- I want to stay passive ‘no active pickups’
Any help is appreciated thanks

 

[shupe13]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

I’ve heard nothing but great things about Black Winters, Nazguls, Sentients and Pegasus for that type of music.


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[blueman335]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

I can see that 490's wouldn't be what you'd want. They're low output with a looser low end.

 

[BleedingFingertips]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Black Winters as well as Nazgul/Sentient would do great job but they have different voicings. The black winters are more lively and bity to me whereas Nazgul is a bit dull, not necessarily in a bad way though. From those I haven't tried yed I would also consider Alternative 8 in the bridge with Jazz or 59 or a medium output bridge PU in the neck.

 

[Flake]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

since you are using an amp sim, I am assuming that gain isn’t a problem, so try the Jazz bridge, it is actually amazing for metal


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[Mincer]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Welcome to the forum!

I think a Black Winter set or a Sentient/Nazgul set should be the ones to consider.

 

[BleedingFingertips]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

I do play clean also and would like a nice neck clean tone and have heard the Nazgul can get crunchy which is not ideal.

Nazgul is a bridge pickup only. If you want a neck clean tone, there's the Sentient in the neck for it. It is low-output and fine for cleans.

 

[PierceOkken]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Black winter. And if you are feeling frisky: invaders

 

[PierceOkken]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

On second thought, NO, don't do the invaders, you can't control those things. Duncan distortion would be a good shout to. JB might be a little to "clean" but you could try that also

 

[Jcknowles89]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

I personally LOVE Invaders, I used one with great results playing alot of Metalcore. The Polepieces while odd looking tame the top end while keeping the Low end relatively tight. Will also throw SH-6 and Omegas in there too. SH6 sounds good in almost any guitar that I have used it on whether it is Mahogany, Alder, ETC. Omega's sound good in mahogany (havent tried it in others), INvaders sound good in almost anything in my opinion. Keep in mind that if you like the sound of a particular pickup but its not tight enough for you, you can tighten up the bass response by swapping out shorter polepieces.

 

[BleedingFingertips]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

I wondered how an Invader would sound with the original pole pieces at the top and hex screws at the bottom :headbang:

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

SGs shout out loud: I want a Custom 5 so bad (and a 59N in the neck).

 

[Mez Cal]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

that if you like the sound of a particular pickup but its not tight enough for you, you can tighten up the bass response by swapping out shorter polepieces.

The polepieces, not the screws? Right? How difficult is this type of project? Thanks for the good words, cheers

 

[dave74]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Distortion/Jazz would be my pick for a full-hog w/rosewood SG.
Nazgul/Sentient seems like a good choice also, as does the BW-set,,,,,,,but the D/J set is what I've had luck with in that type of guitar.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

Re: Gibson SG “wanting new pickups”

@ Mez Cal: Don't revive old threads. Start new ones with you own topic.

In short (sic!): Its not that easy to swap the slug pole pieces, never heard of anybody who cuts the slugs. Its easy to cut the screw pole pieces, though. Shortening the screws/pole pieces affects the highs and the pickup becomes brighter.