Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

[Hairmail]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

My word of advice is: swap the magnets and get an A4/A8 mag combo.

You'll be surprised withh all the different styles of music you'll be able to convincingly play with this mag combo in your 490R/490T set.

After all, it's only a ten bucks investment and halfn'hour job. At these conditions, you just can't afford NOT to try!

HTH,

+1 to that, though I'm not even sure you can remove the covers on the SGJ. The casing they come in looks sealed shut like those on active pickups.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

+1 to that, though I'm not even sure you can remove the covers on the SGJ. The casing they come in looks sealed shut like those on active pickups.

Well, if that's the case, only a p'up swapping will help.

An A4/A8 modded '59 set is what you want.

If you're in Europe, I can provide you with an already modded, 4-conductor, nickel-covered '59 set for a fair price.

Sealed p'ups, uh? Looks like Gibson continues their "tradition" of cheaping-down their p'ups. I guess they'll never learn.

HTH,

 

[unisafe]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

Hey people.
The sgj has a maple neck and is an extremely light guitar.
300k pots are used for the volume controls.
I hope there is a way of removing the black covers without damaging the pickups. If the magnet swap Is unsuccessful , I'll put them in my Sheraton ii and load my SGJ with whatever I make my mind up on.
Still unsure.
* Just found out that someone has been able to remove the plastic covers http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gibson-les-pauls/231884-2013-lpj-goldtop-modded.html

 

[mremic01]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

So I get it your an elitist your one of the kool aid drinkers around here that I described in my first or 2nd post. You run right to the "No true scotsman" fallacy. You tell him oh you like the JB so you cant really know tone if you knew tone you would agree with me. What a huge steaming pile of horse puckey. I love how you assume that the OP will like the Custom better because it suits you better and that your opinion is somehow superior than Ovemans. What a crock.

Your attitude in this thread from the very beginning was uncalled for and unhelpful, and it's certainly not appreciated. I don't even see how No True Scotsman applies or how I've been elitist at all when I've been pretty open to the JB. Your also putting words into my mouth, which is not cool. Seems like you need to lighten up a little and maybe reread what I wrote.

SG players avoid the JB for a reason. And not just here. I heard the term 'ice pick highs' years before I even learned about this forum. There's is no Kool Aid, and I tried it myself just to be sure (cause, you know, I'm elitist and not willing to trying gear that's beneath me ). Why would anyone recommend a pickup that so many SG players find problematic? At least without a caveat. That would just be foolish. I think I've stated my case pretty plainly and as objectively as possible, but I'll do it again just to make sure I'm clear:

I do not recommend the JB in SGs. Reports from other guitarists say that it has an unpleasant top end, and my own experience was that it was good, but a little much. Many players do use one in their SG, but I attribute this to going with the JB because it's an industry standard aftermarket pickup and they haven't looked into much else. SG players seem to love the Custom series. Not just the stock Custom. For these reasons, Unisafe will most likely prefer a Custom variant or some other model over the JB. He's free to try the JB to make up his own mind, and choose it if that's what he likes, but he's also here to learn from people who have tried different things.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

Your attitude in this thread from the very beginning was uncalled for and unhelpful, and it's certainly not appreciated. I don't even see how No True Scotsman applies or how I've been elitist at all when I've been pretty open to the JB. Your also putting words into my mouth, which is not cool. Seems like you need to lighten up a little and maybe reread what I wrote.

SG players avoid the JB for a reason. And not just here. I heard the term 'ice pick highs' years before I even learned about this forum. There's is no Kool Aid, and I tried it myself just to be sure (cause, you know, I'm elitist and not willing to trying gear that's beneath me ). Why would anyone recommend a pickup that so many SG players find problematic? At least without a caveat. That would just be foolish. I think I've stated my case pretty plainly and as objectively as possible, but I'll do it again just to make sure I'm clear:

I do not recommend the JB in SGs. Reports from other guitarists say that it has an unpleasant top end, and my own experience was that it was good, but a little much. Many players do use one in their SG, but I attribute this to going with the JB because it's an industry standard aftermarket pickup and they haven't looked into much else. SG players seem to love the Custom series. Not just the stock Custom. For these reasons, Unisafe will most likely prefer a Custom variant or some other model over the JB. He's free to try the JB to make up his own mind, and choose it if that's what he likes, but he's also here to learn from people who have tried different things.

Sorry dude but this is still completely full of crap. Your justifying your negative attitude towards the JB cause you think people dont know any better you completely dismiss that maybe just maybe the people do actually like it. They just arent the few that trumpet their opinions on this forum.

Your really telling me that since you hear the custom is very popular with SG players that is why your recommending over the JB. You realize this scenario is the same as saying I hear Justin Bieber is popular so I recommend his music to people. You say SG players "seem" to love the Custom so you recommend it. This is an argument to popularity. SG players around here use the custom this tiny microcosm on the internet that is the SDUGF. Go over to TGP or MLP and ask the same question and you may not at all even get the custom as a suggestion. Most SG players that I know and pros that I can think of dont use Customs in SG's most are using some sort of PAF and few use High output stuff.

The OP is free to make up his own mind and it looks like hes going to try mag swapping the 490's first.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

I do not recommend the JB in SGs. Reports from other guitarists say that it has an unpleasant top end, and my own experience was that it was good, but a little much. Many players do use one in their SG, but I attribute this to going with the JB because it's an industry standard aftermarket pickup and they haven't looked into much else. SG players seem to love the Custom series. Not just the stock Custom. For these reasons, Unisafe will most likely prefer a Custom variant or some other model over the JB. He's free to try the JB to make up his own mind, and choose it if that's what he likes, but he's also here to learn from people who have tried different things.

+1. There are better choices for SG's than JB's. For high output PU's, the Custom family does particularly well in mahogany and warm woods. I think it's safe to assume that when the OP asked for advice, he wanted something that had a very good chance of working well with his guitar.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

Most SG players that I know and pros that I can think of...are using some sort of PAF and few use High output stuff.

Making your insistence of a 16K JB all the stranger.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

Making your insistence of a 16K JB all the stranger.

Actually if you paid attention I never suggested the JB my suggestion was for the BBQ or the Custom/59 hybrid. I defended the JB suggestion cause the reason it gets maligned is malarky and only exists on this forum.

 

[rumblebox]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

I defended the JB suggestion cause the reason it gets maligned is malarky and only exists on this forum.

.... A forum with probably the greatest number of tone-chasers who have tried LOTS of pickups and care about tonal differences.

I tried a JB in 2 of my guitars, back to back. Both mahogany with maple necks/tops and rosewood fretboads. Same make and and model. Identical bridge/nut/frets/scale/pots/etc. One is a neck-thru at about 8 pounds. The other has a set neck at about 6 pounds.

In the heavier/compressed sounding guitar(more LPish) it was perfect for metal/hard rock. In the lighter/resonant sounding guitar, the notorious upper-mid spike was unbearable even with 250k pots.(more SG-like)

All-in-all, it's the most tempermental humbucker i've tried..... And my experience is not a phenomenon.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

.... A forum with probably the greatest number of tone-chasers who have tried LOTS of pickups and care about tonal differences.

I tried a JB in 2 of my guitars, back to back. Both mahogany with maple necks/tops and rosewood fretboads. Same make and and model. Identical bridge/nut/frets/scale/pots/etc. One is a neck-thru at about 8 pounds. The other has a set neck at about 6 pounds.

In the heavier/compressed sounding guitar(more LPish) it was perfect for metal/hard rock. In the lighter/resonant sounding guitar, the notorious upper-mid spike was unbearable even with 250k pots.(more SG-like)

All-in-all, it's the most tempermental humbucker i've tried..... And my experience is not a phenomenon.

Wait a pickup sounded different in a different guitar and that makes it temperamental? To me that makes it quite normal. Right now I own 2 61 reissue SG's and other than the color both of them are identical in spec and they dont sound the same and dont have the same pickups now is that the fault of the pickups or different guitars being different?

 

[rumblebox]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

Wait a pickup sounded different in a different guitar and that makes it temperamental? To me that makes it quite normal. Right now I own 2 61 reissue SG's and other than the color both of them are identical in spec and they dont sound the same and dont have the same pickups now is that the fault of the pickups or different guitars being different?

You're ignoring the fact that most other pickups don't depend so strongly on one guitar over another to tame a mid spike. All the other pickups i've tried sounded good in both guitars.... very different, but good.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

You're ignoring the fact that most other pickups don't depend so strongly on one guitar over another to tame a mid spike. All the other pickups i've tried sounded good in both guitars.... very different, but good.

I'm not ignoring the OPINION that the mid spike has to be tamed. I actually like the JB exactly for that mid spike particularly when playing leads live it really helps for what your fingers to to be heard through the mix.

 

[rumblebox]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

I can give you plenty of examples of pickups that cut through the mix perfectly well without the mid spike you love and i hate. Yes it is an opinion whether or not the mid spike is pleasing to the ears, but the fact that it exists more prominently in certain guitars as opposed to other pickups isnt.

DD
seymourizer
Custom
Custom5
500T

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

I can give you plenty of examples of pickups that cut through the mix perfectly well without the mid spike you love and i hate. Yes it is an opinion, but it is a very popular opinion.

DD
seymourizer
Custom
Custom5
500T

But they arent the same tone as a JB minus the spike they all have different outputs and voicing. The JB wether you like it or not is a unique pickup that nothing else really is the same. Doesnt matter if its a popular opinion. Justin Beiber is popular does that make him good?

 

[rumblebox]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

But they arent the same tone as a JB minus the spike they all have different outputs and voicing. The JB wether you like it or not is a unique pickup that nothing else really is the same. Doesnt matter if its a popular opinion. Justin Beiber is popular does that make him good?

Interesting point..... Leading back to the JB being the most popular humbucker in the world.

Look I'm not trying to **** in your wheaties.. Like i said, i like the JB A LOT in certain guitars... I just find it harder to place in more guitars than my other favorite pups.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

Interesting point..... Leading back to the JB being the most popular humbucker in the world.

Look I'm not trying to **** in your wheaties.. Like i said, i like the JB A LOT in certain guitars... I just find it harder to place in more guitars than my other favorite pups.

My argument has never been that the JB is popular my argument is that the JB gets unfairly maligned by particular members of this forum and in particular when it involves anything with mahogany when its simply not true. Some people dont like it in mahogany but their are plenty that do just cause they dont trumpet their opinions all day around here doesnt mean they dont exist.

 

[rumblebox]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

For me, the wood has more important determining factors than the species.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

As a long-term forum member, JB's certainly seem to have the most posts regarding it's pickiness in various woods. I can't think of any other PU that's simulatneously done as well and failed as spectacularly as JB's, and many of those comments come from the very same people. They're not anti-JB; it's a fussy, quirky PU.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

Some people dont like it in mahogany but their are plenty that do just cause they dont trumpet their opinions all day around here doesnt mean they dont exist.

Geez, we all said it can do very well in mahogany, but it also can bomb out just as easily. That makes it something less than the best recommendation for a newbie with an LP or SG. They might be thrilled with it, we freely admit that happens, or they could just as easily be appalled and think the guy that recommended it to them is a complete idiot. In all fairness to newbies, that are probably paying someone to install the PU, they really need to have the odds in their favor.

You seem to think that any negative comments about JB's here are fabricated and untrue, the result of some sort of Jedi mind tricks or mass hypnosis making us all act like lemmings and no longer able to think for ourselves? No doubt! You've nailed that one professor. Only you could see thru the ruse.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Gibson SGJ purchased, recommend a versatile hard rocking bridge pickup

Geez, we all said it can do very well in mahogany, but it also can bomb out just as easily. That makes it something less than the best recommendation for a newbie with an LP or SG. They might be thrilled with it, we freely admit that happens, or they could just as easily be appalled and think the guy that recommended it to them is a complete idiot. In all fairness to newbies, that are probably paying someone to install the PU, they really need to have the odds in their favor.

You seem to think that any negative comments about JB's here are fabricated and untrue, the result of some sort of Jedi mind tricks or mass hypnosis making us all act like lemmings and no longer able to think for ourselves? No doubt! You've nailed that one professor. Only you could see thru the ruse.

Nope I get it many people dont like the JB but even in this very thread you have a person who is giving negative reviews about the JB even though they themselves like it and they admit they are doing it cause it is the forum consensus. The problem is a very large amount of the negativity around the JB only exists on this forum. In all fairness my point earlier was that any pickup can bomb out none of you have any stats that the JB is more likely than any other. Its plainly seen day after day around here that people form impressions from negative reviews more than they do positive ones especially when the negative gets trumpeted every ohter post. All the while ignoring the positive. Right in this thread there are positive reviews that went completely dismissed and ignored. It was even implied that that person didnt know good tone cause he liked it. How can you even claim any sort of objectivity in a situation like that?

If you really care about the newbie you would listen to their expectations and hopes and put aside your own personal prejudices and things you read in the past and offer advice based on what would work for them. A guy wanting to upgrade 490T's to do hard rock and metal is recommended 59's!!! Come on get real. I'm willing to bet a guy wanting to get metal has as good of chance of being disappointed by a 59 as he does by a JB