Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

[Thurisarz]

I bought my SG Standard new in '03 and i haven't been satisfied with the sound of the stock humbuckers so i'm looking at changing them. I tune it like a baritone guitar (B-B) because i really like playing that way but i use 14-68 gauged strings so it doesn't sound "metal" (don't know any other word that would fit).

I'm looking to change both neck and bridge pup. The sound i'm looking for is the guitar tone of the bands R.E.M., The Smiths, The Byrds, They might be giants etc. In other words a beautiful clean sound and jangly tone but still keeps the natural SG twang. The hardest i go is medium/hard overdrive so it doesn't need to be good at distortion. I'm a rhythm guitar player also, might be a solo from time to time but i want to be focused on the rhythm sound.

Which humbuckers should i look at?

 

[big_black]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

CC or C5 / PGn

It works for me. The C5 is nice and jangley when it's clean; the PGn is bassy and "woody" sounding, but still has a great clarity to it. You can roll back the tone knob and dirty it up for some sweet fuzz action too!

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

I play a bunch of REM covers in one of my projects and I use one of 3 guitars for that sound: an Epi Alleykat, an Epi Sheraton, and a Fernandez Tele.

In the tele I use a SM-1/JD combo. I know, not much use to you.

In the Alleykat, I use a SM-1 in the neck and a Pearly Gates + in the bridge. I set them flush with the rings and when in the mid position, it gets a lot of that woody, boxy twa

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

(cont.) ..ng that some Gretsch axes get.

In the Sheraton, I have a Phat Cat set also set pretty low. This gives them some more sparkle and chime.

For your axe, I'd go with a Phat Cat in the neck and a PG+ in the bridge.

This, along with a nice class A amp should get you close.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

BTW, Schecter's new Ultracure guitar comes stock with a pair of splittable 59's. Just something to keep in mind. :burnout:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

The Phatcats are a good idea, but my first thought was 59B/Jazz N The 59's and Jazz's sound beautiful clean, but can also handle gain perfectly fine.

 

[flank]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

i'd say 59/Phat Cat or C5/Phat Cat or maybe Phat Cat set. If you need a humbucker for the neck, the best ive tried is the PG neck.

 

[Thurisarz]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

The C5 for the bridge looks tempting, good priced also, but the PG is a little more expensive, is it worth the extra cash or should i go with a Phat cat or the Jazz neck? Is it good mixing a phat cat with a humbucker or is it "best" to have them in sets?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

There's no problem with mixing P90's and 'buckers. As far as the PG being worth it, I own 8 of them, so I may be a bit biased.

 

[Thurisarz]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

For your axe, I'd go with a Phat Cat in the neck and a PG+ in the bridge.

PG+? Where can i find the + one?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

PG+? Where can i find the + one?

Off of a Lones Star strat.

You can also (sort of ) make your own by swapping out the stock alnico II mag in a PG with an alnico V.

 

[Thurisarz]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

so the SD PG is not what you recommended it was the + one?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

Yep. The PG+ variant is very similar to a PG, except that the + is wound a bit hotter (8.4k for the PG, 8.75k for the +) and has alnico V.

 

[Thurisarz]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

ok, So if you were to recommend me something from the SD catalogue, what would that be? (Humbuckers)

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

The PG+ IS from the Duncan catalog, you just have to get it from a Fender dealer. Slap a nickle cover over it and your set.

 

[Thurisarz]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

The PG+ IS from the Duncan catalog, you just have to get it from a Fender dealer. Slap a nickle cover over it and your set.

I checked the fender site and your right :reporter:

But, it's white! Please tell me it's available in black?

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

I'm pretty sure I've seen it in black.

BTW, the SD website says in the FAQ page that a 59 is pretty close in tone to the PG+. Never had a chabce to compare though...

 

[gripweed]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

The Phatcats are a good idea, but my first thought was 59B/Jazz N The 59's and Jazz's sound beautiful clean, but can also handle gain perfectly fine.

I'm with you on this one. The Jazz neck '59 bridge is a *great* combo IMHO!

 

[wildstar]

Re: Humbuckers for Gibson SG: Clean R.E.M./Smiths sound

in an SG I'd say a '59 set, definitely. Sometimes SGs can get a little "sharp" in their tone IMHO, so if the '59s are too bright or too jangly, use SD's exchange policy to put a set of APH2s in there. They're very smooth-sounding pickups, and in a bright guitar can be your one-way ticket to Jangle Heaven.

I'd strongly recommend staying relatively low output (I love the CC, but think it's too hot for your application). Between the Pearly Gates, '59s, and APH2s, you'll find the tone you're after!

Cheers