I want my SG to sound like AC/DC

D

DonP

New member
Classic old AC/DC.

I have 2 SG's a 1998 and a 2012. I love the 490R/498T combo, but I want something different in one SG.

I have a 2009 CR8, and the Burstbuckers 1&2 in that nails the tone I am looking for. I really don't wan't to pull them for the SG.

I've seen a recent video where they go through Angus' gear, and the tech said he used SD pickups, wound to 7.8K, but didn't say which magnet. I would think the bigger bottom of the A5, but maybe it is the sweeter A2?

So which pickup can do this? A Jazz? An Alnico Pro II?
 
Re: I want my SG to sound like AC/DC

I’m putting Whole Lotta Humbuckers in my Epiphone SG.


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Re: I want my SG to sound like AC/DC

If you don't go for the High Voltage Set, I would say a 59' bridge would get you there. If you wanted something sweeter in the neck, an APH or a Seth Lover would be nice.....I don't think Angus uses the neck much, but you might want more versatility.
 
Re: I want my SG to sound like AC/DC

Custom shop Pearly Gates should be the closest. Whole Lotta Humbucker does a great job of it also.
 
Re: I want my SG to sound like AC/DC

One thing that I always think first when people talk about AC/DC tone: What tone particularly?

Listen records from High Voltage to Back in Black to Stiff Upper Lip to Rock'roll Train: It's all undoubtly SG to dimed Marshall, but there's a difference in tone. Live is yet another thing with more variance.

It's a long way to the top... and said Stiff upper lip have some of the greatest guitar tones in rock.
 
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Re: I want my SG to sound like AC/DC

Blille said:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?246331-Angus-Young-vs-Pearly-Gates




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Click to expand...

Thanks. I was in this thread on Page 1, but I found Even's post on the top of page 2 very useful.


And thanks to everyone else.

Seems like the "Musical Magnets" Alnico 2's are the ticket.

And yes, it gets blurry between Malcolm and Angus as to which tone I'm chasing. I'm not putting Filteron's in an SG - I'd buy a Gretsch instead.
 
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Re: I want my SG to sound like AC/DC

What you really need for great AC/DC tone: Celestion G12H-30 and a lot of volume!
 
Re: I want my SG to sound like AC/DC

Understanding AC/DC's tone seems easy, but actually it's kinda tricky. I would try to say a couple of things that to me make sense:

- Part of it it's the punch that Angus has. It comes from a lot of factors, including a lot of volume and "air" moving, the natural attack of the sg and the thinner strings, which allows him to play with more bite without working that hard. If yout try to get that at low volumes, you'll have to use more distortion. This takes off part of the punch, that the higher volumes bring.

- Other part of it its Malcom. Unless we're talking specific solo tones, in most AC/DC songs, Malcom's rythm dictates the tone...

What I would do, if you're not using high volume, is choosing pickups with more bite, something with A5, for example, that has more bass and treble. With the right settings, a SD 59 can work really well.
 
Re: I want my SG to sound like AC/DC

Early AC/DC is T-top in Angus' guitar. But you also have to factor in the wireless unit boost in there too - not on the first couple of albums though.
 
Re: I want my SG to sound like AC/DC

AlexR said:
Early AC/DC is T-top in Angus' guitar. But you also have to factor in the wireless unit boost in there too - not on the first couple of albums though.
Click to expand...

Could be a T-Top, or could be those tarbacks. I had a '79 SG with those. I think the neck measure in the 5K's, and the bridge in the low 7K's. Did those have a ceramic magnet to make up for the low winds?
 
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