Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

S

Scarve

New member
Hey there!!!

Title says it all! I like SG's, but I'd like to make mine sound a bit bigger, fuller, especially while on the bridge pickup. 498T doesn't do it to me.

I already settled on a neck '59, no hesitation.

I'm divided between the SH-5 Custom or Sh-14. I still want my guitar to sound Gibson-like, if makes sense. No 16/18 kohms pickups. For that purpose, sh-5 and sh-14 seem spot on.

Anybody with those pickups in their SG's? Do I aim right for wnat I need?

Cheers
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

Oh and by the way, sorry for not seeing the almost similar topic under mine!!!

Any thoughts, though?
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

I can't seem to jive with anything but P-90 equipped SGs. It just seems like that pickup design / guitar model were made for each other.

A chrome-covered 59 neck and one of those Harmonic Design Z-90s in the bridge would sound pretty awesome...
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

You could always turn your SG into an LP.

But at any rate, a Custom Custom (sh-11) is a nice fat bridge pickup that can make any thin guitar sound fat in the bridge (it's too fat for Les Pauls).

Don't know much about your playing style. If you like nu-punk, grab an Invader for a Tom Delonge sound.

59n is a great neck pupper by the way.
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

sosomething said:
I can't seem to jive with anything but P-90 equipped SGs. It just seems like that pickup design / guitar model were made for each other.
Click to expand...

Yep, a P90-loaded SG tuned down to C#, through a Laney amp set on stun, equals :headbang:
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

I have a SH-14 (Custom 5) in mine. I'd stick with this 'cause the alnico V seems more "gibson like" than ceramic magnet to me... You would no regret.
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

C5 for mine, love it! '57 classic with an A4 in the neck.
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

I have a few SG's, and faced the same dilema. I want a big-sounding SG. I use an A8 magnet in a 498T & a C5, and that does it. Lots of full mids, tight low end, & enough treble to cut thru. It's large on all parts of the EQ spectrum. Try an A8 in that 498T; you'll be surprised (a C5 isn't radically different).
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

Some really good suggestions so far. I've got the C8 in the bridge of my SG and it sounds absolutely HUGE. I've also got a P-90 in the middle (it's a SG Custom) which sounds great. I love P-90s as already suggested, but you can't go wrong with the Custom8. As blueman said, the 498T with an A8 has got to also be terrific.

If I were you, I'd try blueman's suggestion to put an A8 into your 498T. It only takes a minute and about $8 for the mag. If you find that that just doesn't do it for you, try the SH-5 (Custom with ceramic mag). Then try putting the A8 into it, making it a C8. I wouldn't mess with the other Custom models, I don't think they're what you're after.

But try the 498T8 first.
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

I have a BroBucker in the bridge and a Dimarzio VPAF in the neck of mine...Don't like my pickups to stray too far away from a PAF type wind..
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

I've had a JB in my SG for a very long time and it's staying there. More full and fluid in the upper mids than a 498T and very punchy. Please don't dismiss the idea. There's a reason it's such a popular pickup and why so many high end guitars have it as standard.
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

The Custom has a better low end response than the Custom Custom in my experience. SH5/SH6/SH8 will make the thing beastly in the bridge.
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

Another vote for the Custom. That pick up is a monster and should make your SG into a beast =).
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

The Dali said:
There are so many for sale because so many are purchased.
Click to expand...

The percentage of happy owners doesn't seem to be quite as high as some other PU's. JB's are hit-or-miss in mahogany, whereas the Custom family usually does very well in that wood.
 
Re: Making a Gibson SG sound HUGE!

I love the Custom and Distortion in my SG's bridge. Both are full and thick with the distortion being a little more "metal", but very versitile none the less.

Duncan should sell the '59/Custom combo as an SG matched set combo.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Rex_Rocker
Gibson 498T/490R - My review
2 3
Replies
47
Views
2K
EmiAba
EmiAba
Chris EmCee
Will anything dethrone the '78?
Replies
19
Views
375
jeremy
jeremy
JohnnyGuitarCA
2 questions about pickups for ES-335 type guitars in a hard rock context
2
Replies
20
Views
446
nienturi
nienturi
A
Tighter and brighter bridge pickup for Les Paul
2
Replies
29
Views
505
jeremy
jeremy
C
I'm starting to understand the JB phenomenon
Replies
19
Views
586
Securb
Securb
Back
Top