My SG is "Bottoming Out"

MetalManiac

MetalManiac

Li'l Junior Member
What? Well, the guitar just does'nt have enough a$$ in it's pants IMo. Its a 1997 genuine Gibson SG Std. , and although what wood is there is good wood, I don't think there is enough of it! It's almost toy-like in it's weight. What I mean by "bottoming out" is that on full on feedback, the guitar won't sustain enough and starts to squeal, whereas other of my guitars with more substantial weight 'carry the note' and won't thin out/ squeal. Make sense?

I'm putting my SG up on the auction block.

What i want is an early 70's SG with some weight to it. Now, I have heard those guitars have their share of prol;ems- basically 'Norlin' issues- some of them have poor fitting neck joints and such.

Anyhow, forget a late 60's SG cause I could never afford one, but an early 70's is something I might try and shoot for.
 
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Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

You might consider an LP? I played very light 70s SGs before. I don't quite understand what you are describing, but it might be one of those cases where you like the way an SG feels to play, but don't love the sound. Pickups can only do so much. You might get lucky and find one that works well.
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

Mincer said:
You might consider an LP? I played very light 70s SGs before. I don't quite understand what you are describing, but it might be one of those cases where you like the way an SG feels to play, but don't love the sound. Pickups can only do so much. You might get lucky and find one that works well.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that perspective Sir.
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

Diego said:
Hotter pickups maybe?
Click to expand...

Hmmm...might just could be! Thanks for that suggestion! There is a whole debate on why the aftermarket Angus pickups are sometimes at 10+K . I am running stock vintage low output Humbuggies in the SG now , which may be fine and dandy for , say, a 60's SG,but I have just the Hot 10+K bridge PAF pickup I'll drop in and try it first before I dump the Axe.
 
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Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

MetalManiac said:
What? Well, the guitar just does'nt have enough a$$ in it's pants IMo. Its a 1997 genuine Gibson SG Std. , and although what wood is there is good wood, I don't think there is enough of it! It's almost toy-like in it's weight. What I mean by "bottoming out" is that on full on feedback, the guitar won't sustain enough and starts to squeal, whereas other of my guitars with more substantial weight 'carry the note' and won't thin out/ squeal. Make sense?

I'm putting my SG up on the auction block.

What i want is an early 70's SG with some weight to it. Now, I have heard those guitars have their share of prol;ems- basically 'Norlin' issues- some of them have poor fitting neck joints and such.

Anyhow, forget a late 60's SG cause I could never afford one, but an early 70's is something I might try and shoot for.
Click to expand...

If you have done all possible attempts with setups, repairs, etc, then I also believe that there is something that is killing the tone in it. Might be a faulty/badly made truss rod. Might be the wood itself. Might be the bridge or the tuners. IME, its the wood. Wood which wants to sing will find its way one way or another. Dead wood won't sing no matter the upgrades.
Also I don't think that weight is so much relevant. Look at all those chambered bodies that companies put out these days, I don't think they all suffer from poor sustain. Not all players are idiots to not understand basic stuff.
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

How close are the pickups to the strings? Could the magnetic pull be choking out the sustain?
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

Weight is not the issue. There are plenty of amazing sounding SGs and Vs out there that weigh next to nothing. My best V was barely over 6 pounds. It sang better than my current Les Pauls (pissed I ever sold it)

New bridge , studs, tp are things to look at but that may be just polishing a turd.
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

My 63 Junior with a JB in the bridge weighs next to nothing and it will sustain forever if I want it to. Weight is not the issue.
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

As stated, weight is not the issue. Most likely needs a good setup and some tweaking with the pickup height. Action too low can choke some otherwise decent sustain. My SG Jr, though not a Gibson, sustains like crazy and is crazy light.
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

Yeah man, I don't think weight is your problem? My Double Cut L.P. Special sustains for days and it weighs about as much as a Alder Telecaster, plus got P-90's in it! Like Richard's JR it's got a Wraparound bridge which either helps or takes away in the sustain department depending upon who you ask but it definitely isn't lacking!!! Most of a Gibson's almost famous sustain comes from the set neck and 17* angled headstock. If it's not one of these two things or the hardware it could just be a few poorly selected pieces of wood?

You have considered the nut as the culprit too, right? If a standard bone or plastic nut doesn't work I'd suggest the TUSQ nut & bridge saddles, or perhaps a entire NV2 Resomax bridge... The guitar might take on a certain glassy quality afterwards but I don't think it would necessarily be a bad tone & you'd have great treble response!!! I've never used both on one guitar but I have used both individually and I think they sound awesome!!! They definitely add some sustain to just anything they are put on!

I think I might have a brand new 4mm NV2 somewhere? I thought they were the greatest thing since sliced bread at one point & it should drop right on to your existing bridge pins. If you want to pay the shipping I'll send it to you and you can give it a shot? If it works for you then I'll sell it to you for a little less than they normally sell for, if not you can just send it back to me..

Let me know...
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

Squealing could be caused by the pickup, too. No potting, loose cover, etc. Experimenting is in order before dumping the whole guitar. SGs are cool.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

Raise the action, lower the pickups, and don't let the strings touch the back of the bridge.
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

Thanks to all who contributed . Soem of u must think I'm an attention whore. Not particularly true..I have so many irons in the fire, trying to get everything finished here- I'm tired of this, and don't have the energy I once did ( but a little wiser). A pile of expensive parts that aren't fully assembled or costly guitars that don't work for you is a drain of resources,and like many of you, mine are limited.

Anyhow, I'm going to go ahead and say I am right in my assertion its the weight of the guitar. You see, Most of your advice WOULD be true IF the guitar sucked across the spectrum, BUT, it sounds great up to a certain point, than it just Peters out. Thgat means everything is right with the guitar, the wood is good, and everything else. Many of my other guitars keep up, and sound real nice throughout the range. In my Stats, I actually spend extra money for a super lightweight body, but in a Gibson, its a different animal.

To me, this means it comes down to weight and weight alone.I no longer want a toy SG! Trades anybody? I have all the pickups rightly raised, have excellent hardware- actually Diegos advice ona hotter bridge was the best reply I think, but I should't have to do that.

Thanks again
 
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Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

MetalManiac said:
Anyhow, I'm going to go ahead and say I am right in my assertion its the weight of the guitar. You see, Most of your advice WOULD be true IF the guitar sucked across the spectrum, BUT, it sounds great up to a certain point, than it just Peters out. Thgat means everything is right with the guitar, the wood is good, and everything else.
Click to expand...

Reminds me of my el cheapo scalloped malmsteen copy with stock (chinese) pups (sounded better with those than with HS3). Excellent sound to 3-4 seconds. After that complete silence. (or 50Hz hum to be precise). No upgrade solved anything. I sold it naturally.
 
Re: My SG is "Bottoming Out"

MetalManiac said:
What? Well, the guitar just does'nt have enough a$$ in it's pants IMo. Its a 1997 genuine Gibson SG Std. , and although what wood is there is good wood, I don't think there is enough of it! It's almost toy-like in it's weight. What I mean by "bottoming out" is that on full on feedback, the guitar won't sustain enough and starts to squeal, whereas other of my guitars with more substantial weight 'carry the note' and won't thin out/ squeal. Make sense?

I'm putting my SG up on the auction block.

What i want is an early 70's SG with some weight to it. Now, I have heard those guitars have their share of prol;ems- basically 'Norlin' issues- some of them have poor fitting neck joints and such.

Anyhow, forget a late 60's SG cause I could never afford one, but an early 70's is something I might try and shoot for.
Click to expand...

I have to ask, what pickups are in it, and what amp and volume/settings are you using, and how close are you to the amp when playing?

I'm just trying to figure out if you are creating a situation where that kind of squeal would be 'normal' or expected. I find it hard to believe weight alone (and no other factor) in a perfectly good bone-stock SG Standard would cause it.

If it's a '97, my first thought would be the thing had been left in a hot car or hot garage too many times over the years and some of the pickup potting has melted away. But also, if you are using Hiwatts, have them dimed and are standing 6' or less from the cab, squeal would be normal.
 
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