Need advice on new pick-ups

[mark129]

I have a 1969 Gibson SG. The person I bought this guitar from had 2 mixed matched pick-ups in it. I'll looking to buy two new PU's to replace them. I'm not a pro guitarist, I play out here an there. I play rthyum guitar mostly, not many leads. I play classic rock, hard rock, and some heavy metal. Looking for something in the mid range price, like I said , I don't play for a living (wish I did). I need two PU's that will match well in this guitar. I don't need alot of treble, good mids, good bottom. Something with good sustain and will work well with distortion. I know everyone has their own opinions, but by hearing a few comments may give me a better idea on what to look for. I run my axe through a 4-12 Marshall cab with a 100 watt head, if this helps. Can anyone help me out?

 

[HolyDirt]

a 59 neck and a custom 5 or Jb in the bridge. The 59's are really warm and smooth, good cleans. The custom 5 has better, smoother cleans than the jb, imo, and can do rock well. the jb is a hot pup and sounds nice distorted. I currently use a 59 neck and custom 5 in one of my guitars, its quite versatile also.

 

[mrfjones]

i would suggest a 59/59 combo, it will be more clasic rock oriented than the C5/59 combo. I use the 59/59 combo and can get all kinds of classic tones from jimmy page to clapton. they handle distortion well without being too high output for classic sounds. I think the 59 in the bridge is a little less harsh than the C5. I feel the custom line has more of a modern rock sounding element to them

 

[sgstrat]

For mid-priced humbuckers I think that a set of either '59's or Seth Lovers would work well for the types of music that you want to play. If you can invest some extra money though, I can guarantee that you'll never regret a set of Antiquities.

 

[59paul]

I like the 59/59 combo in an SG, also. A JB is also a good choice for Bridge position. The JB is gonna be Hotter than the 59, but it is very versatile. The 59 is gonna be more " Classic" .

 

[Crazy Jim]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

I have a 1969 Gibson SG. The person I bought this guitar from had 2 mixed matched pick-ups in it. I'll looking to buy two new PU's to replace them. I'm not a pro guitarist, I play out here an there. I play rthyum guitar mostly, not many leads. I play classic rock, hard rock, and some heavy metal. Looking for something in the mid range price, like I said , I don't play for a living (wish I did). I need two PU's that will match well in this guitar. I don't need alot of treble, good mids, good bottom. Something with good sustain and will work well with distortion. I know everyone has their own opinions, but by hearing a few comments may give me a better idea on what to look for. I run my axe through a 4-12 Marshall cab with a 100 watt head, if this helps. Can anyone help me out?

How about a JB in the bridge and an Alnico II in the neck? My personal favorite set is a Custom Custom in the bridge and a Jazz in the beck, but you said you don't need a lot of treble, so that rules out the Jazz.

 

[jafo]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

Given your rig and tastes, I'd go with something classic. Anything PAF-ish should work beautifully, so (like everybody else here) I'd suggest a set of 59s (remember that they come in neck and bridge versions), or maybe a 59 neck and a Custom 5 (higher, but not crazy output, and classic tone) in the bridge for substantially heavier tones. Think AC/DC or early Santana. Maybe even Zappa. Can't go wrong with either!

Another option is to use a Phat Cat set. They aren't true P-90s, but they're the next best thing, and will give you some very convincing classic tones, ranging from Robbie Krieger to Tony Iommi to early Pete Townshend, all of whom used SGs with P-90s. However, these are single-coils, so you'll have issues with hum, but your tone will be so great that I really doubt you'll notice. :headbang:

SGs are often paired with a JB+Jazz or a Full Shred set, but neither seems right for what you're asking. A JB+Jazz will make you sound like an '80s rocker, with a lot more treble than you're asking for, so I'd avoid them in this case. Great tones, though. Same for a Full Shred set, which is basically a Jazz neck and Custom 5 bridge, with different screws. Think Opeth. Think Opeth again. (Thinking Opeth is good for you.)

 

[jafo]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

My personal favorite set is a Custom Custom in the bridge and a Jazz in the beck

Nice combo! Did it myself for years, and found that A4 worked best in the Jazz.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

OK, here's the thing.

You play classic rock, hard rock, and some heavy metal. Anyone who thinks that the C8 in the bridge of an SG is not the perfect pup for these styles has never played a C8 in an SG. There really isn't any question about that (unless you consider P-90s. That's also a perfect match for an SG for those styles).

For the neck: Demon, PG, 59b, Seth.

 

[jafo]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

You play classic rock, hard rock, and some heavy metal. Anyone who thinks that the C8 in the bridge of an SG is not the perfect pup for these styles has never played a C8 in an SG

Indeed I haven't, but I find the C5 and even the CC to be a bit overpowered; how much worse would A8 be?

 

[KnifeR]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

sorry jafo but he said "distortion" - single coils are OUT lot of hums in heavy, hard rock, rock, whatever he whants to play....
so for this reason - P90 will be really wrong.... however this is ultracombination love them as well...

Mark,
I would not be a really original (bridge is JB humbucker - warm and nice sound) what is interesting You mark said is that you dont whant to much treeble hmmm.....
so:
-------------------------------------------
SH-8GS - hot output (low treeble)
LW-HMET - metal designed for the bridge
AHB-2 - also brigde
-------------------------------------------
from this trinity i like the most first one SH (interesting form for bridge - and no hum).

Fot neck i will choose something standard with more treeble than these three upstairs:
----------------------------
SH-1 59' or
SH-2 jazz or maybe
SH-13 dimebucker
----------------------------
(third one is really nice for distortion and have FAT! really Fat sound.

but this is my personal,
If You will need a help with wiring just leave a massage,
Regards,
Peter

PS: congrats for 69' Gibson SG - nice guitar
how much You paid?

 

[jafo]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

Heh. Well, there's distortion and then there's distortion... rebuke accepted. lol

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

59 set
or 59 neck & Custom (not Custom5)
Mostly Blues, Classic Rock, Alt Rock, I'd go 59set. More Hard Rock/Metal = 59 & Custom.
I don't dig the Custom5 I found it kind of flat and lifeless. The regular Custom is a classic, with a solid RAWK! sound.

 

[jafo]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

The C5 probably polarizes more people than any other pup. Seems like half of us find it hard to tame and too lively (I prefer it with a degaussed mag, fwiw), and the other half find it flat and lifeless. Weird!

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

The C5 probably polarizes more people than any other pup. Seems like half of us find it hard to tame and too lively (I prefer it with a degaussed mag, fwiw), and the other half find it flat and lifeless. Weird!

I think the JB may have it beat in the polarizing department

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

Pics,Dammit!!!

AFA recommendations go,I'd prolly go with the Whole Lotta Humbucker pair...

 

[bazie]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

sorry jafo but he said "distortion" - single coils are OUT lot of hums in heavy, hard rock, rock,

Not necessarily - I play, among others, through high gain amp model (Digitech RP300). One of my favourite pickup configurations is (split or not) humbucker out-of-phase with center single coil. The sound is strong and sharp, has lots of treble, is good for playing solos at all tones except the lowest ones. The hum is not noticeable, possibly due to noise gate.
I also try split humbuckers with high gain amp model using Epiphone Explorer Pro (humbuckers with coil splitting) - interesting results.

 

[KnifeR]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

A you said
1. Noise gate
2. splited humbucker + single gives you hum canceling if they are RWRP. I assume they are (it always made that)

bazie:
Give me your wiring diagram or layout of the pickups??
do they are H-S-H, H-S-S or what?? and after that give me also the volume and tone knobs (what they are -500k or 250k and how much of them you have - 1+1, 1+2, 2+2).
Also important:
- wires are shielded or not?
- elec box is shielded or not?
- what the wood you have (neck, fretboard, body, top, head)
- what guitar is this?

Maybe I can help You "bazie" with these lowest tones.

all best regards, (sorry for my ENG - not my native L)
peter

 

[Bludave]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

I also like the Alnico II pro sets. Very warm. I have a set of the Slash signature model Alnico II's in a Les Paul and its a killer soundinf guitar. Granted an SG is a bit thinner and tonally will be a little less thick, but they should work nice. I also like the 59 set in an SG.

 

[bazie]

Re: Need advice on new pick-ups

A you said
1. Noise gate
2. splited humbucker + single gives you hum canceling if they are RWRP. I assume they are (it always made that)

I think it is RWRP.
As regards noise gate, it is set so that it turns the tone off when there is almost no signal from the guitar. The high gain amp model adds some higher frequency noise (sssssssss sound), but hum is very week and practicaly unheard.

Give me your wiring diagram or layout of the pickups??
do they are H-S-H, H-S-S or what?? and after that give me also the volume and tone knobs (what they are -500k or 250k and how much of them you have - 1+1, 1+2, 2+2).
Also important:
- wires are shielded or not?
- elec box is shielded or not?
- what the wood you have (neck, fretboard, body, top, head)
- what guitar is this?

I meant Ibanez RG270 ('2002) and Epiphone Nighthawk Custom Reissue '2012.
Ibanez is H-S-H, two knobs (master volume and master tone), 500k pots, standard 5-way switch. AFAIR maple neck, basswood body, rosewood fingerboard. Floyd Rose licensed bridge.
Epi Nighthawk is also H-S-H with two knobs, 500k pots and standard 5-way switch. Mahogany body and probably neck, maple top, rosewood fingerboard.
I think wires are shielded but I'll check it tommorrow.

all best regards, (sorry for my ENG - not my native L)
peter

Mine neither.
Regards,