Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

[jimpmiller]

I have a 2004 Gibson SG Faded Series with 490r alnico magnet humbuckers (other is the 490t). I' m looking for more of a full sound, like a Les Paul, but don't know wheather i am not getting the sound i want because of the body type (being very small and thin). Or if i need new pickups. Its hard to discribe the tone im getting on the mids, but its far from Mr. Young, that is for sure. I am a HUGE Led Zeppelin fan, so i am looking for the LP sound. If anybody has and suggestions then please respond.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

It's probably both!

SG's have a thin, light body and a long flexable neck that throws away alot of string energy and results in a thinner tone compared to the same pickups in a single cutaway Les Paul.

That doesn't mean they can't be great sounding guitars though.

AC/DC, Eric Clapton with Cream, Tommy Iommi with Black Sabbath all got a great heavy tone from thier SG's and all used alnico 5 pickups similar to the Duncan 59N & 59B.

That's what I'd use if I had a SG.

But if it's really more mids you are after, I'd say go for some alnico 2 pickups like the Seth Lover.

Or maybe an alnico II pro neck and alnico 2 Custom Custom bridge pickup.

The JB is an alnico 5 bridge pickup but has thick tone with strong mids too.


Lew

 

[Breaking the law]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

Hmm.. I'd like to try a JB in my SG (an Epiphone one).. But I can't afford a new one in afew months.. I wish there was someone who had used ones for sale..

I'm also looking forwad to applying a Jimmy Page wiring to my SG.. not that I'm a huge fan, but I like to tinker around..

 

[jimpmiller]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

how about a sh-4jb for the bridge. which one for the neck? sh2n or sh1n?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

how about a sh-4jb for the bridge. which one for the neck? sh2n or sh1n?

Either. The Jazz will have a little more highs and a little less bass than the 59N.

You'll probably get more mids from the JB than from what you have now but I don't know that you'll get more mids from the Jazz or 59.

You'll get a great tone though! :laugh2:

Lew

 

[jimpmiller]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

thanks for the help lew, so what your saying is that it will be a deffinate improvment than the pu's i have now and i will not be dissapointed?

 

[theodie]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

The custom custom will fatten it up with mids. That along with an alnico II pro or a pearly gates neck will give you plenty of mids.

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

i own the faded SG & was especially frustrated with the neck humbucker- ill-definition + lacking in harmonics.

but everything has changed for the better, thanks to Duncans of course, the Distortion model to be precise. this pair brought lots of midrange definition to this guitar both in the bridge & the neck. if you go for high gain & solo in the neck, the Distortion is highly recommended.

PS: I'm not really a Gibson fan, i was attracted to the satin finish of this model, a little disappointed that the default Gibson humbuckers didn't cut it...

 

[flashbax]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

If you got the cash to spare and want the sound go and get the Antiquities. You won't be disappointed and they should give you the full sound that you are looking for. Depends on the tone you really want to capture. The 59's are nice but are more of the mid-late 60's sound you are looking for. They articulate fairly well and aren't mushy like some of the stuff that Nashville is churning out, including their burst models. You want full, warm, fuzzy, and harmonics out the butt go for the antiquities.

 

[flashbax]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

If you got the cash to spare and want the sound go and get the Antiquities. You won't be disappointed and they should give you the full sound that you are looking for. Depends on the tone you really want to capture. The 59's are nice but are more of the mid-late 60's sound you are looking for. They articulate fairly well and aren't mushy like some of the stuff that Nashville is churning out, including their burst models. You want full, warm, fuzzy, and harmonics out the butt go for the antiquities. You'll get a nice creamy sound that can be found in an original 62 Les Paul Custom SG.

 

[Mac-P]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

A JB is exactly what you are looking for. It is voiced VERY well for what you are describing. Perfect if you like full body in the mids. Also perfect to warm up a cold SG bridge slot.

If you want more bass and less highs try the Rio Grande BBQ. Very similar to the JB but bassier and not as bright.

 

[MattPete]

Re: Need New Pu's to get better mids in sg faded.

I've got an SG with the same 490 pickups. I was thinking about ordering some Seths, if that's worth anything.