Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

[bass2901]

Hello SD forum! I just discovered you guys today, and I hope you all can help me out.

My son has an entry-level Gibson SG with stock humbuckers. he plays a lot of different styles, but his main interest right now is in Ska, Reggae and to some extent Punk (a la Green Day). He likes the tone of the guitar players in Less Than Jake and Catch-22, if that helps. He's told me would like to introduce a bit more bite and presence into the tone of the guitar, and maybe increase his tone-selection options. After looking at the SD catalog online, I am inclined to think a pair of Stag Mags might do the trick. He could pop one or both into single-coil mode for extra bite and soloing, then go back to humbucking for rhythm. I could install pull-up switch pots on the SG tone controls to handle the single-coil / humbucker switching. Am I totally off base here? Any recommendations or advice?

(I myself am a bass player, but don't hold this against me.)

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

Welcome to the forum.

I don't think that y'all would find the Stag Mags to be completely to your liking. I would suggest a pair of Phat Cats.

They are basically Seymour's version of a P-90 made to fit a humbucker route. These pickups split the difference between a strat type single and a PAF style humbucker very well

I have a pair of them in an Epi Sheraton and they cover everything from jazz, to funk, to pretty hard rock.

The clean tones are beautiful and the OD tones are very fat with plenty of cut, bite, and snarl.

 

[bass2901]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

I had heard that a P-90 configuration is a good balance between single coil bite and humbucker fatness. I may try that. Thanks!

 

[chill]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

Custom bridge. 59, Jazz, APH, or Pearly neck...

Tone selection options: push pull pots for series/ parallel or split options, but the SG's body may not be deep enough. Spin a split or spin a somethin' 'ruther in one of the tone pot spots, double-ganged pot if you want to use it on both pickups, which would let you do vol/ vol/ tone and the spin pot.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

I support Custom in the Bridge and Jazz in the neck, Push/Pull for splitting both pup at once.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

I use a 59 in the neck and a nickel covered Dimarzio Fred in the bridge of mine and love the combination...The Fred is a 10k pickup with slightly mis-matched coils which gives alot of added harmonics,tight tone,and great note articulation.It's the only Dimarzio I've ever used that I really liked..

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

Personally, I've had the best luck with alnico 5 pickups like the Duncan 59 or ceramic pickups like the Custom in an SG. I think it's because SG's tend to have a fairly thin and twangy tone with a little less bass than a heavy single cutaway guitar like a Les Paul. Alnico 5 pickups tend to have plenty of solid bass and highs, so I think they tend to compliment the thin, somewhat midrangey tone of the SG. So I'd recommend a set of 59's or perhaps a 59 neck and JB or Custom for the bridge.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

The SG's bridge pickup is also in a different position from the LP I think also and it also effects the bridge position tone...

A 59N pickup is great in an SG though,but the bridge needs some balls there..Alot of guys like the Custom ceramic pickup there and I prefer an A5 pickup still within a PAF range of 10k or less to keep chime and great note clarity...I need note clarity...

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

The SG's bridge pickup is also in a different position from the LP I think also and it also effects the bridge position tone...

A 59N pickup is great in an SG though,but the bridge needs some balls there..Alot of guys like the Custom ceramic pickup there and I prefer an A5 pickup still within a PAF range of 10k or less to keep chime and great note clarity...I need note clarity...

Yep. A set of 59n and 59b pickups can be very nice in an SG, especially for Clapton/Cream or AC/DC or Duane Allman slide tones (all those players had early 60's SG's with stock Gibson HB's similar to the 59). But if the player wants a hotter than vintage bridge pickup, then you're looking at the Screamin Demon, Custom, Custom 5 or JB.

Personally, I'd suggest the Custom for a hotter than vintage bridge pickup.

Or a set of 59's if it's vintage SG tone you're after.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

I wilol go off topic and say

HUMBUCKER FROM HELL, BLUESBUCKER, or VPAF/VHOTPAF from Dimarzio.
For higher gain consider the EVO2 or Breeds.

 

[Dirtyking]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

To me the Demon is a better choice for the bridge. It has bite and lots of presence for a 10k pup. It's also not as boomy as a '59 can be. Its also very open sounding and full. The '59 neck is great but you need to keep the amp EQ in check or it can also be very bass heavy and boomy.

The Demons like a modern '59 to me. It matches great with a '59 or even a PG neck(which will be replacing my current '59 neck this Christmas). A Custom bridge would work too with a PG or '59 neck.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Need some advice on SG humbucker replacements

To me the Demon is a better choice for the bridge. It has bite and lots of presence for a 10k pup. It's also not as boomy as a '59 can be. Its also very open sounding and full. The '59 neck is great but you need to keep the amp EQ in check or it can also be very bass heavy and boomy.

The Demons like a modern '59 to me. It matches great with a '59 or even a PG neck(which will be replacing my current '59 neck this Christmas). A Custom bridge would work too with a PG or '59 neck.

That's why I Like the Dimarzio Fred in my SG...It has slightly mis-matched coils,is rated for 10k,A5 magnet,but isn't as toppy as the SD,and has great harmonics,and a tight crunchy tone that cleans up very well and is always articulate....