Pickup help for an SG

ArmyGuitar

ArmyGuitar

New member
I am trading my RG3 for this
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p3/Squall_019/IMG_0205.jpg
A limited edition G-400 stock, and I have 2 on hand options for new PUPs
DZ Crunchlab F-spaced/Liquifire
SD Black Chrome BO's
I have a 57 loaded Explorer and an EMG loaded LP. I play all types of rock short of All out metal. And an excellent handwired tube amp. But I am not opposed to selling or trading my current on hand PUPs for another set and some hardware upgrades.
 
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Re: Pickup help for an SG

I don't have experience with the PU's you have. The most popular PU's on this forum for SG's are C8/'59N.
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

ArmyGuitar said:
I play all types of rock short of All out metal.
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Check out my latest thread about the crunchlab in a guitar quite similar to yours. If you aren't going all out metal, I can't recommend the crunchlab liquifire set.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=201996

Bluemans suggestion is right on, your SG wants a Custom 8 for all out rocking mayhem. I'm not 100% on my 59, tried a few different mags, so you might want to look into a different neck pickup depending on what your neck technique of choice is (shredding, cleans, etc.) If you like a hot rocking bridge pickup that can do pretty much anything and a smooth shredding neck pickup go with a C8/Liquifire(or Air Norton) combo.
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

The Custom 8 and an SG is one of the most perfect guitar/pup combinations I've ever experienced. I don't play much metal either but I get pretty close and the C8 handles it all and asks for more. Some guys around here are sceptical about the C8 and see the constant recommendations for it to be a fad or a kneejerk reaction because it's popular at the minute but for an SG it's the only pup I don't hesitate to recommend. I think it'll do what you want.

I also have a '59n in the neck and it's an awesome sounding pup but I could be happier with it. I want to try a pearly gates in there but if that doesn't work out then I'd be very happy going back to a '59n.

That's a cool looking guitar, by the way. I love SGs with maple boards...
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

How hard is it to swap the mag to make the C8 from the SH-5? I am a noob with that kinda of stuff. Its obvious that the C8/59 is the Hot Ticket so I have some PUPs going up for sale! Thanks Kam, I saw the trade offer and did not hesitate!
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

I play classic rock & Chicago blues with a C8, and it's perfect for that too.

There's a mag swap tutorial on project guitar.com, plus lots of old threads here on it too. It's 10 or 15 minutes, and that's including loosening strings and retuning. It really only takes a minute or two to take out the old magnet and put a new one in. No skill or experience required. If it was hard, would we be doing it?

We get our mags from Addicition FX on eBay, and he ships internationally. There's also a guitar magnet supplier in the UK too.
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

blueman thanks for the help as well as the others! Well now I can sell both PUP's and get some better hardware for the SG as well!
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

blueman335 said:
I play classic rock & Chicago blues with a C8, and it's perfect for that too.

There's a mag swap tutorial on project guitar.com, plus lots of old threads here on it too. It's 10 or 15 minutes, and that's including loosening strings and retuning. It really only takes a minute or two to take out the old magnet and put a new one in. No skill or experience required. If it was hard, would we be doing it?

We get our mags from Addicition FX on eBay, and he ships internationally. There's also a guitar magnet supplier in the UK too.
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I will say that with most HB's that's true. But some DiMarzios are a real pain. My SuperD has a bunch of what looks like hot glue all over the magnet and coils, so there would be some stripping off of gunk that might add to the time. Plus, the "air" pickups must be VERY carefully done, otherwise the mag will not be evenly spaced between the wider bobbin spacing.
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

So if the C8 is so popular why wont SD make a production C8? It is derived from the SH-5 correct?
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

Yep, should be a production model. You might as well start with a C5 since it is really popular in SGs. Then you can perfect it with an A8 magnet.
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

I was referring to SH-14 Custom 5. I've never tried a SH-5 Custom, it's up to you which to start with, the only difference is the magnet.
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

IanBallard said:
I will say that with most HB's that's true. But some DiMarzios are a real pain. My SuperD has a bunch of what looks like hot glue all over the magnet and coils, so there would be some stripping off of gunk that might add to the time.
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True. Almost every other manufacturer else uses wax to anchor the magnet to the base plate and coils (which works fine). Some, but not all DMz's have a glued-in magnet, for God only knows what reason. But even in some of those, the glue is rubbery and peels right off.
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

Both the Regular (ceramic) Custom and the C5 sound great in an SG. The Custom is more compressed and tighter in the bass but I found the highs to be slightly cold and shrill. The C5 is warmer overall, with a a more natural, open sound. It's much more dynamic in my experience as well.

The only difference between the two is the magnet, they have the same wire would in the same way. If you buy one of them plus a different magnet you could have either of them in your guitar within 15 minutes of each other.

Personally, I liked the Custom. The Custom 5 was a big step up from it. The Custom 8 sounded much better than both.

Obviously, your taste varies from mine so you might end up preferring the C5 or whatever. Get a few magnets and experiment.

Just sayin' though...I'll be surprised if you settle for something other than the 8.
 
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Re: Pickup help for an SG

So the SH-14 and SH-5 are identical minus the mag? So either one will make the C8 with the right mag? I just wanna make sure before I go buying, LOL!
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

Kam said:
Both the Regular (ceramic) Custom and the C5 sound great in an SG...The C5 is warmer overall, with a a more natural, open sound. It's much more dynamic in my experience as well.

Personally, I liked the Custom. The Custom 5 was a big step up from it. The Custom 8 sounded much better than both. Obviously, your taste varies from mine so you might end up preferring the C5 or whatever. Get a few magnets and experiment.

Just sayin' though...I'll be surprised if you settle for something other than the 8.
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+1. The C5 was the reigning champ in SG's here for a long time, but when A8 magnets got popular a couple years ago, the C8 unseated it. C5's are mid-scooped and have a good amount of treble, making them ideal for (fat-bodied) LP's. C8's have fuller mids and not as much treble, and usually sound better in (thin-bodied) SG's.
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

ArmyGuitar said:
So the SH-14 and SH-5 are identical minus the mag? So either one will make the C8 with the right mag? I just wanna make sure before I go buying, LOL!
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Yup. Either of those will work. Personally I'd go with the C5 because it sounds great in an SG as well; so you can try it out before swapping the mag and you can see which you'd prefer.
 
Re: Pickup help for an SG

Thanks for all the help and advice guys the SD board is always helpful! To bad the C5 doesnt come in white, I think that would go killer with the color sceme of the forthcoming SG!
 
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