Pickup recommendations for Gibson SG (alternative rock/metal)

[Foleee]

Hi everyone!

I got my first SG, a 2019 Standard, a few months ago. I've been playing a trusty LP Custom for years (tried a lot of PUs through the years but always got back to a JB/Jazz set, I know some don't like JBs in a LP but I love it) into a DV Mark Triple 6 (if you don't know it it's like a hotter and darker Dual Rectifier). I play alternative rock/metal, think AIC/Tool/Deftones/Mastodon.

Now I'm not crazy about the stock PUs (490t/490r) and I want to try something else. The neck is kinda ok, I don't use it that much though, but the bridge is not what I need. I'm looking for something a little hotter, fuller, tighter in the low end and less muddy.

I searched all the info around and I'm thinking a 59/Custom hybrid-59n set would work, but I'm open to suggestions. Please no magnet swapping though, too much work for me.


What do you think?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup recommendations for Gibson SG (alternative rock/metal)

Welcome to the forum!

I love the Hybrid, and your combo with the 59 is a good one. If you want more power in the bridge (along with more compression), but the same EQ profile, check out the regular Custom, too.

 

[Foleee]

Re: Pickup recommendations for Gibson SG (alternative rock/metal)

Yeah, that was an option too. What I'm looking for is basically a JB/Jazz set for an SG, something that's good for the heavier stuff while still versatile and not too modern sounding. I know that JBs doesn't sound good in an SG so I was looking for something else.

So you say the Custom sounds like a Hybrid but a little hotter?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup recommendations for Gibson SG (alternative rock/metal)

Well, the Custom is hotter, and more compressed than the Hybrid, but probably sounds 1/3rd hotter than the Hybrid. The Custom is twice as loud as the 59.

 

[Foleee]

Re: Pickup recommendations for Gibson SG (alternative rock/metal)

Well, the Custom is hotter, and more compressed than the Hybrid, but probably sounds 1/3rd hotter than the Hybrid. The Custom is twice as loud as the 59.

Well, as I said I don't do super chuggy modern metal, so I'm not looking for something very hot, just enough to do the bands I referenced above. I've just heard a comparison on youtube between the Custom and the Hybrid and I feel the Custom is more ballsy but loses a bit the character of the guitar. My amp is already very preamp heavy so it doesn't need to be pushed at all, think I'll go with the Hybrid.

 

[Foleee]

Re: Pickup recommendations for Gibson SG (alternative rock/metal)

Another thing: on the site it says the hybrid comes with short legs, isn't it too short for an SG?