Pickups for an SG3000

[Helios]

I have a Yamaha SG3000 guitar that I'd like to change pickups. The SG3000 is a warm, round, and dark sounding guitar. I'd like to liven it up a bit and give it a bit an edgy snarl while still having nice midrange tone, but still a nice treble that will keep it somewhat clear sounding. Some nicer harmonics would be an added bonus along with an almost ringy quality. Any suggestions?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

Really? What amplification are you using?

 

[Helios]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

I'm using a VOX AC30.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

You won't possibly be able to get decent tone out of that guitar or amp.

In fact, you're better off sending them off somewhere to be destroyed and starting fresh. If you pay to ship them to me, I'll make sure they're adequately disposed of.

...

but if you want to try one last set of pups to brighten it up and make it livelier first, go ahead and drop some Duncan Antiquities in there. For a Les Paul-style guitar they're my go-to...

 

[Helios]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

I've been reading a bit about the brobucker....any thoughts if that gets anywhere near the description of tone I was looking for? If so, what suggestion to pair with it in the neck?

 

[orpheo]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

the brobucker is really warm, imho.

I'd take a JB if I wanted something tighter and modern, or a pearly gates if I wanted something raunchy, dirty and nasty, with a vintage edge.

 

[Helios]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

Hmm...ideally it sounds like I want a brobucker merged with a pearly gates. Any such beast exist?

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

I've tried a JB/ '59n, Custom/ '59, C5/ PG A4n and finally a C5/ PGn which was the best of the bunch but I put it back to stock and eq my amp accordingly. I know what you mean about it being darkm warm and round sounding but I like it like that and wonder what I was messing for?

 

[orpheo]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

Hmm...ideally it sounds like I want a brobucker merged with a pearly gates. Any such beast exist?

what do you like about the brobucker then? you say your axe is already warm, and with a warm pickup to go, I recon it'd be even warmer... but ok, a BB merged with pearly gates... a pearly gates plus?

 

[Helios]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

what do you like about the brobucker then? you say your axe is already warm, and with a warm pickup to go, I recon it'd be even warmer... but ok, a BB merged with pearly gates... a pearly gates plus?

Correct it is warm, and I don't want to lose that quality. The brobucker has some appeal since it's warm, and has a reasonable output level (for my needs). Just want to add some snarl there too with some clarity in the top register, hence the combo.

 

[Stef]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

59 set

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

Leave the stock pickups in. Keep the Vox AC30. Buy a Treble Booster device. The new Greg Freyer/Brian May one might interest you.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

You might consider a JB in the bridge and a '59 in the neck. I'm not sure you can improve much on the stock pickups that Yamaha was using at the time. They were good enough for Carlos.

 

[elelpe]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

Screaming Demon - Pearly Gates

 

[uOpt]

Re: Pickups for an SG3000

Doesn't this thing have 3-screw pickup rings?