Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

[symptom]

Hello there. This is my first post here and I hope you guys help me out.

I own an Epiphone SG G-400 and already started a number of changes that I'm planning to do. I just love the feel of this guitar and that's why I think it worths the money spent on improvements. In fact, the only thing I've done until now was replace the cheap plastic nut for a bone nut and this was sufficient to brighten up a bit the sound. Here's the other changes I'll do soon.

- Replace the bridge and tailpice - I'm thinking in Gotoh or Tonepros. Didn't decide yet.
- Replace the pickups - here is where I really need help
- Maybe replace some of the electronics, like pots and capacitors (but only after the other changes)

So, my question is: wich pair of pickups will fit well in my SG? I play blues, classic rock and hard rock. I don't use extreme distortion, but I go near Slash's distortion. What I don't like in the Epiphone Pickups is that looks like there's a blanket over the amp. I don't know, it just seems it could be brighter in general. Also, I can't get sweet tones using very low overdrive. The pickups responds a lot better in higher distortions and I want to use them in little crunch mode too. I heard the Gibson 57/57+ are a great option, but I'd like to hear from you guys if there is other nice possibilities as well.

Here are the options:

59/JB - I think I'll use this on a Les Paul that a planning to buy
Jazz/JB - Same as above - I don't really knows wich combination fits best
57/57+ - According to my researches, the winning combo
Seth Lover/Seth Lover - My only fear is that these ones only goes well with clean and little distorted sounds

What do you guys think?

Sorry about the big post and for the bad English, but i'm from Brazil and, as my first post, my intention was to make myself as clear as possible. Thanks.

 

[MikeS]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

Hi, and welcome. I have a G400, too. I haven't replaced the nut or the bridge, but I have gutted the electronics and pickups. That alone was a vast improvement over stock. The first thing to try with the stock pickups is to remove the covers. Believe me when I tell you there is a TON of wax between the cover and the bobbins. Removing the cover and the wax really opens the pickups up. They still weren't great, IMO, but it was a significant improvement.

The 59n is going to be right at home in the SG. To my ears it offers great balance with the guitar's natural mids. I tried the Jazz and found it to be a bit bright and not as warm as the 59. I currently have a AP2H in the neck - while the mids are a little too thick, the top end is very sweet. Admittedly I use the pickup in conjunction with the bridge pickup more often than I use it by itself.

I cannot comment on the Gibsons or the Seth Lovers, nor have I installed a JB in the SG (that I can recall), however I'd be a little weary of the JB in an SG. Logic tells me the JB would be too heavy in the upper mids for an SG. If you were to poll the members of the forum I believe you'd find that the favorite bridge pickup for an SG shape is the Custom 5. The C5, like the 59, balances extremely well the guitar's natural tone.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

If you were to poll the members of the forum I believe you'd find that the favorite bridge pickup for an SG shape is the Custom 5. The C5, like the 59, balances extremely well the guitar's natural tone.

+1. The C5/'59N is the most popular recomendation here for SG's. Really works out well. BTW, I also play blues & classic rock, and own a few G-400's. Great guitar for the price. I just upgrade the PU's, which makes the most difference by far. '59N's can be a little bassy in LP's, but that's not a problem in SG's. C5's just shine in SG's.

I tried JB's and they were too harsh & had that annoying spike. Whereas the C5 is fairly flexible in many guitars, the JB is famous for being fussy. The JazzN is a weaker-sounding & kind of bland neck PU. Nothing to get excited about. The '59N is preferred by more players.

I like Gibson '57 Classics, but not with the stock A2 magnets. The neck can be too dark (not a rare complaint), and the bridge can be a little weak. I put an A5 in the neck to get better clarity, and an A4 or A8 in the bridge for more output and a fuller tone. Then I like '57's.

Seth's are pretty expensive, and if you're not thrilled with them, it can be a problem.

Welcome aboard. Your English is fine, better then a lot of Americans.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

Another vote for the C5/59n.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

Another vote for the C5/59n.

And another...

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

I am in the process of (maybe) getting a g-400, and It will definatly have a c-5/59n combo, along with the usual switchcraft/ cts/ orangedrop conversion.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

I am in the process of (maybe) getting a g-400, and It will definatly have a c-5/59n combo, along with the usual switchcraft/ cts/ orangedrop conversion.

this. especially the CTS/orangedrop combo for the electronics. make sure you get the right diameter pots for your guitar though, which is metric sized. you don't want to go spend $20 on pot only to realize you got the wrong size and you have to send them back and get another set

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

^ I have a 3/8 drill bit just for this!
And I am getting the g-400, it turns out!

 

[MikeS]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

Gulp... drill bit? As thin as the deck is on a G400, you'll be better off with a reamer. Or you can do what I did and wrap some sandpaper around a dowel and remove material that way.

 

[Mark Cearlock]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

Good point. looks like I will invest in a reamer! (wow, that sounds bad!)

 

[symptom]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

Thanks for the replies. With that much of recommendations, I think I'll go with the 59n/C5. But now another doubts have emerged.

- I my opinion, the open coils in my SG will look pretty ugly, so I think I'll have to buy the ones with nickel covers (wich is more expensive too). Do you guys think it worths the extra money?

- The Custom 5 is the SH-14, right? In the samples here at seymourduncan.com the SH-14 didn't thrill me at all. I don't know, but it doesn't sound clear. But, according to you guys, I think they will sound way better in my SG, am I right?

Thanks again.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

I my opinion, the open coils in my SG will look pretty ugly, so I think I'll have to buy the ones with nickel covers (wich is more expensive too). Do you guys think it worths the extra money?

No. I've always took the covers off in any p'up I've used.

- The Custom 5 is the SH-14, right? In the samples here at seymourduncan.com the SH-14 didn't thrill me at all. I don't know, but it doesn't sound clear. But, according to you guys, I think they will sound way better in my SG, am I right?

Thanks again.

The Custom 5 excels in a SG. I prefer it with an Alnico 8 magnet, but stock it's just fine too. In the unlikely case you'll find it too bright, change the pots to 250K and you'll be fine.

HTH,

 

[symptom]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

Just for the record, what do you think about the GFS 59/GFS 59 set, since they're a LOT cheaper and have good reputation?

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

you can try it, but people have had mixed opinions on GFS.

The consensus seems to be (with all other things remaining the same) is that they can be worth the money, but apples to apples, probably not better than Duncans.

 

[dominus]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

Just for the record, what do you think about the GFS 59/GFS 59 set, since they're a LOT cheaper and have good reputation?

That wouldn't give you the sound of the C5 in the bridge, you'd probably want one of their higher output pickups, like the VEH or Crunchy Pat for the bridge.

 

[SlowGroove]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

I love the Duncan's in my SG . . . see sig !



James

 

[symptom]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

I think I'll stay with the Duncans anyway. But I'll buy the bridge pickup (Custom 5 SH-14 as recommended) first, due the lack of money.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

- I my opinion, the open coils in my SG will look pretty ugly, so I think I'll have to buy the ones with nickel covers (wich is more expensive too). Do you guys think it worths the extra money?

- The Custom 5 is the SH-14, right? In the samples here at seymourduncan.com the SH-14 didn't thrill me at all. I don't know, but it doesn't sound clear. But, according to you guys, I think they will sound way better in my SG, am I right?

I have covers on all my PU's; even if they didn't come with them, I put covers on. Looks much better & the extra sheilding reduces more noise.

Lots of us don't like the sound clips, & think they're very misleading. Do more harm than good. You can't expect to buy a PU & have it sound like the sound clips. Doesn't work that way. Too many variables in guitar design, wood, amp, tubes, speaker, effects, cord, etc. Everything alters the sound signal. Sound clips can't possibly take all of this into account. The more you rely on sound clips, the more confused you become.

GFS PU's are made in Asia, and there are mixed opinions of them. Most of us feel Seymour Duncans are well worth the extra money. While we don't all agree about which Seymour Duncans are our favorite, we all agree that the materials, workmanship, and tone quality are high quality. There is not this consensus with any Asian-made PU.

The number one bridge PU here for SG's is the C5. We don't care what the sound clip is like, it sounds great in our SG's.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

hey, you should totally get everything used imo. especially here on the forum's trading post, there's always something going that you more than likely would want to buy. for ex., someone is currently selling a 59n if i'm not mistaken.

edit: nevermind, it already sold. but there are used 59Ns and C5s for sale all the time, both here and on the 'bay.

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Pickups for Epiphone SG G-400

ANOTHER vote for C5 in the bridge. I never tried a 59 neck in my Epi SG, it was a Jazz in that guitar but it was great, and I had them both coil splittable which sounded incredible for clean stuff.
That said, I generally prefer the 59 in my guitars, so the C5/59 would be what I'd go for if I ever buy another SG.