Pickups for SG

[AlexR]

I've just bought myself a proper Gibson SG, and I'm looking for some pickups for it. There are several issues here -

• The 'guitar' I've bought is actually a stripped model, no electrics at all and no hardware. I have to buy all of it including pickups
  
• I've never owned (or even played) an SG before, so I don't know how they sound in my hands. I have, however, had a Les Paul before - and like the Gibson tone and feel in general
  
• I've also been trawling this forum probably too much and have 'overinformationitis' with regard to what would be best.

Sound - I would look to play anything from classic AC/DC (of course!) through to Alice in Chains at the heaviest. I still want it to sound like a classic SG would do for low gain.

Amp - I've got a Vox modelling version. Plenty of gain in the amp. Even my Epi dot with stock pickups can passably do Metallica on the right setting. I'm only playing in my room, or jamming with friends too.....

Is there anything to match the output of stock gibson bridge pup but without sounding sterile/bland under low gain/clean.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Pickups for SG

Bridge - Custom or Custom 5, Neck - 59.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups for SG

Out of the shadows! Welcome aboard.

Probably the most popular pair of PU's here for SG's is a C8/'59N. The C8 is a Custom 5 (C5) with an A8 magnet. That gives it more midrange and warmth, so it sounds fuller and not as top heavy. The Custom is the same PU but with a ceramic magnet. Personally I don't care for ceramics, as they tend to sound somewhat cold and sterile and aren't as good clean.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Pickups for SG

Out of the shadows! Welcome aboard.

Probably the most popular pair of PU's here for SG's is a C8/'59N. The C8 is a Custom 5 (C5) with an A8 magnet. That gives it more midrange and warmth, so it sounds fuller and not as top heavy. The Custom is the same PU but with a ceramic magnet. Personally I don't care for ceramics, as they tend to sound somewhat cold and sterile and aren't as good clean.

Thanks for these suggestions

I've seen how much magnet swapping goes on, and also seen a brief how to. The issue is i'm from Australia and a lot of online places don't like international shipping - what is this magnet place like for this

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Pickups for SG

You can't go wrong with the Custom 5/Pearly Gates N in an SG. The C5 will cover AC/DC to Alice in Chains, and I know it's a pickup that sounds great with Vox modelers.

The 59n is popular and a bit less expensive than the PGn, but it's sorta tubby sounding in all mahogany. The PG gives the neck a more balanced vintage PAF sound.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Pickups for SG

Thanks for these suggestions

I've seen how much magnet swapping goes on, and also seen a brief how to. The issue is i'm from Australia and a lot of online places don't like international shipping - what is this magnet place like for this

This is our actual magnet pusher:

http://stores.ebay.it/Addiction-FX-Guitar-and-Sound

He's a hell of a nice guy, have excellent prices in magnets and ships internationally. Just don't forget to tell Dennis to have'em FULL-CHARGED. My experience is that in the whole process of packaging, traveling, storage and delivery they lose just the right amount of Gauss to sound sweet from the get go.

HTH,

 

[AlexR]

Re: Pickups for SG

Thanks all. I'll get the c5/PGn combo and see how I like it as is. At least I know small tonal changes are as easy as a magnet swap away

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups for SG

Thanks all. I'll get the c5/PGn combo and see how I like it as is. At least I know small tonal changes are as easy as a magnet swap away

You've caught on already. Magnets are your friend; use them whenever a PU's EQ is not what you want. They'll save you time, money, and aggrevation.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Pickups for SG

thats what i had in my sg and i loved it. before that i had the custom and 59n and that was good but the c5/pgn was better. wish i never sold that guitar

You can't go wrong with the Custom 5/Pearly Gates N in an SG. The C5 will cover AC/DC to Alice in Chains, and I know it's a pickup that sounds great with Vox modelers.

The 59n is popular and a bit less expensive than the PGn, but it's sorta tubby sounding in all mahogany. The PG gives the neck a more balanced vintage PAF sound.

 

[symptom]

Re: Pickups for SG

I've followed the suggestions here and couldn't be happier:

59n/Custom 5

I don't feel like I need to try the custom 8, because the C5 is everything that I wanted.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Pickups for SG

Why do you say you want to match a stock Gibson bridge pickup?

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Pickups for SG

I don't feel like I need to try the custom 8, because the C5 is everything that I wanted.

Yeah, that's what I kept saying. Then I tried the custom 8...:headbang:

 

[symptom]

Re: Pickups for SG

Yeah, that's what I kept saying. Then I tried the custom 8...:headbang:

The only problem is that here in Brazil it's not so easy to get those magnets. I have to pay for the magnet and for a expensive shipping. And, after all that, if somehow I do something wrong, i'd have to import a new pickup.

Is there a video somewhere showing how to replace magnets?

Anyway, I'm extremely happy with the C5.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Pickups for SG

The only problem is that here in Brazil it's not so easy to get those magnets. I have to pay for the magnet and for a expensive shipping. And, after all that, if somehow I do something wrong, i'd have to import a new pickup.

Is there a video somewhere showing how to replace magnets?

Anyway, I'm extremely happy with the C5.

Check here, this tuturial will help

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/barmagswap.htm

 

[AlexR]

Re: Pickups for SG

Why do you say you want to match a stock Gibson bridge pickup?

I'm trying to get a 'normal' SG sound. I don't want to try and turn the SG into something its not. My amp has many gain settings so I can use those for the heaviest drive, and turn down volume/tone on the guitar for bluesy type playing. I also have a few guitars (G&L strat, epi dot, Custom PRS style) to cover other tonal ground. I'd like the SG to snarl the way it should

 

[uOpt]

Re: Pickups for SG

I'm trying to get a 'normal' SG sound. I don't want to try and turn the SG into something its not. My amp has many gain settings so I can use those for the heaviest drive, and turn down volume/tone on the guitar for bluesy type playing. I also have a few guitars (G&L strat, epi dot, Custom PRS style) to cover other tonal ground. I'd like the SG to snarl the way it should

You need a heavy PAF then. I used a WCR Darkburst in my SG but that is long gone.

I think a Pearly Gator pair will do nicely.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Pickups for SG

I had thought the stock bridge pickup in an SG standard was fairly warm, but the stock gibson variety was poor tone

 

[Hagbard Celine]

Re: Pickups for SG

Wanna' do the Angus thing? A '59 Set is plain old nuthin' fancy tone. I tried fussing with an A8 in the bridge and it lasted about 10 minutes.

Do the 50's wiring scheme with classic pot values and Orange drops.

It worked then, it works now.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Pickups for SG

I like the C8....but the only thing is I don't like string pull when the bridge is up close to the strings, and I don't get much of that with the common Custom 5.

If I knew 8 years ago what I know now, almost all my neck humbuckers would be Pearly Gates. It sounds great in everything. Back then, I just used the 59n as my default. The PGn is a beautiful neck pickup. I like something a tiny bit beefier in the bridge though, so the factory potted Brobucker and C5 always put a smile on my face.

My main guitar these days is the SG Diablo in my avatar, which has Burstbucker 1/2, and I like them a lot, but eventually I'll be swapping them for gold covered Brobucker/PGn, my favorite Duncan combo.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Pickups for SG

I had thought the stock bridge pickup in an SG standard was fairly warm, but the stock gibson variety was poor tone

I can't really parse this. Be careful that Gibson SGs can have a 498T or a 490T in the bridge. That's quite the difference.