question about SG and SD pickups

Re: question about SG and SD pickups

I've got a Jazz in the neck of my SG along with a Custom-8. I used to have a 59 in the neck but it didn't really sit that well with me after a while. It was a while ago, so I don't really want to guess as to what I didn't like about it. I really dig the Jazz though - it's a bit brighter/more defined (IMO, of course).
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

ok what if i get only the jazz to neck and keep my 490T on bridge

wonder what they sound like combined
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

i've had that set in my SG faded before. with the jazz, it didn't have much low end and wasn't present enough for my tastes. as for the JB, it didn't have enough high end, and wasn't tight enough in the lows, again for my tastes. if you've got the disposeable income, i'd say go ahead and try it, but if you've got a gibson SG, it's likely got either the 490r/t or 490r/498t set. those pickups are definitely worth swapping magnets in before getting new pickups.

edit: you posted when i did, seems like you've got the 490r/t set. i'd say try an a5 in the neck and an a8 in the bridge. with the a5 neck, it becomes very paf-like. it's kinda like a '59, but with more mids and less highs/lows, and a touch more output. a8 in the bridge beefs up the output, with a ton of mids, more low end(which SGs lack in the bridge imo) and more top end bite than the stock a2.
 
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Re: question about SG and SD pickups

well i have absolutely no clue whatseoever where to get magnets also the installing will cost me way more than just getting that set =P i think ill try that first, if i dont like it i dunno

electronic work like that costs here 50€ / pickup easily
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

Swapping mags is easy. Look it up on the net or around here to learn more about it..
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

super rad ska said:
i've had that set in my SG faded before. with the jazz, it didn't have much low end and wasn't present enough for my tastes. as for the JB, it didn't have enough high end, and wasn't tight enough in the lows, again for my tastes. if you've got the disposeable income, i'd say go ahead and try it, but if you've got a gibson SG, it's likely got either the 490r/t or 490r/498t set. those pickups are definitely worth swapping magnets in before getting new pickups.

edit: you posted when i did, seems like you've got the 490r/t set. i'd say try an a5 in the neck and an a8 in the bridge. with the a5 neck, it becomes very paf-like. it's kinda like a '59, but with more mids and less highs/lows, and a touch more output. a8 in the bridge beefs up the output, with a ton of mids, more low end(which SGs lack in the bridge imo) and more top end bite than the stock a2.
Click to expand...

+1. I'd swap magnets, & that would probably give you what you want for a fraction of the cost. The JB seems to have just as many players that hate it, as love it. It's very finicky about the wood it's in, and many guys here think it doesn't do well in mahogany: the low-end tends to be too loose and the upper mid spike can be annoying.

For Duncan PU's, a C5/'59N or C8/'59N are probably the most popular pairs for SG's on this forum.

Wymore Guitars.com sells magnets & they'll ship internationally. Instructions on mag swapping are on Project guitar.com. It's a 10 minute process that any 12-year old kid can do (if you can change strings, you can swap magnets). I've swapped the magnets in every one of my Gibson PU's, and improved their tones a lot. Their neck HB's with A2's are just too dark & lifeless, and putting in an A5 opens them up, so they sound like a '59. Gibson bridge PU's are either too weak (with A2's) or rather bright (with A5's), and an A8 gives more output & midrange, for a richer, fuller sound.

Your first move should be: "work with what you have" and odds are you'll solve your problems for a few dollars. If you decide to get a pair of Ducans, the C5/'59N is your best bet.
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

blueman335 said:
+1. I'd swap magnets, & that would probably give you what you want for a fraction of the cost. The JB seems to have just as many players that hate it, as love it. It's very finicky about the wood it's in, and many guys here think it doesn't do well in mahogany: the low-end tends to be too loose and the upper mid spike can be annoying.

For Duncan PU's, a C5/'59N or C8/'59N are probably the most popular pairs for SG's on this forum.

Wymore Guitars.com sells magnets & they'll ship internationally. Instructions on mag swapping are on Project guitar.com. It's a 10 minute process that any 12-year old kid can do (if you can change strings, you can swap magnets). I've swapped the magnets in every one of my Gibson PU's, and improved their tones a lot. Their neck HB's with A2's are just too dark & lifeless, and putting in an A5 opens them up, so they sound like a '59. Gibson bridge PU's are either too weak (with A2's) or rather bright (with A5's), and an A8 gives more output & midrange, for a richer, fuller sound.

Your first move should be: "work with what you have" and odds are you'll solve your problems for a few dollars. If you decide to get a pair of Ducans, the C5/'59N is your best bet.
Click to expand...


+1 Try swapping the mags first, to see if you already have what you want, instead of spending lots of money on pup's. If that doesn't do it for you, I (along with blueman, and others) suggest the c-5/59 combo. Seems to be a popular combo for a sg.
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

ok ill try the swap of magnets some way or another ill try going with a5 in the neck and an a8 in the bridge like super rad suggested and report later
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/barmagswap.htm
The first time I even had a humbucker guitar, I not only switched magnets, I made a hybrid pickup. It's mad easy to do.

EDIT: Oh, and you don't need a polarity tester, you can just use the pickup (with the magnet still in it) to determine the new magnet's orientation.
 
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Re: question about SG and SD pickups

tumbler said:
ok ill try the swap of magnets some way or another ill try going with a5 in the neck and an a8 in the bridge like super rad suggested and report later
Click to expand...

Excellent! I was initially disappointed in the Gibson PU's I've got ('57 Classic, 490R, 490T, 498T, & 500T). I knew they were high-quality PU's, but the tones weren't that good. In my case, swapping magnets improved every one of them. Now they're some of my best-sounding PU's. Before anyone gives up on a Gibson PU, they should try a replacement mag or two.

If you've only tried a PU with the stock magnet, you have no idea of that PU's potential tones. Don't be in a hurry to buy a new PU, especially something as hit or miss as a JB.
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

my credit card didnt work so i ordered them with money order O_o they took my order but i dont know how it works
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

I've got an SG that came with a 490t (that I dig) and a 490r that I think sounds like muddy poo. I originally replaced the set with a set of Seth Lovers. I thought the Seth bridge was too bright and thin, so I put the 490t back in. The Seth neck was an improvement, was still didn't have enough definition, so I swapped the A2 for an A5 magnet.

To get something similar without having to do a magnet swap, I'd try a 59 in the neck of your SG.
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

MattPete said:
I've got an SG that came with a 490t (that I dig) and a 490r that I think sounds like muddy poo. I originally replaced the set with a set of Seth Lovers. I thought the Seth bridge was too bright and thin, so I put the 490t back in. The Seth neck was an improvement, was still didn't have enough definition, so I swapped the A2 for an A5 magnet.

To get something similar without having to do a magnet swap, I'd try a 59 in the neck of your SG.
Click to expand...

can you be more precise, is there SD pickup thats 59 that you suggested
or is there just one '59 pickup out there by SD
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

tumbler said:
can you be more precise, is there SD pickup thats 59 that you suggested
or is there just one '59 pickup out there by SD
Click to expand...

The Duncan '59 comes in bridge & neck models. But please, don't buy a set of new PU's to avoid a magnet swap.

The 490R is a very good PAF if you put an A5 in it ($5). The 490T is also good, but needs a stronger magnet, like an A4 or A8. That gives it more body & output.

I think you have the PU's you want now; all you need is a couple magnets.
 
Re: question about SG and SD pickups

i wasnt going to buy new ones :P unless the magnets i ordered newer shipped
 
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