SD 78

[Cdntac]

I installed an SD 78 in an early 70s SG today.

Any pickup I had been trying in it was just a bit too trebly for my liking.

The SD 78 definitely has a huge bass response. What a massive bottom end while still maintaining that classic 70s rock tone.

I’m glad I gave it a try.

 

[jeremy]

well, thats interesting. my impressions have been the bass wasnt very big on the 78. glad you found something you like though!

 

[Cdntac]

well, thats interesting. my impressions have been the bass wasnt very big on the 78. glad you found something you like though!

I find it very full/thick. And I’m running it without a tone pot which should make it come across even a bit more trebly but it sure doesn’t seem like it (I could hear the difference with other pickups and no tone pot).

It really has changed the sound of the SG.

 

[Aceman]

If I ever get an EVH Tribute of some sort, I'm getting one.

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, I thought the 78 was mostly treble and not much else. I am happy you found that it works for you.

 

[Cdntac]

Yeah, I thought the 78 was mostly treble and not much else. I am happy you found that it works for you.

When you look at the tone eq chart, the bass is quite high compared to other pickups.

 

[nienturi]

When you look at the tone eq chart, the bass is quite high compared to other pickups.

Most of the EQ charts of Duncan seems very similar

 

[Mincer]

When you look at the tone eq chart, the bass is quite high compared to other pickups.

Yeah, those charts aren't all that accurate....

 

[Cdntac]

Yeah, those charts aren't all that accurate....

I agree that the chart is rather simplistic but for the SD pickups I’ve ever bought I’ve found it to be a decent guideline for helping me choose.

It is interesting to hear how others found the 78 to have more treble. Different amps and guitars obviously come into play I suppose.

I combine a Kustom HV65 and a Fender Deluxe which pushes a tiny bit of the gain into the Deluxe (on the clean channel) and it creates a great, thick sound.

I’ll admit I’m seriously thinking of putting a 78 into my R8 to see how it compares to a PG.

 

[uOpt]

EQ doesn't look all that special to me:

 

[Mincer]

I agree that the chart is rather simplistic but for the SD pickups I’ve ever bought I’ve found it to be a decent guideline for helping me choose.

It is interesting to hear how others found the 78 to have more treble. Different amps and guitars obviously come into play I suppose.

I combine a Kustom HV65 and a Fender Deluxe which pushes a tiny bit of the gain into the Deluxe (on the clean channel) and it creates a great, thick sound.

I’ll admit I’m seriously thinking of putting a 78 into my R8 to see how it compares to a PG.

If you do that, I'd love to hear what you think- I've never directly compared them. I always thought the EQ charts would be at least 5 bands. I also think that on some pickups, they just inserted an default EQ and intended to change it later when going through the website, and it never got done.

 

[Bill Dennis]

Are you sure its the same distance from the strings as the previous pickup?

 

[Cdntac]

Are you sure its the same distance from the strings as the previous pickup?

Yep.

 

[Cdntac]

If you do that, I'd love to hear what you think- I've never directly compared them. I always thought the EQ charts would be at least 5 bands. I also think that on some pickups, they just inserted an default EQ and intended to change it later when going through the website, and it never got done.

I’m on the fence whether or not to buy another 78. Sometimes you want to have fun experimenting and go down a rabbit hole with different pickups but $$ adds up pretty quickly. Lol.

Last night on a whim I took the 59 out of my Explorer and put it into my R8. It was late tho so once done I didn’t do much testing through my amps.

Maybe I’ll try the A2 from a PG in the 59 today.

I have some Stew-Mac A2 magnets but I’m going to guess they wouldn’t be quite as strong as the A2 magnet in the Pearly Gates (I have no way of testing a magnet’s strength).

 

[uOpt]

(I have no way of testing a magnet’s strength).

You can use a compass as a magnet strength tester.

 

[Cdntac]

You can use a compass as a magnet strength tester.

I never thought of that. I downloaded an app onto my iPad but I’m not sure how accurate it really is.