SG Pickup swap

[Raptor]

Hey all, I don't have much time at the moment (just wanted to get this in before I go to work)... What would be a good pickup swap for an Gibson SG Special? As of now I'm looking at an Alternative 8 for the bridge and either a Jazz or A2 pro for the neck... but I will gladly take any input or advice.


Its completely stock at the moment, with 490 R & T's, and I like the sound/tone okay, but I'd really like more response and mayhaps some more output (as I described to a friend, I like the sound okay, they just need to sound more).

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: SG Pickup swap

Your own suggestions of the A8 and A2Pro should make a good starting point. IMO, the SH-2n Jazz would be too bright. I'd go for something PAF-ish (like a covered Pearly Gates) or the inevitable P-Rails and Hot P-Rails in Triple Shot surrounds.

Sit back and let the forum's SG heads post their ideas.

 

[Diocletian]

Re: SG Pickup swap

It depends on what music you want to play on it. Are you gonna be playing Nile?
Let us know.

The general concensus on here is a Custom 5 in the bridge.

An A2Pro will work good in the neck. I just put a DiMarzio PAF in the neck of my Epi SG and it's great (I like the 490T I put in the bridge just fine, don't need more gain there).

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: SG Pickup swap

I like the 490T I put in the bridge just fine, don't need more gain there.

The SG Special comes with two 490s - albeit with different polepiece spacings for R and T.

I threw in the P-Rails suggestion for two reasons.
1) I really dig P90s on slim bodied, all-mahogany guitars.
2) If I don't post the P-Rails/Triple Shot idea, gingrel will.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: SG Pickup swap

What music do you play?

For me I would go with a 500T in the bridge if you don't mind pretty high output (17k) but that pickup is super thick and articulate. It's a very good pickup.

For the neck, I would probably go with a Pearly Gates if you like smooth solos. Or go with a 59 if you like neck solos that still have bite to them.

 

[symptom]

Re: SG Pickup swap

Custom 5 in the bridge = total win

Some people here like the Custom 8 a lot too, but I've never tried one of those. My personal choice is the 59n and Custom 5, thanks to some users here!
=)

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: SG Pickup swap

It depends on what music you want to play on it. Are you gonna be playing Nile?
Let us know.

The general concensus on here is a Custom 5 in the bridge.

An A2Pro will work good in the neck. I just put a DiMarzio PAF in the neck of my Epi SG and it's great (I like the 490T I put in the bridge just fine, don't need more gain there).

It all depends on you too. You should try a few different pickups out. I personally do not like the C5 but a lot of people do (I prefer the Custom Custom). And don't limit yourself to Duncans... Gibson, Dimarzio and other brands have very good pickups too.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: SG Pickup swap

Custom 5 in the bridge = total win

Some people here like the Custom 8 a lot too, but I've never tried one of those. My personal choice is the 59n and Custom 5, thanks to some users here!
=)

The Custom 8 is really close to a C5 other than the fact that the mids are pushed through the roof and the bass and treble are reduced by a tad.

EDIT: (in the C8)

 

[blueman335]

Re: SG Pickup swap

I've got a few 490's, and while I'm not thrilled with them with the stock A2 magnets, they become very good with replacement magnets, which are much cheaper than new PU's. Put an A8 in the bridge, and you get more output & a more balanced tone. In the neck, an A5 clears it up and gives better definition. Wymore Guitars.com sells magnets & ships internationally.

 

[Raptor]

Re: SG Pickup swap

Thanks everybody.

I play pretty much everything between the blues and thrash, but tend to gravitate towards the harder end of the spectrum

Lots of interesting ideas... keep 'em coming.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SG Pickup swap

More ideas? The two favorite SG hot bridge PU's here are the C5 and C8. The C5's scooped and the C8 has more mids. I've switched my SG's from C5's to C8. Wymore Guitars.com sells C8's.

Gibson's take on those are the 498T/490R, but works better with mag swaps. Again, put an A8 in the bridge and an A5 in the neck, and you have something that competes very well with a C8/'59N.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: SG Pickup swap

I guess I would still push the 500T. Great for thrash and metal and still pretty good for blues.

I would also look at the C8 (and C5, I personally found it too thin in my SG but a lot of people like it).

The Alternative 8 wouldn't be bad.
I also recommend the Fred from DiMarzio and the Dirty Fingers from Gibson.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: SG Pickup swap

I've got a few 490's, and while I'm not thrilled with them with the stock A2 magnets, they become very good with replacement magnets, which are much cheaper than new PU's. Put an A8 in the bridge, and you get more output & a more balanced tone. In the neck, an A5 clears it up and gives better definition. Wymore Guitars.com sells magnets & ships internationally.

try this first. it would only cost about $15 and a bit of time to drastically change(and improve imo) the tone of your guitar. personally, i tried this for a while in my SG and while l liked it quite a bit, i took out the a8 and put an a5 in the bridge for a matching a5 set as the a8 was too thick for my tastes.

 

[Alex79]

Re: SG Pickup swap

SGs, as a rough guideline, work well with either very weak or very strong pickups.
The one you suggested should work well - I would go with the Alternative 8.