SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

papersoul

papersoul

New member
Hi guys! I am on the look out for my next guitar. This is what I want, either a fat strat with low output humbucking pickups or an SG Standard with low output humbucking pickups. I play classic rock, classic hard rock, 80s rock, lots of 90s risk and hard rock plus grunge, and some modern alt rock. The band I am in is a 90s cover band called Pearl Garden and we cover things like Smashing Pumkins, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, STP, Tool, Alice in Chains, Matthew Sweet, Radio Head, Bush, REM, Weezer, Sound Garden, Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers and lots more both softer and harder.

Amps are Splawn Street Rod, PWE Event Horizon, and Bogner 20th Shiva.

Current guitars are a 2003 Fender Highway One strat with stock single coil pickups, Gibson SG with hot pickups (Gibson Bill Lawrence HB-L and HB-R), Gibson LP Standard with hot pickups, PRS CE-22 with hot Dragon pickups and 2012 Fender American Standard Telecaster which is stock.
I want another guitar because all of my humbucking guitars sound great with the higher output pickups but I have a desire for one with low output pickups for something different. It could be a G&L or something different. I am open to suggestions.

Thanks.
 
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Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

SG.

I love low output humbuckers.

they sound fat when you add gain. greasy. chewy.

high powered humbuckers sound neutered when you roll them down.

you really cant go wrong with the SG. Strats are great and all.. but you already have one. I prefer the craftsmanship of a good SG vs a strat.
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

You need a Gibson with lower gain pickups.

I'm another fan of SG's. I'm proabaly in the minority, but I think the SG with Gibson 57 Classics would be a good choice.
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

Condemned soul said:
You need a Gibson with lower gain pickups.

I'm another fan of SG's. I'm proabaly in the minority, but I think the SG with Gibson 57 Classics would be a good choice.
Click to expand...

That is where I have been leaning!
SG with Gibson 57 Classics
But a fat strat with a Duncan 59, '78 or something could be killer.

I have to be careful because I have found low output pickups can sound thin!
 
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Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

astrozombie said:
SG.

I love low output humbuckers.

they sound fat when you add gain. greasy. chewy.

high powered humbuckers sound neutered when you roll them down.

you really cant go wrong with the SG. Strats are great and all.. but you already have one. I prefer the craftsmanship of a good SG vs a strat.
Click to expand...

he already has an SG though too... :/

just get the guitar that feels right man
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

For what you're playing I'd go for an SG with lower output pickups (I'd take Duncan 59s over the '57 Classics) or a Strat with Hot/Vintage/Cool Rails or Red/Silver/Blue Lace Sensors. Over the years I've owned or had access to all 3 and I'd honestly want both the SG and the Strat with Laces.
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

RHCP will be impossible to get 'right' with an SG....but if you're one of these 'get the general vibe right' bands rather than 'getting the exact album tone' then you could do a parallel or split and cop enough of the tone for the gig. Hell I was goofing around with Sultans of Swing on the middle position of a p90 SG and it sounded ok (although not really anywhere near the album tone).

I'd check out either Sheptone or Wolfetone for a cracker low output set. I mean the 57's are ok pickups but they are stuffy compared with either one of those winders. I'd also list Re-wind as another guy to look at. All these guys have good pricings for their stuff too, especially as they are classified as 'boutique'.
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

AlexR said:
RHCP will be impossible to get 'right' with an SG....but if you're one of these 'get the general vibe right' bands rather than 'getting the exact album tone' then you could do a parallel or split and cop enough of the tone for the gig. Hell I was goofing around with Sultans of Swing on the middle position of a p90 SG and it sounded ok (although not really anywhere near the album tone).

I'd check out either Sheptone or Wolfetone for a cracker low output set. I mean the 57's are ok pickups but they are stuffy compared with either one of those winders. I'd also list Re-wind as another guy to look at. All these guys have good pricings for their stuff too, especially as they are classified as 'boutique'.
Click to expand...

RHCP? Keep in mind I own a Telecaster and a Strat. I have an LP, SG, strat, PRS and Tele right now.

Well I used to use Wolftone and WCR pickups in my Gibsons and ended up back with stock Gibson, Bill Lawrence designed HB-L and HB-R pickups because I thought they sounded better. A friend of mine replaced his WCR Goodwood and Crossroads for 57 Classics and prefers those as well. Different strokes for different folks.
 
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Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

I personally like the Strat more in general. But go ahead and get the SG, looks more like what you're looking for.
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

well, I can't guess exactly why you want the guitar if you have all of those already....unless you want 1 guitar to do it all. In which case my point stands. The RHCP tones are pure low drive strat, the rest of those bands you mentioned can be done with humbucker guitars + amp saturation pretty well.
 
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Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

guild s-100 like kim thayill
208px-Guild_s-100.jpg
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

Imay also look at Gibson ES-333 or maybe an Epiphone DOT or Ephiphone Elite model.
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

I want to say Fat strat. I am strat guy. But for what you want an Sg would be better.
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

I have to be honest, if money were no object, I would get another PRS CE-22My 1994 alder/maple topped CE-22 is crazy good, sounds great, stays in perfect tune always, plays great, comfortable, well balanced, versatile. Mine has Dragon pickups with the rotary switch which are hot! I might save a little extra and get another CE-22, but this time get a mahogany/maple topped with 3 way toggle and install low output pickups. Hmmmmm
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

Get the SG. Sell the stock pickups to pay for the Duncan '59 neck and bridge and you're set. From your taste in music though, I bet you'd like the 498t bridge that comes in the SG more than the low output 59b.
 
Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

Mr. B said:
Get the SG. Sell the stock pickups to pay for the Duncan '59 neck and bridge and you're set. From your taste in music though, I bet you'd like the 498t bridge that comes in the SG more than the low output 59b.
Click to expand...

True, I always seem to come back to medium to high output pickups....but it would be nice to have lower output for versatility and better to clean up with a volume pot.

Can't forget G&L Legacy HB!
 
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Re: SG Standard or Amercan fat strat?

I love working on guitars and upgrading. I would love to install this:

Callaham Vintage S:
Mexican Model Strat Bridge Assembly $165.00
This is a complete assembly that is a direct replacement on Mexican Standard guitars. It has a 2 1/16 string spacing and a 2 1/16 mounting spacing. And will work with any guitar with a 6-pivot, 2 1/16 mounting spacing.

This is a complete assembly that comes with top plate, enhanced block, saddles, 5 tremolo springs, claw and 2 claw screws, 6 hardened tremolo mounting screws, all stainless steel screws, adjustment wrench, and "64" virtual pop-in arm with tip comes stock. Our other 2 length arms can be substituted at no additional cost but you must specify at time of order. Also, please specify mint green or parchment white tip otherwise parchment white will be sent.

Replaces Zinc block and more.

(Not for use with MIM Classic Player)(We do not make a 2-pivot bridge, see upgrades below).
(Not for use with Highway 1 Strat (2006 and later)(But our V/N Strat Bridge Assembly will fit.)
(Not for use with American Special)(But our V/N Strat Bridge Assembly will fit.)
 
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