Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

twoheadedboy

New member
Hey guys. I've been looking for something that would get me in the neighbourhood of recent ZZ Top and Van Halen esque tones with my Morris head, which is similar to a hotrodded JTM 45/Bassman. Anyway, I took the advice I was given here and installed a '59b in the bridge position of my SG. It really nails the type of tone I've been after for a long time. It twangs when I want it to, sings when I want it to, growls and snarls when I want it to. Perfect! Thanks guys!
 
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Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

How i've just gotta work out the neck position. I'm considering a '59n, which would probably sound great, but I love p-90 tones as well, and i've been meaning to try a phat cat. How do you think a phat cat would balance with a '59b?
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

The 59N tends to be a bit woofy in the neck...What about the Jazz or the PGN up there?
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

As far as neck pickups go, I tend to like the twangier and rawer side of things. I've found that the jazz tends to be a little smoother than I'd like. I haven't heard the PGn, but I didn't like all the "sizzle" that I got with the PGb. I found it to be harsh and abrasive.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

You might want to try a SH-10N in the neck, if you wanna get a little crazy.
I have it in the Neck of my SG(s) and it smokes under the gain, and cleans up really nice, too; it's got a nice kinda twangy thing.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

Hey jimmy, thanks for the advice, but unfortunately I've found that my amp hates high output pickups. It thrives on the PAF thing though. Plus an SH-10n would likely be so much higher output than that '59b that it would be hard to balance.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

twoheadedboy said:
What about something like a Seth neck?


That might be bassy for you; it almost sounds like the 59N.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

The PGn is sounding like the winner so far for the humbuckers. The Phat Cat still sounds appealing though.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

twoheadedboy said:
The PGn is sounding like the winner so far for the humbuckers. The Phat Cat still sounds appealing though.

Actually, the PGn is probably right up your alley.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

ack, both the PGn and the Phat Cat are sounding right up my alley. SD gives an EQ of 4/6/7 for the PC, which sounds like it would balance with the '59 perfectly.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

STRATDELUXER97 said:
The 59N tends to be a bit woofy in the neck...What about the Jazz or the PGN up there?

Thinking about a change for the SG in your sig?
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

No no, the '59 in the bridge of my SG stays. it sounds glorious. i'm looking for a nice neck pickup to go with it.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

I'd go with the PG. Even though I really don't like PG bridges, the necks are nice.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

I seriously doubt the full shred neck will be more powerful than the 59b. Its 7.5K and has an A5 magnet just like the 59n. Actually the DC resistance is about the same as a 59n. I think it would work out well but, since that is cleared up, the PGN is a outstanding choice for a neck bucker. I will arguably say that it is the best standard production bucker Duncan makes.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

Gearjoneser said:
I'd go with the PG. Even though I really don't like PG bridges, the necks are nice.

I must the the only one that feels you pain. Love the neck, LOVE THE PG NECK!!!! Dislike the bridge.
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

twoheadedboy said:
Hey guys. I've been looking for something that would get me in the neighbourhood of recent ZZ Top and Van Halen esque tones with my Morris head, which is similar to a hotrodded JTM 45/Bassman. Anyway, I took the advice I was given here and installed a '59b in the bridge position of my SG. It really nails the type of tone I've been after for a long time. It twangs when I want it to, sings when I want it to, growls and snarls when I want it to. Perfect! Thanks guys!

Glad we could help. The 59B is my favorite bridge pickup for SG guitars. Especially for guys looking for Cream, AC/DC or even early Black Sabbath tone, because the 59B so closely resembles those early 60's Gibson patent number humbuckers that Gibson used in the early 60's SG's used by those players.

Lew
 
Re: Thanks for the advice guys! ('59b in SG)

Oh man, my bad! I thought the full shred was higher output than that for sure. Weird. Right now it's standing between the PG and the Phat Cat, but i've never heard a phat cat so I'm gonna have to try one.
 
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