Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

[Mike33]

Hi guys,

I recently scored myself a Gibson SG faded special for well, let's say the price of a used Epi, and one of the reasons I got is so cheap was the seller claimed there was something wrong with the bridge pup, as it was so much lower output compared to the neck one, he thought it was defective. Well, turns out it was just one of those "490t" issues so many people out there complain about, and nothing technically wrong. Raising it all the way up somewhat cured the issue, but still not fully, and just looked odd. Besides, what the heck, cheap as it was, thought I may as well get something covered in there for better looks, two days later lo and behold both 490's gone the craigslist way, hello another neverending project for me lol.

Anyway, I've now spent a good week reading through this and other fine forums' countless opinions, observed several general trends regarding SG's, so time for questions I guess...

I am a hobbyist who likes to mess with his guitars, so this is for home recording, and not for stage (and no amp, but I plan on getting a nice 5W tube one in the near future), although I do like good tone when I can achieve it. Ideally, classic to hard rock, with nice cleans if possible. I only have two guitars, (the other being a Epi P90 Special) so versatility would be a plus. Oh, and the guitar is 2005, with rosewood, not baked maple, very slim and light.

So, the first candidate, and likely a long shot, just to get it out of the way. I can get a DiMarzio Air Norton for free, and I've read that Nash guitars claims it to be the best bridge pup in SG, go figure. Anyone care to support that opinion? No biggie if not, it's uncovered, so maybe not a perfect choice for the moment at least.

My second consideration was the tried and true JB/Jazz (or 59) combo, but to my surprise, I found many people who seem to know their pups speaking against JB in SG. I don't know too much about matching wood to pickups, but that definitely raised a red flag.

My third option came after reading all those posts and seeing lots and lots of people liking Gibson 57's. Well, I was able to find one of those for pretty cheap, but I am a bit concerned that it may be too low output if I wanted to do hard rock. It is not the plus version, and seeing how much higher the strings are at the bridge on my SG compared to the neck makes me wonder if a hotter pup kept at the normal height would balance better? Also, the seller claims it's the "bridge" version, although there is no specific designation on the pup. Should I just get it and if I find it not powerful enough, move it to the neck position and get the Plus version (or even something entirely different) for the bridge?

Finally, keeping my options completely open, listening to the clips of various SD's, I seem to like the sound of the Seth Lover bridge and Jazz neck best. Does that even make sense as a combo? Especially in SG? What would be your recommendations?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post. Just thought to give as much info as possible up front...

Mike

 

[Madcaddy13]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

I had a JB in my Epi SG a long time ago and it sounded fantastic.
I had the JB Jazz set.
You can't go wrong with it imo

 

[dominus]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

I had a JB in my Epi SG a long time ago and it sounded fantastic.
I had the JB Jazz set.
You can't go wrong with it imo

Yes you can. JB can be hit or miss in mahogany.

The Custom or Custom 5 are probably what you want in the bridge, and the 59 or Pearly Gates in the neck. Make sure you measure the string spacing to see if you need a TB version in the bridge.

Try the Air Norton though first, if you can get it for free. I had one in the bridge of a guitar and it sounded pretty nice.

 

[symptom]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

59 neck / Custom 5 bridge

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

+1 for testing the "free" pickup first. If nothing else, it will give you a yardstick against which to judge other replacement pickups.

Many forum members speak highly of A8 magnets in an SG.

My own bias is towards P-90s in an all mahogany guitar. Hence, my suggestion is SD P-Rails. To get all of the coil permutations, either replace all four pots with push-pulls or use Triple Shot mounting surrounds and change the pickguard to the small type.

If you want to go left field, checkout the humbucker-sized version of TV Jones Filter'Tron style pickups. (Angus Young visuals, Malcolm Young sounds!)

 

[symptom]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

Oh, I forgot. I also think that you should test the free pickups first. Regarding the A8, I've tried the Custom 8, but for me it's way too powerful.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

The best pickups for an SG are P-Rails.

No they don't come in chrome covers. Yes they perform as advertised. Humbuckers are for Les Pauls. P-Rails are for SGs. :smokin:

 

[jambs]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

The forum favorite around here for an SG seems to be a 59n/Custom 8, but I opted for a Mean 90 in the neck for more chimey cleans. Has anybody tried a Custom UOA5 in an SG?

 

[symptom]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

The forum favorite around here for an SG seems to be a 59n/Custom 8, but I opted for a Mean 90 in the neck for more chimey cleans. Has anybody tried a Custom UOA5 in an SG?

I've tried the Custom UOA5, the Custom 5 and the Custom 8 in my SG (I've made a thread comparing them a while ago)

 

[Kam]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

Personally, I think the Custom 8 is the perfect bridge pup for an SG but, for the music you'll be playing, I think a Custom 5 would be great. The Custom 5 mates to the thin mahogany body of an SG like it was specifically designed for it. It's a really geat match, in my opinion.

I also can't speak highly enough of the '59 in the neck. It's great for clean and lead tones, though it can get a touch muddy for high gain rhythm tones.

Those two pickups are a great match for each other, as well. You shouldn't have to compromise when trying to EQ a good tone for both of them. They both add low end that SGs can be missing sometimes, but maintaining enough treble to stay tight and clear.

 

[symptom]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

Personally, I think the Custom 8 is the perfect bridge pup for an SG but, for the music you'll be playing, I think a Custom 5 would be great. The Custom 5 mates to the thin mahogany body of an SG like it was specifically designed for it. It's a really geat match, in my opinion.

I also can't speak highly enough of the '59 in the neck. It's great for clean and lead tones, though it can get a touch muddy for high gain rhythm tones.

Those two pickups are a great match for each other, as well. You shouldn't have to compromise when trying to EQ a good tone for both of them. They both add low end that SGs can be missing sometimes, but maintaining enough treble to stay tight and clear.

That's exactly my feeling with my 59/Custom 5 set.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

- I can get a DiMarzio Air Norton for free, and I've read that Nash guitars claims it to be the best bridge pup in SG, go figure.

- My second consideration was the tried and true JB/Jazz (or 59) combo, but to my surprise, I found many people who seem to know their pups speaking against JB in SG. I don't know too much about matching wood to pickups, but that definitely raised a red flag.

- My third option came after reading all those posts and seeing lots and lots of people liking Gibson 57's. Well, I was able to find one of those for pretty cheap, but I am a bit concerned that it may be too low output if I wanted to do hard rock.

- Finally, keeping my options completely open, listening to the clips of various SD's, I seem to like the sound of the Seth Lover bridge and Jazz neck best.

- Never turn down a free high-quality PU. If the EQ of the Air Norton isn't quite what you want, try a different magnet or two.

- JB's are hit or miss in mahogany. They can work great or fail in a spectacular fashion (ice pick spike and flabby low end). Some of us mahogany guys like them best with an A2 or A8 magnet (more mids, less treble).

- '57's are okay, but aren't the best PAF by any means. Some guys here like them, some don't. I swap mags in mine, as the neck can be muffled and dark, and the bridge can have an overly rounded high end.

- Seth's are great PAF's, and a JazzN would match well. Think about a pair of Seths too.

The C8/'59N pair is very popular here in SG's and other mahogany guitars, if you want a higher output bridge.

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

Air Norton is a phenomenal bridge pickup for a mahog guitar.

If you can get it for free it's a no brainer. Stick the Jazz in the neck and you're all set.

 

[Kam]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

That's exactly my feeling with my 59/Custom 5 set.

I also liked the '59b in the bridge of mine too. So yeah, I can imagine the hybrid would also be a great fit in an SG.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

I have a dmz 36th anniversary in mine and love it.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

Just my $.02 but a guy new to pup swapping in general shouldn't be inundated with magnet swap propaganda right off the bat.

 

[Mike33]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

Thanks so much, all of you guys, I just woke up lol, and what a wealth of info!

To clear some things up right off: first, I still have to pay for shipping of the Air Norton, second, I have to wait till the guy feels like sending it to me (can't poke someone who's doing me a favor much), third, it's still uncovered, and this thing just screams covered nickel. The guitar was missing one of the speed knobs when I got it (just the plastic part), so I got myself a set of those classic tophat ones, and I can only imagine what a looker she'll be once completed. This is my best guitar right now, and a definite keeper. I love everything about it, so naturally I don't want to put just "anything" in it. I'd rather wait longer, but keep it that way.

For the same reasons, mag swaps are not an option, messing with covered pups is just a bit more than I'm willing to undertake. Soldering is fine though

I've actually considered P-Rails briefly, and would likely go that route, if I didn't already have the P-90 special. In my case however, I got that territory covered, and P-Rails wouldn't be adding much versatility.

So yeah, I'm basically looking for the best possible stock options... oh, and btw, I can get that 57 REAL cheap, and cost is always a consideration... like, say, Seth is obviously a great pup, but at $120, would it be 2 times better than the 57 for $60?

And would both be able to handle harder stuff? (hence my question about moving the 57 to neck in my first post).

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

Where are you located that a Seth is 120? They should be right at a hundred because they have a cover compared to non covered SDs being 80. Also a new Gibson 57 is going to be the same if not MORE, so that's not a fair comparison in my opinion.

That said I'd recommend the 59/C5 combo over the jazz/jb. Most guys who play primarily in their studios alone don't care for the midspike the JB has. The 59/C5 should give you fairly even response across the tonal spectrum because the mahogany fills the mids gap inherent in th 59/C5 set up.

 

[Mike33]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

Where are you located that a Seth is 120? They should be right at a hundred because they have a cover compared to non covered SDs being 80. Also a new Gibson 57 is going to be the same if not MORE, so that's not a fair comparison in my opinion.

Thanks, I may have remembered something wrong, I just saw them on ebay for a bit over $100, so you are correct. Still, the point I was trying to make is this particular 57 I can get for exactly $55, shipped, almost half the price of a Seth.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

Thanks, I may have remembered something wrong, I just saw them on ebay for a bit over $100, so you are correct. Still, the point I was trying to make is this particular 57 I can get for exactly $55, shipped, almost half the price of a Seth.

Different strokes for different folks Mike. I do NOT like Gibson pups, they have this innate grittiness I don't like. So to me 55 for the 57 is too much. If you are considering used of one brand pups consider it for all. It's still not a fair comparison comparing a new price of one brand to a used price of another. If you want to make the decision solely on amount of money spent get some used GFS pups and call it a day.

Luke