Pickup Selection for SG?

[michaelinokc]

I've been thinking about taking the 498T/490R set out of my SG Standard and replacing it with something else. I play mostly rock and blues and am looking for some good ideas regarding replacement pickups. So far, a couple of sets I'm considering are Gibson Custom Buckers and Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Pearly Gates.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these pickups in an SG? I'm also open to other suggestions, so bring them on!

 

[astroshagger]

Can you give us a more specific tone-goal? For example, is there any record or particular guitarist whose tone you're trying to emulate?

 

[Frogfur]

SGs and 57 classic/classic plus are one of the sweet spots in life when setup properly.

 

[michaelinokc]

SGs and 57 classic/classic plus are one of the sweet spots in life when setup properly.

I've got another SG with '57 Classics in it, and you're right - they're great. Just looking for something different for this particular guitar.

 

[michaelinokc]

Can you give us a more specific tone-goal? For example, is there any record or particular guitarist whose tone you're trying to emulate?

I'm really not seeking to emulate anyone's tone. Just searching for something I like more than the 498/490 set.

 

[firesgt911]

A lot of folks praise Bare Knuckle Mules.

 

[C_Becker]

What do you dislike about the 490/498?
Might be a good starting point

That said, try the EMG 57/66 combo
Or maybe some 'Bucker sized P90s

 

[DavidRamey]

ReWind PAF-1 pickups. If you scroll up to the stickies, you will find The Canadian PAF pickup shootout of 2013. ReWind PAF-1 was the winner. I have a set coming for my Les Paul. ReWind makes some of the best pickups.

 

[michaelinokc]

What do you dislike about the 490/498?
Might be a good starting point

That said, try the EMG 57/66 combo
Or maybe some 'Bucker sized P90s

I've got an SG with P-90's already, so this one's going to have humbuckers. The 490 is muddy (every one I've had has been) and the 489T is thin sounding. I'd just like to find something maybe not quite as hot and not thin sounding like the 498T.

I'm just looking for something different. By the way, my knowledge of EMG's was limited, but I'll check out the set you recommended. Never heard of them before.

 

[C_Becker]

http://youtu.be/45Bh1Hkdf5Q
This shows the EMGs pretty well

 

[Mark V Guitars]

Hate to say it. Wizz, or OX4. I've played a couple of SG's with the OX4's and they are phenomenal in SG's, which tend to be brighter than other guitars, and the OX4 pickups tend to be just a bit warmer, so they balance out the SG's. Wizz are great, but are just a little brighter. I prefer Wizz myself, because their are just so harmonically rich. I have them in my own LP. Hands down, one of the best sets I've ever used.

 

[GIBBYADDICTION]

Depends on the tone your after. I recently bought a New 2015 SG To add to my collection with 57's & in the neck it sounds wet & mushy ...very unusable with any amount of gain .
Myself along with a winder here ,have recreated some of the classic tones from a early SG that I own .

 

[ARandall]

If you want slightly less hot, then the Duncan C/59 hybrid works well as a hotrodded open tone. A Pearly Gates as a neck pickup matches well.

If you go into PAF territory.....the rabbithole really opens out.

 

[CCK]

I just installed a set of pickups on my SG from Jim Wagner, a Crossroads neck, and Godwood bridge, and I just love the things. So much life in the sound.
JWP Guitar Pickups

 

[AJK1]

I own a set of SD CS Pearly Gates pickups which have A2 mags and they are the best pickups i've ever played.
Otherwise, my Dimarzio Paf Masters A4 mags, are excellent as well, they are extremely underrated which is a shame, but they sound so rich and full they would suit an SG well.
I play rock and blues also, so i have some relative experience.
I've gone off A5 mags, they just lack character and seem too thin and bright, and unless you're Angus Young, i wouldn't recommend them in an SG

 

[jlee]

I just installed a set of pickups on my SG from Jim Wagner, a Crossroads neck, and Godwood bridge, and I just love the things. So much life in the sound.
JWP Guitar Pickups

Had a similar set in my old Burny SG. A Moore/Green neck with a Godwood bridge. Sold that guitar, but really liked the combo.

Currently own a Bacchus SG with Rewind Electric Low Output PAFs. Great clarity, complexity and depth. Sound fantastic under higher gain as well.

 

[Zoobiedood]

In SGs, I love Whole Lotta Humbuckers, or for a more vintage sound, Seth Lovers.

 

[bassmannlespaulman]

I only use pickups that come from old SG standards...I use a electric city *the fool* set for my SG custom. ..that's modeled after pickups from a 1964 SG. ..I know throbak has the throbak esg-102b they modeled after a 1964 Gibson SG too...both use short alnico 2s in the neck but the throbak has a short alnico 5 in the bridge while the electric city is a short 2....SG standards came out during the late PAF era. ..so I use pickups that match the sound of that time which is typically short alnico 2 and short alnico 5. .. but honestly any pickup can sound good in anything cause tone is subjective. ..I got a rewind jppost72 in my batwing SG standard. ...with short 5 in the bridge and long 5 in the neck. ..sounds just like the post 66 batwing SG standards ive played....but that's if you're a vintage correct stickler like myself

 

[LeftyF2003]

I expect to see 50 replies with 50 different suggestions.

 

[jasyr]

i have Timbuckers in my '66 SG; the gold standard. And rotate 'em out between WCR Filmore's and Zhangbucker Firebird Set. The Filmores are an underrated pickup man... In my old wood mahagony SG they are incredibly expressive. When they are in, Zappa'a Apostrophe is the house!

I think a lot of people dont know how versatile they are.