Gibson SG pickup suggestions

[dmcgeehan87]

Hi, I am currently using a Gibson SG faded guitar with Gibson alnico 490R/490T humbuckers. (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Faded-SG-Left-Handed-Electric-Guitar?sku=511346)

I have just splurged on an Orange Rockerverb 50 head and Orange 212 Cabinet and have heard that the combination of the 490's and the already thick orange tone don't blend well together. I have heard that the SD Jazz and JB pickups are a good alternative. Other than this, do you guys have any suggestions or expeirence to share? Any help would greatly be apprciated. Thanks!

[Calloway]

I you're looking to go the Duncan route, Antiquities sound great to me. I've used them quite a bit and been very happy. Obviously there are WCR's and more expensive pups, but I still stand by Antiquities, and even the 59.

[GuffMorgan]

I really like the Gibson '57s that came in my VOS SG, might be able to pick up some used ones pretty cheap.

[Monster Tone]

I think it is hard to beat the Gibson classic '57's in an SG. I love them in my '61 reissue.

Cheers,

Chris.

[omboy]

Do you mean that you've been told the 490s won't sound good through the Orange, or do you mean you've heard the 490s through the Orange and it doesn't sound good?

If you haven't played the guitar through the Orange yet, wait and see for yourself what it sounds like. If you don't like it, you'll at least know what you don't like about it, and can ask about pickups that have more/less lows mids highs whatever.

[dmcgeehan87]

Do you mean that you've been told the 490s won't sound good through the Orange, or do you mean you've heard the 490s through the Orange and it doesn't sound good?

If you haven't played the guitar through the Orange yet, wait and see for yourself what it sounds like. If you don't like it, you'll at least know what you don't like about it, and can ask about pickups that have more/less lows mids highs whatever.

Yeah, I plan on hearing them through the Orange first before I buy anything. From what I have read though that they don't sound that great. It seems like everyone who owns an Orange always recommends a telecaster to go with it because of the bright sound they are known for coupled with the thick orange tone. I guess I was looking for a set of pickups that would give me a bright tone reminiscent of the tele sound on the treble/bridge pickup and a more aggressive sounding humbucker on the neck/rhythm pickup.

[sosomething]

I've never been a fan of the 490s through anything, so my recommendation would be to change them regardless of the amp. They always sound loose and undefined to my ears.

The Gibson Classics on the other hand are pretty nice.

[Roe]

highorders with A5 magnets or voodoos

[rockinlespaul]

Wolfe's...

[Guitar Dave T]

I'll add my recommendation on the Gibson Classic 57's. They don't always sound good in other guitars, but they do in the '61 SG Reissue. My homepage (signature below) is full of soundclips featuring that combination of guitar and pickup, so see for yourself.

OTOH, the '57 Classics are expensive for what you get at $200 a set. I'd strongly suggest buying a used set that's no older than a 1999 year model - Gibson re-engineered this pickup sometime around then, and the older version I've had from the mid 90's were terrible.

Another good choice for that guitar are WCR coils. The Crossroads models are the ultimate PAF style pickup - truly the closest thing I've ever heard to the best of the best of the originals. For a little more boost in the bridge, the Darkburst model is like a slightly hotter Crossroads. You'll spend more than for a new set of Gibsons, but you'll get three times the value, at least.

[jayhawk]

I've never been a fan of the 490s through anything, so my recommendation would be to change them regardless of the amp. They always sound loose and undefined to my ears.

My sentiments exactly.

That's a really killer rig you've put together - SG into Orange amplification. If you put WCR Crossroads or Darkbursts in the SG you just might find yourself content with that setup for many, many years.

[Roe]

SGs should have alnico 5 pups like they had in the 60's. only A5 will give you the classic angus and EC sound.
except the very first sg/les pauls that had pafs, all the 60's SG had patent number and t top pups.

[Guitar Dave T]

SGs should have alnico 5 pups like they had in the 60's. only A5 will give you the classic angus and EC sound.
except the very first sg/les pauls that had pafs, all the 60's SG had patent number and t top pups.

I thought both Angus and EC played '61 SG/Les Pauls with Les Pauls (first year model).

[George Jetson]

SGs should have alnico 5 pups like they had in the 60's. only A5 will give you the classic angus and EC sound.
except the very first sg/les pauls that had pafs, all the 60's SG had patent number and t top pups.

Have to disagree here. My SG came with '57 Classics, an AII pup. When I swapped out the anemic (IMHO) bridge for a '57 Classic Plus, that was IT. You can add dirt, but you can't take it away. For me, the AIIs are THE tone for an SG.:BEER

[Roe]

I thought both Angus and EC played '61 SG/Les Pauls with Les Pauls (first year model).

No, both play(ed) later models

[Roe]

Hi, I am currently using a Gibson SG faded guitar with Gibson alnico 490R/490T humbuckers. (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Faded-SG-Left-Handed-Electric-Guitar?sku=511346)

I have just splurged on an Orange Rockerverb 50 head and Orange 212 Cabinet and have heard that the combination of the 490's and the already thick orange tone don't blend well together. I have heard that the SD Jazz and JB pickups are a good alternative. Other than this, do you guys have any suggestions or expeirence to share? Any help would greatly be apprciated. Thanks!

2 SD '59s: much closer to the '60s A5 pups than most other paf style pups

[Guitar Dave T]

No, both play(ed) later models

Maybe Angus did, but in 1967, Clapton purchased a 1961 SG/Les Paul, the famous psychedelic painted guitar, "the fool". First year SG.

[wsaraceni]

after playing a bunch of different pickups. the only ones i'll recommend right now are the WCRs. I have the black magics installed in my guitar and they are amazing.

[Guitar Dave T]

Maybe Angus did, but in 1967, Clapton purchased a 1961 SG/Les Paul, the famous psychedelic painted guitar, "the fool". First year SG.

BTW: PAFs were used through the beginning of 1962. Even after patent numbers were added, the pickups remained the same until 1963 when they changed the maroon wire to a darker color, and the connecting wire from black to white. In 1967 Gibson changed the bobbins to the "T" type.

[Guitar Dave T]

after playing a bunch of different pickups. the only ones i'll recommend right now are the WCRs. I have the black magics installed in my guitar and they are amazing.

I've now got WCR coils in both my '61 SG Reissue and '60 LP Standard Japanese knockoff.

Agreed. I've played through 30 years worth of swapped out pickups, stockers and original PAFs. These WCRs are truy amazing.

[Roe]

Maybe Angus did, but in 1967, Clapton purchased a 1961 SG/Les Paul, the famous psychedelic painted guitar, "the fool". First year SG.

it's not a 1961, but a later model

[Roe]

BTW: PAFs were used through the beginning of 1962. Even after patent numbers were added, the pickups remained the same until 1963 when they changed the maroon wire to a darker color, and the connecting wire from black to white. In 1967 Gibson changed the bobbins to the "T" type.

pafs have A2,3,4, and 5 magnets
patent number pups and t tops have A5 magnets

[stratzrus]

+1 to Guitar Dave T and George Jetson

I'd try the '57 Classics using a '57 Classic Plus in the bridge. They sound great and can be found on ebay with little difficulty at greatly reduced prices if you wait for a good deal.

stratzrus

[Roe]

EC's SG was a 1964: http://twtd.bluemountains.net.au/cream/Guitars.htm

[willyripz]

I was just about to start this thread!! I have the same setup, an SG through an orange rockerverb 50. My amp is the combo though.

I like my tone when I go for a solo, but when I'm riffing, there just isn't enough clarity.

I was wondering about the idea of putting in SD Phat cats? Maybe a single coil sound will give it more clairity? I listen to players like John frusciante, jimi hendrix and Tom morello. All use single coils...

I don't mean to hi jack but maybe phat cats might be a good choice?

[tedzepplin]

I think it is hard to beat the Gibson classic '57's in an SG. I love them in my '61 reissue.

Cheers,

Chris.
+1 on the classic '57s. I tried my SG with classic '57s through two orange amps, a 30 watt and the rockerverb 50. the guitar sounded good though both, but the marshall jcm 800 was the sound I really wanted.

[Monkey23]

I have an SG special (non-faded). I hear that the Pearly Gates on an SG is a good combination but I can't confirm it.