Hi folks.
Been musing lately (but it's increasing to daily) about replacing the stock 490R and 490T pickups in my SG faded for something else. I don't find there's anything much wrong with the standard ones as such, but I was wondering what it would be like if I was to go for some of the SD Pearly Gates that seem to be pretty well liked in these types of guitars. I'd be looking to buy used rather than new and they do seem to pop up now and again on eBay etc.
I'm not very clued up on these types of things, but I'd be looking for a decent clean sound which is the main (but slight) issue I've found with the stock ones - mostly a muddy sound to the neck. What I really love is the raw bluesy and classic rock sound (ZZ Top, Led Zep but particularly AC/DC... along with the likes of Free and this type of stuff). I also like 90s grunge, punk (think Green Day more than the Sex Pistols) and some metal, so would like to be able to cover that too, but the classic rock and decent clean would be most useful I reckon.
Just wondering if people on here have tried these in an SG and how they would compare to the stock ones. Any thoughts or advice would be great.
Cheers.
Andy
Comments
I don't like them - I find them overly bright and thin-sounding, especially the bridge but the neck a little too. I *far* prefer the '59s, although even there the bridge could do with being slightly hotter.
I'm normally quite a fan of Duncans - in fact the neck '59 is possibly my favourite neck humbucker - but I really don't get the hype about the PGs.
[/unpopular opinion]
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I see a lot of guitars have the same 59 and JB combo but from memory this seems to be more Superstrat type things than the likes of the SG. I'm not even sure where the stock ones sit in the overall scheme of things (in terms of how "hot" they are) but I did much prefer the sound of the SG with these to the PRS 245 I nearly bought, and also to my mate's Les Paul Trad (classic 57s) and my own Epiphone LP. The 490s seem quite bright... well the bridge does especially. The neck is quite woolly and dark, but to be honest I find that with most neck pickups I've played, regardless of the guitar they're in.
I'm maybe not needing to do anything at all and just stick with the 490s, but I do wonder what it would be like with something else in there. I totally love the playability of this SG though, so if it ain't broke...
The replacement pickups - Classic 57s. I'm more than happy with it now.
Also for the same price or less you could get a much better pickup from Oil City or other hand winders so I'd look into that.
I think Seymour's and Di Marzio are way overpriced in the UK at the moment.
I'm not particularly after the PG's as such, but they seemed to be aimed at the stuff I'm after and a lot of folk seem to love them.
Seymour Duncans have gone up due to the pound against the dollar.
I am looking at these fairer shoes for my next set of pickups as they are good value for a hand wound pickup.
edit - forgot to mention that the stock pickups are uncovered and also have no surrounds.
I tried a set in a prs once and thought exactly the same - thin and weak sounding. They might suit some guitars and playing styles but they didn't suit me.
Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.
Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.
Expert guitar repairs and upgrades - fretwork our speciality! www.felineguitars.com. Facebook too!
I'll investigate Oil City for sure.