idiot with a question

[Kerosene]

I'm sure the really tech happy people here hate this kind of crap but....

I have an epi sg. It's alright. Not great, but alright. I'd rather it be GOOD. So I'm looking for recommendations...who can tell me what would, in their opinion, the best pups to stick into my G310 to bring it closer to a SG. DiMarzio, Duncan, whatever. Just don't tell me Gibson. It would just take too long to get Gibby pups where I live.

[jake_xms3_punk]

depends what kind of sound you're after and what amp you are using.
i'd recommend a set of 59's for that classic sg tone, for something more versatile with a higher output bridge pickup id say a 59n and custom 5b.

and welcome to the forum

[BloodRose]

I had a Custom 5 and a 59 in my G400. It was amazing sounding! Several of us have found the C5 to be almost a perfect match for the Epi SG models. Custom would be good if you want alil more attitude.

[Evan Skopp]

Hey Kerosene. Welcome to the forum. Remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question. (Though there are stupid answers).

Have you tried the Tone Wizard? It's not perfect (for instance, it doesn't have SG has a choice), but it's a good place to get started. And it might be a good way to augment the advice you'll get here. Also, make sure to listen to the sound bytes and check the tone chart.

I hope that helps.

[bagouser]

Custom 5 would be nice in the bridge.
Jazz, PG, or AP2 would be nice for the neck.

[blueman335]

The most popular PU's here for an SG is a C8/'59N. The C8 is a Custom 5 with an alnico 8 magnet put in it, which gives it a fuller sound. Magnets are several dollars each, and it's a 10-15 minute operation to swap one in a PU.

[GuitarDoc]

I agree with the C8 for the bridge in an SG. That really works great. MUCH better than a C5. I personally like the Pearly Gates a bit better than the '59, especially with a C8 in the bridge, but it is a matter of personal taste. You really can't go wrong with either.

[Nightburst]

59 neck and Custom 5 bridge, it's perfect for SG's and LP's.

[BloodRose]

You guys throwing the C8s out there.. Bring joy to my heart.....
I didnt know if I should impose my sickness on the newbie.. haha
(Kerosene, Welcome! I love C8s too!!)

[Kam]

Hey man, welcome to the forum.

I, too, have an SG as my main guitar and I've just recently tried pretty much every magnet you can think of in the pickups in there.

First of all, I had a '59 in the bridge. It was very crunchy, and responsive, really a perfect classic rock pickup in an SG. It got me very close to some of those old AC/DC tones that everyone seems to like so much.

Then I had a C5. It was a great pup. Really great. It was super responsive, thick and full sounding. Very versatile. You can't go wrong with it in the bridge.

The Custom8, however, is a much better choice in my opinion. It fills it out a lot more, gives it more thickness and much more of a juicy sound with nice rich harmonics. It's hands down the best bridge pup I've tried in there to date and I have no intentions whatsoever of removing it. If you do a search of this room for the words 'Custom 8 paradise' you'll find a great thread with all the detailed information you could need. Trust me though, it has to be heard to be believed.

I can also vouch for the '59b in the neck. The natural sound of the pickup is a little scooped in the mids but the thin mahogany body of your guitar will fill those in nicely, leaving you with a very balanced sound. It's very warm, responsive and it has a nice clear, crisp treble response. I'll admit, I'm not perfectly happy with it; some of the clean tones can be a little too jangly for me (though still full of warmth) and the distorted rhythm sounds can be a little muddy. I'm considering a Pearly Gates in the neck, though whichever you pick you'll still have a very decent sounding neck pickup.

It would help us a lot more if you could let us know what amp you're playing through and what sort of tones you hope to achieve. What style of music do you play and what artists tones are you trying to get close to? What pickups are in your guitar at the minute and what do you not like about your sound?

[Benjy_26]

The 310 is the bolt on neck version, correct?

In one of those, I'd throw a PATB-3 in the bridge and an APHn to compliment.

[RealtyViking]

Sounds like I will go with the majority here and say a custom in the bridge. I like the C5, but who cares when it is pretty easy to swap magnets.

The neck is more difficult. I like the Jazz, but some do not. The 59, PG or AP2 would all work well. I would go with the 59 for an SG.

[Gr8Scott]

Makes me wonder if the Custom 8 will be the next production pickup SD makes LOL.

[jake_xms3_punk]

Makes me wonder if the Custom 8 will be the next production pickup SD makes LOL.

hope so! lol

[gibson175]

There are no stupid questions.....just stupid people!


...not really....welcome aboard!

[RealtyViking]

Makes me wonder if the Custom 8 will be the next production pickup SD makes LOL.

Better yet, a Custom with A2, A3, A5 and A8 magnets as a package. Price it at $99 +/- and a classic is born.

[Zhangliqun]

With SG's the neck pu being a bit closer to the bridge than on most 22-fret guitars is a consideration for neck tone-snobs, of which I am one. You can get away with a hotter neck with SG's for that reason -- with the exception of some older SG's that have the neck a bit deeper into the body and have the neck pu up against the bridge as on an LP.

[GuitarDoc]

Makes me wonder if the Custom 8 will be the next production pickup SD makes LOL.

It should be. It's the best of the Custom pups, the others, as good as they may be, just do not come close to the Custom8.