Yet another "SD's in SG" thread

[Mike33]

Thanks Luke, this is precisely what I wanted to hear - actual experience and reasons for choosing one over the other. I'll gladly consider a used Seth, should the opportunity present itself, after all, it was the one that I myself said I liked the best. Pricing is important, but secondary given all other qualities. Remember, I want this guitar to be good, and a keeper. So far, I just go by what is actually available, and within reach. (By all means hit me up if you have a good deal on a used Seth or another pup on my list lol).

Was it an SG that you didn't like the Gibson pups in? And again, would a Seth be powerful enough in the bridge, given the height of the strings?

[Luke Duke]

Thanks Luke, this is precisely what I wanted to hear - actual experience and reasons for choosing one over the other. I'll gladly consider a used Seth, should the opportunity present itself, after all, it was the one that I myself said I liked the best. Pricing is important, but secondary given all other qualities. Remember, I want this guitar to be good, and a keeper. So far, I just go by what is actually available, and within reach.

Was it an SG that you didn't like the Gibson pups in? And again, would a Seth be powerful enough in the bridge, given the height of the strings?

SGs, LPs, 335s, firebirds, explorers, Vs, doesn't matter to me! Gibson engineers all their pups with that grittiness.

As for the Seth, it has long legs and can get closer to the strings than its short legged brethren. You can also cut the pups springs prior to install, that's what I did on PRSi that gives you more height too.

I've got a Seth neck in my R8 and LOVE it. I tried a Seth bridge but under my fingers it was waaaay too bright and quacky, my buddy Dick made it sound great though. That's why I ended up getting a '78 made with Seth parts.

Some guys don't like straight up PAFs in the bridge slots because they want more grind, so if you want a lot of compression and power from the bridge slot you should probably go with another higher output pup and order it with a cover.

Browse the trading post for deals on the pups you are interested in. You might find covers there cheap too.

Luke

[AlexR]

Ok, just for a balanced opinion I will present you this:

I've been on this forum for a while. Based off a lot of opinions I too got the opinion that '57's were a 'bad' pickup that are muffled, dark, not worth it, only good after a mag swap etc, etc....
I've just got hold of a Trad + with the 57/57+ combo in them. Based on people's opinions I expected them to be outta there in a few days, but I'd have to say they are beating the tone of most of the duncans I've had in LP's and LP style guitars so far (including Antiquities and the c/59 hybrid!).
Now this may be due to the fact that this particular Trad is a great guitar, but I wouldn't necessarily discount '57's (especially if the bridge is the '+' variety).

The SG tends to have a more sizzling top-end to them (think Angus Young), so a rounded pickup in a LP will have more upper-end presence in an SG

[Luke Duke]

Ok, just for a balanced opinion I will present you this:

I've been on this forum for a while. Based off a lot of opinions I too got the opinion that '57's were a 'bad' pickup that are muffled, dark, not worth it, only good after a mag swap etc, etc....
I've just got hold of a Trad + with the 57/57+ combo in them. Based on people's opinions I expected them to be outta there in a few days, but I'd have to say they are beating the tone of most of the duncans I've had in LP's and LP style guitars so far (including Antiquities and the c/59 hybrid!).
Now this may be due to the fact that this particular Trad is a great guitar, but I wouldn't necessarily discount '57's (especially if the bridge is the '+' variety).

The SG tends to have a more sizzling top-end to them (think Angus Young), so a rounded pickup in a LP will have more upper-end presence in an SG

See? Different strokes for different folks!

Just to be clear my dislike falls on ALL Gibson pups.

[Mike33]

Just to be clear my dislike falls on ALL Gibson pups.

Haha Luke, yeah, point well taken, and thanks Alex for your encouragement

So if I do get that 57, the seller claims it to be "bridge", with no specific evidence, can it be safely moved to the neck position?

[Luke Duke]

Haha Luke, yeah, point well taken, and thanks Alex for your encouragement

So if I do get that 57, the seller claims it to be "bridge", with no specific evidence, can it be safely moved to the neck position?

There's no bridge or neck model. A classic + would TECHNICALLY be a bridge model.

[blueman335]

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

Except when you're dealing with such exceptional PU's lkike the C8, UO C5, JB2, etc.

We have ten kinds of alnicos available, who's to say the PU manufacturer got the perfect one for your wood, guitar design, and rig? And everyone else who buys that PU.

[ImmortalSix]

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?

So much sense. Great choice.

[RayBarbeeMusic]

I have a C5 bridge/jazz neck in mine, both covered, sounds great.

Air Norton is a pickup I find harsh in the bridge, it has an abundance of high end that make it scream "neck pickup" even though it isn't short on bass or mids either. Given that SGs tend to be a bit harsh in the bridge anyway due to the placement of the bridge pickup route, I'd go with something darker.

[Luke Duke]

Except when you're dealing with such exceptional PU's lkike the C8, UO C5, JB2, etc.

We have ten kinds of alnicos available, who's to say the PU manufacturer got the perfect one for your wood, guitar design, and rig? And everyone else who buys that PU.

Definitely not me, but I truly believe it's a folly to recommend to someone BRAND NEW to pup swapping that they go about disassembling a pickup switching out a magnet and then reassembling it...THEN try soldering for the first time.

It's all about baby steps.

[Mike33]

Hey, thanks for the concern Luke, like I stated, I definitely don't want to do that, albeit for different reasons. I'm in my 40's, and have been soldering for good 30 years lol.

[Hellion]

I think it depends on the individual guitar. I have a '78 SG with the original pickups and I've never found a reason to replace them. I also have a '75 SG that has an Invader in the bridge and a Dirty Fingers in front. The guitar is pure magic.

[tonello]

Stock Custom in the bridge, with a Pearly Gates in the neck. If you're looking for a wide variety of tonal options that to me would do it.

[blueman335]

Based off a lot of opinions I too got the opinion that '57's were a 'bad' pickup that are muffled, dark, not worth it, only good after a mag swap etc, etc....
I've just got hold of a Trad + with the 57/57+ combo in them. Based on people's opinions I expected them to be outta there in a few days, but I'd have to say they are beating the tone of most of the duncans I've had in LP's and LP style guitars so far (including Antiquities and the c/59 hybrid!).
Now this may be due to the fact that this particular Trad is a great guitar, but I wouldn't necessarily discount '57's (especially if the bridge is the '+' variety).

I've also heard some '57's that sounded very good. But I haven't been thrilled with the ones I have, and have swapped magnets, which got what I wanted from them. Posts here have also been split between '57 fans and the 'less than impressed.' For Gibson HB's, I prefer the numbered Burstbuckers. To me, Duncan makes better PAF's overall than Gibson. But certain PU's will sound better in some guitars than others. Duncan PAF's won't always sound better than Gibson PAF's, but I think Duncans will sound better more often.

[MattPete]

Definitely not me, but I truly believe it's a folly to recommend to someone BRAND NEW to pup swapping that they go about disassembling a pickup switching out a magnet and then reassembling it...THEN try soldering for the first time.

It's all about baby steps.

Amen.

[Mike33]

Ok guys, so it seems the two overwhelming choices here are:

Custom 5 bridge / 59 neck
and
Seth bridge / Jazz neck

Between these two, which would be your pick?

Or would it be slight variations (custom 5/jazz or seth /59)?

Also, what is the Custom/59 hybrid? Is it any good for my application?

Thanks again everyone.

[blueman335]

Ok guys, so it seems the two overwhelming choices here are:

Custom 5 bridge / 59 neck

Seth bridge / Jazz neck

Option 1 is if you want a hotter bridge, Option 2 is for a vintage sound.