Spec me a humbucker!

One More Solo · 22 Nov 2006 at 12:01

Hey all,
I've had an Epiphone SG400 for a few years now and been meaning to change the pickups for ages, since I think for the money it's an excellent guitar, very playable and well built, but the stock pickups sound pretty terrible. For the neck I'm looking for something warm and full sounding and was thinking a Seymour Duncan '59, I've played guitars with them before and they're a pretty classic sounding option. I'm open to other suggestions though.

The bridge is a different matter and, since I never really use the middle selector on the guitar, it doesn't need to be that balanced with the neck pickup. I'm really looking for something that brings out harmonics and tapping, since my current pickup loses it on the high end and just sounds brittle, with a nice crunch. I've been looking at the Rio Grande Fat ******* (heh) pickup since I know Matt Bellamy used to use one when his tone was a bit fuller and crunchier, and he never seemed to have any problem with harmonics. Any ideas on what else might suit me?

Andelusion · 22 Nov 2006 at 12:22

DiMarzio D-Sonic in the bridge with the bar facing towards the neck will be :cool:

I have one, and always do lots of pinch harmonics, they're very easy to do with this pickup.

One More Solo · 22 Nov 2006 at 12:31

Ooh, good call, that sounds ace.

Chronos-X · 22 Nov 2006 at 12:47

I'd consider looking seriously at your strings and amp EQ

riddlermarc · 22 Nov 2006 at 13:46

You could do worse than going for the SD JB/Jazz pairing:

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/hot-rodded-humbucker™-se/67098

They should compliment the SG pretty well

If you wanted a little more spice, maybe a SD SH-13 Dimebucker in the bridge? Or for ultimate bite, a set of EMG 81/85 actives.. I have some in my Jackson and they are incredible for sustain and pinch harmonics :eek:

Okay, clean sounds are a little pinched but hey, can't have everything

jegz · 22 Nov 2006 at 13:50

I own a SH-13 Dimebucker and would recommend it as it gives a huge sound when chugging away but is clear whilst tapping and playing harmonics.

riddlermarc · 22 Nov 2006 at 15:13

jegz said:
I own a SH-13 Dimebucker and would recommend it as it gives a huge sound when chugging away but is clear whilst tapping and playing harmonics.

Hey jegz, what guitar do you have this in?

jegz · 22 Nov 2006 at 15:22

Its just a crappy Fender Squire strat.

The same guitar i've had since i was 15/16.I so badly want to upgrade but just cant afford it tbh, although considering the quality of the guitar it sounds nice through my VS265.

One More Solo · 22 Nov 2006 at 23:29

Chronos-X said:
I'd consider looking seriously at your strings and amp EQ

I do pay close attention to my other kit but the SG pickups really are terrible. I do need some new strings at the moment though.

Cheers for the suggestions as well, I will check them all out.

One More Solo · 10 Dec 2006 at 20:00

Thought I might as well tell you what I went for in the end.

Decided some uber-high output thing would lose its novelty after a while so went for a SD Custom (SH-5) which are pretty hot but can do cleans and things very nicely too. In the neck I made a last minute decision to go for a SD Seth Lover instead of the 59, just sounds a bit more alive, especially with overdrive. Got the nickle covers for the proper SG look and ordered 5 packs of D'addario strings too. Grand total with delivery, just over a hundred quid. Have to love the exchange rate!

FireMoon · 11 Dec 2006 at 02:20

No contest.... The best Humbuckers around, bar none, right now... are from the English firm Bareknuckle.. http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ ... Hand made, and frankly, they make mincemeat of anything Seymour Duncan or Di Marzio manufacture. That's not to disparage either firm who make decent Pups but Bareknuckle have taken the art to a whole new level... No, they aint cheap, but they are worth every last penny/dime believe me...

aceface57 · 11 Dec 2006 at 03:45

Hey i have a dimazio tone zone pickup in my les paul, i can really get pick harmonics well with this, maybe another pickup to have a look at?

SidewinderINC · 11 Dec 2006 at 08:51

Andelusion said:
DiMarzio D-Sonic in the bridge with the bar facing towards the neck will be I have one, and always do lots of pinch harmonics, they're very easy to do with this pickup.

i thought you had the bar "bridge side" the same as myself and petrucci.

pinch harmonics are so awesome with this pickup its unbelievable. getting them on the 2nd fret is so easy, and the guitar just sounds great!