Mike CT Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 (edited) Currently: In my SG (2019) I have the Dave Mustaine Thrash Factors which is essentially a tighter JB with a bit more output and a tight bottom end. I have also have a set of 490r/498t that I took out to put the TF in. I also just recently bought a 1997 Flying V (white) which is incredible, but this one came with the Suhr Aldrich pickups. I always wanted to try those and so far I’m like thing a lot. I like the idea of different pickups in different guitars and I really like both guitars. The question is would you keep the Suhr Aldrich in the V or swap them with the TFs that are in the SG? I think both sound good as is, but I don’t know if there is a consensus in terms of which would be better in a thicker vs. thinner all mahogany guitar. I could also throw in the 490/498s as well. I’m just asking because my gut tells me I’d rather have the TFs in the V and Surh Aldrich in the SG since even though they are hotter, they seem to me to be clearer pickups. In my LP, I have a 59/JB combo that I like a lot because in addition to (trying to play) classic metal, I also play modern country which is basic rock these days. I’m not sure I’d swap those out for the other pickups. Thanks! Mike Edited February 19 by Mike CT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 The 490R/498T would sound great in either Guitar. As for buying a second Set what kind of sound are you going for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 (edited) Lindy Fralin's Edited February 19 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike CT Posted February 19 Author Share Posted February 19 (edited) I’m not buying a second set, these are either pickups in the guitars or those 490/498 ones are on the shelf from when I replaced them last year with the Thrash Factors. Those TFs are really good to my ears. I had the 490/498 in the SG for years and like it but I wanted to try something different and the Thrash Factors sounded interesting so I put them in the SG. I think they’re great and was enjoying them more than the 490/498 (but that could change down the road). i had read great things about the Suhr Aldrich pickups and had always wanted to try them. The V that I bought two weeks ago had that pickup in the bridge and I just got the matching neck pickup. So it is going to the shop for that install, which naturally I complicate by wondering if I should play musical chairs with the pickups. i have a 59/JB combo in the Les Paul that I think I don’t want to change even though I hear great things about those Suhrs in LPs. So in my mind I guess I was still keeping the 498/4984 on the shelf for a bit longer and was debating which guitars those other pick ups will fit in. i mostly play things like Maiden, Priest, Def Leppard, Metallica, Megadeth, Ghost, Aerosmith, and some modern country like Jason Aldean and Eric Church. For the country stuff for some reason I’ve just automatically reached for the SG or the LP only. So I’m going for hard rock and metal (classic stuff mainly) diversity and playing through a Marshall DSL 40CR. i also have a 2000 Explorer that I replaced the 496/500 pickups (did not like those at all with a Duncan 59/Custom setup which I love. So versatile! I don’t want to mess with that. Thanks and hope the further description helps. Mike Edited February 19 by Mike CT Tweak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 (edited) I’m a fan of 490R/498T Pups.. I have some in my early 90’s LP Std Plus & love their sound.. You could try the 490/498 in the Explorer.. If you like them, experiment with the remaining Pups in the SG.. Maybe even combinations of the remaining Pups.. The hotter ones for Bridge & the less Hot for the Neck.. Who knows? You might come up with a great combination! If you were buying I’d recommend Fralins, Duncan’s or Lollars… If budget wasn’t an issue Throbak’s… Edited February 19 by Larsongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparquelito Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Mike CT, A few things to ponder, sir. If you ask 15 different guitar players their thoughts on swapping these pickups for those over there, you are likely to get around 19 different opinions. But that's all they are. Opinions. My recommendation is to ponder exactly what is wrong with what you have in each of guitars as they are? And if there's nothing wrong with them, what is the motivation for the swap-out? Experimentation? Bored, and want to shake things up? Hoping for a dramatic, game-changing transformation in tones? All are completely valid motivations. And they are you guitars to modify as you see fit. Rock on, either way. Play, loudly and proudly. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 (edited) I just went through this. My reason was I didn’t like the sound of the Pickups in a MIC Epiphone Casino. I knew what I wanted, spent some $$$ & upgraded to the Pups I wanted.. It turned the Guitars sound from awful to incredible.. It was worth it.. It would be a good idea for the OP to know what he wants before going down that Rabbit hole.. Maybe he should go play lots of Guitars with different kinds Pickups to find a Sound he wants.. Edited February 20 by Larsongs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparquelito Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 8 hours ago, Larsongs said: I just went through this. My reason was I didn’t like the sound of the Pickups in a MIC Epiphone Casino. I knew what I wanted, spent some $$$ & upgraded to the Pups I wanted.. It turned the Guitars sound from awful to incredible.. It was worth it.. It would be a good idea for the OP to know what he wants before going down that Rabbit hole.. Maybe he should go play lots of Guitars with different kinds Pickups to find a Sound he wants.. Agreed. Playing a lot of guitars is usually the solution to any problem. 🫠 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 Duncan P-Rails with triple shot rings. They give you P90 Rail Series Humbucker Parallel Humbucker tones. I really like the P90s. Put both pups on rail and it's very fender sounding, but not quite as loud (volume control adjustment needed) And the humbuckers can sound like a regular humbucker or a mini. It's a Swiss-Army-Knife of pickups. Notes ♫ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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