Standard Pickups query

[Jimbo]

I have had my SG standard for a couple of years now and during that period I have considerably reduced the distortion with which I play, I am aiming for just enough gain now to give solos the nescesary bite, and to give chords a bit of classic crunch but also clarity.

 

I was experimenting with pickup heights the other day, and thought I would just be silly and lower them as far as I could just to see how things sounded.I lowered the bridge 498T so that the top of the pickup was only potruding 2 32/ths of an inch above the pickup cavity. Everything sounded a lot better in many ways, somehow more mellow and subtle but with greater bite when required. But here's the rub:Unsurprisingly,The pickup was now so low that there was too much background noise, due to the much weaker signal, and to get any kind of ballance between the pickups the neck pickup needed to be lowered almost to the point where the pickup screws fall out! even then the volume for the neck pickup had to be lowered to 5-6.

 

Naturally,I have since tried to replicate this by raising the pickups gradually to what most would consider a sensible height, and lowering the volume controls/gain on my amp to compensate,but it just isn't the same.

 

Question: would I benefit from changing to lower output pickups?would they provide the more 60's70's sound that I'm trying to get? If so what would people reccomend?

[Ian Martin]

You'd be surprised how often people have brought up this issue.

 

Sounds like you definitely want something lower output, and trust me you won't get it from the 498T.

 

Enter solution: the '57 Classic pickup. This is the classic SG sound that everyone wants but can't obtain with the stock pickups. They have that classic rock crunch that breaks up perfectly. The AC/DC sound was build on this combination.

 

I, like many others who have visited this forum have switched to the '57s and I have never heard anyone say anything but great things about them or go back to the stock pickups. And if you still want that higher gain sound on occasion, you can still get it with a little more drive from your amp.

 

Good luck.

[Jimbo]

You'd be surprised how often people have brought up this issue.

 

Sounds like you definitely want something lower output' date=' and trust me you won't get it from the 498T.

 

Enter solution: the '57 Classic pickup. This is the classic SG sound that everyone wants but can't obtain with the stock pickups. They have that classic rock crunch that breaks up perfectly. The AC/DC sound was build on this combination.

 

I, like many others who have visited this forum have switched to the '57s and I have never heard anyone say anything but great things about them or go back to the stock pickups. And if you still want that higher gain sound on occasion, you can still get it with a little more drive from your amp.

 

Good luck.

 

 

 

[/quote']

 

Thanks for that Ian, what you have described is exactly what I'm looking for. Incidentally, do I need to consider the "57 Classic plus" for the bridge pickup to provide a decent output balance with the neck pickup?-or will I be defeating the whole purpose of the exercise by doing this?

Much appreciated--Jimbo

[Ian Martin]

I haven't seen or heard much in terms of the comparison between the regular '57s and the Classic Plus. I can only imagine the difference is so slight that there barely is one. Same goes for the Angus Young pickup, which is a glorified '57 as well though some people do swear by them. You know who you are, AC/DC nerds ;-P!

 

My suggestion would be just to get a matched pair of the regular '57s (will be easier on your wallet as well) and just adjust the heights so they're both similar in output.

 

Cheers.

[MI_Canuck]

You can read more on the '57 Classic and Classic Plus here:

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Divisions/Gibson%20Gear/Pickups/_57%20Classic%20Humbuckers/

 

The Plus is most often used in the bridge, with the Classic at the neck.

 

Let us know how they sound once you pop those puppies in! ;-)

[Jimbo]

I haven't seen or heard much in terms of the comparison between the regular '57s and the Classic Plus. I can only imagine the difference is so slight that there barely is one. Same goes for the Angus Young pickup' date=' which is a glorified '57 as well though some people do swear by them. You know who you are, AC/DC nerds ;-P!

 

My suggestion would be just to get a matched pair of the regular '57s (will be easier on your wallet as well) and just adjust the heights so they're both similar in output.

 

Cheers.

 

[/quote']

 

Thanks for that guys. I'm inclined to go for the matched pair, and will certainly let you know about the end result!

[flyingarmadillo]

It may be hard to do where you are, but if you want to see how they sound, find a '61 RI. They come with the '57's (and I love mine!)

[Jimbo]

It may be hard to do where you are' date=' but if you want to see how they sound, find a '61 RI. They come with the '57's (and I love mine!)[/quote']

 

Don't know if they would let me near one! but everything points to the 57 being the way to go. I'm making enquiries about the price in the uk at present.Then I'll need to break it to the wife!