Question on Replacing Bridge Pickup on SG-400 1966 Reissue

[Chas63]

I've got a question about my Epi guitar. I bought it new about 7 or 8 months ago. It's a solid body and I think it's called a SG-400 1966 Reissue from the Custom Shop. It's solid walnut with double humbuckers.

 

Since buying the guitar, I've come to the conclusion that I prefer the sound of the single coil pickups such as in the Fender and Squier guitars to the doube coil humbuckers. So anyway, my question is this. Would it be possible to remove the bridge HB and replace it with a single coil pickup which would (hopefully) give the guitar a more Fender-like sound?

 

It appears from looking at the guitar that the bridge HB just attaches to the front of the guitar by a couple of screws. I've never replaced any pickups before, but I think I could probably do it if it's not too complicated or intricate. Any advice or suggestions?

 

Thanks,

 

Chas63

[chipwich]

I've got a question about my Epi guitar. I bought it new about 7 or 8 months ago. It's a solid body and I think it's called a SG-400 1966 Reissue from the Custom Shop. It's solid walnut with double humbuckers.

 

Since buying the guitar, I've come to the conclusion that I prefer the sound of the single coil pickups such as in the Fender and Squier guitars to the doube coil humbuckers. So anyway, my question is this. Would it be possible to remove the bridge HB and replace it with a single coil pickup which would (hopefully) give the guitar a more Fender-like sound?

 

It appears from looking at the guitar that the bridge HB just attaches to the front of the guitar by a couple of screws. I've never replaced any pickups before, but I think I could probably do it if it's not too complicated or intricate. Any advice or suggestions?

 

Thanks,

 

Chas63

 

Have you seen Wide-Os from The Creamery?

 

http://www.at-the-creamery.co.uk/scatterwound-pickups-from-the-creamery/custom-humbucker-sized-single-coil-pickups.html

[Blueman335]

I've have a couple SG's with the (big) batwing pickguard, including one of the walnut models like yours. Not a big deal to swap PU's; I do it to all of my Epi's. If you want a single sound, your best bet is a pair of P-90's, and you can get them in a HB size. Amongst the PU swappers on the Duncan Forum, GFS Mean 90's (not Dream 90's) have a very good reputation, and they're affordable. They have twin A5 magnets in them (like traditional P-90's), which give a bright single coil sound. If you want even more of a single coil tone, put in one or two A3 magnets. Duncan Phat Cats have A2 magnets, which are very warm and dark, so they don't sound much like single coils. You can get replacement mags at Addiction FX on eBay; big selection and low prices.

[Whitmore Willy]

Chas,

Single coil...yes. Fender like? Yaahhh, maybe. The fender single coils are a different type, size and output than a P-90. But a humbucker size P-90 might give you more of the sound you are looking for. The holy grail of coil tapping is to achieve a Fender sound with a humbucker. Ya, I know many will disagree. Anyway, that is why many players that have Gibson guitars also have Fenders.

 

As to putting a humbucker size single coil pickup into a humbucker cavity....Just about everyone out there makes them.

Starting point for reasonable quality IMO is the GFS.

http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Guitar-Pickups_c_7.html

After that the price and (sometimes the quality) just goes up.

 

Willy

[tweed2]

I've have a couple SG's with the (big) batwing pickguard, including one of the walnut models like yours. Not a big deal to swap PU's; I do it to all of my Epi's. If you want a single sound, your best bet is a pair of P-90's, and you can get them in a HB size. Amongst the PU swappers on the Duncan Forum, GFS Mean 90's (not Dream 90's) have a very good reputation, and they're affordable. They have twin A5 magnets in them (like traditional P-90's), which give a bright single coil sound. If you want even more of a single coil tone, put in one or two A3 magnets. Duncan Phat Cats have A2 magnets, which are very warm and dark, so they don't sound much like single coils. You can get replacement mags at Addiction FX on eBay; big selection and low prices.

I was under the impression that "traditional" P-90s had A-II magnets, if by traditional, you mean 50s P-90s. If traditional was meant to refer to today's typical P-90, then yes, many use the A-V, or Ceramic 8 (less expensive). I used the following chart to help decide magnet types, but keep in mind, these are generalizations. If you're looking for real bright, you may want to listen to a Ceramic 8 P-90. Or, you could try changing your cap value with an A-V. The Vintage Vibe pickups that I put on my Casino allow for changing the magnets (and their orientation) from A-II, A-III, A-V and Ceramic 8. I ended upusing an A-II at the neck (and flipped, South up), an A-V at the bridge, but with a Fender valued cap. I went through every conceivable combination to come up with my final configuration. But I wasn't looking for the same thing you are. My point being, most pickup makers have sound clips for the different pickups, which may help you decide.

 

http://vintagevibeguitars.com/wiring_diagrams/magnets_table.pdf

[Whitmore Willy]

Good info Tweed.

I learn something new around here every day!

 

Good pdf. as well.

 

Willy

[tweed2]

Good info Tweed.

I learn something new around here every day!

 

Good pdf. as well.

 

Willy

Ya, Pete is one of the most helpful guys that I've run across. We did at least 20 emails, back and forth, before I decided what I wanted. Like his PUs, as much as I like Lollar's. Glad to pass some of what I picked up, on.

[antwhi2001]

All the suggested replacement pickups mentioned so far will not make it sound like a Fender. You will get a sound somewhere in between humbucker and Fender single coil (which you might like?).

 

An alternative is to replace the pickups with a model which has 4 wires, that enables you to wire it so the pickups can be switched between twin coil and single coil operation. Unfortunately they tend to be disappointing tone-wise in single coil mode, and you will also get a noticeable drop in volume.

 

Sorry to say this on an Epi forum, but you probably need to get a Sq***r strat or tele. Even the cheap ones do achieve the characteristic tones of the respective models.

[animalfarm]

Here's something that's been parked in the Epiphone Lounge "Do-it-Yourself" Sticky

for a while - Video Tutorial series - replaces Humbuckers with P-90s in a full

Batwing pickguard.

 

Located in the ***GUITAR PROJECTS and/or BUILDS: section.

(for reference in case you've been thinking).

All depends on how adventureous you are!!!!

 

"Install P-90 Pickups in Epi G-400 with FULL Bat-Wing Pickguard" - Video Series

(Videos 4 - 7 have EXCELLENT tutorials for soldering components/Pups like a PRO!)

http://www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=p90-pickup-installation

[Blueman335]

I was under the impression that "traditional" P-90s had A-II magnets, if by traditional, you mean 50s P-90s. If traditional was meant to refer to today's typical P-90, then yes, many use the A-V, or Ceramic 8 (less expensive). I used the following chart to help decide magnet types, but keep in mind, these are generalizations. If you're looking for real bright, you may want to listen to a Ceramic 8 P-90. Or, you could try changing your cap value with an A-V. The Vintage Vibe pickups that I put on my Casino allow for changing the magnets (and their orientation) from A-II, A-III, A-V and Ceramic 8. I ended upusing an A-II at the neck (and flipped, South up), an A-V at the bridge, but with a Fender valued cap. I went through every conceivable combination to come up with my final configuration. But I wasn't looking for the same thing you are. My point being, most pickup makers have sound clips for the different pickups, which may help you decide.

 

http://vintagevibeguitars.com/wiring_diagrams/magnets_table.pdf

 

Gibson's been using A5's in their P-90's for decades, so it's been the industry standard. I just don't think A2's work that well in the neck slot for P-90's, all mids and very little treble. They're pretty dark and muffled in a warm mahogany or a semi-hollow guitar (great in a Strat though). An A5 P-90 in the neck will have a clear, open Gibson single coil sound. You won't get the Fender sound (and that's certainly not my holy grail), as they have 6 individual rod magnets with wire wrapped around them, as opposed to Gibson's bar magnets seated under the coils.

 

I don't see ceramic magnets as the best option for P-90's; the output's too hot and they're not that good clean. The ideal tone is going to come from alnicos, which have more dynamics and character.

 

Cap values only come into play when you turn down the tone knob, which most guys don't do. On the other hand, pot values have an impact even on '10', so that's the thing to tweak. To get that single coil I think this guy would want to stick with the standard 500K pots & .022 caps that come in P-90 guitars.

[tweed2]

Gibson's been using A5's in their P-90's for decades, so it's been the industry standard. I just don't think A2's work that well in the neck slot for P-90's, all mids and very little treble. They're pretty dark and muffled in a warm mahogany or a semi-hollow guitar (great in a Strat though). An A5 P-90 in the neck will have a clear, open Gibson single coil sound. You won't get the Fender sound (and that's certainly not my holy grail), as they have 6 individual rod magnets with wire wrapped around them, as opposed to Gibson's bar magnets seated under the coils.

 

I don't see ceramic magnets as the best option for P-90's; the output's too hot and they're not that good clean. The ideal tone is going to come from alnicos, which have more dynamics and character.

 

Cap values only come into play when you turn down the tone knob, which most guys don't do. On the other hand, pot values have an impact even on '10', so that's the thing to tweak. To get that single coil I think this guy would want to stick with the standard 500K pots & .022 caps that come in P-90 guitars.

I agree with most of what you said. I'm not sure I'd agree with the statement that A-IIs don't work at the neck. I have one on my Casino and I think it works very well. Also, I know several people with ceramic P-90s at the bridge that love them, though, like you, it's not my cup of tea. The question was about bridge PUs, after all. Understood about the cap values, almost everybody subscribes to the accepted Fender and Gibson cap values. I do use a Fender valued cap on my bridge PU and it is a useful at times, but then I was looking for a specific sound. My Gibson tech suggested it and I like what it does. Like me, he likes to think outside the box every once in a while.

[disaster]

Check out the Seymour Duncan P-Rails. Both a P-90 single coil and a traditional Gibson HB in a single pickup. Requires addding switches (push-pull pots would be the best choice for the SG) to the guitar but dynamite upgrade.

 

Happy Chosing.

[Chas63]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I really appreciate it and I've picked up some useful info from this thread.

 

I've decided to just leave the 1966 Reissue G-400 just as it is. It doesn't quite have the twang of a Fender or Squier, but it has a good growl on the bridge humbucker so I'll just leave it alone.

 

I put some lighter strings on it today and adjusted the pickup heights a little, so it's sounding and playing pretty well. I also tweaked the truss rod a little looser to compensate for the lighter strings. Right now, the limiting factor in the sound of this guitar is the OPERATOR, but I'm working on that problem too.

 

Chas63

[Trewblue]

About a month or so ago I put GFS Dream 90's in my SG. Easy to do and they sound really good.

I think the Mean 90's are a little hotter.

[Blueman335]

About a month or so ago I put GFS Dream 90's in my SG. Easy to do and the sound really good.

I think the Mean 90's are a little hotter.

 

Good set of PU's to get that original SG Special sound, ala Townsend and Santana.