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Post by newey on Jun 17, 2009 18:44:47 GMT -5
Jammonster-
Hello and Welcome!
I'm not an expert on these particular pups, so I can't give you a meaningful recommendation. I don't think the subtle differences in body resonances between an LP and an SG will make much difference; if you loved them in the LP, they're probably going to be your favorite flavor in the SG as well.
If there is to be any tonal difference between the LP and SG, it would result from pup placement along the string. I don't know, without breaking out a ruler, whether the positions are equivalent between the 2 guitars. I would also need an LP and an SG along with the ruler, so if you'll be kind enough to ship me one of each . . . ;D
The potting does play a role in the difference in tone, but it is likely that other factors are also afoot- wire, windings, etc.
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Post by ChrisK on Jun 17, 2009 19:09:36 GMT -5
I tend to believe that there are fairly substantial mechanical differences between an LP and a SG. The typical LP tends to be quite heavy due to it being a significant thickness mahogany plank. This gives mechanical stiffness and contributes to sustain. The SG does not, and is often used by those "slight of mass" (robustly challenged) due to their light weight (uh, both of them). The LP usually has a maple cap thick enough to contribute tonally (the cheap ones do not). This contributes to "snap". The SG Standard is a relatively thin piece of just mahogany. IMHO, Fender Strat's and Tele's are typically a relatively stiff but thick body (alder/ash) coupled to a a relatively stiff neck. These go "boing." The LP is a relatively soft but thick body with a stiff maple cap coupled to a relatively soft neck. These go "boink." The SG is a relatively soft but thin body with no cap coupled to a relatively soft neck. These go "doink." The burstbuckers may well not be bright enough in your SG. However, find out which SG has the burstbuckers in it and go try one. That'll teach ya!  |
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Post by sumgai on Jun 17, 2009 21:54:34 GMT -5
'monster, Depending one what you consider "easy" and/or "cheap", the first thing I'd do is investigate the resistance values of the volume and tone controls. If they're the standard 500KΩ, then you might consider stepping up to 1MΩ pots (all four of 'em). Reason being, the higher the pots' value, the brighter the tonality. For many SC pups, this would render them harsh by most lights, but for your case, it'd be a bit cheaper to try than forking out bigbux for a pair of 'Burstbuckers.....  HTH sumgai |
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Post by JohnH on Jun 17, 2009 22:21:59 GMT -5
jammonster - just an idea, but what length cord do you use and why not try a shorter one?
I have '57 classics in my LP Studio. With a 20' cord it sounds too jazzy/mellow and dullish, but with a 10' cord it is just right. With that, it is my best electric sound of all.
John
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Post by gitpiddler on Jun 18, 2009 2:27:51 GMT -5
Jammonster-Hello! If the SG acoustically sounds warm-"d'oh";D instead of "doink", potted pups will not not add sparkle. Are they Gibsons? Maybe she merely needs brighter strings. D'addario EXP's get my vote. The maple slab on the LP gives it air and definition, the pickups merely transmit the "boink". How old is the SG? The finish loosens up as they are played and hopefully the snaps 'burn' through and increase with age. Definitely check the pots, they may only be 250KÙ. For snap, get a Tele Peaces, gp |
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Post by ChrisK on Jun 18, 2009 12:48:13 GMT -5
Whoa, those are some powerful snaps. ;D ;D
Yes, the dreaded effect of cable "crapacitance".
( 8^(I)
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Post by sydsbluesky on Jun 22, 2009 23:24:31 GMT -5
Should try one of those nifty EMG products to run low impedance.
The difference in the 57 and the burstbuckers MAINLY being that the burstbuckers are unevenly wound for that "vintage" bite.
The 57s mellow out with the perfectly even windings... the 57 in all honesty isn't built like a vintage pickups would be built... it's built like an old timer would be TRYING to build a pickup.
the modern "vintage" aspect of a burstbucker is just what Seth Lover would call a "mistake" in windings... not that they seemed to care. They moved product, that's for sure.
LP and the SG should always sound similar... but individual guitars vary, and mahagony is famous for its inconsistency of grain in recent years.
With burstbuckers 1/2/3 the only difference at all is the uneven coil windings within the humbucker... If you go to the Pro, however...
(which you probably will not want to do, since that creeps back into the 498 territory)
Potted and not potted... I prefer potting. I'll take the hit on that "unpotted" sound for the wax... I like pushing a lotta sound live, and that wax is a lifesaver. The burstbucker pro is wax potted, unlike the others.
The burstbuckers pro ALSO uses a AlNiCo V magnet instead of a II.
I'm not really a magnet guy, but Vs tend to be higher output.
The burstbucker pro is my preference from the gibson line, but if you didn't like the 498t, then the pro probably isn't for you.
If you wanted cheaper options Duncan might be a company to consider.
Oh, and don't MusiciansFriend the gibbies right away... Froogle them up and then make MF match the price. Best price and best customer service. Hard to beat!
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Post by wolf on Jun 23, 2009 22:29:01 GMT -5
Well this one is right up my alley. I'd say the major reason for the SG sounding "warm even dull" is the fact that they (and Les Pauls) utilize 2 wire humbuckers. Yes, when an SG (or Les Paul) is played "straight" through an amp, it leaves a lot to be desired. It sure has that warm, full, long sustain sound but what do you do when you want to have a sharper, brighter sound? I faced this problem decades ago when I bought an SG Standard and eventually wanted it to have a little more sonic variety. My solution was to rewire the guitar. Since Gibson uses those impregnable brick pickups, I had to buy new ones because you can't rewire a humbucker that is sealed forever in epoxy. I wasn't too thrilled with the fact that shortly afetr buying an SG, I had to buy new pickups too.  Still, I think it was worth it. Perhaps in some century, Gibson and Fender will realize that: 1) Gibsons will have greater versatility if those humbucking coils could be wired with a few switches to make them sound brighter whenever you wanted that sound. 2) Fenders would sound better if there was switching that allowed the coils to be wired so that they could have a fuller sound. Now you know why I became one of the Guitar Nuts. ... and welcome to GuitarNuts jammonster. |
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Post by chuck on Jun 14, 2010 0:28:59 GMT -5
the 1 or 2 meg pots will send less of the signal / tone to ground , and that will give you more pizazz .
its not overly complicated or expensive to try out some new pots to spice up your tone.
if your pickups have the long screws that extend below the base of the pickup , you can screw them down into the bobbin a bit and then cut off the extra length sticking out the bottom.
then just raise the screws to your normal height.
this is supposed to tidy up the magnetic field and make your pickup more efficient .
or you can just buy some shorter screws and use those.
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Still, I think it was worth it.