about to order a BKP set for my SG Standard.

[djpatb]

This is what I've decided on:
Rebel Yell bridge & Riff Raff neck.

My band's style goes from Sabbath...to the Cult...to Alice in Chains...to Clutch...to DOWN kinda tones.

My amps (Electric Amp MVU, Orange OR120, Bogner Shiva) are kinda dark, so I'm thinking this will add clarity and tighter picking over my current 498t/490r set. I'm looking for a fuller lead tone and something that cleans up better when I roll the volume back too.


What do you guys think about this choice?

[ericsabbath]

for alice, my favorite is definitely the holy diver
but for Down, the best pup I had was the Miracle Man
at least for the heavy parts
everyone here will disagree, but the Miracle Man sounds wonderful for Down stuff
it maybe too focused and modern sounding, but it has a growly and dark low midrange that works great for Down
and it's not anything absurd, considering that they always used hot ceramic pickups, like the EMG 81, Duncan Invaders, Gibson 500t and Tom Anderson H3, instead of vintages PAFs or middy alnico pups like the JB
I think an overwound Cold Sweat with the output of the Miracle Man (but less than the C-Pig) and less treble edge would be a great choice for that

but for Alice In Chains, alnico magnet + ton of mids = win (read Holy Diver/Nailbomb/Rebel Yell/Crawler)
I didn't like the stock Holy Diver in my Gibson SG, though
it sounded much better on Les Pauls
on the SG, it sounded a bit too dark, so I swapped the magnet for alnico 8 for a brighter/tighter/more crunchy tone
it lost a bit of depth and fluidity, though


ps: of course I don't recommend a Miracle Man for Sabbath or Alice
but it was almost perfect for Down, at least in my two Les Pauls and my bandmate's custom made guitar (looks like a BC Rich Virgin), that is also brazilian mahogany (same honduran species)

I think a regular warpig will do the job

[Philly Q]

Just wondering how you decided on the Rebel Yell bridge and Riff Raff neck?  It seems an unusual combination (especially the RR neck, I haven't heard of anyone using that except in a RR calibrated set).

[geoffrey]

Warpigs..... just do it... If you don't like it someone will buy it from you instantly......

[ericsabbath]

I think the black dog would work great for Clutch stuff
you want too much from one guitar  :D

[James C]

A friend has MM in his SG, it nails Down 100% and sounds good for the modern sabbath tone, not sure how it will be for the clutch tones as i have only heard a handful of tunes.

Like an EMG with a soul and a personality

[djpatb]

Just wondering how you decided on the Rebel Yell bridge and Riff Raff neck?  It seems an unusual combination (especially the RR neck, I haven't heard of anyone using that except in a RR calibrated set).

Well this is what I'm thinking...
I picked the Riff Raff neck cuz it's an SG...and I figured it would be the natural choice. I want it to be clear and cutting and vintagey in the neck. I could've just as easily picked the Rebel Yell neck to match....which I may still do.

As for the bridge...I really shy away from ceramic pickups. There are some that I've tried and liked to a point (Super Distortion, Invader, HFS), but usually I get tired of the ceramic sound quickly. I really wanna stick with Hot Alnico from my experience. My only beef with the 498t is that I'd like it to be clearer, tighter on the lowend, and more alive. Otherwise I like the overall voicing of it. I'm leaning towards the  RY becuz it's medium hot, and should still sound PAF'ish. For rhythm the Sabbath, AIC, Down references apply...and I listed The Cult cuz I still wanna have that big classic Les Paul type lead sound, cutting and full. I'd also like the bridge to clean up nicely when I roll the volume back.

Maybe DOWN wasn't the best example to use, haha. I always think of their tones as being smoother just cuz of the Sabbathy style. I'm sure the MM would be a great choice for this! Maybe I should comprimise and try a Nailbomb for some extra oomph. But I always seem to find clips of guys using them for thrash and death metal.

Now I'm doubting myself, thanks guy! Haha.

[djpatb]

I think the black dog would work great for Clutch stuff
you want too much from one guitar  :D

Yeah, maybe I do. :)
Actually, my very first thought was a Black Dog set...then I thought I might need a little extra output.

[LP_LOVER]

cuz I still wanna have that big classic Les Paul type lead sound, cutting and full. I'd also like the bridge to clean up nicely when I roll the volume back.

I always think of their tones as being smoother just cuz of the Sabbathy style.
Now I'm doubting myself.

You just need a Les Paul for what you want. Seriously, you can't get a LP tone out of an SG and vica versa. Have you ever thought about an MQ/PIG90 combo for your SG?

[djpatb]

You just need a Les Paul for what you want. Seriously, you can't get a LP tone out of an SG and vica versa. Have you ever thought about an MQ/PIG90 combo for your SG?

Yeah, I thought about the P90 idea...cuz I really like the Goatsnake stuff, and of course Mountain. But I'm a humbucker guy.
Aside from the fatter lead tone, I'm not really locked into using a Les Paul. I have 2 of them, and I usually only play them at home for blues and classic rock. In the band, the SG just feels more natural for me. I really am close w/ the 498T...I just need a little extra as I explained above. I wanna retain warmth with power, that's why the ceramic and higher output models have scared me off...but I'm trying to be open minded. :)

[LP_LOVER]

That makes sense, respect bro  :lol:

This is a pretty tough one...Rebel Yells might do the trick indeed. They're tight (very defined!) in the bass, pafish and medium-hot; they really rock.

VH2's might be a good choice as well...

[PhilKing]

Rebel Yells work really well in mahogany guitars.  I have a set in a PRS Standard 24 and they sound great.  They do have a lot of upeer mid range, which can cut through well and they will drive an amp really nicely.  I think if you put them in your SG you will be very happy with them.

[djpatb]

Rebel Yells work really well in mahogany guitars.  I have a set in a PRS Standard 24 and they sound great.  They do have a lot of upeer mid range, which can cut through well and they will drive an amp really nicely.  I think if you put them in your SG you will be very happy with them.

Thanks Phil!
How do you like the RY in the neck?
I'm not sure if I wanna go up to 8.3k in the neck...and the Riff Raff seemed like a natural fit for the Gibson SG.

[PhilKing]

I like it as a neck pickup and in the PRS it works really well on the split sounds.  8.3K is still in the original PAF range (albeit on the hotter side), and so I wouldn't worry about it.  I think with the mahogany the tone works really well (though I never tried them in another guitar - they sounded so good in this that I nefer thought of changing them).  Given that you have separate vol and tones for each pickup on an SG, you can always back off the volume a bit if you want, though I think that once you try the RY neck you won't!

[Philly Q]

Now I'm doubting myself, thanks guy! Haha.

No, it sounds like you have it all thought out, it just seemed an unusual combination.  :)

But I agree with Phil K that the RY set should be fine in an SG.  I haven't actually tried the RY neck but I believe it was based on a combination of the CS and VHII neck models, so it should be good!