SG question?

[matt74]

Hey guys, I live in Canada. I have a Gibson SG Standard and the stock Gibson pickups are pretty harsh at times. I’m looking for a hot-vintage tone somewhere along the line of Slash and Joe Bonamassa. I was looking at a set of VH2's or Stormy Mondays, any recommendations? Since i live in Canada i can't exactly take chances due to the exchange rate :S, thanks guys!

[Twinfan]

Welcome  :)

Slash and Bonamassa are more 'classic vintage' than 'hot vintage' to my ears.  You need a nicely balanced, fairly warm tone with good mids and a low output.  They like to let their amps do the work, and let the natural guitar tone come through.

You need a set of Stormy Mondays with Alnico II magnets  :)

[hunter]

Bonamassa I would have said Mules.

Slash has AlnicoIIs, so Stormy Mondays might be right, but they are fairly low output I believe.

[Mr. Air]

Maybe a set of Riff Raffs would do the job as they have more output than the Stormies. According to Tim Mules doesn't work so well in SGs, but the Stormies and Riff Raffs do.

[Twinfan]

Riff Raffs are bit harsher and more biting and in my opinion aren't quite smooth enough for Bonamassa and Slash tones.  They're classic Angus - sharp and edgy.

[matt74]

Welcome  :)

Slash and Bonamassa are more 'classic vintage' than 'hot vintage' to my ears.  You need a nicely balanced, fairly warm tone with good mids and a low output.  They like to let their amps do the work, and let the natural guitar tone come through.

You need a set of Stormy Mondays with Alnico II magnets  :)

The only thing is ive dealt with seymour duncan alnico 2 pros and they just sounded so riddiculously lifeless in my les paul im a bit hesitant to try a different pair. Especially at the price im gunna have to pay for BK's, but i could be wrong. The Riff raffs arent a bad idea, thanks!

[Twinfan]

There's more than one way to skin a cat.  Just because they have a similar spec on paper it doesn't mean they'll sound the same  ;)

GOod luck with your decision!

[ericsabbath]

I’m looking for a hot-vintage tone somewhere along the line of Slash and Joe Bonamassa. I was looking at a set of VH2's or Stormy Mondays, any recommendations?

black dawg

I don't think stormies and mules are hot in any way
and the riff raffs will probably be brighter, less middy and less smooth than what you want

[PhilKing]

I would put an A5 Mule in the Bridge for the Joe Bonamassa stuff and an AIV Stormy Monday in the neck which will get the Slash stuff dealt with and when you have both pickups you will get a really nice hot Peter Green sound.  I have this in a mahogany Zemaitis clone and I have also heard it in a Flying V.  Just as another point, BK have a swap option, so if you don't like the sound you can call and expain why and they will replace the pickups with a set that they think will work for you based on what you have tried and where you want to go with the sound.  One thing you don't mention is the amp that you are using.  If it's not a Marshall or Dumble style then I might have to rethink the pickups!

[MrBump]

Just my two pence worth re Mules - I have a Yamaha SG, a pure mahogany slab, which I guess isn't too dissimilar to a Gibson.  Tim recommended Mules saying that they had more than enough bite to cut through the wood, and I'm more than happy with them.

Mark.

[matt74]

I would put an A5 Mule in the Bridge for the Joe Bonamassa stuff and an AIV Stormy Monday in the neck which will get the Slash stuff dealt with and when you have both pickups you will get a really nice hot Peter Green sound.  I have this in a mahogany Zemaitis clone and I have also heard it in a Flying V.  Just as another point, BK have a swap option, so if you don't like the sound you can call and expain why and they will replace the pickups with a set that they think will work for you based on what you have tried and where you want to go with the sound.  One thing you don't mention is the amp that you are using.  If it's not a Marshall or Dumble style then I might have to rethink the pickups!

Really? they even swap for international orders? Didn't know that wow.  Sorry for amp im using a kustom coupe, it's alright nothing special but gets some pretty decent tones for what i paid for it. Tube amp 36w 112 combo (marshall style, a little harsh on distortion with SG, not so much lp) if that helps. Looking to help smooth out the distortin but make the guitar a little hotter at same time if thats possible. :P Thanks