New pickups on my Yamaha SG 2000

[Marco78]

Hi boys, few days ago I have get a awesome Yamaha SG 2000 but the pickups is good but not special.

I would a pickups that nails the Santana sound of the years 1976-1982 when he uses this guitar.

I have read on the net that Carlos change the japanese pickups with old Gibson, but honestly I don't think that Carlos installed a PAF pickups because IMO the sound is different from PAF sound.

Do you know what pickups Santana used? Or from his sound, in your opinion what pickups are more raccomanded?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3KEwqOZ_UQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSECQtF58BU

[Ratrod]

You could very well be right that he didn't use the stock pickups. I don't see the three screw pickup mounting system.

I have no idea what he might have put in there. All I know he has the tone rolled off.......alot.

[Philly Q]

All I know he has the tone rolled off.......alot.

I love that sound!  :)

[Telerocker]

The toneknob is often the secret to get good/different sounds (specially on a tele). I think Emeralds would be a good choice for the Yam.

[Philly Q]

I know we're talking about a slightly later period, but dare I suggest Abraxas?

[Telerocker]

I know we're talking about a slightly later period, but dare I suggest Abraxas?

Of course you can.

[Philly Q]

I've never properly tried an SG2000 (although they are beautiful guitars!) but I imagine that maple through-neck would make them a bit brighter than a Les Paul?

If that's the case, you probably wouldn't want a bright-sounding pickup.

[Marco78]

I've never properly tried an SG2000 (although they are beautiful guitars!) but I imagine that maple through-neck would make them a bit brighter than a Les Paul?

If that's the case, you probably wouldn't want a bright-sounding pickup.

Yes, this is a slightly brighter guitar than a LP.

[Slartibartfarst42]

I find the tone Santana had on his old Yamaha SG to be FAR superior to anything he's had with PRS. I've had the privilege of playing a Yamaha SG and it was absolutely fantastic. Great to play and godly tone, it just screamed out Santana. I've never played a Gibsonl that came even close to being as satisfying to play and needless to say, if I won the lottery, a Yamaha SG would be my first purchase.

I'm not sure which pickups would be best but for obvious reasons I'd have thought the Abraxas set would be a great choice fo what you're looking for.

[choucas09]

If hid did use PAF's then surely Mules are the way to go.

[FenderBender]

I remember reading somewhere he had Seymour Duncan do a custom wind for that guitar, but it would be good to verify that.  Otherwise, I would also suggest the Abraxas pickups, which I understand to be a bit of a misnomer anyway since they don't seem to specifically target his Abraxas period.  Those are nice clips you posted, I'm a big fan of early/mid Santana too.

As for the Yamaha SG, I have 2 but can't seem to bond with them.  Too thin necks for my taste...

[FenderBender]

By the way, what's the deal with putting replacement pickups in a Yamaha SG?  I'm pretty sure the dimensions aren't exactly the same.  People do it but some kind of workaround is needed.  Anyone here knows what that is?

[Slartibartfarst42]

As for the Yamaha SG, I have 2 but can't seem to bond with them.  Too thin necks for my taste...

Why on earth did you buy the second one then? I don't imagine you'd have trouble selling them.

[FenderBender]

Threw in a lowball bid on an auction and ended up getting it.  It's a beautiful cream 1984 SG1300T in near mint condition and I got it for something like 700 USD shipped so you won't hear me complain!

[Philly Q]

As for the Yamaha SG, I have 2 but can't seem to bond with them.  Too thin necks for my taste...

I always wondered about the neck shapes on older ones, it doesn't tend to get mentioned much.

Thin neck and super-heavyweight body.... I guess I'm destined never to own one.  :(