Pickups for Gibson SG

[MiniLefty]

Hey guys!

My SG is very dear to me, it was my first proper guitar if you like and I really want to use it live with my band but really don't like the sound of the standard pickups.

It will be running through a Blackstar 6L6 100W Head and Cab.

Was wondering if you guys could give some recommendations?

This is my bands video, might help to give you an idea of the bands sound and style and hopefully help with a pickup choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axn1Hx-RU1w

Note: I am not the guitarist in the video playing an SG I replaced him, just so happens I also play an SG!

Hope you can help!

Mini

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I'd say Riff Raff.

[Mr. Air]

Riff Raff would be a good choice. If you want something hotter the Rebel Yells could be an option. You could also go P90 with either the Mississippi Queens or Stockholms.

[Telerocker]

RiffRaffs.

[MiniLefty]

So Riff Raffs so far.

I had band practice tonight and during a little break had a mess around to see what i could squeeze out of the stock pups.

I boosted the Treble and Middle a bit but they actually ended up sounding like single coils, I have a cheap Stratocaster with a JB Jr in it that sounds fuller than those, all be it these sustain longer.
They had that sort of dirty "ouch this is too much" sound when I played, not sure how to describe it, imagine a single coil pushed too hard.
The amp is a monster as well, the 6L6 is a bit of a Mesa style head but with British tone and drive.

Listening to the Riff Raffs not sure if they will be what I'm looking for? Will they deal with the really high gain?

Thanks so far guys!

Mini

[Telerocker]

My Mules handle highgain supremely well. The RR's are tighter and more focused, Should not be a problem.

[BigB]

I boosted the Treble and Middle a bit but they actually ended up sounding like single coils

On most fenderish-like tonestacks, boosting the treble and mids you'll still have a rather mid-scooped EQ. The "right" way to "push" (well, flatten, really) the mids is to roll down the lows, roll up the trebles, and roll up the volume.

Listening to the Riff Raffs not sure if they will be what I'm looking for? Will they deal with the really high gain?

Yes - but without loosing some the vintage touch, which is a GoodThing(tm) IMHO.

If you want modern hi-gain tones you may want to have a look at the Nailbombs or Warpigs, but from the tone I heard on your vid (sorry but that's about the only indication you gave), I'd too say RiffRaff.  I have a pair on a semi-hollow and have no problem using this guitar instead of my SG (Abomb / Mule) for the rather gainy stuff I'm playing with my band.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Remeber that ALOT of metal players use RR's, it even says so on the page on BK's site! I think they're perfect for what you want to do. They really can handle anything from the ACDC tone to wayyyyy past what your band plays.

[Grim]

Definitely Riff Raffs, Mules, or Mississippi Queens.

[ericsabbath]

riff raff is great under high gain, but sounds like an emerald would be more suited for your band

[Slartibartfarst42]

I would agree. If he thinks Riff Raffs might not be hot enough and judging by the video, contemporary pups might be too hot, the Vintage Hot range gives the ideal compromise so I'd have said Emeralds. HOWEVER, isn't it the case with SG guitars that the pickups need to be either very hot or vintage to work? If that's the case, it may have to be Riff Raffs.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I would agree. If he thinks Riff Raffs might not be hot enough and judging by the video, contemporary pups might be too hot, the Vintage Hot range gives the ideal compromise so I'd have said Emeralds. HOWEVER, isn't it the case with SG guitars that the pickups need to be either very hot or vintage to work? If that's the case, it may have to be Riff Raffs.

?

[AndyR]

I would agree. If he thinks Riff Raffs might not be hot enough and judging by the video, contemporary pups might be too hot, the Vintage Hot range gives the ideal compromise so I'd have said Emeralds. HOWEVER, isn't it the case with SG guitars that the pickups need to be either very hot or vintage to work? If that's the case, it may have to be Riff Raffs.

?

It's something that was being said on here a lot a few years ago. At the time, it seems that a lot of people's experience is that SGs go a lot better with low output or high output. Start looking in the middling area of Vintage Hot and it can seem a bit muddy (was that the problem? can't remember).

Anyway, I have no direct experience, I went straight to Riff Raff and never looked back!

Since those days though, there have been several folks sounding very happy with "pickups that shouldn't work in an SG". I think Black Dogs is one of the risky options? I'm sure there's at least one regular on here now with very successful Black Dogs in an SG...

[Alex]

Well, I do... but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it flat out as a) it is an acquired taste with such a mid-range focused sound and b) I'm not sure how my SG relates to other SGs in general, tone-wise. I think I might have a brighter-sounding one in general.

Bottom line, based on the amount of testimony, you can't go wrong with a RiffRaff.