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Author Topic: Pick Up recommendation for Custom SG tuned to drop B?  (Read 3378 times)

jono

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Pick Up recommendation for Custom SG tuned to drop B?
« on: December 01, 2015, 09:09:25 AM »
Hi
I have just ordered a new guitar and want to get the right pick ups for it.  It is an SG shape, so relatively lightweight, but my current tuning is drop B on a six string.  My writing style is veering towards doom these days and I just find the low tuning more forlorn and easier on my vocals.  However, I will throw in the odd blast beat so the response still has to handle some fast picking.

A soundclip from our recent album is here: https://soundcloud.com/monsterworks/tapping-the-void

This was recorded (in drop C tuning at 432Hz) with my old Gibson SG Standard loaded with Bareknuckle Aftermaths (predominantly the left channel).  Those pickups still might be the most appropriate for what I need, but thought it worth asking around.  I am a mostly rhythm player, but do the odd delay soaked lead.

I am totally fine with using Aftermaths again and, in fact, that would be cheaper because I can just steal them from my Les Paul which also has them and save buying new pickups.  However, I want to keep an open mind...or a second opinion that Aftermaths are indeed the best!

One thing I do a lot is switching from full distortion on the bridge to the neck pickup with the volume way down to get a slightly dirty but less distorted sound.  I prefer that to an actual clean channel on my amp.  Aftermaths seem to do this well because the neck pickup is not too woolly.

Any thoughts welcome.

Cheers
Jon

Dave Sloven

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Re: Pick Up recommendation for Custom SG tuned to drop B?
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2015, 01:26:55 PM »
It's hard  to say, as your custom SG might sound a little different from a regular SG.

I have a few SGs, one of them is an SG Special Faded tuned to C standard that seems  to work well with an A-Pig (with hex bolts).  Other pickups that are highly recommended for these are the C-Pig and the Miracle Man if you want ceramic.  Aftermath is a bit of an unconventional choice, you would have to be fond of a middy aggressive sound.  The A-Pig is very doomy, but it definitely sounds a lot brighter and more versatile in that SG than it did in my Explorer.

I use the SG with the A-Pig for my doom project.  I guess you could say that bands that influence me include Crowskin, Hooded Menace, and Winter.  C standard is lower than drop B on five out of six strings and I haven't had an issue playing doom.
« Last Edit: December 01, 2015, 01:29:21 PM by Agent Orange »
BLACK HAWKS
IMPULSES
COBRA-T
WAR PIGS
STOCKHOLM
COLD SWEATS
MIRACLE MAN
TRUE GRIT

https://slovendoom.bandcamp.com/releases

jono

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Re: Pick Up recommendation for Custom SG tuned to drop B?
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2015, 03:51:48 PM »
I have a few SGs, one of them is an SG Special Faded tuned to C standard that seems  to work well with an A-Pig (with hex bolts).  Other pickups that are highly recommended for these are the C-Pig and the Miracle Man if you want ceramic.  Aftermath is a bit of an unconventional choice, you would have to be fond of a middy aggressive sound.  The A-Pig is very doomy, but it definitely sounds a lot brighter and more versatile in that SG than it did in my Explorer.
Thanks.  I am playing catch-up with the lingo (call me a novice) but I presume the A-Pig is a Warpig with Alnico, C-Pig= Ceramic.

This is good advice and I had been considering the Warpig. It is to go into a Tony Iommi Jaydee Custom so I guess that is fate.  If I don't like them I can always swap out for the Aftermaths in the Les Paul.  But I am guessing I will like them.

Dave Sloven

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Re: Pick Up recommendation for Custom SG tuned to drop B?
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2015, 11:59:19 PM »
From what I can tell the Warpig (alnico or ceramic) is made for the SG, it just seems to work perfectly. The alnico version certain has the doom thing down.  Someone made this video of one in an Eclipse:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUeRX-jzD84

I have used it in a hardcore punk band (playing Discharge type material) so it is pretty versatile.  It has plenty of mids on tap when you want them.  This is close to the sound I could get with the amp EQ'd differently:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8JhOVAXi4
« Last Edit: December 02, 2015, 12:05:17 AM by Agent Orange »
BLACK HAWKS
IMPULSES
COBRA-T
WAR PIGS
STOCKHOLM
COLD SWEATS
MIRACLE MAN
TRUE GRIT

https://slovendoom.bandcamp.com/releases

jono

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Re: Pick Up recommendation for Custom SG tuned to drop B?
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2015, 10:51:47 AM »
From what I can tell the Warpig (alnico or ceramic) is made for the SG, it just seems to work perfectly. The alnico version certain has the doom thing down. 

Looks like Alnico War Pigs are the go.  I am at work so will check out the clips later.  Many thanks for the advice.