Pots, caps and pickups for an Sg

[Ale84]

Hi, got a brand new sg standard 2011 baked maple and 50's neck. I want to change tone pots to 500k, caps and pickups. Which is the standard value for caps? Which pickups would you choose? I looking at riff raff, mules or both (RR bridge and mules neck). Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

[_tom_]

I have a standard and have .033uF caps to help tame the inherent brightness off the SG a bit. I tried Mules and Black Dogs and the BD is my favourite out of those, but the Mule still sounded very good - definitely a more vintage tone and less compressed sounding. I think I just prefer A5 magnets for this guitar. The Mules were just a bit too polite for an SG imo. I'd like to try a riff raff but at the minute I have a pickup from a different manufacturer on the way to try out, it seems similar to a Mule but a little hotter and is A5. I've read you can get an A5 Mule made which might be nice in an SG.

[Dave Sloven]

Riff Raff / Mule is a popular combo.

I am assuming that you are looking for something more vintage, rather than a metal pickup, so this should be nice

[Ale84]

Yes i'm looking for something classic for rock and heavy rock

[Dave Sloven]

On the caps I would probably go 0.015uf neck and 0.033uf bridge if using the RR/Mule combo, or 0.022uf (or even 0.033uf) neck and 0.033uf bridge with a RR set.

The RR neck is brighter than the Mule neck.

[Ale84]

So i have ordered new pots and csps from Bareknuckle but, since the sg has the pcb, i was wondering how to install them. I mean, is it possible to install them on the pcb or the tech has to swap the pcb? In this case do i need other parts to buy? Sorry but i am a novice at technical issues like this

[Dave Sloven]

I would have the whole thing rewired with a new jack and switch (Switchcraft, e.g., from StewMac) and put the PCB in a drawer in a box (like the stock pickups) in case you want to sell it later.

Here's a before and after of my 2011 SG Standard.  As you can see the PCB was replaced with a full '50s style custom harness.

[_tom_]

I did the same as Agent Orange though mines not quite as neat haha. The 50s wiring is so much better if you like to use your guitars controls.

[Ale84]

So it's not possible to use thejack and the switch of the pcb? In case which kind of jack/ switch have to buy? Sorry but i really don't know nothing about technical

[Dave Sloven]

You could try pulling them out of the PCB but it would pretty much destroy the PCB, especially removing the jack.

You need the mono long thread jack:

http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Components_and_Parts/Switchcraft_Output_Jack.html

You also need the right-angle switch with the deep nut:

http://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Components_and_Parts/Switchcraft_Right-angle_Toggle_Switch.html

I would have a professional wire all this stuff up.  They should have the right wire.  Get the tech to install a new bridge ground wire.  The factory one is very hard to solder to the new pot

Edit: looking at the photo of my PCB you could remove the switch from the PCB without destroying it, but I would get another jack.  Desolder the connections on the switch rather than cutting the wires.

[Ale84]

I brought the guitar to my tech and he told that the PCB is really good and maybe better than the traditional wiring. So he will desolder the pots and install the new ones with the caps.. i don't know what to think..i will keep you updated. Thanks

[Kiichi]

PCB does not need to be bad, but IŽd say a well done traditional job with proper and nicely shielded wires will always win. In terms of tone this is still rather hair-splitting though. So we will see. Could very well not be "another one of those tech stories".

[Dave Sloven]

Maybe.  I just don't know how he'll go fitting those big caps to the PCB

[Ale84]

He told me it's the same or even better because of the short cables and no loss of signal..i will report back

[AndyR]

It's all do-able and, yes "short cables and no loss of signal" is what most of us believe (assuming one can hear the difference - I'm not sure I can).

BUT... the big problem I found with the PCB was the connector plugs you need on the pickup wires. So when you want to put different pickups in, they either have to come with the correct plugs - or you have to have the ability to get the correct plugs on to the wires. Don't know whether your guy is geared up for that? Could be, but after checking it out I decided I didn't want to invest in the tools and raw materials for doing that (I've bought several Gibsons since, and not one has a PCB in, so I feel kinda relieved I didn't bother now)

I had two options 1) Cut the plugs off the Gibson pickups and solder the BKP leads onto the wires coming out of the plug... 2) Rip the PCB out and stick it in a box/bag somewhere.

I did exactly the same as Agent Orange (again, not as neatly, Tom!) - and I've swapped pickups and caps etc two or three times in that particular guitar since then. LOADS of time, effort and money saved because I put the PCB somewhere else.

That's how it was for me, though. The main thing is getting the guitar working like you want. The PCB is a good idea... that didn't really work out for me!