Author Topic: MQ or emerald set (Read 5867 times)

Owen · « **on:** September 06, 2006, 09:37:47 AM »

hello there everybody! been reading this forum for a while now and have finally got to the point where im ready to order some pickups. Now i've narrowed it down to two but the choice is really hard. I have a gibson SG special and i really don't like how muddy the pickups get with even a small amount of distortion and i dont like the general lack of definition in them. Im stuck between Mississippi Queens and Emeralds. Im a huge Lizzy and Gary Moore fan hence the emeralds but I have been getting into playing more clean lately so I need something with a bit of bite but that can still soar for the overdriven lead work. Ideally the pickup needs to be well balanced in the tonal range i.e not to bassy not too much treble, but with some definition and power IF i need it. That is to say a medium output without losing any clarity. If you can understand that rant please feel free to chime in and help me make a decision. I have considered the other pickups BK do I think im down to the best two for me so if anyone can help it would be much appreciated

Owen · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2006, 10:23:15 AM »

forgot to say, just listened to the bkp-90 shine on demo on the players section and if you can get that tone on a MQ thats another point in favour of it. can you?

Philly Q · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2006, 11:23:42 AM »

Hi Owen,

Not really a direct answer to your question but as a fellow SG enthusiast I wanted to mention the thread below which I read the other day. Tim's comments are very interesting - he recommends steering clear of medium-output pickups for SGs.

If you want useable clean tones plus a bit of grit it sounds like it might be worth going for something like Riff Raffs or Alnico V Mules rather than the Emeralds. It's certainly made me think again about what to get for my own SGs.

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1455&highlight=sg

Owen · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2006, 12:12:53 PM »

cheers for pointing me in that direction. the 490 r & t that are in the SG at the moment mud up quite alot although I dont know what output they are, could be due to the fact that they are alnico II. Maybe the change to an AV would give me more clarity?? in which case mules, riff raffs or MQs SHOULD work well?? but what do I know. would any of these be able to give a more useable overdriven tones without turning to mush? Should i mention im using a marshall jcm2000 DSL as well just to help you out. Im gunna go with tims recomendation about steering clear of the medium output pickups, pity as i was looking forward to that still in love with you tone, anyway i could get close to that with my SG and lower output pickups?? any help would be awesome

Owen · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2006, 12:34:31 PM »

another thing i really wanted was some singing sustain, hence emeralds. will this work in an SG??

Twinfan · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2006, 12:48:39 PM »

I've got a Epi Custom Shop SG that I've completely upgraded, which included a set of Riff Raffs. I'm in a Bon Scott era AC/DC covers band so I have a similar tone to the one you're after (70s rock). I also have a Les Paul Std with 490R/498T pickups so I know where you're coming from re. muddy tone.

My SG has so much more clarity than my Les Paul. The LP obviously has a thicker tone anyway, but it seems to be "mud and fizz". In comparison, the SG is "clear and bite". On the neck pickup, the SG just sings bluesy licks. Stick it in the middle position, roll back the treble volume and both tone pots a touch, and hit the "Red House".

Sorry for the long winded answer, but what I'm saying is:

* Go for low output rock-y pickups: Riff Raffs, Mules, Mississippi Queens. Maybe an MQ neck and Riff Raff bridge if you fancy something versatile?

* Lower the pre-amp gain on your Marshall and boost the output gain to get the EL34s cooking. Don't use too much fizzy front end gain.

To get that true 70s sound you need a cranked amp with low input pickups.

Philly Q · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2006, 12:53:45 PM »

I think Alnico IIs definitely do mush out with distortion - that was the impression I'd formed from personal experience (with 490Ts), and comments on these forums seem to back it up (although Slash uses Duncan Alnico IIs with a fairly overdriven tone, but... whatever). Alnico Vs should make the difference.

I reckon your best bet is a PM or email to Tim. I'm interested in the outcome, because I like that Gary Moore/Brian Robertson kind of tone too.

(EDIT - Twinfan has come in with a much more interesting and useful reply!)

Twinfan · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2006, 01:03:09 PM »

Quote from: Philly Q

(EDIT - Twinfan has come in with a much more interesting and useful reply!)

Why thank you sir!

*takes a bow*

Owen · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2006, 01:12:16 PM »

cheers to the both of you, I've PM tim with some questions and i'll keep you posted with how it works out. Im really sick of those Gibson pickups now though, a change is needed quickly

Twinfan · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2006, 01:35:44 PM »

I keep changing my mind about my Les Paul. Some days I hate the sound of the pickups, and other days they sound pretty good and "different" from my other guitars. I guess I should treat it to a set of Mules...

lulusg · « **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2006, 02:02:38 AM »

Owen the P-90s sound great on any SG, in this case it would be Mississippi Queen humbucker size(I have the BKP-91s). There are plenty of gentlemen on this forum that use them on the neck and combined with Warpigs on the bridge, or Mules also. Either the lower DC resistance, or really high as Tim explained the higher enough to break through the wood, (I guest Tony Iommy's are pretty hot). :)

Owen · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2006, 11:50:57 AM »

After much deliberation I have decided to go for the...........(drum roll please)
RIFF RAFFS (ta da!) Seem like the best choice as I didnt want to risk wasting the sound of an emeral by putting it in an SG. According to Tim there is plenty of power in a Riff Raff desipte the lower rating on paper. Now the next choice... what covers, raw nickel, nickle or aged nickel??? hmmmm thats just as tough its a faded cherry one so its looking quite vintage already. what do you guys reckon?

lulusg · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2006, 12:10:45 PM »

Excellent choice :) . Aged nickel Owen.

Twinfan · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2006, 12:44:38 PM »

Nice move - you can't beat Riff Raffs in an SG. I was playing mine last night :)

I'd go for chrome covers as your SG will have a chrome bridge and stop tail. Nickel will look really out of place next to it.

Philly Q · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2006, 12:55:51 PM »

Riff Raffs, cool. I'm definitely considering one for my SG-X. Wonder if it's versatile enough for a one-pickup guitar, and how well it would work with a series/parallel switch?

As for the finish, it's an SG Special Faded? So chrome bridge/tailpiece and nickel Kluson-style tuners. I hate it when they mix nickel and chrome on the same guitar!

I sort of agree with Twinfan, but nickel looks nice on a brown or cherry mahogany guitar - so I'd go for nickel covers but also replace the bridge and tailpiece with nickel ones (it's only money, right? :lol: )