Author Topic: Upgrading pickups in a 1970's Yamaha SG (Read 21025 times)

everton_fc · « **on:** November 14, 2006, 12:22:38 PM »

Is it worth upgrading the pickups on a 30 year old instrument - wouldnt the pickups from an original Yamaha SG2000 sound better in some way than spanking new Bare Knuckles?

I use Apache's on my Strat which are lush, but am curious to know how much difference 30 years of life these pickups would have compared to some new BKP - appriciate the fact the old Yamaha pups were probably massed produced, not hand scatter wound etc.

If people do think it's worth upgrading what would you recommend, and do I go for pups with covers? What difference does that make?

Many thanks for your help

Ratrod · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2006, 12:29:07 PM »

The stock pickups in the Yamaha SG aren't half bad but BKP's will make that guitar come to life beyond your imagination. You'll need some new mounting rings, though.

Here's a pic of my SG400 with crawlers.

everton_fc · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2006, 01:03:01 PM »

Yeah? Crawlers that good?

I guess I'm a little hesitant - if it aint broke doent fix it type of attitude - but you dont now how it will sound until you try - it's like a catch 22!

Any other mid-1970's Yamaha SG players out there who swapped pups for BKP?

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2006, 01:12:51 PM »

Mid 70s Yamaha SGs are nice
Which model do you have?

The higher spec ones are nice sounding too , but new pickups may indeed give a new twist to an old friend.

everton_fc · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2006, 01:20:36 PM »

I have an SG1500 - apparently the same as a SG2000 without the push-pull coil tapped pups. COuld be mistaken though. It's a stunning guitar, bags of sustain, bloody heavy!

What are your thoughts on an upgrade (if needed) and what pups to choose? The BKP range is so vast these days. All I would like is a good all rounder pup = lush cleans and equally lush overdrive tones.

Elliot · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2006, 02:38:50 PM »

that's gotta be a mule or perhaps a riff raff

everton_fc · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2006, 02:47:32 PM »

Would be really handy to have a comparison table of some sorts on the BKP site. Kind of like the pickups listed down the left hand side, with character / specs / description across the top....

Pickup Magnet Output Description

Mule Alnico IV DC:8.4K For a sweet etc etc.....

that kind of thing, obviously with more stuff on like sound clips - just thought it would be great to see comparisions at a quick glance.... is there anything like that on here already?

Thanks[/b]

Kilby · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2006, 02:56:12 PM »

I beleive a lot of that will be happening when the site update takes place.

But I think the more people ask when the further away the date gets ;)

Rob...

everton_fc · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2006, 03:39:52 PM »

he he cool,

Oh well, anyway, back to topic - is there an advantage of upgrading mid-1970's Yamaha SG pups? The old yamaha SG's are supposed to be the the dogs bollocks... I'm in a dilemma...

Ratrod · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2006, 06:43:09 PM »

Abraxis V's are probably the closest to the original Yamaha pups.

Bird · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2006, 11:03:44 PM »

Quote from: Ratrod

The stock pickups in the Yamaha SG aren't half bad but BKP's will make that guitar come to life beyond your imagination. You'll need some new mounting rings, though.

Here's a pic of my SG400 with crawlers.

Do you need to get new mounting rings even if you get them without covers :?:

Ratrod · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2006, 11:39:43 AM »

The stock Yamaha pickups have three mounting screws. One on the high E side and two on the low E side.

See the picture below.

everton_fc · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2006, 02:37:11 PM »

Neer installed humbuckers before - is it a bitch, especially replace stock yamaha pups?

everton_fc · « **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2006, 11:40:52 PM »

Cool, well I've been doing loads of reesearch reading this forum. Really like the sound of Mules - what is the main difference between Mules and Riff Raff tonally? (sorry if this question has been asked thousands of times) - really appricate the feedback btw, this forum kicks ass. It's like Harmony Central on steroids.

Philly Q · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2006, 12:31:24 AM »

Quote from: everton_fc

Really like the sound of Mules - what is the main difference between Mules and Riff Raff tonally?

I'm trying to remember some of the stuff I read when I was thinking about buying my Riff Raff - I believe the Riff Raff is based on the 1960s Gibson "patent no." humbucker, whereas the Mule is more like a warm 1950s PAF.

The Riff Raff is a bit more aggressive, slightly nastier. Think Angus (obviously). It's often described as quite bright and "dry" which worried me a little, but I fitted mine yesterday (bridge model only) and I'm finding it can do some nice warm tones as well, it's not at all harsh. It also sounds great wired in parallel.

I haven't tried Mules, but everyone says they're the ultimate all-rounders.