Author Topic: Pickups for my Yamaha SG1500? (Read 3819 times)

6stringgrind · « **on:** August 19, 2007, 04:16:42 AM »

First of all, hi everyone. I've been lurking here for a few days and thought it was time I joined the fun.

Like many others here, I'm having a hard time choosing which pickups to put in my guitar. I have a black 70's Yamaha SG1500, extremely heavy mahogany body with maple top, very Les Paul-like. Tone-wise, I like Gary Moore (Blues Alive album, especially), John Sykes, Warren Haynes, Slash, and Marc Ford (Black Crowes). I also like to play heavier stuff than any of these artists play, as well.

At first, I thought I wanted Rebel Yells, but I keep hearing that they're bright, and I don't like a lot of treble. I would still consider them, however. Basically, I've narrowed it down to Cold Sweats, Rebel Yells, or possibly Mules (my concern with Mules is they may not get heavy enough for my taste). I'm leaning toward Cold Sweats right now. Any suggestions?

Philly Q · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2007, 09:22:26 AM »

Welcome to the forum!

Given the players you've mentioned, I'd guess you need something with an alnico magnet and a bit more vintage-sounding than either the Cold Sweats or Rebel Yells. The RYs are quite powerful, bright and punchy, versatile but (for me) they don't really do vintage tones. I don't have a CS set, but the bridge pickup is ceramic, which isn't usually recommended for warm bluesy tones; and from all I've read the neck pickup is great for shredding but, again, I haven't seen it described as bluesy or vintage sounding. CS is the set for Sykes, but it isn't going to do Slash, Haynes, Moore etc.

There are a few other guys on here with Yamaha SG1500s and 2000s, so if you search around there are probably still some threads with relevant discussions. I think most of them ended up with Mules - they'll cover all the tones you describe I think, and lots of people have said they'll cope fine even with heavy stuff.

If you want a PAF style tone but with a bit more power, what about the Crawlers? The neck pickup is the same as the Abraxas, which will give great Santana tones - appropriately for a Yamaha SG!

everton_fc · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2007, 09:25:07 AM »

I've had Mules in my SG1500 for about a year. I took them out yesterday and they are now up for sale if interested - they do do heavy, and clean up real well, but they are not overly hot pup, say if you are used to the pickups that are stock in the SG1500. See the Seconds Out forum if you are interested in purchasing the Mules that were in my SG1500. Great guitar by the way. It rocks!

ericsabbath · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2007, 10:11:15 AM »

crawlers

WezV · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2007, 10:43:39 AM »

i really like these old yamaha SG's!!

mules or crawlers would suit the vibe of the guitar and can be used for most styles

6stringgrind · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2007, 02:36:28 PM »

I appreciate the suggestions, guys. I guess maybe I'm trying to have something that isn't possible in one set of pickups. I LOVE the "Les Paul on steroids" sound of Gary Moore's Blues Alive album. To me, that tone is practically metal. Thick, creamy, sustaining distortion. Same goes for Sykes and Haynes. But I also love the "vintage" type players (Jimmy Page, Black Crowes, etc.). Basically I want to do everything from metal to classic rock.

Maybe a little background is in order: I'm primarily a metal guy. My favorite guitarist is George Lynch. However, I've got that covered with my other guitars. Here's what I have besides the Yamaha SG:

Ibanez RG565 (w/ SD distortion trembucker & stock neck pup)
Yamaha RGXTT (Ty Tabor model, another fave player)
ESP M-II
'87 Squire MIJ strat (another candidate for pickup change)

I play through a Randall RM100S MTS series amp with the following modules: SL+ modified by Dave Friedman, XTC, Mr. Scary, and Blackface. I use a 2x12 cab with V30's.

As you can see, I pretty much have the 80's guitar shredder thing covered, so I'm thinking maybe the Yamaha SG should be my "vintage sound" guitar, but I love playing hard rock/metal SO much, and this guitar has soooo much sustain, it would sound great for heavy stuff. I want the best of both worlds. Basically, I want it all. :lol:

Please continue with any suggestions. I need all the help I can get!

Ted · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2007, 08:49:16 PM »

I think you'll be able to do this with mules.

They are about 8.4k DC ?

I have a Tokai LP with pickups rated around the same as mules and i can definately play metal on this guitar. I don't know if that helps?!

Ratrod · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2007, 04:38:39 PM »

I have Crawlers in my SG400. If you like heavy blues, these are the pickups you want. If you're set on the Sykes tone, it's the Cold Sweats.

Crawlers have that thick, creamy blues sound and they'll easily venture into metal realms. The neck Crawler is the same as the Abraxis so there's no guessing what that can do: Blues The Healer all the way.

I have some pics and clips posted on the forum. If you want, you can use the search funtion. Just type SG400 in the box. Though, I have to say, I have my amp and overdrive settings more vintage sounding these days. The clips might sound a bit too heavy.