Guitar pickup question

carloSG · Newbie Alert Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

Recently, i bought an SG standard with a 490/498T pickup combo and I find the sound of the 490 to be nice but the 498T is way too hot and quacky. Now i am thinking of putting in 57' classic pickups but im not sure whether to put two of them in or a 57 classic PLUS in the bridge.

I'm still fairly new with this pickup stuff and was wondering what would be the point of having two 57 classics in the neck AND bridge positions since they are the exact same.

Would the sound of the 57 classic in the bridge vary from the sound of the one in the neck position? Or is the only difference the output from varying the pickup height?

If they are pretty much the same in both positions, would i be better off putting a 57 classic PLUS in the bridge then, maybe for riffs or soloing?

Also, does the 57 classic PLUS sound 'quacky' or too hot or anything like the 498T?

Thanks

BlueFinn · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject:

There are certain qualities that make a great sounding pickup, materials like wire and magnets are important but there is also an unqualifiable ingredient. The really good older pickups from the 50’s have a certain mojo that is difficult to capture. The neck position pickup is typically a bit mellower with a resistance around 7.85K and the bridge pickup more in the range of 8.1k for a bit more heat. Putting the same pickup in both positions will yield different tonal results due in part to the density of the wood, proximity to the string and how much the string moves in each position. Classic 57’s are a good choice with the Classic Plus in the bridge position. Consider some of the great handmade pickups out there. My personal favorites are Peter Florance Voodoo pickups, all hand made, matched, and they come in New or Vintage. The price is right too.

SunDog · Tadpole Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 23 Location: Arizona

I believe that you will find pickup reviews on www dot harnony-central dot com. You may even read reviews for pickups being sold on sweet water, mf, etc...

SunDog

JCP · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

I recently bought a new'61 Reissue SG, with 57's in both positions. I was all set to order new pickups before the guitar even arrived. Glad I didn't.

The 57's sound great! I don't see how you could be disappointed, no matter what kind of music you're playing.

Littlefloor · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:02 am Post subject:

I was and still I'm happy 'cause I'm owner of ebony X-plorer, and I especially respect its ceramic pickups 496&500 which offer very brutal output and sound recent even on muddy distorted amp, during lot of gain from stompbox or amp, so a one could to play thrash stuffs w/o some problems.
I was owner longer or shorter time period of many guitars, when I was young and foolish, and in many case I wanted those which have most higher output like ceramics PU have or DiMarzio X2N, at least. But, fact is that these pickups are great for rhythm but hard handling for lead role, especially when a song isn't from gothic metal, HM, metal anyway but from blues or hard rock branch! These pickups have enough power but they are too bright, too much strength and a man must invest a lot of gain & knowledge to handle proper them on stage; in studio it's more easiest situation...
I tried these PU also in Gibson SG Standard when I saw once Angus in Germany with axe equipped with black open coil PU (tapped with black insulate tape around) for which I thought they are ceramics, perhaps 496&500 as he is able to take out so brilliant sound from his amp it seems like i was wrong.
My opinion is that they are good for rhythm guitar, but for lead a man shall to get some with Alnico V magnets, just to get melodic lead singing...

SAguitar · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject:

The '57s are wound slightly different for the bridge and neck positions. The bridge pup is just a bit hotter, since it is closer to the bridge and gets less string movement above the magnets to generate the signal. The '57s are just one of the best sets available on the market and are a great set for many guitars and players. If you want a notch more output and high end from the bridge pup, then go for a '57 Plus for that position.

But there are hundreds of boutique pickup makers now that make incredible pups, and have lots of ardent supporters. Cool