Gibson SG upgrades advice please!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Badronald
  • Start date Start date
Why change the tuners or bridge?

Heavier tuners will only add to the neck drop.

What pups come on those now?

I have Seymour Duncan Antiquities in one SG and '57 Classics in another.
 
My SG standard came with the 490-498's. I agree, fuzzy, indisctinct, woofy neck...

I wen't old school tried and true Dunca's, JB Bridge, Alnico 2 neck. LOVE! the combo. The JB's can be darkish, but the SG is very resonant and spanky response, so it compliments the git in the bridge well. Great big growling rythm. The alnico 2 in the neck is sweet sounding and great for the classic rock, hard rock stuff I like.

I "would" switch out the tuners for more stability, but I am leery of adding weight as the other poster stated.
 
They usually need some nut work. I like lightweight tailpieces/bridges on LPs, though it doesn't work too well with neck heavy SGs. For pickups, it really depends on what you're going for. For PAF types, I absolutely love my Sheptone Tributes. For higher output pickups, BKP Nailbombs are great, especially the neck. Might want to try a Painkiller in the bridge if you go that route if your SG is kinda dark.
 
Badronald":33n5zcfl said:
If its an SG Standard I wouldn't upgrade anything. :no:
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^^^^^This -- don't mess with perfection. Change the string gauges and setup to your liking, but leave everything else alone. Don't try to make it into something it's not. My stock SG happens to be very bright. Do I wish it had more thump? Maybe. But it is what it is and that's what makes it different from every other guitar in the world. How would you feel if you got done customizing and came to the realization that wow, my SG sounds just like my... See what I mean ?I
 
I like Grovers as opposed to the plastic Deluxe tuners. I have the locking ones on my SG and like them a lot.
 
Reza,

Try replacing the stock nut with bone. I've never been a fan of the stock corian nuts that Gibson uses... bone might liven the guitar up some. You could also get rid of the stock electronics and throw in some gear from RS Guitarworks to get a bit more range and punch out of the amplified tones. If you really must do anything else, try out a DiMarzio AT-1 in the bridge and a PAF 36th at the neck... I've heard that's a great all rounder combo that doesn't have gobs of output, but still allows you to drive 'em pretty heard. You could also try something new and different and get a set of Duncan P-Rails or something... would be cool!

W.
 
The single biggest difference maker from a performance standpoint is most likely a better nut. Gibson is notorious for poorly cut nuts which lead to tuning stability issues.
 
I have had my SG standard for 35 years now. It is still stock and still sounds amazing. Betweem it and my LP I can cover most sounds I need.
 
Not an SG, but I did some work to my LP Special. Still a flat slab of mahogany so here might be a few options:

Changed the studs to Tone Pros locking. Also changed the tailpiece to aluminum and top wrapped. Just the fact that the tailpiece doesn't fall off makes it worth it to me whan I change strings. The aluminum tailpiece was $35 so not alot of cash if you don't like it. Changes the sound slightly (seemed more dynamic and 'open' sounding to me). Subtle at best, but still a change.

Callaham bridge will be next, only because my stock one is starting to get messed up a bit. Callaham isn't cheap, but this one's a keeper so I don't mind. The TP bridge is much cheaper, but it is the same as what's on there now only with a couple of holes drilled, tapped and threaded with set screws for locking purposes. No thanks.

I had Grover top locking tuners on it, but the angle was decreased and they just looked funky. Replaced them with Schaller locking and am much happier and the angle is now correct. Might add more neck dive to an SG, but you probably have that already so...
 
Assuming this is a new 2012 model, the stock nut is fine.

The stock tuners are fine unless you want more mass up top.

I like an aluminum tail stop on my Les Pauls, but it will add to the neck dive on an SG. Try it and see if the sound difference is worth it to you.

The biggest thing you can do is change the pickups. You should start there before anything else.
 
Ayrton":qf3ls5n1 said:
Assuming this is a new 2012 model, the stock nut is fine.
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Just curious as to how you would know the nut is fine seeing as historically it's been a significant problem area...did they change something in 2012?
 
i've had my '73 standard for almost 40 years. the only thing i changed was the tuners from the stock gibson's to 14:1 schallers. otherwise it's just as i bought it. it does have a bone nut.
 
New tuners and pickups, I'm not a fan of either. Lower output PAF styel all the way :rock:
BkP or c.s. Seymours and a great choice.
 
If you have some specific questions about pickups/hardware/etc shoot me an email. I've got 7 SG's, so you may want to figure out when you could make it out to Whittier to try them out.

They range from Juniors to Specials to Standards.
 
I hate the 498, I think that's what comes in the bridge of those... Just comes apart under gain IMO. I have a faded SG that I put a jb in, and then a Mcp detroiter. I always come back to the jb usually, but the detroiter is the perfect pickup in this guitar.
I also played a friends SG last week that had put a set of locking kluson looking tuners on his and that we're awesome. I'm thinking about changing the sperzels on my les paul to them soon. I don't remember what brand they were and I've never seen them before... I guess I should google lol.
 
I really like the tyrant pickup in the dean. Maybe a duncan jb?? As for neck pickups don't really know.. But the bone nut suggestion is a good one and if you don't use tone controls unhook them!
 
Rezamatix":1n3o4woa said:
Thanks man, any pickup suggestions?
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Sure, but like I said, please shoot me an email to discuss.
 
Depends how far you want to take it.....I think the hardware and electronics are fine, but a pickup change is usually the case for me.

I find the nuts are fine as long as they are cut correctly. Problem with a fair amount of Gibsons I work on is the nut slots are cut too deep. Someone in their setup dept doesnt seem to understand how to do it. I'm working on a Firebird at the moment that has this problem.....

I do like the locking tailpieces/ bridges whether its the Graphtech with the magnets or the Tonepros with the small set screws.

JB/ 59's work fine alot of times...in my Custom is a Custom 5 which I normally don't dig, but sounds ok in this one.

SG's are my favorite Gibsons.
 
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