NOGD - with autographs

[errrrrl]

New old guitar day! Got my brother's old guitar from my sister the other day. From the serial I guess its a 1987 RG550 MIJ.

Backstory: My older brother died at 24, we were close, taught me to play, played in bands etc. When he passed my younger sister wanted something to remember him by and me without thinking offered his guitar. She later moved away to the mainland and this guitar sat in a closet for over 20 years. We met Metallica in 93' on the black album tour and he got his guitar autographed by all four. Finally got it back... cracking open the case was like a time capsule for me. Guitar feels great, but i'm thinking it may need some new pickups. Any suggestions?

 

[maddnotez]

Hetset?

 

[errrrrl]

I would but I got a Hetset in another other old guitar. My first guitar in fact.

 

[ChurchHill]

That is so cool!! I especially love the parental advisory sticker... LOL!

As for pickups, IDK... for actives, yeah, Hetset is a great suggestion (very fitting, I think). Maybe even some vintage EMGs, if you can find them (e.g. 81/SA/85 or somewhere along those lines). Passives... well, I love me some BKPs, but there are a LOT of options out there. Definitely something LOUD!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

That is wicked cool man!!! To have that part of your bro is something special

As far as pups: Painkiller, Duncan Distorion, C-pig are the ones I enjoy. I want to try a MC Solution.

 

[japetus]

That is such a cool story and such a SWEET guitar. Just looking at it makes me feel like I am back in the 90's again.

 

[JerEvil]

So awesome that the guitar is back with you. I too am looking for pickups for my RG... not loving the DiMarzio's.

 

[7 Stringer]

God damn, that is just a killer historical guitar for you man, damn.

I tried so many pickups over the years and i always come back to my Anderson's, always works. Not the most popular choice but fuck, they sound awesome. I have about 15 in various guitars, always a positive outcome.

 

[ChurchHill]

That guitar is truly special... I've been thinking about it all day. Life can be strange sometimes, but things sometimes work out the way they're supposed to. That guitar belongs with you, at least as much and probably more than any other one ever will. Just so amazing... I'm really happy for you to finally have it back.

 

[errrrrl]

That is so cool!! I especially love the parental advisory sticker... LOL!

As for pickups, IDK... for actives, yeah, Hetset is a great suggestion (very fitting, I think). Maybe even some vintage EMGs, if you can find them (e.g. 81/SA/85 or somewhere along those lines). Passives... well, I love me some BKPs, but there are a LOT of options out there. Definitely something LOUD!

Thanks and I've heard good things about Painkillers, gonna go watch some vids

That is wicked cool man!!! To have that part of your bro is something special

As far as pups: Painkiller, Duncan Distorion, C-pig are the ones I enjoy. I want to try a MC Solution.

Thanks dude! I forgot about Motorcity... I remember someone raving about the MC nukes once. hmm.

That is such a cool story and such a SWEET guitar. Just looking at it makes me feel like I am back in the 90's again.

Yeah totally 90s I kind of like the neck on this thing, not sure if its my imagination but I feel almost like I can play faster on it than my Gibbys...

So awesome that the guitar is back with you. I too am looking for pickups for my RG... not loving the DiMarzio's.

Thanks Jer! Yeah I didnt get to really crank it up yet but I could tell at low volume i'm gonna need to replace them. let me know what you end up with.

God damn, that is just a killer historical guitar for you man, damn.

I tried so many pickups over the years and i always come back to my Anderson's, always works. Not the most popular choice but fuck, they sound awesome. I have about 15 in various guitars, always a positive outcome.

Thanks dude! I've head good things on Anderson, gonna go look on youtube

That guitar is truly special... I've been thinking about it all day. Life can be strange sometimes, but things sometimes work out the way they're supposed to. That guitar belongs with you, at least as much and probably more than any other one ever will. Just so amazing... I'm really happy for you to finally have it back.

Thanks dude, I have to say I feel almost at ease having it back. My sister dated some real losers some of whom have made some crazy threats over the years.. was always worried they were gonna fuck the guitar up knowing the sentimental value and all. It's gonna be a good weekend

 

[Kordoba]

Great to hear you have the guitar and it is now where it belongs.

 

[ChurchHill]

I just got a set of Painkillers in... installing them in an Explorer this weekend. Heard great things, but this is my first set. I've always favored Alnico pups, but there are a few ceramics that I like. I've tried most of the BKP line. My favorites are the A-bomb, C-bomb, Holydiver, A-pig, Crawler, and Rebel Yell, at least as far as high output goes. I'd like to try a C-pig sometime. If that guitar was mine, I think I'd start with the A-bomb, then try a Holydiver if the A-bomb was too much. Maybe a Cold Sweat for something not quite so hot (still pretty hot, though).

In any case, there are some great pickups around these days, so I'm sure you'll find something suitable. And yes, it's gonna be a great weekend!!

 

[Ratou]

I just got a set of Painkillers in... installing them in an Explorer this weekend. Heard great things, but this is my first set. I've always favored Alnico pups, but there are a few ceramics that I like. I've tried most of the BKP line. My favorites are the A-bomb, C-bomb, Holydiver, A-pig, Crawler, and Rebel Yell, at least as far as high output goes. I'd like to try a C-pig sometime. If that guitar was mine, I think I'd start with the A-bomb, then try a Holydiver if the A-bomb was too much. Maybe a Cold Sweat for something not quite so hot (still pretty hot, though).

In any case, there are some great pickups around these days, so I'm sure you'll find something suitable. And yes, it's gonna be a great weekend!!

In what guitar do you like the A-bomb? I installed a set in a Ibanez Jem (bolt-on Ibanez, likely similar tone to OPs guitar) and was honk city, thinking about trying them in another guitar. I guess my Jem has a lot of mids by default and would sound better combined with a more scooped pickup. I should've gotten the ceramic version (like the stock pickups).

 

[mchn13]

If the guitar is honky, and you’re trying bkp’s, try the miracle man. That is a cool story of the rg man. Those 550’s are killer, and I’m glad you got your brothers guitar back.

 

[thenine]

great story. Very happy for you man.

 

[dpeterson]

I think i'd keep it the way it is.

 

[ChurchHill]

In what guitar do you like the A-bomb? I installed a set in a Ibanez Jem (bolt-on Ibanez, likely similar tone to OPs guitar) and was honk city, thinking about trying them in another guitar. I guess my Jem has a lot of mids by default and would sound better combined with a more scooped pickup. I should've gotten the ceramic version (like the stock pickups).

I've got one in a Jackson Rhoads (maple neck-thru, alder wings, ebony board) and an ESP Horizon (same as the Rhoads, maple, alder, ebony). Both are fairly balanced guitars tone-wise, a little on the bright side, and the A-Bomb makes them thick but not muddy and still tight. My suggestion of an A-Bomb is based on basswood (which I believe is what the RG550 is made from) is also fairly balanced tone-wise.

I have a C-Bomb in an old Charvel Model 2 (basswood body, maple neck, rosewood board, which I believe is the same as the RG550) and, while I like it, it's a little too bright. However, I personally like thick sounding guitars, and this really comes down to personal preference. I may change the C-Bomb in that Charvel to an A-Bomb or a Holydiver (the C-Bomb was between guitars when I got the Charvel). I have a Holydiver in a Jackson Soloist (another maple, alder, ebony) and a BC Rich Mockingbird (maple neck-thru, mahogany wings, ebony board) and they sound HUGE.

FWIW, I tend to favor alnico pickups because I like a little bounce in the low-mids and smoother highs. My amps don't have any problem being bright and tight, and I can change the way I play if I want a tighter sound. It's just what I'm used to. There are some ceramics I like, too.

If the guitar is honky, and you’re trying bkp’s, try the miracle man.

+1 - The MM is great for mid-heavy guitars. It's pretty scooped, so it balances out nicely.