Pickups upgrade for Gibson SG re-issue

GRAHAM SG1 · #1 11-29-2010, 01:22 PM

I have got a 2009 Gibson SG faded bass and although I love the wee beast, it simply does not have the output that my Fender MIM Precision does .
It is surprising how much more the volume has to go up on my amp to match the Fender, so, what would be good higher output pick ups for the SG bearing in mind I do not want to make any cuts or alter the body at all, I just want a simple bolt on mod .

Thank you

BigOldHarry · #2 11-29-2010, 01:23 PM

good lord, for the $$$ you paid, you'd think the p'ups would be great!

You might want to just use a boost pedal rather than swap p'ups...

GRAHAM SG1 · #3 11-29-2010, 02:00 PM

I paid £600 for my Gibson, a bargain compared to the £1200 Gibson wants for the nitro cellulose finished SG, I prefer the faded finished bass as its not only half the price but is made exactly the same and much easier to look after .
The pick ups on my Fender are the upgraded ones as standard so maybe that is why they are much more powerful ??
I love the tone Harry but want the same output from both basses

SactoBass · #4 11-29-2010, 02:10 PM

I don't know of a drop in replacement for the large neck pickup (or the bridge pick up for that matter).

I'm with Harry on this one.......grab a boost pedal. Xotic makes good ones (I'm sure there are other good ones as well).

skinnypete · #5 11-29-2010, 02:18 PM

I agree with the xotic pedal recommendation. I use the Bass RC Booster for just such applications. Great pedal, doesn't alter the tone of the bass.

GRAHAM SG1 · #6 11-29-2010, 02:21 PM

Thanks for the help guys, I will search around and see what comes up

Art Araya · #7 11-29-2010, 02:31 PM

I've got the same bass. i got some Basslines pickups in mine. Required routing of the body and a new pickguard. Wasn't a fan of the mudbuckers so this was a good move for me.

Consider replacing the three point bridge with a Hipshot Supertone bridge. You can install this yourself.

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/car...t_detail&p=264

rbbrchkn · #8 11-29-2010, 02:33 PM

The neck pickup on the SG is actually the same humbucker as those on the new Thunderbirds and Les Paul basses, except under a large cover.

There are a couple options for a new pickup in that large neck pup size: the DiMarzio Model One and Will Power pups, and the Hammon Engineering Darkstar single coil.

http://www.dimarzio.com/site/#/picku...ll-power-neck/

and

http://www.hammoneng.com/

Both are rumored to be an improvement over the stock EB and SG pickups. If you decide to go with the boost pedal, check out the VT Bass Deluxe too, which'd give you a good DI and SVT sound in addition to blendable levels for 2 instruments.

lunarpollen · #9 11-29-2010, 02:37 PM

A good replacement for the neck pickup:
http://curtisnovak.com/pickups/EB-0.shtml

He can wire it to vintage specs

hdracer · #10 11-29-2010, 02:43 PM

Read this, I have one in mine, much more out put.
Stock Gibson SG vs. Dimarzio Model One Mudbuckers SOUNDCLIPS

BassmanAd · #11 11-29-2010, 02:54 PM

That Model One pickup is a hell of an upgrade IMO, it'd be a great choice. I'm fairly sure it'll drop straight in but even if you had to do a little routing the chrome cover on the SG bass is pretty big compared to the pickup underneath. If you wanted to swap it back it'd hide the cut.

I have to say though, my SG is much louder than any of my Fenders. Could there be an issue with the pickup on yours?

I'm much less forgiving with my modding, my SG has already had a Varitone circuit fitted that required a few holes drilling and I'm planning to stick a Basslines SPB-1 in the middle position. They're pretty hot so I'm hoping the output will match the big neck pickup.