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Hi to everyone

I have a problem which should be a breeze for you guys. I am a beginner guitar builder and I am trying to make a guitar for my friend. His dream guitar is Gibson SG, so could you recommend some brands in different price ranges that would put out a sound that is close to the SG. I was looking at the original Gibson Pick-ups, but my opinion is that they (as many of their products) are overpriced. Maybe I'm wrong, so please share your favorite brands at two or three different price points

Thanks, Gorjan

Thanks Chris, sure a good alternative, and a lot cheaper too

What kinds music does he play?

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Guitars, guitars and more guitars.

I would have to say classic rock and metal. I hope you don't mind, but I see that you are a professional repairman. Now I have a cheapo guitar, a 7 string Squier that has two humbuckers. It has a hum and I checked all of the grounds are connected. What else should I try? I cleaned all of the electronics with a contact cleaner too...

Thanks, Gorjan

For some very good, inexpensive pickups, try guitarfetish.com. For your hum problem, let me start with a question. Does the hum go away when you touch the strings with your hand?

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David Morris

I work in a small guitar shop where we work with Seymour Duncans & EMG's. I prefer Seymours. The set JB/59 that Chriss suggests is a great one, but it has a problemo; JB's are weird beasts, sometimes they sound awesome, and sometimes they don't. I once installed one in a BC Rich Mockingbird and it was horrible. So we changed the pups. Later I installed the same JB in an Ibanez LP and the JB was a powerfull, high mid, snarling dog!

For metal/classic rock I would install an SH5 (Duncan Custom)/SH55 (Seth Lover) set, but I would mod it.

The mods; an Alnico 8 mag in the Custom, and a UOA5 in the Seth. The Custom 8 sounds open, clear and powerful. The UOA5 (unoriented alnico5) Seth sounds like Led Zepp in the album Presence. The mag swicth aint difficult to do http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/barmagswap.htm and you can get them cheap here http://stores.ebay.com/Addiction-FX-Gui ... 7675.l2563

Tough question!
I like emg passive pick-ups.
They can be changed easily because they unplug from the pick-up.
Trying to chase down somebodies tone preference is really hard.
Alan

Not hard, IMPOSSIBLE! It's like discussing who is the prettiest actress or the nicest colour. We will never agree. EMG's are good, Seymours are good, Dimarzios are good...........aw christ.
The absolute best IMHO are hand wound but they are very expensive, I recently installed some Custom Shop Duncans signed by MJ. My jaw dropped when I heard them. But they run for 300 bucks a set.

Good advice, but I prefer JB/Jazz combo more.
Someone mentioned GFS. Their Vintage '59 in neck and bridge are really hard to beat. My first choice when money is tight.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Check all the wiring. Sometimes a slither of wire from somewhere can be touching somewhere it shouldn't. Is the amp properly grounded? This can cause hum issues too.

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Guitars, guitars and more guitars.

I've used both Seymour Duncan combinations mentioned above and can vouch for them being good combinations...but I can't vouch for them being direct replacements for the SG. Both Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio will make a recommendation for that on the phone. They both have extensive experience making selections out of their product lines for direct replacements for factory guitars. I have, on many occasions, used both their recommendations and have been happy with their selections.

But the quest is doomed. It starts with your ears and how subjective they are. You might be zoning in on a tiny aspect of the SG sound and expecting a pickup selection to capture it. Unless the guitar is made from that same materials as the SG, the pickups are genuine Gibson, and the amp is the same...you'll probably still be chasing that tone.

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I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

StuMusic

"Both Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio will make a recommendation for that on the phone. They both have extensive experience making selections out of their product lines for direct replacements for factory guitars. I have, on many occasions, used both their recommendations and have been happy with their selections."
Great advice!

I just bought a SD '59 neck pickup for the thin Explorer I'm building.
I did not check the specs, this PU is over 1" tall including the legs.
I reckon it's a Les Paul replacement.
My body is only 3/4" thick.
I'm going to order some GF '59's when they have them in stock, they have a lower profile.
Make sure what you buy will fit within the pickup cavities.
Dan

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