Hi there, I currently have an Epiphone SG, and have been playing for 1/2 year. Thought of changing pickups for my guitar. I kinda of like those les paul 'thick' kind of sound but I have no fundamental about pickups at all. Only heard of 81/85 which require battery to power it up which kind of puzzles me. Not sure about other pickups like Dmarzio or Seymour Duncan. Anyone here is kind enough to enlighten me, and together with the price. And yea, is installing the pickups a easy DIY task or do i need to let the guitar shop staff to do it for me?

Aftermarket pickups costs around 300++ for humbuckers... Try Dimarzio PAF Pro for the classic HB sound...

If you know how to solder, then changing pickups is a piece of cake..

But to get it setup properly, it's best to take it to a pro. I would suggest Simon in Damansara Perdana, Ng from JS Music or Tham.

And most importantly, what kind of music do you play?

If metal, the holy grail of pickups would be the EMG 81/85 pickups. Very high powered pickups and great for metal. As for the battery, yes, you'll need to install it and change it every 3-4 months, depending on how much you play. The other alternative is the new Seymour Duncan Blackouts which are great for metal as well. Each pickup should cost you around RM350, so getting a pair would set you back around RM700.

If you're more into classic rock, try out Seymour Duncan 59's, Alnico Pro II or the Ever popular Jazz/JB combo. All these don't require an extra battery as they are passive pickups.

If you want a more classic tone, DiMarzio PAF Pros should do the trick. Or if you REALLY want to be different, try sourcing for P-90 pickups. That would be AWESOME in an SG.

Wow, what a detailed and useful comment from blacktrix. If I am gonna get 81/85 that means I have to take the guitar to those pros to change every 3-4 months? That would be quite a hassle. I am not really that much into metal. I kinda like the tone of Slash's LP. So I guess I favour Classic Rock more? And unlike guitar, I cant simply walk in to a guitar store and try every single pickups before purchasing. That's why I need to know the sound. And 1 more thing, how much do they charge for workmanship to change the pickups for me?

go jazz/jb combo
s.d is always sexy
and its always on sale in the classified which can find very tempting

I find Dimarzio's website the most informative in their detailed explanation on their different pickup tones and most of them come with sound samples... Don't know much about SD though...

Go to www.dimarzio.com to check out the different pickups and tones they produce...

When I mean change the battery every 3-4 months, I mean flipping your guitar over, unscrew the cover and replacing the battery...... just like on a remote control or something....... easily can be done by yourself.

And while Slash uses the Alnico II Pros, An SG would sound much "thinner" compared to the Les Paul, so don't expect the same tone. BUT, they do get you closer to the sound you want. Again, all depends on your amplifier and your playing style.

If you REALLY want good advice, wait for Everdying. He's our resident SG/Gibson expert.

changing batery on EMG's is a easy as 123...
i started using EMG 81 since early this year, haven't change the battery yet...
and yes satisfied with the power...
BOOOOM...
stars are falling!!!!

btw Seymour Duncan jazz/jb combo is for everyone...
you wont regret it...

+1 Dimarzio give very good depth of their pickup
DC resistance is actually a bad measure of pickup output so I really credit Dimarzio for actually stating the proper output in milivolts.

Duncan's site isn't exactly informative
but their sample clips does more justice compared to Dimarzios
But thing with pickups is it's more often than not, a love/hate situation

most of the time you try to tell yourself you love it, you know, cuz of the hassle of getting it installed and splurging cash to get it.


I beg to differ.
In terms of tone, everyone has different preference, to say that it's for everyone is rather misleading.
Rather I believe it's best to phrase it as popular or well accepted.
I for one really like the JB in certain guitars, mainly alder bodied guitars to pronounce their upper mids and tighten the low end.
However, I greatly dislike the Jazz in alder body guitar. The already lack punch in the midrange, and the Jazz has a very scooped tone. Basically, when you switch to the neck pickup to lose a lot of presence, and you have to push the pickup height a lot more, which will drive the sound, losing a lot of its chimey tone.
I'd take the '59neck anyday over the Jazz unless it's on a semi-hollow or mahogany bodied guitar.

P/s no offense, just stating my thoughts.

This post has been edited by sean392: Oct 12 2008, 12:44 AM

Any pickups for metals music without need to install battery?

Loads from Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio. Most popular choice is of course the SD Jazz/JB combo. Mustaine ftw!! (points to avatar)

Thanks for the replies. I kinda like 81/85 sound. Jazz/JB combo is still kinda soft for me. Any other more suggestion?

i got a EMG combo in 1 guitar...
85 bridge / SLV neck.

another of my fav combo is 85 bridge / 60A neck, which i havent selected a guitar to go in yet.
the one it was in before i sold off already.

Don't the forget the most important component of your rig: the amp.

hey..
why dont u try dimarzio evolution bridge..its a mid range pickup..
fat and at the same time bright..
listen to steve vai's tender surrender--i think he used the evolutions for this song(correct me if im wrong)..

blackouts livewire ?

in the first post, he/she mentioned she wanted a thick les paul sound....

and you guys are recommending EMGs??!!!

lol.

I've read that because of the thinner bodies of the SGs, their sound are more influenced by their pickups rather than their mahogany body. Anyone care to comment on this?

But if threadstarter really wanted a thick sound with an SG, try the SD SH-8 Invader. Down's Pepper Keenan uses one in his ESP, check the below video if you're interested. Damn cool band.



This post has been edited by quarantined: Nov 29 2008, 10:40 AM

Hmm, What pickup(s) are recommend for epi les paul?
the song i normall play is like My Chemical Romance.

I'm guessing a SD 59/Custom combo? What amp are you using anyway?

I like SD '59 for neck & SH11 Custom Custom for bridge too