New Seymour Duncan Pickups

[pathofspirit]

I picked up an Epiphone G400 (also have a Gibson SG) because I liked the way it played but I wasn't crazy about the pickups. This evening I stopped by one of my favorite guitar shops where I trust the input of the staff. They suggested a set of the Seymour Duncan SH-4 and SH2n pickups.

 

I haven't installed them yet but I assume someone here has experience with these. Any input?

[Elias Graves]

Don't know those models but I have a Seth Lover and an SM3 mini. Both are great. SD makes nice gear.

 

EG

[billybilly]

Look, the JB/Jazz combo, which is what they suggested is very, very good. The Jazz is my favourite neck pickup. Articulate, smooth but don't expect metal out of it. Probably one of the cleanest sounding neck pickups going and not muddy at all. I find the 59 can get muddy (SH1). I really like the JB in the bridge too but many find it has too strong of an upper midrange punch. Some say they have too many highs as well. I say they cut through any mix, have harmonics to die for and have great cleans too. I would only put them in a mahogany guitar though. You won't be disappointed with that combo at all.

 

Hope that helps,

Billy

[ashasha]

It's a big step up. I'm not crazy about the JB for reasons that billybilly stated, but in a mahogany guitar it'll probably be pretty good. It should be better than stock regardless. Put a JB in something like alder or ash and it's kind of insane....and not in a good way IMHO.

[pathofspirit]

Thanks for your help. I've never used Duncan humbuckers before (I had a telecaster antiquities bridge that was great). I mostly play blues. My favorite guitarist is Duane Allman. Also like Otis Rush, Freddie King, Mike Bloomfield. and Elvin Bishop.
These sound like they'll do the trick!

[angry again2]

To me that combination sounds great in just about anything. It can most definately do metal and also sound great in alder guitars. Thats what Jackson uses in a lot of their guitars. Came stock in my alder Jackson DK2M. The San Dimas Charvel also comes stock with them. Im sure there are many others too. Everyone has different tastes but its hard to go wrong with that choice.

[kayd_mon]

I have that combo in an old Epiphone Les Paul. I was happy with it, though I prefer Alnico Pro IIs for Duncan pickups now. It's a versatile combo, and I think you'll like it in an SG. Congrats on the new guitar/pickups!

[linusâ„¢]

it will come alive with that set..

personally i would've opted for a 59' (love that pup) over the Jazz, but the Jazz is still a good pickup.

[Crisco]

I really like the SH-2 in the neck of an LP with a Super Distortion in the bridge. Talk about cooking with grease on high heat then lowering the flames to simmer slow on the neck pickup. Nice

[ashasha]

 

it will come alive with that set.. personally i would've opted for a 59' (love that pup) over the Jazz, but the Jazz is still a good pickup.

 

 

I'm not a fan of SD's myself, but I've got a 59 in the neck of my N4 and the bridge of my AL3500 and it does pretty well in both cases. It seems like a pretty versatile pickup and has more air to it than a lot of the other stuff they make. I'm not too disappointed with a jazz in the neck either though; I've heard a lot worse.

[pathofspirit]

OK - they're installed and they sound great. Thanks for the input.

[Brewski]

I'm not all that crazy about the JAZZ pickup to me its missing the low punch but it might just be the one I got.

[pathofspirit]

 

I'm not all that crazy about the JAZZ pickup to me its missing the low punch but it might just be the one I got.

 

I like it's clarity; especially since I do most of my playing on the neck pickup.

 

I have a tonerider alnico II in the neck of my second epiphone and a Mean 90 in the neck of a third. The Gibson SG special has the stock Alnico II pickups, which I like a lot.