03 Mar 1968 SG Standard “Blackie” (The Sound of My SGs, “Pilot” Video)
This video is simply a “pilot”, i.e., a promo video. A test, basically.
I intend to post a few videos, for a total of circa 14 SGs (all my relevant ones) to test differences among them. Providing in fact, wiring images (one for each guitar), type of wiring and a few addtional specs/per guitar.
Specifically. every SG current action (I like the action quite low on SGs), Bridge Pickup DC resistance measurement and a little more tidbits.
All done with the same amp – for now, the 1959 – at the same identical settings, same microphone positioning, same EQ post etc.
This is just a pilot. I used it to verify quite a lot of new technology, including the new multicore MacPro and a new video editing tool that actually (finally) works with multicores, allowing me to process video much more quickly (imagine that at times, my video processing was 4 hours per video: unbearable. I was now able to bring for these 10 minutes computing time down to 8 minutes).
I am not sure whether I will keep the plexi panels around the cabinet. I think the sound is good, but still a bit “boxy”. Listen closely and tell me what you think. Although all nuances are probably very evident now, I can’t choose.
Video quality is not top notch, since I did a couple of mistakes 😛
Sequenceblackie720 from SoloDallas on Vimeo.
I started with “Blackie” as I changed its bridge pickup. After some initial fighting with the wiring, which was rather odd, having been modified previously, I was able to nail the original wiring (simply copying it from another SG) and now it’s back to “stock late ’60s wiring”. Which is not ’50s wiring. We’ll talk about it.
mrbluesy1
Posted at 18:15h, 23 JuneGuys, I’m struggling to decide whether to buy a AY sig sg or a stock 68 sg. Would really like more experienced views and reviews. Please help!!!
Angusrocks101
Posted at 18:50h, 23 JuneYou mean like an SG standard by 68 SG? If so it would be just as good tone wise if you installed the angus sig pickup and still be cheaper than the sig guitar. Unless of course you like the angus guitar’s feel better. But I would suggest the AY sig SG if budgets not a problem.
banane
Posted at 19:14h, 23 JuneI had Fil’s AY sig SG in my hands and it has a very small, thin neck. Can be uncomfortable if you have bigger hands. Try it if possible before buying.
And I own a 2009 SG and a 1969 SG myself. Both play and sound great (the 2009 SG has a AY sig pickup at the bridge), the 1969 has just more mojo and life in it.
That’s an important factor, you just play better when you love your guitar.
Angusrocks101
Posted at 21:30h, 23 JuneYes I agree with Franz. You should always try before you buy. Bc it’s always going to be personal preference.
alex_a
Posted at 12:36h, 23 FebruaryHi, fil!
Maybe you’ve already mentioned it somewhere, but I couldn’t find it. From your knowledge/experience, what is the difference between the 50’s wiring and the “stock late ’60s wiring” you are talking about here?
I have my ideas on that, but it’s interesting to hear from you for you have pretty much experience with the real deals of that eras.
Angusrocks
Posted at 11:49h, 23 Februaryoh man, so you are a permanent traveller then !? 🙂 Sounds that your life is very stressful…….
Where do you have been ?
Ah, you swapped it. Yes, i can understand this, for the perfect Angus`tone it is always better to use the original AYSH. I have mine more then ten years. It is from 2001. That was when the AYSguitar came out. The humbucker couldn`t be bought here at the german market, because they offered the expensive guitar at first and then the much cheaper humbucker what is quiet normal. Only the Musiciansfriend in USA offered it. Good to have american friends 😉
Angusrocks
Posted at 10:31h, 23 FebruaryVery interesting !!! I never heard the Barbequebucker in a SG. I like this sound !
It comes very close to the AYSH, but with more power. Do you like your Barbequebucker as well Fil ?
SoloDallas
Posted at 11:26h, 23 FebruaryHi bro, finally back from yet another trip.
Can’t stand traveling anymore lol
Anyway, no, I swapped it. Now blackie has a AY sig in her.
I love AY sigs more than any other PU in SGs for Angus’ stuff 🙂
OldSchoolRocker666
Posted at 18:22h, 09 MarchThe AY Sigs pickups sounds awesome! But tell me how did the BBQ feel compare to most AY pickups? Was it ”too strong”?
Right now i’am wondering if really the amount of ohms is the key factor, if it does matter so much if it’s 9k ohms or 12-13k ohms or if the most important factors are other stuff into the pickups themselves like the magnets that matters most, or what it could be.
I mean, there is more to the pickup sound than only the amount of windings afterall 🙂
Have a look, http://store.gibson.com/angus-young-signature-humbucker/
Alnico V (5) magnet, ”special balanced-coil windings using vintage enamel-like coated wiring that delivers a 1–2 combination of punch and vintage tone”.
The BBQ also uses an Alnico V magnet, but now i’am confused over what really makes the ”Angus” sound so good on the signature pickups, supposly BBQs have been used by him(which can’t be confirmed right?), so he have at least tried them out if so, maybe he did like them and stuck with them for a period if so and then deicided to try out weaker pickups and then got an idea for about what he wanted in his pickups soundwise?
I don’t know if the winding itself is the reason, it could be, but i guess it’s the combination of all parts in the pickup that makes the AY signature pickups sounding so good 🙂
Supposly the ohms factor, if it’s 9k or 12-13k might not matter so much if the other parts are similar to the AY signature pickup specs? Who knows 🙂
Would be interresting to find out.
alex_a
Posted at 00:31h, 23 FebruaryHi.
Regarding that pickup DC resistance measurement thing, I thing I do my 2 cents:
You can always measure pup’s DCR without even opening control cavity. The only thing is that volume control must be at full maximum. Plug a cable into guitar leaving the other end unplugged and measure DCR between 2 contacts on the other end. If the volume pot is on 10, you are just measuring pup’s DCR with 500k in parallel. This 500k in parallel will lower the reading around 2%, which is kinda nothing compared to tolerances of some meters. If you are sure that the meter is good and precise, you can just add that 2% to the reading you get, if you are really into it ). As for the cable, it adds in series around 1 ohm for 3m/10ft of a decent instrument cable, which is kinda +0.01%. If you are really into it, use a speaker cable, which gotta have 0.0x Ohm resistance (well, this is a joke, don’t do it, it’s useless, ;))