120 Anniversary 2014 Pickguard and chrome covers install

[Modenacart]

I got a new to me Gibson 120 anniversary SG special and I am thinking of installing a pick guard and chrome covers on the pickups. Should I do this and where should I source the parts? I see pretty cheap ones on Amazon but the reviews seems suspect.

Thanks.

 

[Modenacart]

Also, what is the difference between the special and the Junior? Mine says special but doesn’t have the chrome covers.

 

[Will V.]

A Junior has a single P90, Specials generally have two P90's but there are some double humbucker Special SG's like yours.

I'd recommend avoiding the Amazon pickup covers whenever possible. Unknown metals can have a negative effect on tone. Stick with some good name brand ones and you'll notice very little difference. You want either 49-50mm covers, either will work. Measure the pole pieces center to center under the E strings to be sure.

These are nice ones. https://www.philadelphialuthiertool...ncan-standard-spacing-humbucker-pickup-cover/

I assume you're handy with a soldering iron. Installing covers is not hard but you need a decent soldering iron with a wide enough tip and some solder. Most people melt wax inside the cover before installing them, and I also put a piece of cloth tape down on the pickup, covering it right up to the edge of the adjustable pole pieces. There are YouTube videos to guide you.

 

[Modenacart]

A Junior has a single P90, Specials generally have two P90's but there are some double humbucker Special SG's like yours.

I'd recommend avoiding the Amazon pickup covers whenever possible. Unknown metals can have a negative effect on tone. Stick with some good name brand ones and you'll notice very little difference. You want either 49-50mm covers, either will work. Measure the pole pieces center to center under the E strings to be sure.

These are nice ones. https://www.philadelphialuthiertool...ncan-standard-spacing-humbucker-pickup-cover/

I assume you're handy with a soldering iron. Installing covers is not hard but you need a decent soldering iron with a wide enough tip and some solder. Most people melt wax inside the cover before installing them, and I also put a piece of cloth tape down on the pickup, covering it right up to the edge of the adjustable pole pieces. There are YouTube videos to guide you.

Thanks. On a closer look the neck pick-up is a 490 and the bridge is a Seymour Duncan Intruder. Not sure if the intruder requires the selection of a different cover.

 

[papagayo]

Check the pole spacing, Gibson covers are not very expensive.

https://www.gibson.com/fr-FR/Product/PRPC-Neck/PRPC-010

https://www.gibson.com/fr-FR/Product/PRPC-Bridge/PRPC-015

 

[Will V.]

Thanks. On a closer look the neck pick-up is a 490 and the bridge is a Seymour Duncan Intruder. Not sure if the intruder requires the selection of a different cover.

The pole spacing really determines the cover. Most likely both pickups will use a 49-50mm cover. The Gibson will for sure. The SD could use a wider spacing for Fender/tremolo guitars but it’s unlikely unless whoever installed it used just whatever pickup happened to be handy.

 

[papagayo]

Those humbucker covers are cool, https://www.axesrus.co.uk/ARUHOCVR-p/arulpc034.htm

 

[papagayo]

The pickguard you need looks like this :

https://reverb.com/fr/item/39445717...guard-for-sg-future-60-s-70-s-tribute-sgj-sgm

https://reverb.com/fr/item/43415966...-70-s-tribute-sgj-sgm-3-ply-white-black-white

Read this post : https://www.everythingsg.com/threads/sgj-reimagined-into-a-61-style—-new-to-me-guitar-day.39239/#post-571884

 

[Col Mustard]

Welcome to ETSG!

You'll get a lot of opinions about pick guards from the members here.
And also about pickup covers.

Here's my opinions:
Neither the covers nor the pick guard are necessary, unless you play really hard and use a heavy pick. Some of us feel that the guitar looks better without the pick guard.

That said, there's no reason you should NOT install these things.
They have no effect on tone, it's only how you like your guitar to look.

I bought an SG special that had uncovered pickups, and played if for several years before deciding I wanted black covers. I found what I wanted at Allparts.

Measuring the pole pieces width is crucial. The neck pickup is normally
narrower than the bridge pickup because of the way the bridge spreads the strings. See the measurements here on Stew Mac's page.
Stew Mac is highly recommended. They sell quality parts.
They also give accurate measurements on their web pages ( in inches and in mm) so you can order the right things.

Humbucking Pickup Covers - StewMac

Authentic nickel-silver covers with late-1950s P.A.F. shape.

www.stewmac.com

For a pick guard I recommend Pickguardian for their quality.
I would never trust unknown sellers.

Home | Pickguardian

Handmade custom pickguards from Pickguardian.

www.pickguardian.com

 

[papagayo]

Wide bevel pickguard made by WD Music is pretty cool.

https://reverb.com/fr/item/39445717...guard-for-sg-future-60-s-70-s-tribute-sgj-sgm

 

[Modenacart]

Lot of great responses. I need to spend some time digesting the information.