joyouswolf
New member
Can anyone give me a comparison of the 2-
Pearly Gates B / Burstbucker 3
Tone curve
output
grit, edge
so on...
Thanks & peace
Pearly Gates B / Burstbucker 3
Tone curve
output
grit, edge
so on...
Thanks & peace
Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
- Thread starter joyouswolf
- Start date
guitarzinc10
New member
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
I'm interested in these pickups also. I've switched from medium output pups to lower output pups for a new band project.
I'm currently using a Burstbucker 1 in the bridge of a Les Paul and using a Mesa amp and I'm having good results but of course I can't leave well enough alone.
I'm interested in these pickups also. I've switched from medium output pups to lower output pups for a new band project.
I'm currently using a Burstbucker 1 in the bridge of a Les Paul and using a Mesa amp and I'm having good results but of course I can't leave well enough alone.
SAVAGE DISTORTION
New member
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
BB#3 is hotter has a better high end and to me just sounded better overall
I am one of the few that does not like the pearly gates at all
BB#3 is hotter has a better high end and to me just sounded better overall
I am one of the few that does not like the pearly gates at all
Ace Flibble
New member
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
I've got/had both in multiple guitars. Easily my favourite bridge pickups (along with the PG+).
The #3 usually has very, very slightly more measurable output, though in practise the Pearly Gates tends to actually sound louder because it has a more focused tone while the #3 is a very 'open' and wider tone. The bass and treble on the #3 aren't as well defined as with the PG; conversely, you could say that the PG is too tight and harsh compared to the #3, at least for the kind of blues and classic rock tones they are intended for. I find the #3 gets muddier quicker on the wound strings and/or lower tunings, while the PG gets incredibly harsh quickly with the plain strings and aggressive picking. When playing with lots of valve distortion, the PG is the more responsive and well-rounded pickup, while playing with a 100% clean, sparkly solid state tone the #3 has a lot more chime to it, almost like mixing a humbucker with a P-90.
If I had to pick just one bridge pickup to use for the rest of my life in all my guitars, I would choose the Burstbucker #3. However, the Pearly Gates is a really good alternative for guitars or playing styles where a little more definition is required. Really depends on the guitar, amp and player in question.
I've got/had both in multiple guitars. Easily my favourite bridge pickups (along with the PG+).
The #3 usually has very, very slightly more measurable output, though in practise the Pearly Gates tends to actually sound louder because it has a more focused tone while the #3 is a very 'open' and wider tone. The bass and treble on the #3 aren't as well defined as with the PG; conversely, you could say that the PG is too tight and harsh compared to the #3, at least for the kind of blues and classic rock tones they are intended for. I find the #3 gets muddier quicker on the wound strings and/or lower tunings, while the PG gets incredibly harsh quickly with the plain strings and aggressive picking. When playing with lots of valve distortion, the PG is the more responsive and well-rounded pickup, while playing with a 100% clean, sparkly solid state tone the #3 has a lot more chime to it, almost like mixing a humbucker with a P-90.
If I had to pick just one bridge pickup to use for the rest of my life in all my guitars, I would choose the Burstbucker #3. However, the Pearly Gates is a really good alternative for guitars or playing styles where a little more definition is required. Really depends on the guitar, amp and player in question.
UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
I really like the Pearly Gates, but prefer the BB3. It's pretty much as bright, but smoother top end, thicker, and just overall more classy oomph. The Pearly Gates has nice high mids and can sometimes be spiky in the top end, but I wouldn't say it's ever "harsh." The BB3 is warmer in the midrange and has more overall mid/low mids. The Pearly Gates has an excellent low end and in some cases can be slightly boomy, but never too much. It has a great classic feel and good output. The BB3 seems to handle gain better, but it MIGHT be more widely considered that the Pearly Gates yields a bit better clean tone because of it's slightly scooped midrange and top end sparkle.
I really like the Pearly Gates, but prefer the BB3. It's pretty much as bright, but smoother top end, thicker, and just overall more classy oomph. The Pearly Gates has nice high mids and can sometimes be spiky in the top end, but I wouldn't say it's ever "harsh." The BB3 is warmer in the midrange and has more overall mid/low mids. The Pearly Gates has an excellent low end and in some cases can be slightly boomy, but never too much. It has a great classic feel and good output. The BB3 seems to handle gain better, but it MIGHT be more widely considered that the Pearly Gates yields a bit better clean tone because of it's slightly scooped midrange and top end sparkle.
Ace Flibble
New member
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
The Burstbucker #3 is always unpotted. Only the Burstbucker Pro is potted.
Yes. Zebra, black, nickel and gold.
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
The BBs installed by Gibson are potted, or are supposed to be; you hear occasional reports of someone buying a Historic with unpotted pups, but it's rare. Only the BB1/2/3 sold aftermarket are supposed to be unpotted. I have a BB3 out of a Trad Pro and it's potted.
The BBs installed by Gibson are potted, or are supposed to be; you hear occasional reports of someone buying a Historic with unpotted pups, but it's rare. Only the BB1/2/3 sold aftermarket are supposed to be unpotted. I have a BB3 out of a Trad Pro and it's potted.
Ace Flibble
New member
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
Bizarre. I've had four production Gibsons, two Custom Shop Gibsons and one Epiphone that all came with Burstbucker #1/#2/#3 pickups and all of them have been unpotted, while I've had one Gibson - and my friend has another - with Burstbucker Pros and those were potted.
Bizarre. I've had four production Gibsons, two Custom Shop Gibsons and one Epiphone that all came with Burstbucker #1/#2/#3 pickups and all of them have been unpotted, while I've had one Gibson - and my friend has another - with Burstbucker Pros and those were potted.
Ace Flibble
New member
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
Doubt it, one is less than a year old.
Doubt it, one is less than a year old.
joyouswolf
New member
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
Thanks for all the info PEPS.
Peace
Thanks for all the info PEPS.
Peace
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
BB3 is going to be hotter output and more defined. The Classic '57 will be warmer, rounder. Then, there's the Classic '57 Plus, which is hotter than the regular '57 and about the same as the BB3. It's specifically designed for the bridge. Nice round rock tone, great for classic rock and blues. I think this pickup and the JB have a lot of tonal similarities.
The BB 1&2 sets in my Historic LP, definitely have a vintage PAF vibe, but not quite there--still totally usable. The BB2 in the bridge can get a little twang--sort of a muscled-up tele pickup. The BB1 in the neck can get nicely defined woman tone just by turning the tone knob down a bit. They really sing through my Mesa amps. The '57 Classics are warmer, muddier, rounder. They work very well in the ES-335s. The BB 1&2 can definitely have an edge.
I like to say that I'll use my Historics for gigs where I'm rockin' hard, but use the LP Elegant with the '57 Classics when I have a hearing-aid crowd and don't want to offend anybody. LOL!
Bill
BB3 is going to be hotter output and more defined. The Classic '57 will be warmer, rounder. Then, there's the Classic '57 Plus, which is hotter than the regular '57 and about the same as the BB3. It's specifically designed for the bridge. Nice round rock tone, great for classic rock and blues. I think this pickup and the JB have a lot of tonal similarities.
The BB 1&2 sets in my Historic LP, definitely have a vintage PAF vibe, but not quite there--still totally usable. The BB2 in the bridge can get a little twang--sort of a muscled-up tele pickup. The BB1 in the neck can get nicely defined woman tone just by turning the tone knob down a bit. They really sing through my Mesa amps. The '57 Classics are warmer, muddier, rounder. They work very well in the ES-335s. The BB 1&2 can definitely have an edge.
I like to say that I'll use my Historics for gigs where I'm rockin' hard, but use the LP Elegant with the '57 Classics when I have a hearing-aid crowd and don't want to offend anybody. LOL!
Bill
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pearly Gates vs Burstbucker 3
+1. Which is why I don't like '57's. I have a number of different kinds of PAF's, and '57's were a disappointment for me. To my ears, they're a not good fit in short scale guitars with warm-toned woods. The unbalanced coils in BB's give more high end and definition.
+1. Which is why I don't like '57's. I have a number of different kinds of PAF's, and '57's were a disappointment for me. To my ears, they're a not good fit in short scale guitars with warm-toned woods. The unbalanced coils in BB's give more high end and definition.
