59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

[matrixman_397]

Hi Guys,

I'm currently debating whether to change my Jazz neck pickup to either a 59 or Pearly Gates, or maybe even something else if suggested.

I have a Epiphone Les Paul custom with a Duncan Distortion in the bridge which I'm happy with, played through my Mesa F50 amp. I mainly play metal and hard rock and use the neck pickup either for leads or clean stuff. I find the Jazz a little bit sterile and boring sounding and find whilst its really articulate and clean, its maybe not got enough juice under distortion for what I'm looking for.

Looking for a higher output neck pickup that's more suited for higher gain whilst still having a good clean tone as I only use a neck pickup for clean tones. Do either of the 59 or Pearly Gates suit this description?

Any help much appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

'59 is my choice, it has a bit more bottom end and personality than the Jazz to me, really helps flesh things out.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

Based on what you dislike about the jazz, I'd go for the PG instead of the '59. The '59 and the Jazz are just gonna give you slightly different flavors of the same basic problems that you have with your neck pickup. They can both be stiff pickups that lack a nice, juicy midrangey sound. Both are better suited for the bridge position IMHO. The PG, OTOH, is one of the best neck pickups made, at least for what I want in a neck pickup. It has a beautiful spongey and singing quality to it that is just great.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

I have experience with all three you mention in Les Pauls. Each one installed in different LPs right now.

My favorite is the Jazz! For what you are looking for, I think the PG would be best.

You should also consider the Alnico Pro 2 reg or Slash version. I have no experience with these, but they may also give you what you are looking for.

The '59 can be boomy on the neck. The A2 pups have more mid focus.

 

[synzzzer]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

I am really spilt on this. See, I know what I like, but I need to suggest something you would like. I have a 59/Distortion set in an archtop if you would believe it. However, I would suggest the Pearly Gates. It has more bite, and to me just has a bit more of everything. Look at it like this. There are many Ford autos out there, some are Focus's (not a bad car, as I own one.) But some are Mustangs. I feel the Pearly Gates is a Mustang, and again, has a bit more of everything. I hope that helps.

 

[soulforger]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

Have you tried a Distortion neck? Just a thought. One problem with the PGn for me personally, was EQ-ing my amp to work for both neck and bridge (Custom Custom at that time) I found myself running the Presence and Treble way up and turning my bridge tone control on the guitar about halfway down, which wasn't really ideal, but it was the only way to get enough treble out of the neck for my personal needs, and for it to match tonally with the CC. The PGn works beautifully for many players though, so what do I know In addition to the Distortion neck, I'd suggest the Slash neck, the A2P, and the Screamin' Demon.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

In a Les Paul, of the pickups you mentioned, I would go with a PG. The '59 has a strong bottom end that sounds too boomy to me in a Les Paul (though I love the '59N in an SG). The PG has a better balanced tone, though the high end isn't quite as sharp as with the '59 or Jazz.

However, I voted "Other" because I would recommend you consider the SH-18 Whole Lotta Humbucker. It is similar to the '59 in many respects but much better balanced for a Les Paul. The high end is intact but the bass is reined in and the mids are fuller. I've been gigging tonight with my WLH-equipped Les Paul and they are such great pickups. They sound fantastic clean, dirty and all points between - they are so responsive to pick attack and guitar volume knob changes.

 

[soulforger]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

+1 on the WLH, I guess it didn't jump to mind for use with Distortion for some reason. I haven't tried in a Lester, but hey, that's pretty much what it was made for! I'm just getting to know my set and so far I don't think I'll be taking them out. Ever.

 

[matrixman_397]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

Thanks for all the replies guys!

Based from everything I've read and the clips I've heard, I'm interested to hear the Pearly Gates, can this pickup pull off both a screaming lead sound and a nice clean tone? Thats the one thing I fear I'm going to have to sacrifice if I change the Jazz, its got probably the best clean tone I've heard from a neck humbucker.

The duncan distortion neck does interest me since I already have the bridge pickup which I like, maybe this would be a good match? I'm sure this will pull off a screaming lead sound, but not so sure how it will cope with the clean sounds..... Appreciate the other suggestions, will do a bit of a research on these and comeback!

 

[blueman335]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

One problem with the PGn for me personally, was EQ-ing my amp to work for both neck and bridge (Custom Custom at that time) I found myself running the Presence and Treble way up and turning my bridge tone control on the guitar about halfway down, which wasn't really ideal, but it was the only way to get enough treble out of the neck for my personal needs, and for it to match tonally with the CC.

Same problem I have with PGN's. To me they're very warm and rounded, not enough treble, especially in a warm guitar like an LP. I don't think they have a lot of 'juice' under distortion either. Their A2 magnets take off some high-end, and add a loose low-end. Not what I'd recommend for metal and hard rock. A lot of guys use JazzN's because they hold up well under distortion.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

Hi Guys,

I'm currently debating whether to change my Jazz neck pickup to either a 59 or Pearly Gates, or maybe even something else if suggested.

I have a Epiphone Les Paul custom with a Duncan Distortion in the bridge which I'm happy with, played through my Mesa F50 amp. I mainly play metal and hard rock and use the neck pickup either for leads or clean stuff. I find the Jazz a little bit sterile and boring sounding and find whilst its really articulate and clean, its maybe not got enough juice under distortion for what I'm looking for.

Looking for a higher output neck pickup that's more suited for higher gain whilst still having a good clean tone as I only use a neck pickup for clean tones. Do either of the 59 or Pearly Gates suit this description?

Any help much appreciated!
Thanks!

Turn up the bass and turn down the volume a touch to compensate and it sounds like you've turned down the treble.

Turn up the treble and adjust the volume down a touch to compensate and it often sounds like you've turned down the bass.

Whether something sounds to trebley or to bassy often has to do with the ratio of treble to bass and bass to treble - not how much bass or how much treble is actually present in the audio signal.

The PG is a pickup that gets accused of being to bright - because it's not as bassy as some others.

To me, that quality also makes it sound clear and not so muddy.

I think it's a great neck humbucker for the bluesy style I play. Great for soloing, great for chords.

Couldn't tell you how it does with chugga-chugga, overdrive-overkill and metal styles - that's not my thing.

But the PGn is my favorite Duncan neck humbucker overall.

For you? I dunno. Maybe it wouldn't have "enough juice" as you say.

But if you get a hotter pickup with enough juice you're going to compromise your clean tones - if you're talking about actual clean.

Didn't Dimebag use a 59 for his neck pickup? That might be the way to go for you.

 

[blueman335]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

The PG is a pickup that gets accused of being to bright - because it's not as bassy as some others.

PGN's are definitely brighter in your Strat than the average LP, where they typically are a warm PU. The 'bright' PG is the bridge model, which many members have commented on ('surprisingly bright' compared to the neck). The set has a lot of contrast EQ-wise. They are bright and warm, depending on whether you're talking about a PGN or PGB, and both are brighter in ash/alder/maple than they are in mahogany.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

Out of the 59 or the PG I would definitely recommend the PG for what you want. But maybe even a better suggestion would be a Screamin Demon. A fantastic neck pup, higher output than your Jazz or the other two, more even EQ, beautiful cleans, very articulate yet screams when you want it to. A tremendously underrated neck pup IMHO.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

I gotta say if the Jazz is too "sterile" for you the either of the other 2 will correct that as both the 59 and PG have a bit more body and midrange to me than the Jazz however I don't hear the Jazz as sterile personally but I do get your point.

Both the 59n and PGn have a solid low end, the PGn has a little more midrange to me and a slightly softer top end but again not by too much...to me the big difference is in the midrange character and the compression.

If I were you I'd put a 59 bridge in the neck and call it a day!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

If I were you I'd put a 59 bridge in the neck and call it a day!

I was thinking that too. Back in the 50's and 60's (and 70's?) the Gibson equivalent of the 59B would have been used as both the bridge pickup and neck pickup.

 

[Aceman]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

I voted PG. It will go nicely with your distortion, it addresses what you don't like about the Jazz. One of my favorite LP neck pups period. Was playing metal yesterday on my PG loaded Cadillac.

That said - if you really want/need output, I'd go with a Distortion neck. Otherwise, I like the PG

 

[njstoehr]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

The Distortion and Jazz are nirvana for me in my Epiphone Les Paul Standard. As someone else stated, if it were me, I would be trying a '59n or even a WLHn. But this is you, and based on your description of what you want, a PG is probably a better starting point.

 

[Studioplayer]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

I have a pair of '59s in my Les Paul. They have been there for over 10 years so I am pretty familiar
with how they sound and work in this particular guitar. I posted not long ago on just how to brighten the
'59N. After getting lots of responses and folks claiming that they were too bassy, to shrill, and reduced mids to
being sort of scooped, I have to say that even though these are popular opinions, I can change the '59N just by
changing the amp's e.q. to compensate. I've found that pickup height and pole piece height can change any "deficiencies"
in the basic e.q. of the pickup

I think I will keep this '59 set in my Lester as the bridge is just what I need and by adjusting my '59N, and at the amp too, I have solved my own problems with brightness and the ability to play more than one style of music with them.

Studioplayer

 

[blueman335]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

I have a pair of '59s in my Les Paul... I can change the '59N just by
changing the amp's e.q. to compensate.

Except if you EQ your amp to give the bridge PU more low end. To me, the goal is to get both PU's sounding great with the same amp EQ setting.

 

[Studioplayer]

Re: 59 vs Pearly Gates Neck Pickup

Except if you EQ your amp to give the bridge PU more low end. To me, the goal is to get both PU's sounding great with the same amp EQ setting.

You might think that. I EQ the amp for the neck pickup so that I don't have to deal with any mud from it......just bright and woody (If I can). Then I deal with the '59B by itself. I can't say as I have had any trouble dialing it in. As long as the its' height is balanced out so that bass and treble are about equal, I seem to get it to respond the way I think it should. In the past, it has been the neck that has given me problems.

Studioplayer