Alternative to Pearly Gates

[wolf5150]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

How are your pots arranged ?
If you can, setup the lowest tone pot to control the bridge alone and fit a 500k pot and a 0.015 cap.
That'll open up the PG a little more and when rolled off, that cap will give you a wonderful Santana style tone.
That's how I have my strat setup and it's fantastic.

 

[nw202]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

I have a TBX tone circuit, which I like. I'm able to get a lot of different sounds with it, and since it goes up to 1meg, I can almost get it to sound like it's out of the circuit. I was recently thinking about putting a normal 500k pot in the bridge just to see how I'd like it.
Can you explain a little more about the capacitor, what it does, and why it works with the PG?
Also, has anyone had any experience with Lollar Imperials? I'm curious about those.

 

[wolf5150]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

Its a Lollar I have in my Strat....wonderful pickup but let's not spend your money until you're sure the PG doesn't suit you.

The 0.015 cap doesn't roll off as much top as the normal value so when you turn down it doesn't get too muddy.
it gives a really vocal mid tone.
If you listen to my YouTube clip of Black Magic Woman, that's the cap during the intro.... rolled off then I turn up the tone pot to solo.

I'm not familiar with the TBX so I can only describe what I like and use.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

Try a Dimarzio 36th anniversary

 

[nw202]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

Not too serious about changing the PG any time soon. I really like it, I was merely curious about a similar style pickup with a little more of a balanced eq. I suppose that unique thing in the midrange, whatever that is, that is a little bothersome sometimes is also the very reason I like it.
Since the Imperial is one of the pickups I'm curious about ,and you have experience with it, can you describe the sound, what you like about it, and perhaps compare it to the PG if possible?

 

[guitar74]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

I agree with the PG+. Have one in my big apple Strat and absolutely love it. Would definitely take it over the A2 PG. I would, however like to say that to my ears the Screamin' Demon would be a good balance between a High Output and vintage output. Also, it cleans up real nice. Also back to the PG+, the A5 is a little less honky. I use it primarily, and the JB, although the JB would be a LOT hotter than what you are looking for. The Whole lotta humbucker is nice, vintage output, but to my ears a little spongy. Keep in mind than tone, like my opinion on it, is subjective. Try listening to some of the demos, and pick what sounds good to YOUR ears, not mine.

One other thing, the WINDINGS, and wire gauge determine how loud, or hot, a pickup is. That's just a fact.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

Interesting. I had the PG+ in my Lonestar Strat and swapped a Demon into it. It has just a little more output to it, and gives it a kick where I felt the PG+ was a little underwhelming.

 

[nw202]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

I'm also curious about the Dimarzio 36th Anniversary along with the Lollar Imperial.

 

[DreX]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

I'd be interested in hearing about a comparison between Pearly Gates and other PAFs also. From what I can tell, the Pearly Gates has a lot more bite than the other PAF-style pickups I have now, the '59, Seth Lovers and Air Classics, which are all much rounder on the top and looser in the low end, and mostly only differ in the mids and attack. I'm surprised the Pearly Gates are PAF related at all, TBH.

 

[wolf5150]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

My Strat is in having new Lollar singles fitted.
I won't get it back until Monday.

 

[DreX]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

The Lollar Imperial is a PAF humbucker, though.

Which Lollars are you getting? I have all but the Blondes, and I'm debating whether or not to get them. They sound like Fender CS '69's by their description, but with A2's instead of A5's.

BTW, installing pickups is fairly easy. Pick up a cheap soldering iron.

 

[nw202]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

I'd be interested in hearing about a comparison between Pearly Gates and other PAFs also. From what I can tell, the Pearly Gates has a lot more bite than the other PAF-style pickups I have now, the '59, Seth Lovers and Air Classics, which are all much rounder on the top and looser in the low end, and mostly only differ in the mids and attack. I'm surprised the Pearly Gates are PAF related at all, TBH.

I'd say the Pearly Gates is most definitely a PAF style pickup. It just has a unique flavor about it, which I suppose some like, and some don't like. I can't quite put my finger on what that is. Perhaps something in the way the mids are voiced? Depends what you're going for. It can get quite 'mean' compared to say a Seth, which is much smoother and more 'polite'.
Like I said, I do like the Pearly Gates. If I had more guitars I'd probably leave it in. But I don't see it staying there forever.

 

[wolf5150]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

The Lollar Imperial is a PAF humbucker, though.

Which Lollars are you getting? I have all but the Blondes, and I'm debating whether or not to get them. They sound like Fender CS '69's by their description, but with A2's instead of A5's.

BTW, installing pickups is fairly easy. Pick up a cheap soldering iron.

I'm having mid and neck Blondes.
Slight variation after talking to Lollar, I'm fitting a bridge model Blonde in the neck slot.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

I'd be interested in hearing about a comparison between Pearly Gates and other PAFs also. From what I can tell, the Pearly Gates has a lot more bite than the other PAF-style pickups I have now, the '59, Seth Lovers and Air Classics, which are all much rounder on the top and looser in the low end, and mostly only differ in the mids and attack. I'm surprised the Pearly Gates are PAF related at all, TBH.

PGB or PGN? They're two very different sounding PU's. I hear PGB's as bright and thin, while PGN's are warm and fat (not enough treble for me). SethN's and A2PN's have more treble than PGN's.

 

[tubecrunch]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

Alnico 2 pro

 

[tubecrunch]

Re: Alternative to Pearly Gates

And p rails