Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

Scifi Metalhead

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Curious if any SG guys have a PG in the bridge. I'm looking for an upgrade for my SG Special, and have found a nice deal on a PG/59 set. The stock bridge pup (490) seems a bit thin to me.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

I've heard Angus is using custom shop PGs now, but I'd be pretty leary, unless you have a particularly warm/low endy SG

OR

you stick with the 300K volume pots Gibson normally puts in their production model guitars. That will tame alot of the high end and effectively thicken it up-worked great with a C5/PGn set I put in my Flying V.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

Currently my SG has a BroBucker in the bridge and a Dimarzio VPAF in the neck.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

My SG seems to be mid heavy. This leads me to the C5 that a lot of forum users like. However, I do have a nice price on a PG/59 setup. Seems worth a try. I do want a lower-output set for my SG to contrast with the hot setup I have in my other guitars.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

Why not a complete 59 set then? The SG will add the mids that the 59 set lacks.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

The Dimarzio 36th Anniversary set would also be something to look at. They are a bit smoother than the Duncans and have more mids and less brittle highs than the 59B. The neck version is also less boomy.

The 36th Bridge will give you a little higher output without sounding less vintage. The only thing I might consider is that the 59s will have a fatter bottom which the SG seems to need a little help with sometimes.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

i had one in my SG's bridge for a while. personally, i don't think in stock form it's much of an improvement over the 490t that's in there curently since they're both slightly hotter a2 PAF type pickups. however, i did put an a8 magnet in there for a while and i did like it a lot as it boosted the output, tightened the lows, and gave it a grittier voice. the cleans on that pickup weren't really great though. lately i've put the 490 set back in with alnico 5 magnets to get a clearer paf voicing.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

PG woudl be fine in an SG...Angus is using them and his SG has a very thin (and maple) neck and he uses 500k pots...

A lot of guys wil tell you that the PG is somehow brighter, thinner, toppier, or has s sizzle...all bogus.

The PG sounds like a big fat PAF because thats what it is a copy of...
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

A lot of guys wil tell you that the PG is somehow brighter, thinner, toppier, or has s sizzle...all bogus..

I don't know Christian, I'd have to respectfully disagree (in part). Even Duncan themselves describes the pup as having that sizzle- (and I hear it as well), Those not familiar with the PGs, assume it does not have alot of bass or mids, which is entirely untrue- it has ALOT of both, so it's def not *thin*, But it's def got top end characteristics that alot of other PAF types do not have...ESPECIALLY most other A2 PAFs.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

I don't know Christian, I'd have to respectfully disagree (in part). Even Duncan themselves describes the pup as having that sizzle- (and I hear it as well), Those not familiar with the PGs, assume it does not have alot of bass or mids, which is entirely untrue- it has ALOT of both, so it's def not *thin*, But it's def got top end characteristics that alot of other PAF types do not have...ESPECIALLY most other A2 PAFs.

As much as I agree with you (except for the bass mid thing)...

HOW DARE YOU QUESTION TGWIF!!!!! He knows and we don't. even though a lot of the guys spouting his allegeded 'bs' actually own PG's and agree with the general issues. Their opinions are not TGWIF's and thus do not matter and are incorrect.

I agree that the top is fat and sweet, that the underlying fundamental tone has a bit of hair on it (not distortion), that it has a significant upper-mid cut (that may be the 'piercing aspect of the highs when in the bridge .... but I like it!). It's got less boom in the neck than a 59, and more mids as well (although I hear all PAFs as a scooped type mid - mildly so, not thrashy scooped).

Opinions vary - but when enough people hear it one way...
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

I don't know Christian, I'd have to respectfully disagree (in part). Even Duncan themselves describes the pup as having that sizzle- (and I hear it as well), Those not familiar with the PGs, assume it does not have alot of bass or mids, which is entirely untrue- it has ALOT of both, so it's def not *thin*, But it's def got top end characteristics that alot of other PAF types do not have...ESPECIALLY most other A2 PAFs.

I have tried it a couple of times and I too have found it a brighter sound to me. I do not know if that is the eq curve or the way I experience it. The 36th set I have, a CC and APII might work depending on what you want. I have a C5, CC, Seth, 59, 36th bridge, and some others that I like in the bridge. The CC works pretty well for a brighter guitar to me.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

I think Duncan using the word sizzle in the text about the PG was a bad idea...not only do I not really hear any sizzle to the tone of a PG it has given a lot of people the idea thatt he PG is somehow brighter than other Duncan PAF style pickups...

I just don't hear it...

PG's, 59's, Seths and Ants all have a nice strong top end, just like original 50's PAF's...
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

I'm curious about the PG bridge too. Thing is, I'd like (dare I say).... sizzle and grit in my bridge position, however when I had a PGn that was what I didn't like about it.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

The PGb would actually be great in an SG. It has tonal characteristics which really compliment the thin mahogany body of an SG and a fair amount of output which I feel the SG bridge needs. I can't say about the '59n. I haven't tried it. But another really great (I mean REALLY great) bridge PU for the SG is a Custom8. A little more output than the PG (which already has a good amount of output), but a real good match for the SG bridge both in terms of tonality and output.

But if you've got a good deal with the PG/'59 I'd go for it. If the '59 ends up sounding too bright, you can just pop in an A2 (or even an A3 or A4). Many possibilities for tone sculpting with a PU combination like that.
 
Re: Any SG players use a Pearly Gates in the bridge?

I think Duncan using the word sizzle in the text about the PG was a bad idea...not only do I not really hear any sizzle to the tone of a PG it has given a lot of people the idea thatt he PG is somehow brighter than other Duncan PAF style pickups...

I just don't hear it...

PG's, 59's, Seths and Ants all have a nice strong top end, just like original 50's PAF's...

It's called "Texas Sizzle". :approve:

They were The Rev's own words describing his sounding Pearly Gates experience to be reproduced in the PG set.
 
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