I've never been completely happy with the Pearly Gates Plus pickup in the lead position of my Big Apple Strat. It has always seemed too hot and bright and hard to control, and I prefer a more mellow PAF sound, so I'm considering installing a '59 like the neck position pickup. Any thoughts?
Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
- Thread starter Albochic
- Start date
Reckless Abandon
New member
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
It will have less output and less upper mids. the '59 is a great pickup. Not sure about mellow though
Welcome to the forum.
It will have less output and less upper mids. the '59 is a great pickup. Not sure about mellow though
Welcome to the forum.
Luke Duke
PRSlustologist
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
Welcome to the forum!
I had the same problem. The regular PG will have more mids and an overall thicker sound, in my opinion. You can achieve that tone with a simple swap of magnets in your PGP. That's 4 or 5 bucks compared to 60 and it gives you a starting place.
You could go with a 59b, but to me the PGP is pretty similiar due to the A5 magnet.
If you are wanting to really mellow out the strat consider buying a set of Alnico 2 Pros or maybe Jazzes. You could go with Seth Lovers even, but you'd want to make sure to order them in dbl. black so as not to clash too much with the pearloid pickguard.
Luke
Welcome to the forum!
I had the same problem. The regular PG will have more mids and an overall thicker sound, in my opinion. You can achieve that tone with a simple swap of magnets in your PGP. That's 4 or 5 bucks compared to 60 and it gives you a starting place.
You could go with a 59b, but to me the PGP is pretty similiar due to the A5 magnet.
If you are wanting to really mellow out the strat consider buying a set of Alnico 2 Pros or maybe Jazzes. You could go with Seth Lovers even, but you'd want to make sure to order them in dbl. black so as not to clash too much with the pearloid pickguard.
Luke
Luke Duke
PRSlustologist
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
Ooh yeah good call on the short legs! :friday:
We did forget the all important 4 conductor harness for the 5 way.
Luke
Ooh yeah good call on the short legs! :friday:
We did forget the all important 4 conductor harness for the 5 way.
Luke
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
My Big Apple came with a set of double white Jazz neck and Duncan Custom pickups. I thought they were the 59n & PG+ set because the guitar looks like new and was sold to me as being stock and all original. When the switch went bad I opened it up to replace the switch and replace the pickups and found the set I wanted to put in the guitar already in the guitar and the soldering seemed original. Don't know what to make of that but it was a big surprise!
So I still have not heard a PG+ although it's got to be very similar to a 59B.
I've thought about putting a set of alnico 2 Pearly Gates in there. And also thought about putting my alnico 2 Tom Holmes pickups in there. I'm not that happy with the Jazz/Custom combo - although in the past I've liked the Custom in other Strats.
In this guitar, they just sound a little flat.
I think I probably don't care for the choice Fender made in terms of the values of the volume and tone pots in the Big Apple. I think that is the reason I'm not liking the tones from my Big Apple as much as when I had the Custom in my other Strat.
I'd like to change all of the pots to 500K and a .02 tone cap someday soon. Should brighten it up and liven up the tone.
Lew
Welcome to the forum!
I had the same problem. The regular PG will have more mids and an overall thicker sound, in my opinion. You can achieve that tone with a simple swap of magnets in your PGP. That's 4 or 5 bucks compared to 60 and it gives you a starting place.
You could go with a 59b, but to me the PGP is pretty similiar due to the A5 magnet.
If you are wanting to really mellow out the strat consider buying a set of Alnico 2 Pros or maybe Jazzes. You could go with Seth Lovers even, but you'd want to make sure to order them in dbl. black so as not to clash too much with the pearloid pickguard.
Luke
My Big Apple came with a set of double white Jazz neck and Duncan Custom pickups. I thought they were the 59n & PG+ set because the guitar looks like new and was sold to me as being stock and all original. When the switch went bad I opened it up to replace the switch and replace the pickups and found the set I wanted to put in the guitar already in the guitar and the soldering seemed original. Don't know what to make of that but it was a big surprise!
So I still have not heard a PG+ although it's got to be very similar to a 59B.
I've thought about putting a set of alnico 2 Pearly Gates in there. And also thought about putting my alnico 2 Tom Holmes pickups in there. I'm not that happy with the Jazz/Custom combo - although in the past I've liked the Custom in other Strats.
In this guitar, they just sound a little flat.
I think I probably don't care for the choice Fender made in terms of the values of the volume and tone pots in the Big Apple. I think that is the reason I'm not liking the tones from my Big Apple as much as when I had the Custom in my other Strat.
I'd like to change all of the pots to 500K and a .02 tone cap someday soon. Should brighten it up and liven up the tone.
Lew
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Luke Duke
PRSlustologist
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
Wow! That's CRAZY man! I've never heard of such a beast. I wonder if you could get some info from Fender. Maybe it was some prototype that got out or something? :scratchch
That's how I heard it except the top end seemed more aggressive with the PG
Lew you are describing the problem I had, even though I had a 59/PGP set. The pots being 250k made for an overall dull sound with very little sparkle. I might be crazy, but I also felt like the output jumped up quite a bit when I went to the 500Ks. What cap does yours have, mine came with .022?
Alas, I decided to me it was more important to have a regular strat than keep the H/H setup so my big apple is now running A2P n/m and Christian's 9K Custom shop A2 bridge (essentially an un-aged texas hot)
Luke
Wow! That's CRAZY man! I've never heard of such a beast. I wonder if you could get some info from Fender. Maybe it was some prototype that got out or something? :scratchch
That's how I heard it except the top end seemed more aggressive with the PG
Lew you are describing the problem I had, even though I had a 59/PGP set. The pots being 250k made for an overall dull sound with very little sparkle. I might be crazy, but I also felt like the output jumped up quite a bit when I went to the 500Ks. What cap does yours have, mine came with .022?
Alas, I decided to me it was more important to have a regular strat than keep the H/H setup so my big apple is now running A2P n/m and Christian's 9K Custom shop A2 bridge (essentially an un-aged texas hot)
Luke
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
Here's a wiring diagram from Guitar Nuts. http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/big_apple.php This guy got one with a Pearly Gates neck! I don't know if that means Fender sent them out with different pickup configurations or not. Mine appears to be stock though. According to this wiring diagram only the tone control for the bridge pickup is 250K. I think I'd like 500K better. Maybe it's the only pot change I'd need to make.
I have a Duncan 78 that I've thought about putting in this guitar too. If I do I'll rewire to my own tastes. What I might do is buy a new Big Apple pickguard and keep this one intact with the pickups and existing wiring and just build up a whole new pickguard loaded with my own choices.
Only humbucker I've used 250K pots with and liked the results was a JB. Otherwise, 250K makes a humbucker sound flat and lifeless and lacking treble. Like you said.
Thanks! Lew
Here's a wiring diagram from Guitar Nuts. http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/big_apple.php This guy got one with a Pearly Gates neck! I don't know if that means Fender sent them out with different pickup configurations or not. Mine appears to be stock though. According to this wiring diagram only the tone control for the bridge pickup is 250K. I think I'd like 500K better. Maybe it's the only pot change I'd need to make.
I have a Duncan 78 that I've thought about putting in this guitar too. If I do I'll rewire to my own tastes. What I might do is buy a new Big Apple pickguard and keep this one intact with the pickups and existing wiring and just build up a whole new pickguard loaded with my own choices.
Only humbucker I've used 250K pots with and liked the results was a JB. Otherwise, 250K makes a humbucker sound flat and lifeless and lacking treble. Like you said.
Thanks! Lew
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Luke Duke
PRSlustologist
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
Wow, that's crazy. I guess Fender was just kind of shotgunning pups at that time.
That's oddball mine had three 250ks, once again they were shotgunning configurations it sounds like.
In my PRS (59/78) I have a 500K volume pot and a 250K tone pot. I found the guitar too bright with 2 500Ks and too dull with 2 250Ks....oh and without the treble cap. YUCK Anyhow all that maple on top coupled with the 24 frets and thin body just made the 78 sound a little TOO abrasive and the 59 too topy to my ears. It's funny how we as guitarists can get ultra caught up in this and that on a particular guitar. Whenever people hear that PRS they are just amazed at the sound I'm just kind of look at them blankly and shrug.
Luke
Wow, that's crazy. I guess Fender was just kind of shotgunning pups at that time.
That's oddball mine had three 250ks, once again they were shotgunning configurations it sounds like.
In my PRS (59/78) I have a 500K volume pot and a 250K tone pot. I found the guitar too bright with 2 500Ks and too dull with 2 250Ks....oh and without the treble cap. YUCK Anyhow all that maple on top coupled with the 24 frets and thin body just made the 78 sound a little TOO abrasive and the 59 too topy to my ears. It's funny how we as guitarists can get ultra caught up in this and that on a particular guitar. Whenever people hear that PRS they are just amazed at the sound I'm just kind of look at them blankly and shrug.
Luke
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
Despite what that Guitar Nuts wiring diagram shows, I think my Big Apple has more than one 250K pot too. I remember not liking what I saw when I opened it up.
I have my 78 in a single humbucker MIJ Strat with only a 500K volume control. No tone pot. I really like it and it doesn't sound harsh at all. In fact, it sounds very similar to the Tom Holmes bridge pickup I have in another Strat.
For my money, the best Duncan bridge humbucker I've ever owned is the 78.
That 9K pickup you described sounds like it must be similar to a 78. Is it?
Despite what that Guitar Nuts wiring diagram shows, I think my Big Apple has more than one 250K pot too. I remember not liking what I saw when I opened it up.
I have my 78 in a single humbucker MIJ Strat with only a 500K volume control. No tone pot. I really like it and it doesn't sound harsh at all. In fact, it sounds very similar to the Tom Holmes bridge pickup I have in another Strat.
For my money, the best Duncan bridge humbucker I've ever owned is the 78.
That 9K pickup you described sounds like it must be similar to a 78. Is it?
Luke Duke
PRSlustologist
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
Wow Lew you are really runnin EVH style!
I'm running a 78 in my PRS and I'm running a 78 in my R8. I agree that pound for pound they are some of my favorite bridge pups. I think the only 9K pup I've mentined was the 78.
Luke
Wow Lew you are really runnin EVH style!
I'm running a 78 in my PRS and I'm running a 78 in my R8. I agree that pound for pound they are some of my favorite bridge pups. I think the only 9K pup I've mentined was the 78.
Luke
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
Thanks! Are you saying to swap the magnet in the PG+ pickup? As much rewiring as I've done over the years I've never tried something like that. How is it done and where are the magnets available? Also, I should have stated in my first post that I would want to stay with the original look of the guitar, so if I do decide to make a change, I would be looking for a double white Seymour Duncan pickup.
The 59 neck pickup sounds a lot different to me than the PG+ in the bridge. Maybe its the placement?
I had never heard of a 78 but just checked it out. How would that sound in my Big Apple, and how would it pair up the the 59 neck pickup?
Welcome to the forum!
I had the same problem. The regular PG will have more mids and an overall thicker sound, in my opinion. You can achieve that tone with a simple swap of magnets in your PGP. That's 4 or 5 bucks compared to 60 and it gives you a starting place.
You could go with a 59b, but to me the PGP is pretty similiar due to the A5 magnet.
If you are wanting to really mellow out the strat consider buying a set of Alnico 2 Pros or maybe Jazzes. You could go with Seth Lovers even, but you'd want to make sure to order them in dbl. black so as not to clash too much with the pearloid pickguard.
Luke
Thanks! Are you saying to swap the magnet in the PG+ pickup? As much rewiring as I've done over the years I've never tried something like that. How is it done and where are the magnets available? Also, I should have stated in my first post that I would want to stay with the original look of the guitar, so if I do decide to make a change, I would be looking for a double white Seymour Duncan pickup.
The 59 neck pickup sounds a lot different to me than the PG+ in the bridge. Maybe its the placement?
I had never heard of a 78 but just checked it out. How would that sound in my Big Apple, and how would it pair up the the 59 neck pickup?
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
there is a tutorial in the vault. if you do a search you should find it.
placement has alot to do with how a pup sounds. the same exact pup will sound alot different in the bridge and the neck. near the neck the tone will be darker with less treble and more bass and mids. near the bridge it will have much less bass and much more prominent treble with less output.
if you look at a typical modern pairing of neck and bridge humbuckers the neck pup will be made to have less output, bass, and mids than the bridge pup to compensate for the natural sound of its position.
it would sound really nice im sure. it would pair up with the 59n very well.
there is a tutorial in the vault. if you do a search you should find it.
placement has alot to do with how a pup sounds. the same exact pup will sound alot different in the bridge and the neck. near the neck the tone will be darker with less treble and more bass and mids. near the bridge it will have much less bass and much more prominent treble with less output.
if you look at a typical modern pairing of neck and bridge humbuckers the neck pup will be made to have less output, bass, and mids than the bridge pup to compensate for the natural sound of its position.
it would sound really nice im sure. it would pair up with the 59n very well.
Luke Duke
PRSlustologist
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
Like Jeremy said there's a tutorial in the vault.
That's what is in my PRS CU24.
Oh Lew, the 9k pup I was talking about is an A2 single coil.
Like Jeremy said there's a tutorial in the vault.
That's what is in my PRS CU24.
Oh Lew, the 9k pup I was talking about is an A2 single coil.
Laughing Kookaburra
New member
Re: Big Apple Strat lead pickup replacement?
Not sure if this is the tutorial referred to, but I had this saved. It should get you started.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=148821
Not sure if this is the tutorial referred to, but I had this saved. It should get you started.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=148821