gretsch6120
New member
Just purchased a set of Pearly Gates for my 17" hollowybody. Are these pup worth coil splitting? Will I get enough tonal differences?
Coil splitting Pearly Gates
- Thread starter gretsch6120
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T
theodie
Guest
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
Probally not worth it like most buckers are not worth the effort. You will get a tonal difference but, it will probally be weak sounding. If that is your thing, go for it.
Probally not worth it like most buckers are not worth the effort. You will get a tonal difference but, it will probally be weak sounding. If that is your thing, go for it.
Intoxicate
New member
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
Well the EMG 89 actually doesn't split. It has 2 Pickups in one housing, it just switches between the EMG85 and an EMG SingleCoil.
Well the EMG 89 actually doesn't split. It has 2 Pickups in one housing, it just switches between the EMG85 and an EMG SingleCoil.
K.E.B.
New member
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
Did you replace stock pickups? If so, how much of a difference is there and what does it do to the tone?
Did you replace stock pickups? If so, how much of a difference is there and what does it do to the tone?
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
I like the neck Pearly Gates split...get's a terrific single coil tone, IMO.
I use it with a Duncan Custom in the bridge position...that pickup sounds great split too.
Vintage output pafs in the bridge position might be a little weak split....but in the neck position they split very nicely and can have a nice full tone.
Lew
I like the neck Pearly Gates split...get's a terrific single coil tone, IMO.
I use it with a Duncan Custom in the bridge position...that pickup sounds great split too.
Vintage output pafs in the bridge position might be a little weak split....but in the neck position they split very nicely and can have a nice full tone.
Lew
DesertRat
New member
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
I agree with the folks who don't like the split coil humbucker sound. However, I have found some cool tones when using both the neck and bridge p/u's but with the neck p/u in parallel wiring. Parallel wiring doesn't seem as anemic sounding as split coil overall and works when I need a little thinner sounding rhythm sounds for funk or for not taking up too much tonal space in a large group or busy mix.
I agree with the folks who don't like the split coil humbucker sound. However, I have found some cool tones when using both the neck and bridge p/u's but with the neck p/u in parallel wiring. Parallel wiring doesn't seem as anemic sounding as split coil overall and works when I need a little thinner sounding rhythm sounds for funk or for not taking up too much tonal space in a large group or busy mix.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
Actually, wiring a humbucker parallel sounds weaker and lower in output than splitting a humbucker into a single coil.
Lew
Actually, wiring a humbucker parallel sounds weaker and lower in output than splitting a humbucker into a single coil.
Lew
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
I love the sound of a split humbucker, but, it must be used in the proper context. I virtually never use two humbuckers on at the same time. My main four "split" modes are:
1. Screw coil of neck in series with stud coil of bridge for a virtual 3rd humbucker. This is my favorite. Nice full, well-balanced, unique tone.
2. Neck full-on with split bridge. Adds a little high-end richness to the otherwise dull neck-only tone.
3. Bridge full-on with split neck. Adds a little bass smoothness to a bright bridge.
4. Using a humbucker in the neck of a Tele. The split mode is its "normal" mode, for traditional Tele tone. Then use a switch to bring in full humbucker mode for a fatter, bluesy/jazzy tone.
I love all four of those modes.
I love the sound of a split humbucker, but, it must be used in the proper context. I virtually never use two humbuckers on at the same time. My main four "split" modes are:
1. Screw coil of neck in series with stud coil of bridge for a virtual 3rd humbucker. This is my favorite. Nice full, well-balanced, unique tone.
2. Neck full-on with split bridge. Adds a little high-end richness to the otherwise dull neck-only tone.
3. Bridge full-on with split neck. Adds a little bass smoothness to a bright bridge.
4. Using a humbucker in the neck of a Tele. The split mode is its "normal" mode, for traditional Tele tone. Then use a switch to bring in full humbucker mode for a fatter, bluesy/jazzy tone.
I love all four of those modes.
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
I agree. I tried my Hot Rodded combo split, and while it sounds great with neck+bridge split and bridge split, the Jazz is only like 7-10k so half that is like 3-5k which isn't powerful enough for me.
I agree. I tried my Hot Rodded combo split, and while it sounds great with neck+bridge split and bridge split, the Jazz is only like 7-10k so half that is like 3-5k which isn't powerful enough for me.
M
MartinSixStringCustoms
Guest
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
The JB is the only bucker I found acceptable when split. I'm obviously of the school where if you want a single coil sound, play a Strat and call it a day.
The JB is the only bucker I found acceptable when split. I'm obviously of the school where if you want a single coil sound, play a Strat and call it a day.
gretsch6120
New member
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
I think I may try splitting the PG neck, what the heck, doesn't take much effort to do so. If I like it, cool, if not, oh well.
I think I may try splitting the PG neck, what the heck, doesn't take much effort to do so. If I like it, cool, if not, oh well.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
You'll probably like it. IMO, it's well worth doing! I'm a Strat and Tele nut...if a split PGN didn't sound Tele like, I wouldn't recommend it. Lew
You'll probably like it. IMO, it's well worth doing! I'm a Strat and Tele nut...if a split PGN didn't sound Tele like, I wouldn't recommend it. Lew
gretsch6120
New member
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
I installed the PG's in my 17" hollowbody, and did a coil split on both pups, I installed a push/plull on the tone knobs. LOVE the results! Almost Gretsch like in the single coil mode. The bridge pup is a little weak on the bass side when in single mode, but a twist of the bass on my amp does the trick. This was a nice upgrade for me.
I installed the PG's in my 17" hollowbody, and did a coil split on both pups, I installed a push/plull on the tone knobs. LOVE the results! Almost Gretsch like in the single coil mode. The bridge pup is a little weak on the bass side when in single mode, but a twist of the bass on my amp does the trick. This was a nice upgrade for me.
Robert Delahunt
Showmasterologist
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
I love the split sound I got with the '59 neck and PG bridge in a Fender Showmaster. It was rather nice! But why parallel? Do you do this because you want the hum cancelling?
EDIT: sorry, that's a PG Plus (PG with Alnico V magnet).
I love the split sound I got with the '59 neck and PG bridge in a Fender Showmaster. It was rather nice! But why parallel? Do you do this because you want the hum cancelling?
EDIT: sorry, that's a PG Plus (PG with Alnico V magnet).
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ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
Lew, I'm gonna disagree with you here. From my experience splitting and parallel-wiring a JB, a Pearly Gates, and a Custom 5, the parallel tone is approx. the same output as a split, but with a more even frequency response. I think the parallel tone is more pleasant and less ice-picky than the split tone, at least on the humbuckers I've played with.
Actually, wiring a humbucker parallel sounds weaker and lower in output than splitting a humbucker into a single coil.
Lew, I'm gonna disagree with you here. From my experience splitting and parallel-wiring a JB, a Pearly Gates, and a Custom 5, the parallel tone is approx. the same output as a split, but with a more even frequency response. I think the parallel tone is more pleasant and less ice-picky than the split tone, at least on the humbuckers I've played with.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Coil splitting Pearly Gates
I have a Strat with a PGn and Duncan Custom...and a on/on/on switch for each that allows me to split, parallel or series (normal humbucker) each pickup.
The switch allows me to compare the three tones in REAL TIME.
In REAL TIME, the parallel tone is slightly weaker when I compare it to the single coil tone of either pickup.
You've got to do these comparisms is REAL TIME...we cannot remember exactly what something sounded like an hour ago or even a minute ago.
Lew
I have a Strat with a PGn and Duncan Custom...and a on/on/on switch for each that allows me to split, parallel or series (normal humbucker) each pickup.
The switch allows me to compare the three tones in REAL TIME.
In REAL TIME, the parallel tone is slightly weaker when I compare it to the single coil tone of either pickup.
You've got to do these comparisms is REAL TIME...we cannot remember exactly what something sounded like an hour ago or even a minute ago.
Lew
