Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

F

Flying Dutchman

New member
Just got an Epi Les Paul Standard with Classic 57's that I want to switch out.
Im looking for a nice think tone that is heavy but also can be dialed back for some blues.

After some research I first thought of going with a set of Seth Lovers but now The Custom Custom/PG combo seems to be the way to go. Any other ideas?

Thanks for the help..
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Yeah, the Seth's would have been pretty close to the Classic 57's. Maybe more like what the 57's want to be.

The CC can get heavy, but it's not ear piercing like some bridge humbuckers. It can be dialed back to get great classic tones.

The PG neck is a great choice. If you check out my tune Endings on the Concept prog rock link in my sig, in the intro to that tune there's a part that I did with a guitar that has a PG neck pickup. The friend who I collaborated with on that song suggested that it needed a long intor kinda like Shine On You Crazy Diamond, so in the intro I did some noodling like Gilmour does on Shine On... but I decided to use my Hamer Studio with a Pearly Gates instead of a Strat.

I think it sounds bluesy, sultry, smoldering, sexy... the PG neck is magic!
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Thanks Kosh for the input...That PG sounds awesome..I can tell where it kicks in on Endings..Its got a nice little edge to it..That clip really sells the PG. Its exactly what Im looking for..

Ive been reading some reviews of the CC and the only thing that Im not to sure on is that there is not enough bottom end. Hmm..may just have to do some experimenting..
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

The CC/PG set have mid-heavy 2 magnets, and on a thick mahogany body could be a little dark for soem people; depends on your wood & your definition of an ideal tone. I prefer an neck PAF with an bright A5 magnet, like a '59N or JazzN, so that I get maximum definition & cut from the neck, which I need for chords & solos. But PGN's work well for plenty of guys.

The Custom Custom is a high output warm PU. Good for classic rock & Chicago blues. I use a different way of getting a similar sound, by using a C5 with 250K pots. Either way will give you muscle & warmth, and both are great for solos.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of the PU's you or I mentioned. If the EQ is a little off from what you want, a magnet swap should take care of that.
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

The CC has plenty of bottom end but it's not the big tighter twangy bottom you'd hear from an alnico 5 or ceramic magnet Custom or Custom 5. I had a Custom Custom and Seth Lover neck in my Hamer and loved the tone. The PGn is my favorite neck humbucker and the CC is a favorite too. It's very smooth. The Custom has a little more twang as does the C5. But if you're looking for a hotter than vintage pickup that's smooth and buttry the CC is a great choice for blues. Lew
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Thanks guys for the input..I think I may go for a CC/PG setup and see where it takes me.

Should I try to score a used set on ebay or am I better off ordering new?
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Flying Dutchman said:
Thanks guys for the input..I think I may go for a CC/PG setup and see where it takes me.

Should I try to score a used set on ebay or am I better off ordering new?
Click to expand...

If you buy used and find one really cheap, then go used. The advantage to buying new is that you get the 21 day exchange in case you're not thrilled with your new pickup...but only IF you live in the USA. The 21 day exchange doesn't apply if you buy from a US dealer and have the pickup shipped out of the USA.

I buy mostly used.
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Good info Lew..I may order new this time around and go from there. I guess I could always try to trade pickups as well in the future.
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Other thought: The CC in the Bridge is really fat imo, so i found it a little bit one trick pony. I went with a CC/59 A2 Hybrid which is a great way between the CC and a 59. Look at the Traders Dept. in this forum.
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

I have a CC/PG combo, and it sounds great im my mahogany guitar.
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

I have that combination in an Epiphone Les Paul.
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

I have that combo in an Epiphone Les Paul. OMG - I'm talking like Jolly!!!!!

The two things about a CC I really like for heavier stuff is the crunch and the smooth highs.

That combo is just awesome. The two pups mix together really well for some very hip cleans. The PG is just the greatest LP neck pup ever made. The CC is all fat and cuts with the mids and crunches - just awesome. If you need tighter bottom get shorter screws (like hex screws from a demon, or cut the ones you have).

Welcome Dutchman! You picked a connesuer set right out of the gate. Ignore Bluesman regarding A2 Mags (his parent did terrible things to him with an a2 pup as a child). PG is an ultimate LP pup!
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Look what arrived yesterday:
CIMG0171.jpg


Thanks again guys for the recommendation. I cant wait to install these on Sunday..
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

hey guys,..don't mean to thread jack, but i just bought the same set-up for my '07 american strat...quick question...i didn't get (f spaced)..is it going to be a problem...how much does the pole spacing affect the tone?..
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

hendrixstrat said:
hey guys,..don't mean to thread jack, but i just bought the same set-up for my '07 american strat...quick question...i didn't get (f spaced)..is it going to be a problem...how much does the pole spacing affect the tone?..
Click to expand...

Some folks hear a difference. I use SD humbuckers standard and F-spaced and they sound just fine in my Strats either way. I wouldn't worry about it.
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Flying-D - let us know how they turn out... maybe even some sound clips if you can ;)


cheers
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Farkus said:
Some folks hear a difference. I use SD humbuckers standard and F-spaced and they sound just fine in my Strats either way. I wouldn't worry about it.
Click to expand...


You may want to tweek/raise the poles a bit on the bridge. distance to the string is distance to the string - doesn't matter that much if it's below beside or even above (although I don't know how you would do that!)
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Well, its been a few days now of constant playing and Im not too sure on the Custom Custom. Its very "thick" sounding. It is what I thought I was looking for but now Im feeling like it may be a bit to dark. Could it be my pots? They are marked Gibson 500k on them so Im guessing that they are decent quality. My Menatone Red Snapper definitely adds some life to it but I was hoping for it to be a bit more bright on its own. Nothing crazy but just more bright than it is.

The PG in the neck is awesome. It is an incredible pickup.
 
Re: Custom Custom Bridge and Pearly Gates Neck...?

Take the return option and go for a EVH/78 Custom shop or A2 CC/59 Hybrid.
 
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