Custom wasn't for me: '59 or Pearly Gates?

[mikeyrsmith]

My rig can be pretty "dark" or "metal" sounding with a Duncan Custom in the bridge position of '80 LPC, so I'm looking to brighten things up a bit, but I still need a pickup that can handle higher performance volumes through my Marshall 2203, and also give me some good controlled "old school punk" feedback. Will the '59 put me in "raunch and roll" territory (Stones, Faces, NY Dolls, etc.), while also handling my volume needs without squealing?

Thanks!

Mike in Baltimore

 

[koolkat]

Re: Custom wasn't for me: '59 or Pearly Gates?

Definitely! If you need more output than the 59', you can always swap the magnet in your Custom with an Alnico V, making it a Custom 5. A Custom 5 sounds very similar to a 59' except with increased output.

 

[madguitar26]

Re: Custom wasn't for me: '59 or Pearly Gates?

im having the same prob with my Les Paul.with the custom on flat EQ settings its just dark,as treble is increased gets way too agressive too fast.
could the cc solve this or only make things worse?

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Custom wasn't for me: '59 or Pearly Gates?

Worse i think. The CC has a great mid which makes the highs and bass sound smaller. But the main reason is the A2 magnet changes the attack of the string to a softer kind. The compression in riffing is great, but a cut thru the bandmix is tough.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Custom wasn't for me: '59 or Pearly Gates?

I love a PGn/CCb combo.......what neck pickup you using???

You might dig a PGn/PGb setup............

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Custom wasn't for me: '59 or Pearly Gates?

Will the '59 put me in "raunch and roll" territory (Stones, Faces, NY Dolls, etc.), while also handling my volume needs without squealing?

Absolutely! I think the '59 will excel at those bands you mention. I'm currently rediscovering the joys of the '59b in a Les Paul. I've been using A2 buckers the last couple of years (Ants, Seths, A2Pros), but I started hearing my bridge tone as a little too compressed and lacking in low end punch. So I paired a '59b with the A2Pro neck in my '91 LP Classic - it's a killer combo. Bright, aggressive, punchy and well defined at the bridge, smooth and clear with not too much bass at the neck. Perfect classic rock setup IMO.