Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

[Intoxicate]

Hey Guys,

I've got a Les Paul, Mahagoni neck + body + maple top with ebony fingerboard.
In the neck Position I use an APH-1 which I like a lot.

What would be a better match for the bridge, a Pearly Gates or a SH-1?
I love classic Rock sounds, like early AC/DC, Aerosmith...

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

What kind of amp do you have?

Also, is your guitar bright or dark when played unplugged?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

C-5 or CC gets my vote.

 

[stangme01]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

yeah get a custom!

 

[J.LaGrassa]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

the 59b is too bright in my Les Paul, the PG-b is much better but still a little bright and both seem a little too weak in output. I'm with Gearjoneser the C5 tames the brightness adds tight bass and has plenty of punch but still very useable for clean and mild od tones and when you want to rock out the C5 in a Les Paul will do that nicely.

I guess it all comes down to how your Les Pauls sounds tone wise to figure out what pups are right for that guitar so you may find your self trying a few different pups!

 

[Intoxicate]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

Thanks a lot for your response,

well I play a Hughes & Kettner Zentera, which is a modeling Amp.
Most of the time I play a 50 Watt Marshall Plexi for rthythm, a Vox AC30 for chords and a Triple Rectifier for hard power chords.

My Les Pauls sounds open with no special shifted frequency. I used a JB which was too midrange for my taste.

I'm a bit afraid the Custom 5 has too much output. My favourite sound is a warm crunch sound with the Plexi 50.

The Alnico II Pro neck Sounds very good, that's why I thought of buying another Alnico 2 HB. After all I think I want a pickup like an Alnico II Pro with more Output. Is the Pearly Gates so far away from that?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

The PG will have a bigger high mid peak than the APH. It's my fave pickup in a LP and it works for pretty much anything you'd use a LP for. I have a PG set in my LP and use it with a GT-8 based modeling rig.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

You know, the easy way to determine it IMO is do you want that little extra crispness that the PGB has? It's the Billy Gibbons pinch harmonics emphasis. Both pickups are great. They will both excell in the LP, and especially with the Zentera. You couldn't ask for a better modelling amp. The input stage is so natural and truly amp-like. So there's no special concerns about different pickups not "working well" with the Zentera. Some modelers, you could have the best LP, with Antiquities, etc. and it sounds just like the $599 specials. And the bulk of it is in how they process the high end, and in the clarity. So I think that icy little upper treble enhancement in the PG will be your main deciding factor.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

IMO the PG is okay for lower gain rootsy rock but it isn't the greatest for high gain. I had one for a couple of years and I always wanted more output and drive. It has a raspy twang that is nice but I pushed it way too hard. The 59 is beefier and has a bit more guts. The Custom is a loud gutsy halfway point between distortion and vintage.

 

[Intoxicate]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

You know, the easy way to determine it IMO is do you want that little extra crispness that the PGB has? It's the Billy Gibbons pinch harmonics emphasis. Both pickups are great. They will both excell in the LP, and especially with the Zentera. You couldn't ask for a better modelling amp. The input stage is so natural and truly amp-like. So there's no special concerns about different pickups not "working well" with the Zentera. And the bulk of it is in how they process the high end, and in the clarity. So I think that icy little upper treble enhancement in the PG will be your main deciding factor.

Before I got the Zentera I had some Marshalls (first one Valvestate, an Anniversary 6100 and in the end a TSL 100). Of course the Marshall has impressive sound, but after I played the Zentera I just fell in love with the flexibility. Perhaps the modeling is only 98-99% but in most situations you can't hear any difference. I like it way better than my POD XT sounds.

Well I've got a '59 in my Strat. I guess I will try the Pearly Gates first. I think I like the extra clarity. I don't need much output. If I want high gain I use the Rectifier which gives more than enough gain for my need.

Thanks Guys!!

 

[DI_IORIO]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

I've got the JB - Alnico II Pro combo on my Explorer and love it. The JB matches well with the APH-1
If I had to choose between the PG and the 59, I would get the PG

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

The C-5 doesn't seem to have too much output...it sounds more like a slightly beefed up 59, and by the music and amp description, I think it's one you'll like.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

for ACDC, Aerosmith: PG all the way.

 

[theodie]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

Thanks a lot for your response,

well I play a Hughes & Kettner Zentera, which is a modeling Amp.
Most of the time I play a 50 Watt Marshall Plexi for rthythm, a Vox AC30 for chords and a Triple Rectifier for hard power chords.

My Les Pauls sounds open with no special shifted frequency. I used a JB which was too midrange for my taste.

I'm a bit afraid the Custom 5 has too much output. My favourite sound is a warm crunch sound with the Plexi 50.

The Alnico II Pro neck Sounds very good, that's why I thought of buying another Alnico 2 HB. After all I think I want a pickup like an Alnico II Pro with more Output. Is the Pearly Gates so far away from that?

Go with an alnico II pro in the bridge or the Custom Custom. The Custom Custom does warm crunch GREAT and matches the APH neck perfectly also! The CC reminds me of a APH with more output! I have never thought of the PG bridge as warm, to me it has percived brightness and has a trashy snarl to it that I cant get along with. If you didnt like the JB, I seriously doubt you will like the PG bridge.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

I think with the APH, I might go with a Seth Lover in the bridge. Good output match, not as peak-y as some of the other options.

Bill

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

Personally, I'd go with a Custom, Ant, or Seth. However, if I had to choose between the '59 & PG, it would be the '59.

 

[theodie]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

Has anyone in this thread actually read what author says he is looking for or, like usual, are you guys just throwing out what you think sounds good in your guitar and havent taken in consideration what the author's guitar, rig, and ears are calling for????

:smack: :smack: :smack:

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

Has anyone in this thread actually read what author says he is looking for or, like usual, are you guys just throwing out what you think sounds good in your guitar and havent taken in consideration what the author's guitar, rig, and ears are calling for????

:smack: :smack: :smack:

Yes. I understood what he's asking. I went with the '59, but added my 2 cents first (as we always do:laugh2: ).

 

[Aceman]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

Theodie - +1 on the CC does crunch, I don't see that a lot. And the crunch with the fat highs is awesome. But did YOU read what he wants? Do you really think the A2P will be better than a pearly? Is that maple cap / ebony thing scaring you away from the brighter pups? I agree those custom suggestions are from a bunch of selfish panic at the disco types....but A2P for ACDC/Aerosmith. Pearly will be way more in that range. MAybe a Pearly bridge A2P neck...kinda extreme but maybe cool...

 

[drpietrzak]

Re: Do I want a Pearly Gates or '59 Bridge PU in my Les Paul?

The CC is a good match, the PG I did not like as it was too bright a voice (not in the same register as the tone control). The 59 does a nice classic rock, country or blues thing to me (I do not do high gain). The C5 is my current favorite these days.