Duncan PG/59 combo..?

S

specialk

New member
Looking for opinions..
I just picked up a 1998 Epi Les Paul Standard, who's wiring has some age issues. Rather than chasing those issues, I've decided to upgrade.

First I've got a Tone man Blues wiring kit (50's style, .015 in front/.033 at rear). Now I'm on the hunt for pickups that sound original to slightly hotter than that classic PAF tone. I'm leaning toward a Duncan Pearly Gates in back, Duncan 59 in neck.

Any opinions, suggestions, warnings...?

It'll be primarily played through a Vox or Blues Jr. at bedroom levels.
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

I'm not a fan of the 59 at all...just doesn't jive with me. I love the Pearly Gates though, very cool pickup!

Just something to throw out there—consider a Phat Cat in the neck with the Pearly Gates bridge. Very cool combo that can cover a lot of ground. Just a thought...I leave the 59 mods up to those who like the pickup ;)
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

I have one LP set up with a 59 and Pearly Gates and I get some great tones out of it, but the output is aligned with the vintage sound. I enjoy what it does through my Epiphone Valve Jr. amp, which has several mods made to it.
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

I would actually go PG neck, 59 bridge. I think that will make you happier....

As for hotness, if you are bedroom levels, and not going hot hot, meh. Just add a little more gain from the amp.
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

For me it would be PGB / JazzN, or WLH set, or A2P set, or 59-A4 set, or 59C bridge / Seth neck. All those are balanced, have some kind of classic LP tone with some versatility, but vary in the amount of treble and mids and bass. Decision for which set depends on how bright or dark the actual guitar is.
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

Thanks for the input guys. You really complicated my decision with great choices! lol. In the end, because it's a project and I don't have a bunch of experience with humbucker tones, I've decided to "play it safe" with a classic JB/59 combo.
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

Just had that setup in one of my LPs. I switched to PG/PG, the low-mid bump of the 59n just didn't work for me with the PGb
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

Aceman said:
I would actually go PG neck, 59 bridge. I think that will make you happier....

As for hotness, if you are bedroom levels, and not going hot hot, meh. Just add a little more gain from the amp.
Click to expand...

Another vote for the PGn. Hell, I vote for the Pearly Gates set. To me, that's what a LP should sound like.
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

specialk said:
Thanks for the input guys. You really complicated my decision with great choices! lol. In the end, because it's a project and I don't have a bunch of experience with humbucker tones, I've decided to "play it safe" with a classic JB/59 combo.
Click to expand...

59/JB may be a classic combo, but it's hit-or-miss in Les Pauls. If your heart is set on a 59n (which I find WAY too boomy in a LP neck slot), pair it with a Custom or Custom 5 in the bridge. It'll be a safer option in a LP than the JB would be.
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

With conviction I'd say PGb (with a cover for smoothness of the top end) and Phat Cat neck. 550k pots everywhere, .022 mf neck and .015mf bridge caps. Just did this treatment to my 93' Gibson Les Paul Standard and HOLY CRAP it sounds fantastic. For extra cool push/pull the bridge with parallel wiring and roll the tone all the way back for pure "La Grange". You'll thank me.
 
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Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

Benjy_26 said:
59/JB may be a classic combo, but it's hit-or-miss in Les Pauls.
Click to expand...


+1. Lots of posts over the years attest to that. Occasionally JB's get squirrely in warm woods and do some unpleasant-sounding things, with some hilarious member descriptions of the tones. They can be fine in some LP's and 'hideous' in others. Roll of the dice. The one guitar that seems to have more bassy/boomy issues with '59N's than any other is LP's (a few years ago I looked several months worth of posts about bassy '59's, and 11 out of 12 of those happened in LP's).

A '59B/PGN is good if you like a big difference in EQ between PU's, covers a lot of ground EQ-wise. If you don't like big differences, like me, it's not a workable pairing with the stock magnets.
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

I've just installed with ginormous success an A3-modded PGn with an A2-modded '59b in a 2012 Epi Sheraton.

A perfectly matched set, both tone- and output-wise. The guy plays mainly Jazz, Fusion, Classic Rock and British Blues through a handmade, P-to-P wired JTM45 clone with Greenbacks. 11-52 D'Addarios XLs are preferred.

The custom-made harness consisted in: 500K Yngwie Speed pots for Volume, 500K CTS TVT for tone, Mojotone Vitamin T .022uF caps and Switchcraft toggle and output jack. Vintage braided wire was used in the making of the harness.

It was a bear to install, but the final outcome was a lot better than expected. I thought I'd let y'all know, just in case somebody's listening out there. ;)

/Peter
 
Re: Duncan PG/59 combo..?

specialk said:
Thanks for the input guys. You really complicated my decision with great choices! lol. In the end, because it's a project and I don't have a bunch of experience with humbucker tones, I've decided to "play it safe" with a classic JB/59 combo.
Click to expand...

I could play a lot of music with that....but I might point out that no one recommended your "play it safe" combo!?!?!?!?!

Where did you get that idea?

I'm thinking maybe a PG/59, or PG/Whole Lotta is really what you need.

Anyway - let us know what YOU think of the 59/JB. I really dig it in an ESP/LTD EC-1000!
 
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