schofnsteen
New member
Anyone try these smaller version humbuckers for start bridge position from the custom Shop. Reluctant to route body for full size. Curious if anyone has tried either one of these. How do they sound split?? thx
Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
- Thread starter schofnsteen
- Start date
GilmourD
Burritotoneologist
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
As far as I can see there isn't a Strat-sized '78. There IS the PG, though.
What sort of Strat do you have? If it's a more recent Strat and it's not a reissue of some sort the body is probably already routed for a humbucker and you'd just need to replace the pickguard.
As far as I can see there isn't a Strat-sized '78. There IS the PG, though.
What sort of Strat do you have? If it's a more recent Strat and it's not a reissue of some sort the body is probably already routed for a humbucker and you'd just need to replace the pickguard.
darthphineas
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
There is a single size 78. It's just not on the public menu. There are several single size hums that MJ makes that's not on the site. Huge area of opportunity there.
Haven't tried either of them, so I can't speak as to how the sound. Just know it's there.
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There is a single size 78. It's just not on the public menu. There are several single size hums that MJ makes that's not on the site. Huge area of opportunity there.
Haven't tried either of them, so I can't speak as to how the sound. Just know it's there.
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51501984
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
There's two little 78s on eBay as we speak
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seymour-Dun...712?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item258500f250
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seymour-Dun...540?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item258af22f24
There's two little 78s on eBay as we speak
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seymour-Dun...712?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item258500f250
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seymour-Dun...540?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item258af22f24
Scott Marceau
SD Artist Relations / Sales
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
The Little Pearly Gates is in the same ballpark as the Little '59 (for a reference point), but we use an alnico magnet and some differnt turns to acheive a Pearly Gates tone. The Little '78 is lower in output than the Little PG, so the tone will be a little less saturated with gain. Both are great!
The Little Pearly Gates is in the same ballpark as the Little '59 (for a reference point), but we use an alnico magnet and some differnt turns to acheive a Pearly Gates tone. The Little '78 is lower in output than the Little PG, so the tone will be a little less saturated with gain. Both are great!
darthphineas
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
Marceau, you sly devil. The place always jumps up a notch when you stop by.
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Marceau, you sly devil. The place always jumps up a notch when you stop by.
Sent from my armored space station via iPad using Tapatalk
DreX
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
Can we get a listing of single size humbucker recipes that SD has on hand which can be ordered from the custom shop? I have Lil Pearly Gates, 59's, screamin demons, a duckbucker, and I'd buy more if offered. It's money on the table. We can do a back alley deal, I don't care. Let's make this happen.
(I've avoided the little JB due to poor reviews)
Can we get a listing of single size humbucker recipes that SD has on hand which can be ordered from the custom shop? I have Lil Pearly Gates, 59's, screamin demons, a duckbucker, and I'd buy more if offered. It's money on the table. We can do a back alley deal, I don't care. Let's make this happen.
(I've avoided the little JB due to poor reviews)
schofnsteen
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
Well I ordered both and they arrived today. I will hopefully get a chance to try both over the weekend. I'm trying them out in a '62 Fender HEAVY relic slab board start . THICK neck. RARE Firemist silver. Will post picks and tone report.
Well I ordered both and they arrived today. I will hopefully get a chance to try both over the weekend. I'm trying them out in a '62 Fender HEAVY relic slab board start . THICK neck. RARE Firemist silver. Will post picks and tone report.
GilmourD
Burritotoneologist
schofnsteen
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
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GilmourD
Burritotoneologist
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
Damn! You weren't kidding when you said HEAVY relic. It's a little too heavy for my personal tastes, but I can appreciate it. I really like the color a lot, actually, and would love that on a light relic.
Damn! You weren't kidding when you said HEAVY relic. It's a little too heavy for my personal tastes, but I can appreciate it. I really like the color a lot, actually, and would love that on a light relic.
schofnsteen
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
Never have to worry about a nick or ding. INCREDIBLY comfortable and resonant.
Never have to worry about a nick or ding. INCREDIBLY comfortable and resonant.
DreX
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
Can that be attributed to the lack of finish?
That's the nicest relic I've ever seen. Hard to imagine how that would happen naturally, but it looks great all the same.
Can that be attributed to the lack of finish?
That's the nicest relic I've ever seen. Hard to imagine how that would happen naturally, but it looks great all the same.
GilmourD
Burritotoneologist
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
I think it could be attributed to that. I'm currently sitting here with my Frankenstein slung around my neck. The body from it used to belong to a Fernandes LE-2 (Basically their '62RI Strat). My brother stripped the black finish off it and this thing resonates like a MOFO.
I think it could be attributed to that. I'm currently sitting here with my Frankenstein slung around my neck. The body from it used to belong to a Fernandes LE-2 (Basically their '62RI Strat). My brother stripped the black finish off it and this thing resonates like a MOFO.
schofnsteen
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
Ok. Put in the pearly gates. Nice full distortion in bridge position. Roll off volume to 8 or 9 nice PAFtone . Pretty impressed. Neck/bridge position not so hot.Very thin and spiky. I did NOT adjust middle pickup to try to equilize. I will try to hookup '78 tomorrow. I dont think I will ever put back a single coil bridge.
Ok. Put in the pearly gates. Nice full distortion in bridge position. Roll off volume to 8 or 9 nice PAFtone . Pretty impressed. Neck/bridge position not so hot.Very thin and spiky. I did NOT adjust middle pickup to try to equilize. I will try to hookup '78 tomorrow. I dont think I will ever put back a single coil bridge.
DreX
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
500k pots for tone and volume? Wired in series?
A rep from Seymour Duncan says they'll basically make a mini version of any full sized humbucker you ask for. You just fill out the form, select single coil sized humbucker and describe the sound you want or the full sized HB you want it to sound like. I was under the impression they had done rigorous research to shrink the magic of a full sized HB into a tiny space, but if they're offering to do any sound, well... how rigorous of a process could it possibly be when you factor in the relatively low cost of custom shop pickups? How exacting are these pickup designs?
A lot of pickups are said to have just the right amount of this and a tiny hint of that. The Screamin Demon for example is said to have a "touch of glass", which sort of implies, among other things, a narrow margin for error. I'm interested in the Whole Lotta Humbucker from all the praise it was received, but we know a smaller version will be an approximation and that they would work it up on the fly, would it have the magic of the full sized version?
500k pots for tone and volume? Wired in series?
A rep from Seymour Duncan says they'll basically make a mini version of any full sized humbucker you ask for. You just fill out the form, select single coil sized humbucker and describe the sound you want or the full sized HB you want it to sound like. I was under the impression they had done rigorous research to shrink the magic of a full sized HB into a tiny space, but if they're offering to do any sound, well... how rigorous of a process could it possibly be when you factor in the relatively low cost of custom shop pickups? How exacting are these pickup designs?
A lot of pickups are said to have just the right amount of this and a tiny hint of that. The Screamin Demon for example is said to have a "touch of glass", which sort of implies, among other things, a narrow margin for error. I'm interested in the Whole Lotta Humbucker from all the praise it was received, but we know a smaller version will be an approximation and that they would work it up on the fly, would it have the magic of the full sized version?
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darthphineas
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
A rep? Who? Personally, I'd never come near that online form. Call the CS and speak to someone or email them directly. A specific tone is not something that can always be easily communicated by an online form.
Low cost of a CS pickup? I'd like to know what other brands you've been buying of you think a $160 asking price is a low cost. lol!
When I asked for a new design last Fall, it was not an easy process and I just gave up. Last month, when I wanted a few variations on an existing model, it was not a big deal. It have me the impression that it can be less trouble to stick to things they have already done.
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A rep? Who? Personally, I'd never come near that online form. Call the CS and speak to someone or email them directly. A specific tone is not something that can always be easily communicated by an online form.
Low cost of a CS pickup? I'd like to know what other brands you've been buying of you think a $160 asking price is a low cost. lol!
When I asked for a new design last Fall, it was not an easy process and I just gave up. Last month, when I wanted a few variations on an existing model, it was not a big deal. It have me the impression that it can be less trouble to stick to things they have already done.
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DreX
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
I don't want to state their name or quote them directly because they were addressing me and not an entire forum, so that wouldn't be fair to them. They got back to me quickly though, that's nice.
I have called them on several occasions, I think I usually get continuous ringing or the answering machine, but even then I feel better about having documented communications so if I ask for a certain tone then we can reference what was printed and not what might or might not have been said in a phone call. I had called them and ask them to make a change in my order, and they assured me they would change it, and when I received the pickups a few weeks later they were not changed like I had asked, so... no more phone calls, just fill out the form and wait.
$160 is good for something being made to order, this is America after all and they're making a highly specialized product, not cheeseburgers. The Lil Screamin' Demon costs $95 off the shelf.
I figure that's the only way they can do it for $160 a pop. Take something that's 95% complete and tweak the last 5% to order, if at all, who really knows? Want a Lil Pearly Gate? Take a Lil '59 and replace the cermic bar with A5 and yank some winding from one of the coils. Boom. Next. But in fairness, that's what I wanted and I got it.
I don't want to state their name or quote them directly because they were addressing me and not an entire forum, so that wouldn't be fair to them. They got back to me quickly though, that's nice.
I have called them on several occasions, I think I usually get continuous ringing or the answering machine, but even then I feel better about having documented communications so if I ask for a certain tone then we can reference what was printed and not what might or might not have been said in a phone call. I had called them and ask them to make a change in my order, and they assured me they would change it, and when I received the pickups a few weeks later they were not changed like I had asked, so... no more phone calls, just fill out the form and wait.
$160 is good for something being made to order, this is America after all and they're making a highly specialized product, not cheeseburgers. The Lil Screamin' Demon costs $95 off the shelf.
I figure that's the only way they can do it for $160 a pop. Take something that's 95% complete and tweak the last 5% to order, if at all, who really knows? Want a Lil Pearly Gate? Take a Lil '59 and replace the cermic bar with A5 and yank some winding from one of the coils. Boom. Next. But in fairness, that's what I wanted and I got it.
darthphineas
New member
Re: Experience with Custom shop start bridge pickup- '78 or Pearly Gates?
I get where you are coming from. When I place an order, I follow up with an email to confirm the specs along with any special notes about anything that was discussed that goes outside the norm.
When I see boutique shops being able to bring small batches to market for less, I imagine that a big company could be set up to have more efficient processes in there somewhere. I'm am
Not complaining about the SD CS prices, but I don't consider them cheap or commonly affordable...which goes in line with getting something that is custom. But the street price that people can get a new production model humbucker is typically about $70-75, so a CS model is definitely a premium. And that's fine.
It's been interesting to see them out alnicos into the little humbuckers. I'm not a fan of the PG, so I've not tried that one yet. There is another model I've been interested in that has been discussed that's on my short list. We will see how that turns out.
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I get where you are coming from. When I place an order, I follow up with an email to confirm the specs along with any special notes about anything that was discussed that goes outside the norm.
When I see boutique shops being able to bring small batches to market for less, I imagine that a big company could be set up to have more efficient processes in there somewhere. I'm am
Not complaining about the SD CS prices, but I don't consider them cheap or commonly affordable...which goes in line with getting something that is custom. But the street price that people can get a new production model humbucker is typically about $70-75, so a CS model is definitely a premium. And that's fine.
It's been interesting to see them out alnicos into the little humbuckers. I'm not a fan of the PG, so I've not tried that one yet. There is another model I've been interested in that has been discussed that's on my short list. We will see how that turns out.
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