Giving it a shot..

[Explorer84]

I ordered a Pearly Gates humbucker to try in my 2009 American Special Strat. I'm hoping it's not going to be too bright. If it turns out to be bright I'm going to give the A2P a try. Has anyone tried the Pearly Gates and found it too bright? What did you end up installing?

 

[freefrog]

Has anyone tried the Pearly Gates and found it too bright? What did you end up installing?

Yes.

In such cases, I add a resistor and/or a capacitor in parallel with the pickup.

I always keep in mind that a passive pickup has not a "fixed" tone since it depends on the resonance of the guitar but also on resistance of pots + cable capacitance.

Pots resistance comparison:

https://youtu.be/HJKYIWGl_KI?si=DforfsRMx-rUmEHT

Cable capacitance changes (due here to a variation in length but using capacitors would do the same: count 120pF per meter of added cable to emulate)...

https://youtu.be/u2sjeVQpS94?si=XGU3I61s9A-OSy86

FWIW. Do what you want and be happy - maybe the PG will sound right without needs to change anything else: the longer scale of a Strat "naturally" gives it more bass, after all... ;-)

 

[Mincer]

It is a brighter pickup than most PAF-type winds. It would really depend on how the guitar itself sounds. Are you trying to get a certain sound, or trying to correct the sound you currently have? The PG and the A2P are pretty opposite EQs on the PAFish scale.

 

[Explorer84]

It is a brighter pickup than most PAF-type winds. It would really depend on how the guitar itself sounds. Are you trying to get a certain sound, or trying to correct the sound you currently have? The PG and the A2P are pretty opposite EQs on the PAFish scale.

The guitar sounds great. You might be wondering, if it sounds great, why would I want to change it? Well, I've got two Strats that have single coils and I always wanted a Strat with a humbucker. I want that extra little push and fuller sound in the bridge. I was also looking for a pickup that would complement the Texas Special's. There were a lot of recommendations for the Pearly with the Texas Specials. What the hell, I figured I would try it out. If I didn't like it I could send it back and try the A2P.

Pearly was just delivered. Going to fire up the soldering station and get it installed.

 

[Mincer]

Keep in mind that the PG is likely out of phase with the Texas Specials. If that is the case, flip the green and black wires.

 

[Explorer84]

Just so I've got this correct. Red and white wires get soldered together and taped off. Black and bare wire go to ground. The green wire goes to the switch. Is that correct?

 

[Chistopher]

Yeah, that sounds right.

For my own reference though, does anyone know if the TS are electrically or magnetically OOP with the PGb?

 

[Explorer84]

Before and after pictures.

 

[Explorer84]

Got it wired in. To be honest, I was a little concerned how bright this pickup might be. In my opinion, and from what I'm hearing, it matches the Texas Specials very well. I'm really satisfied with the sound of this pickup.

 

[jeremy]

ive always liked the pgb mixed with singles

 

[Mincer]

Got it wired in. To be honest, I was a little concerned how bright this pickup might be. In my opinion, and from what I'm hearing, it matches the Texas Specials very well. I'm really satisfied with the sound of this pickup.

Many people absolutely love it. Like a lot of pickups, it is great in some guitars but not in others. It seems to mix well with singles, though.

 

[Explorer84]

Now I'm curious about the A2P....... The cycle never ends does it?

 

[Mincer]

Well, the A2P is more creamy and warm. More mids than highs or lows. I love that sound, but not always a sound that mixes well with singles if they are bright.

 

[Explorer84]

Well, the A2P is more creamy and warm. More mids than highs or lows. I love that sound, but not always a sound that mixes well with singles if they are bright.

That's very good information to know. I appreciate it.