Giving PAF's in the neck another shot... which one?

[Rex_Rocker]

You guys know I've been an advocate for high output pickups in the neck for the longest time. But yesterday, I tried a friend's Les Paul Classic with Pearly Gates... man, what a killer sound!

I compared it to my Les Paul Tribute with the 500T/Distortion Neck combo... and night and day difference! I'm pretty sure the 500T is more my thing, especially for the music I play, but the Pearly Gates bridge had a certain open-ness to it that sounded really cool. Like I said, good-sounding, but I wouldn't think it's the right pickup or me.

The Pearly Gates neck, however... what a great tone! My Distortion Neck sounded so dull and sterile by comparison. Even under lots of gain, I really liked that pickup! Bright and clear without being overly chirpy like some other PAF's I've tried.

So my question is, now, what PAF-type in the neck do you guys recommend I should pair with my 500T? I'm thinking something originally designed for the bridge position so that it's not too overpowered by the 500T. I do want a PAF-type, but I also want it to match my 500T. So... Pearly Gates Bridge? DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary Bridge (I used to have the neck version some time ago, and really liked the EQ for a PAF-type, just thought it was too low output)? Something else?

I want a PAF-type that's more towards the brighter side without too much low-end. So... Alnico II Pro? Maybe PAF Joe? I wouldn't mind something that bridges the gap between vintage and modern.

Thanks!

 

[gsammo79]

I prefer the A5 magnets to balance the darkness of that position. I've got a Jazz 35th anniversary in the neck of a LP and it's staying there. If you can get your hands on one I'd recommend it, cost aside. It's the brightest neck pickup I've owned.

 

[Securb]

My favs are WLH-N, Jazz, and Pearly Gates, the PG split gives me a pretty convincing Straty tone.

 

[beaubrummels]

PAF-ish I've tried that worked:
Burstbucker 3 with an A4 magnet
59 bridge in the neck

That said, IME, the 496R sounds like a chimey PAF that keeps up with the 500T on output. When I tried the 500T/496R set, I realized why it was in the original Custom Shop Jimmy Page model guitar. It's very similar to the Slash set. Very much 'that' Les Paul sound, with enough heat to drive non-master volume amps.

 

[Mincer]

I say find a Pearly Gates + from an old Lone Star Fender.

 

[hamerfan]

I use a 490R with a A5 with my 500T. If you need a new home for the DDn try in the bridge, where it was designed for. It was then the Seymourizer Ii.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I say find a Pearly Gates + from an old Lone Star Fender.

Nice! Do those have the Pearly Gates vibe? I see they're A5.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I use a 490R with a A5 with my 500T. If you need a new home for the DDn try in the bridge, where it was designed for. It was then the Seymourizer Ii.

How does the 490R sound with A5? I tried the standard 490R with A2, and I thought it was kinda muddy.

 

[GuitarStv]

Higher output pickups in the neck are fine but they will sound different. If you like the sound of a lower output PAF in the neck, it might be easiest (and cheaper) to just buy a clean boost. Switch to neck pickup, kick on clean boost - same great tone that you love with the output 'problem' fixed.

 

[alex1fly]

You liked the PG neck... start with a PG neck and go from there. Anything else has a higher chance of not being the thing that made you want to try another PAF. Just grab a PG neck and use the swap policy as needed.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

With a bridge that powerful I might consider the Screamin Demon. Not a true PAF but its voicing is fairly PAF-ish.
Full but not too fat in the lows. Bridges the gap between vintage & modern feel, and stays tight.
Most importantly, it's strong enough to stand up to a hot bridge pickup.

 

[Demanic]

https://youtu.be/c79rgOOM7_g
A low wind A2 pickup straight in.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[Mincer]

Nice! Do those have the Pearly Gates vibe? I see they're A5.

They are hotter than the regular PGs, and you will have to reverse the hot and ground as they were built to work with Fender pickups. But I really like the way they sound- on the hotter side of the PAF formula.

 

[formula73]

I don’t think anything PAFish is going to be able to hang with a 500T

 

[RevDoom73]

Nice! Do those have the Pearly Gates vibe? I see they're A5.

Bingo, Mincer hit it on the head with the Pearly Gates Plus suggestion. It definitely retains the best attributes of the regular PG but with more output, some people prefer the PG+ over the regulars especially if you're looking to pair with another pickup with hotter output.
I actually think trying out the PG bridge pickup in the neck position isn't necessarily a bad option either, personally.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I don’t think anything PAFish is going to be able to hang with a 500T

I fear that, but maybe a hotter PAF might. I mean, the Evolution Neck isn't terribly high output (IME and according to the DiMarzio site), and it hung in there.

 

[ToneFiddler]

well not a PAF style PU, but the matching 496R is actually a gibson PU i liked. too long ago though, so i don’t remember much.
there must be a ton of used ones out there for cheap.

as already mentioned a paf style bridge is a good bet