Hades Gates vs Pearly Gates Custom Shop

[Cdntac]

Hi — First post here. I searched for a direct comparisons for these two but couldn’t find a thread.

The specs of the Hades Gates appear kind of similar to the Pearly Gates Custom Shop.

Could it be that they are the same — but now the PG CS is just a regular production model with a different name?

Thanks.

 

[jeremy]

i kinda doubt it? but dont know for sure. when theyve made other cs pups production, they are forthright about it

 

[Mincer]

I would doubt it, too- but many pickups are variations of other ones. If the specs are really super close, I'd go for the production one, unless you needed something else in the design changed that had to come from the Custom Shop.

 

[Cdntac]

I would doubt it, too- but many pickups are variations of other ones. If the specs are really super close, I'd go for the production one, unless you needed something else in the design changed that had to come from the Custom Shop.

I was thinking it might just be cool to try without the “glamour” per se of a CS PG.

 

[uOpt]

Why would you need a PG from the custom shop? What would be different?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Why would you need a PG from the custom shop? What would be different?

I wonder this too.

I know people often post they have a CS version of a pickup. Like, is it a slight tweak on an off-the-shelf design to still warrant calling it the same name, or is it just an off-the-shelf design, just handmade?

I'm also not sure if the CS uses special materials like nicer screws/slugs? Like I know you can request butyrate bobbins, but I don't think those are standard for a CS order, are they?

I used to have a CS JB that was wound by MJ, but the "custom" aspect to it is it was an Antiquity with the aged RC magnet, the long legs, and the butyrate bobbins, just not aged-looking.

 

[uOpt]

I wonder this too.

I know people often post they have a CS version of a pickup.

I use the term when I have a pickup that once was CS only and is now production such as the '78.

 

[Mincer]

I think many people like the idea of hand-made pickups (made for you alone), even if they aren't very different from a production model.

 

[Aceman]

I have a Custom shop PG. It is custom to my specs (9k) so a little hotter. But the Duncan specs say the PG is hotter output than the Hades.

But I don't get the impression it is Hades Gates output. Not that I have heard a Hades Gates in the wild. I don't consider the PG Hot. Maybe slightly hotter than a classic PAF/59. But not seriously hotter. Not like 59/Custom hybrid or what I'd expect from a medium output DiMarzio

 

[jeremy]

the pg is paf output. the eq is quite different than a seth, 59, or antiquity, but i dont find the output significantly different

 

[Cdntac]

Why would you need a PG from the custom shop? What would be different?

The CS version of the PG is wound a little hotter.

 

[Cdntac]

I have a Custom shop PG. It is custom to my specs (9k) so a little hotter. But the Duncan specs say the PG is hotter output than the Hades.

But I don't get the impression it is Hades Gates output. Not that I have heard a Hades Gates in the wild. I don't consider the PG Hot. Maybe slightly hotter than a classic PAF/59. But not seriously hotter. Not like 59/Custom hybrid or what I'd expect from a medium output DiMarzio

I’ve read the HG is A2 and 8.9k whereas the CS PG is 9k as you stated (tho I’ve read some say they’ve had 8.9k CS PG. And then the stock PG is 8.2k.

I’m happy with the stock PG but wonder if the slightly hotter Hades basically equals a CS 9k PG — but with the added benefit of a slightly lower price.

 

[esandes]

Why would you need a PG from the custom shop? What would be different?

The CS version is wound by MJ.

Cdntac, in case you didn't know, MJ is Maricela Juarez. Basically, every pickup she touches turns to gold.

 

[Cdntac]

The CS version is wound by MJ.

Cdntac, in case you didn't know, MJ is Maricela Juarez. Basically, every pickup she touches turns to gold.

Yes, I know who she is. I met her and SD at the Dallas Guitar Show and talked for a while as they ate at the table beside me in the hotel restaurant.

Would it be cool to have a PG wound by her? Sure. Would I really appreciate the difference? Who knows. Sometimes buying CS stuff is just a “feel good” ego thing for the buyer (speaking for myself, lol).

Granted, if I saw one pop up on FB Marketplace I’d probably buy it.

 

[esandes]

That's so cool you met them. The MJ-made pickup I have, I'd rather pay the marginally uptick in price for CS pickups based on what I hear rather than feel.

 

[Aceman]

Res Peak ≠ Hotness. Related, yes, but don't assume.

And from 8.2 to say 9.2, slightly hotter. from 8.9 to 9.2 - barely noticeable on the ears, but maybe the fingertips if you are familiar with each.

But as Jeremy said - all PAF zone.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Not all CS pickups are wound by MJ, AFAIK. There's more people that work there.

 

[esandes]

Not all CS pickups are wound by MJ, AFAIK. There's more people that work there.

Do you have a CS pickup? AFAIK the peanut gallery is where you can sit back down at.

 

[Mincer]

Derek works there, too.

 

[jeremy]

8.2->9.2 is a big jump. 8.9->9.2 noticeable but not a big difference.

as far as i know, no pg is hand guided. they are all machine wound, but by the actual machine from kalamazoo