Has anyone compared the High Voltage to Hades Gates?

[superpete]

These 2 seem pretty similar, as far as I know both are hotter takes on a Pearly Gates, same magnet, similar DCR. Curious to any major differences between the two.

 

[ToneFiddler]

Don't know the Hades Gates, but the High Voltage has less low end than the Pearly Gates and maybe the plain strings are a tad less bright.
I suspect it's closer to a '78, but i don't own that pickup, so...

 

[superpete]

i reached out to duncan and this is the response i got:

"The High Voltage pickups are a little lower output and have a bit brighter and balanced tone.

The Hades Gates are going to be a bit hotter with a warmer and darker tone and a bit punchier and thicker midrange.

Both are great PAF style humbuckers, if you want something darker and thicker I'd lean towards the Hades Gates, and for brighter with a little more brightness and clarity I would go with the High Voltage.​"

Glad I asked as I love Angus but i think the Hades Gates are the move for me.

 

[Mincer]

i reached out to duncan and this is the response i got:

"The High Voltage pickups are a little lower output and have a bit brighter and balanced tone.

The Hades Gates are going to be a bit hotter with a warmer and darker tone and a bit punchier and thicker midrange.

Both are great PAF style humbuckers, if you want something darker and thicker I'd lean towards the Hades Gates, and for brighter with a little more brightness and clarity I would go with the High Voltage.​"

Glad I asked as I love Angus but i think the Hades Gates are the move for me.

Honestly, I would not have guessed that comparison, so it is good to have an answer.

 

[jeremy]

that doesnt really surprise me. angus had a signature gibson pup (he only really uses the bridge pup) and it was thin and bright, it works great with a wall of real marshalls into 4x12 cabs, or even a little 5e3 tweed deluxe. into modern amps, it tends to sound thin, but if he was using a jb or distortion or even custom, it wouldnt sound like classic. angus. you can tell when he went through phases of using hotter pups and the tone isnt classic ac/dc, even it it still sounds great

 

[ToneFiddler]

i reached out to duncan and this is the response i got:

"The High Voltage pickups are a little lower output and have a bit brighter and balanced tone.

The Hades Gates are going to be a bit hotter with a warmer and darker tone and a bit punchier and thicker midrange.

Both are great PAF style humbuckers, if you want something darker and thicker I'd lean towards the Hades Gates, and for brighter with a little more brightness and clarity I would go with the High Voltage.​"

Glad I asked as I love Angus but i think the Hades Gates are the move for me.

from that description i am glad i have the HV and not the Hates Gates

 

[ToneFiddler]

that doesnt really surprise me. angus had a signature gibson pup (he only really uses the bridge pup) and it was thin and bright, it works great with a wall of real marshalls into 4x12 cabs, or even a little 5e3 tweed deluxe. into modern amps, it tends to sound thin, but if he was using a jb or distortion or even custom, it wouldnt sound like classic. angus. you can tell when he went through phases of using hotter pups and the tone isnt classic ac/dc, even it it still sounds great

i can assure you the the High Voltage sounds way "better" than his signature humbucker.
The gibson signature humbucker was shrill with a almost woofy bass and almost no mids at all.
It was shrill and muddy at the same time!
like if you take a 59 and make it even more scooped!
​​​

 

[jeremy]

oh im sure it does sound better. i dont think angus used that thing long, if really ever. he was using a cs pup similar to the pg for a long time, i assume that was the precursor to the high voltage

 

[ToneFiddler]

oh im sure it does sound better. i dont think angus used that thing long, if really ever. he was using a cs pup similar to the pg for a long time, i assume that was the precursor to the high voltage

totally agree.
Yes, the custom shop version was called the same, and there was a big demand, so it was made a regular production model