How close are the 59B and the PATB-3?

[Mononoaware]

The 59s are some of my favorite all-rounder pickups, but I recently discovered that a PATB-1n I had lying around works really well in one of my guitars. Now trying to match a bridge. The PATB-1B is a little too much in this guitar, but the 59B single conductor I tried was really quite good.

I want to get a four conductor trembucker for the bridge, and the 59 is a known quantity. I'm on the fence, though. If I like the versatility, openess, and "pure rock n roll" sound of the 59, is the PATB going to give me that only a little hotter? Or is it much more modern sounding?

 

[orpheo]

Not at all. The patb3 has a growl instead of a snarl. It's got a more even EQ , better pick sensitivity, better dynamics and harmonics. It's nothing alike. I love the patb3. NOt so much the sh1.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Thanks for that Orpheo. I have never tried the patb3 but I like your description of it compared to the 59. I'm not a big fan of the 59.

Is the patb3 the same as the patb-1b mentioned in the op? If not, what's the difference?

 

[Mononoaware]

Patb-1b is close in output and character (to my ears, at least) to a combo of the JB and C5. But that doesn't really capture the difference in "feel," which is hard to describe. Again, it's a sensitivity/pick thing, along with good sustain and a bit of a crystalline type clarity. Sounds absolutely awesome in a basswood guitar of mine, but was kind of weird in the mahogany guitar I'm talking about above. I tried several heights (it seems really sensitive), and could never get it to sound great.

People talk about the PATB-3 as having more PAF DNA. But obviously I don't have personal experience with it.

 

[Artie]

Is the patb3 the same as the patb-1b mentioned in the op? If not, what's the difference?

I have both. The best way I can describe it is that the PATB-3 is to the PATB-1 similar to the Slash A2 Pro is to the A2 Pro. It's just got a little extra "bite." In a good way. The PATB-1 is Jazzy smooth and sweet while the PATB-3 is a little more rock-'n-roll. Again, in a good way. I'll always want both.

 

[jeremy]

i really like the patb3. more modern sounding than the 59b, touch more output, little smoother attack, and more even eq. still scooped but not as scooped

 

[Mononoaware]

i really like the patb3. more modern sounding than the 59b, touch more output, little smoother attack, and more even eq. still scooped but not as scooped

This might get at what I'm trying to determine. I'd like to keep the gnarlyness and lower output of the 59, but wouldn't mind a more even eq. Also, growly sounds good. Seems like I'm more likely to find that with an A5 PAF-type.

(My left brain also really wants the pickups to match visually, but I probably just need to get over that.)

Edit: This is a mahogany, fixed bridge, 25.5 superstrat type, if that helps. Ibanez JS1600.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

i really like the patb3. more modern sounding than the 59b, touch more output, little smoother attack, and more even eq. still scooped but not as scooped

Great thumbnail description of the PATB3. It's a tad sweeter & smoother, still quite touch responsive.

59B's highs can be a little bitey so I used to leave the tone knob dialed back a bit; that also evened out its scoop a little.
With a PATB3 in the same guitar I don't have to roll off unless I choose to. Can keep all of its nice crystalline highs.

Haven't owned a PATB-1b so I can't really compare them.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

This might get at what I'm trying to determine. I'd like to keep the gnarlyness and lower output of the 59, but wouldn't mind a more even eq. Also, growly sounds good. Seems like I'm more likely to find that with an A5 PAF-type.

(My left brain also really wants the pickups to match visually, but I probably just need to get over that.)

Edit: This is a mahogany, fixed bridge, 25.5 superstrat type, if that helps. Ibanez JS1600.

Get a PATB-1n to go with it. Wonderful neck pickup, and a perfect match both tonewise & visually.

 

[SoundAt11]

I had the PATB-1N and PATB3 in one of my guitars and the 59N and Whole Lotta Humbucker in my LP.
this set was nearly identical. The real difference to me was that the PA pickups have a bit of a stiff quality to them that made them a little flat for clean tones in my opinion.Under gain, they hold together great and stay tight. The neck was pretty scooped, but the PATB3 Blues had some chewy mids and reminded me a lot of a tighter Whole Lotta Humbucker or Dimarzio PAF PRO.

 

[Mononoaware]

Get a PATB-1n to go with it. Wonderful neck pickup, and a perfect match both tonewise & visually.

For sure! I've got a PATB-1n in this guitar already, and it sounds great. I wasn't sold on it first--it felt a bit flat or one dimensional if I set it low like I usually do--but then I raised it a few turns and it came alive. Some of my favorite qualities of the 59n and Jazz combined.

 

[Artie]

Get a PATB-1n to go with it. Wonderful neck pickup, and a perfect match both tonewise & visually.

Yup. The 1n/1b and 1n/3b are both golden combo's.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

For sure! I've got a PATB-1n in this guitar already, and it sounds great. I wasn't sold on it first--it felt a bit flat or one dimensional if I set it low like I usually do--but then I raised it a few turns and it came alive. Some of my favorite qualities of the 59n and Jazz combined.

Yah, to me both the 1n and the 3 seem very sensitive to height adjustments.

 

[hamerfan]

I had a PATB-3 and PATB-1B at different times (but never an N, which I regret). I found them a bit bland playing clean (compared to SH), but a little less harsh. I felt they excelled with more gain and -of course- with a Floyd Rose.

 

[Masta' C]

All this positive PATB talk warms my heart. 35 years after they were introduced, they're still some of the best pickups SD makes.