Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

[kingrazor]

I've been going through the whole Seymour Duncan catalog of humbuckers looking for a set to replace the stock pickups in my Samick Artist LP clone.

I'm looking for a set that's brighter and clearer and also very low output. So far the Jazz fits the bill for the neck position, the guitar is pretty dark. Comparing the sound clips on the website, I like the Pearly Gates the best, but I also realize those clips aren't telling me how the pickups will sound through my guitar and amp. But, the fact that they play the same riff every time makes it a better comparison than I'm usually able to get.

From what I read it seems that an A5 neck with an A2 bridge is maybe uncommon? Any issues you see with this set? Anything you think might be a better fit?

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

I don't see anything wrong with that combo. Personally, I'm not crazy about the Jazz neck in a Les Paul, but if you are looking for ultra-clean tones and a good blues pickup, it may be just the ticket. They make a Jazz Bridge too. I've never used it, but have heard good comments. You might consider the Seth neck too... or the entire Seth Lover set.

 

[kingrazor]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

I don't see anything wrong with that combo. Personally, I'm not crazy about the Jazz neck in a Les Paul, but if you are looking for ultra-clean tones and a good blues pickup, it may be just the ticket. They make a Jazz Bridge too. I've never used it, but have heard good comments. You might consider the Seth neck too... or the entire Seth Lover set.

Yeah the clips I've heard of the Seth neck are just too warm/thick, not as bright and clear as I'd like.

Didn't care for the Jazz bridge. Too thin.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

Sounds to me like a great choice for that LP.

 

[Nagisa]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

Going to have to vote against the PG bridge. Had a full set in my LP and the bridge had to go. Just too thin sounding. It is bright and clear like you said, but at least for me it just didn't cut it. Cleans were "ok" and while it did ZZ top, it really didn't make it into the hard rock territory. I do play more hard rock and classic metal than aomeone looking for low output pickups would, but I wonder if a different pickup could give you a bit more character.

The pg neck is very good though

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

You might also consider the 59 Bridge. It's got clear highs & nice sparkle, not too hot, not too warm, and fuller low end than the Jazz.

Good pickup for low gain playing in a darkish Les Paul IMO. Lighter on midrange & grit than a pickup like the PG- less amp breakup at the same settings and a cleaner overall character.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

Going to have to vote against the PG bridge. Had a full set in my LP and the bridge had to go. Just too thin sounding. It is bright and clear like you said, but at least for me it just didn't cut it. Cleans were "ok" and while it did ZZ top, it really didn't make it into the hard rock territory. I do play more hard rock and classic metal than aomeone looking for low output pickups would, but I wonder if a different pickup could give you a bit more character.

The pg neck is very good though

I have several PGs, even a bridge pickup which measures only 7.9 (outside the guitar in a warm place). There is nothing which couldn't be corrected with an Alnico 8.

Do a search for PG8

 

[DKSEARS]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

I have that combination in a old Jackson SLS, all mahogany and neck-through with a quilt maple cap, it came that way stock. I love that combination in that guitar. I don’t find it thin at all. It’s definitely BRIGHT to my ears, but takes well to all of my amps and pedals, even with a good bit of overdrive out of my Soldanos.

If your guitar is warm to dark sounding, this might be what you need.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Mincer]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

The PG might be bright in some guitars, but I've never heard it described as thin. I've never heard it that way- but if that is thin, then other PAF-types would be, too, and you'd have to go with something like an Alnico II Pro or Slash.

 

[kingrazor]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

You might also consider the 59 Bridge. It's got clear highs & nice sparkle, not too hot, not too warm, and fuller low end than the Jazz.

Good pickup for low gain playing in a darkish Les Paul IMO. Lighter on midrange & grit than a pickup like the PG- less amp breakup at the same settings and a cleaner overall character.

When comparing the audio samples on SD's website I preferred the tone of the PG bridge, so that's why I was considering it. I think it was the extra bit of midrange that I liked better.

Was considering the Saturday Night Special bridge, but it's hard to make a comparison because the audio sample sounds totally different than any of the other humbuckers.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

I have this exact setup in my SG and gigged with it last weekend. I've had it in my LP Studio also. It's everything a Gibson should sound like. PG is full in my guitars. Jazz is similar and chimey in the neck. I wouldn't call the pair very low output, however. But definitely not as hot as JB / Super Distortion / Custom / Dime / Diablo family type pickups.

 

[kingrazor]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

I have this exact setup in my SG and gigged with it last weekend. I've had it in my LP Studio also. It's everything a Gibson should sound like. PG is full in my guitars. Jazz is similar and chimey in the neck. I wouldn't call the pair very low output, however. But definitely not as hot as JB / Super Distortion / Custom / Dime / Diablo family type pickups.

Well other than the Seth Lover and Antiquities these appear to be two of the lowest output humbuckers that SD makes. What would you consider low output without getting into P90 territory?

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

Well other than the Seth Lover and Antiquities these appear to be two of the lowest output humbuckers that SD makes. What would you consider low output without getting into P90 territory?

My Seths and 59s are lower output than my PG, though I will say changing the mags in my 59s can make them above or below a PG. Don't go by the k resistance readings or charts on the web site. I go by installing them and finding out how much I have to change the volume knobs.

 

[kingrazor]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

I go by installing them and finding out how much I have to change the volume knobs.

I would do that if I had a small fortune to spend on a pile of pickups to compare.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

JazzN's are bright & clear, very popular here because of that. PGB's are definitely brighter than PGN's. That pair would work for you. As far as magnets, it makes sense to have a warmer magnet in the bridge and a brighter one in the neck: the neck slot gets more string vibration and is inherently warmer/darker. The bridge slot is naturally bright and sharp. An A5 neck and A2 bridge helps balance that out. But regardless of the magnets, a large part of the sound comes from the way a PU wound and the wire used.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

I would do that if I had a small fortune to spend on a pile of pickups to compare.

You don't have to. That's what forums are for.

 

[gregory]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

PGB's are definitely brighter than PGN's.

I've never put a Pearly Gates bridge model in the neck. Are you saying it will be brighter than putting the Pearly Gates neck model in the neck?

According to the data here, it doesn't seem very likely!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

Too thin sounding.

That's how people like their bridge pickup.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

The PG might be bright in some guitars, but I've never heard it described as thin. I've never heard it that way- but if that is thin, then other PAF-types would be, too, and you'd have to go with something like an Alnico II Pro or Slash.

Blueman says it sounds thin so therefore it is Dave.

I agree - I don't think a PG is anymore thin than say a 59. Not as fat as an A2P.

I don't see the Jazz/PG combo working because of the "character"
- One is a distinctly PAF
- One is distinctly Modern

But maybe that works for you...

 

[Aceman]

Re: Jazz Neck + Pearly Gates bridge?

JazzN's are bright & clear, very popular here because of that. PGB's are definitely brighter than PGN's. That pair would work for you. As far as magnets, it makes sense to have a warmer magnet in the bridge and a brighter one in the neck: the neck slot gets more string vibration and is inherently warmer/darker. The bridge slot is naturally bright and sharp. An A5 neck and A2 bridge helps balance that out. But regardless of the magnets, a large part of the sound comes from the way a PU wound and the wire used.

That makes the assumption that you want it balanced.

Maybe you want A crunchy, bright sharp, cutting bridge for brutal rhythm and solos, and you want a fat neck for fat mellow leads and thick dense chording. And maybe you want a middle position for a third sound that is neither and somewhere in the middle, and adjustable for flexibility with a quick volume adjust down on the bridge or neck.