Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

M

MakerDP

New member
So i bought a Pearly Gates set to replace the #7's in my PRS Singlecut (pre-lawsuit). I really like the bridge pickup... a LOT.

But for my tastes the neck is a just a bit "too much" if you catch my meaning.

I am thinking '59, Alnico II or Seth Lover will be more my style for that spot. I am honestly a bit nervous about the SL not being potted. I do like to let it rip occasionally, but not as a rule, and I have read about some squeal problems with them.

I want it to stay clean when I want that but dirt-it-up blues style a bit when I want that too. I'd also like to match the output as much as possible. Throwing the #7 back in there is always an option too but it's got the nickle cover and the PG's I bought are the zebras.

Suggestions?

Edit: Should I be considering the JB as well?
 
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Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

MakerDP said:
So i bought a Pearly Gates set to replace the #7's in my PRS Singlecut (pre-lawsuit). I really like the bridge pickup... a LOT.
But for my tastes the neck is a just a bit "too much" if you catch my meaning.I want it to stay clean when I want that but dirt-it-up blues style a bit when I want that too. I'd also like to match the output as much as possible
Click to expand...
The best way to take out the "too much" of the PGn is simply to change the magnet with an Alnico 3. This way you won't need to change anything of what you like.

HTH,
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

Hmm... that's a good thought. That's a lot cheaper to try than swapping out a whole new pickup.
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

Yes, that mag will work fine.

But have you already tried adjusting the heights of each of the pups and adjusting the pole screws?
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

So I did it one at a time and first replaced the neck CS-PG with a neck APS-2.

Sounded fabulous!

The APH-2 is uncovered and all of my PG's are covered.

But the APH-2 is brighter and clearer.

I did wind up putting both APH-2's in that guitar and putting the CS-PG's in my Custom 22.

But the APH-2 neck and CS-PG bridge sounded absolutely wonderful together.

I have no doubt that the APH-1 and regular Pearly Gates bridge would also sound wonderful together.
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

I like the A3 mag swap idea. Definitely try that first.
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

Here's the guitars:

IMG_0702 (1).jpg

The two Custom 22's have Custom Shop Pearly Gates with raw nickel covers.

The black PRS SE Singlecut has APH-2's.

The sunburst PRS SE Singlecut has regular nickel covered PG's.

The resonator is a National Tricone I've had for a long time.
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

So, if the APH-2/ PG combo sounded so good, why are you suggesting an APH-1/PG combo?
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

NotCardio said:
So, if the APH-2/ PG combo sounded so good, why are you suggesting an APH-1/PG combo?
Click to expand...

Because that's the combo the OP asked about, and based on how nice my APH-2n sounded paired with the PGb and also with the CS-PGb I think the APH-1 & PG combo would be a good one.
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

I just got through swapping out an UOA5 RC magnet in my Seth Lover neck humbucker for a A3 polished long magnet. Now I can use my neck humbucker for lead as well as rhythm AND the middle toggle position (both) doesn't suck, it's an entity unto itself. It feels like I have 3 individual/usable humbuckers in one guitar and the volume balance between pups is astounding.

Someone mentioned that Joe Bonamassa is using non-potted humbuckers and he has no "squeeling" pup issues. My Seth Lover humbucker set is quiet as a mouse but very open and clear as one might expect from a set of un-potted pups.
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

For my next upcoming project, a magnet swap for my SD Alnico II Pro humbucker set. A4 RC long (bridge) and A4 polished long (neck).
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

I've got a Tele with a PG in the bridge and '59 in the neck. I really like the combination. They match well and neither over powers the other.
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

The AP2-PG combo is what I refer to as "Max Range" PAF set. The darkest fattest pup is in the neck, the thinnest/brightest is in the bridge.
Each tone itself is cool (IMO) and together, the middle position gives a sound not available from either alone and is a cool third option.

PG neck, A2P bridge is the most balanced.
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I might just try the A3 magnet first.
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

Southbound Suarez said:
For my next upcoming project, a magnet swap for my SD Alnico II Pro humbucker set. A4 RC long (bridge) and A4 polished long (neck).
Click to expand...


You'll lose some of the rich texture and character that the A2's give. I'd go with UOA5's as my first choice of replacement mags.
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

blueman335 said:
You'll lose some of the rich texture and character that the A2's give. I'd go with UOA5's as my first choice of replacement mags.
Click to expand...

Its funny you mention that. I was relaying to you about swapping out the A5's for UOA5 RC mags in my 59' Neck HB and 59' TB pups that are in my custom lefty 24 fret PRS clone guitar and I love them. I swapped the A2 magnets for a UOA5 RC mags in my Seth Lover Bridge HB and Neck HB's in the 05' Gibson CS 61' SG Les Paul. The UOA5 RC mag is more cutting and brittle there BUT: 1) I took the covers off of the Seth Lover humbucker set before installing them into the SG (and left them off), and 2) I haven't adjusted the screw pole pieces "flush" with the bobbin. I did swap out the UOA5 RC magnet in the SL neck humbucker in favor of a A3 polished long mag and now this guitar fulfills that (lead & rhythm) neck hb vision I had which makes the SG more usable for me all around. As for pup height in the SG, both of the humbucker's (neck & bridge) bobbins are flush with the pup mounting rings.

I believe my 59' screw poles were already flush with the bobbins as where the Seth Lovers are not, do you think this is why I'm experiencing the cutting brittle tone in the SG's Seth Lover bridge?
 
Re: Looking for neck PU to go with PG Bridge

Can anyone recommend a good guide on best practices for adjusting pole pieces? I'm definitely a techie (I build my own tube amps) but I just don't know where to begin or how to achieve what I'm after. It's one of those things I've just never ventured into.
 
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