I had a few off days over the holidays and it's the time I go through my gear and putter in the basement studio (it's cold here). After trying a '59, Gibson 57 Classic +, JB, and Pearly Gates in my 81 Les Paul STD. I found I prefer the Pearly Gates. I thought it a bit trebly but it's nice to have it available. I actually use the tone controls now. It is a match for my Pearly gates neck (best neck pu ever IMHO). My very personal ranking is Pearly #1, gibson 57+#2, 59#3 and the JB #4.
Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
- Thread starter JWR
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
You owe it to yourself to try more PAF's, especially Duncans. Compared to '59's and '57's, many guys would prefer PG's. '59's are pretty bright and '57's are muddier. I have all 5 Duncan PAF types (plus some Gibsons, Fralins, & others), and PG's aren't near the top of my list tonewise. For Duncans, Seth's and A2P's sound better to me (warmer bridges than PGB's, and more treble and 'life' than PGN's). When it comes to recent production Gibsons, Burstbukcers (the A2 models) sound better than '57's (more clarity and bite). I think a lot of guys that are PG fans haven't tried that many PAF's; once your field of reference expands, I can't help but think that for most players, PG's would take a drop in their ratings. There are better A2 PAF's out there. and the most overrated ones I've found are '57's and PG's.
You owe it to yourself to try more PAF's, especially Duncans. Compared to '59's and '57's, many guys would prefer PG's. '59's are pretty bright and '57's are muddier. I have all 5 Duncan PAF types (plus some Gibsons, Fralins, & others), and PG's aren't near the top of my list tonewise. For Duncans, Seth's and A2P's sound better to me (warmer bridges than PGB's, and more treble and 'life' than PGN's). When it comes to recent production Gibsons, Burstbukcers (the A2 models) sound better than '57's (more clarity and bite). I think a lot of guys that are PG fans haven't tried that many PAF's; once your field of reference expands, I can't help but think that for most players, PG's would take a drop in their ratings. There are better A2 PAF's out there. and the most overrated ones I've found are '57's and PG's.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
Pgs are superb, and you are spot on about the neck pickup.
Pgs are superb, and you are spot on about the neck pickup.
Drunken Bowling
New member
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
You mean cold in your basement, or cold in your general geographical area?
You mean cold in your basement, or cold in your general geographical area?
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
With the 57+ I found myself reaching for the tone and volume pots, but they were already on 10. The JB was a bit over the top for my personal taste. Blueman335, what were your recommendations? I have not tried the Seth or Antiquity, but it sounds as if you have. BTW, you spelled conceited incorrectly.
With the 57+ I found myself reaching for the tone and volume pots, but they were already on 10. The JB was a bit over the top for my personal taste. Blueman335, what were your recommendations? I have not tried the Seth or Antiquity, but it sounds as if you have. BTW, you spelled conceited incorrectly.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
Please understand, Blueman has an immense aversion to A2 mags. Especially in the neck. I however, think a Pearly Gates is simply the best LP neck PAF there is. Tastes vary.
That said, I haven't went into the minutia of trying every PAF style out there. I have used all the Duncans except Seths, and DiMarzio PAF's. I have played 57's, BB1, @, 3, and pros quite a bit.
My preferences are:
#1 PG
#2 DiMarzio PAF
#3 BB1/2's
#4 Duncan 59
#5 A2P's
#6 57's
But they are all great PAF's in the big scheme of things. Just need to find the one that is right for your guitar/situation/tastes.
Please understand, Blueman has an immense aversion to A2 mags. Especially in the neck. I however, think a Pearly Gates is simply the best LP neck PAF there is. Tastes vary.
That said, I haven't went into the minutia of trying every PAF style out there. I have used all the Duncans except Seths, and DiMarzio PAF's. I have played 57's, BB1, @, 3, and pros quite a bit.
My preferences are:
#1 PG
#2 DiMarzio PAF
#3 BB1/2's
#4 Duncan 59
#5 A2P's
#6 57's
But they are all great PAF's in the big scheme of things. Just need to find the one that is right for your guitar/situation/tastes.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
Ah, you're behind the times Ace Boy. You've missed some fascinating posts of mine descibing my transition a couple years ago. My first exposure to A2's was '57's, 490's, and the CC. I didn't care for any of them (swapped them babies out). The high-ends were too rounded, even with 500K's. I've since discovered that Seymour knows how to wind A2 PAF's to bring out the best in them. So I'm knee-deep in the world of A2's, with Seth's, Ant's, A2P's, PG's, BB1-2-3, etc. Wound correctly, A2's still have some bite and cut, even in the neck slot. Wound otherwise, they can lose that. To me, the PGN doesn't have enough high-end, just too rounded and smooth, and PGB's are pretty bright and thin. A2P's fix both of those things.
You owe it to yourself to try a pair of Seth's, Seymour's highpoint. I liked PG's more before I tried Seth's. I have several sets of Seth's now and want to sell/trade my one set of PG's. That big of a difference. Seth's are what a great PAF is supposed to be.
Ah, you're behind the times Ace Boy. You've missed some fascinating posts of mine descibing my transition a couple years ago. My first exposure to A2's was '57's, 490's, and the CC. I didn't care for any of them (swapped them babies out). The high-ends were too rounded, even with 500K's. I've since discovered that Seymour knows how to wind A2 PAF's to bring out the best in them. So I'm knee-deep in the world of A2's, with Seth's, Ant's, A2P's, PG's, BB1-2-3, etc. Wound correctly, A2's still have some bite and cut, even in the neck slot. Wound otherwise, they can lose that. To me, the PGN doesn't have enough high-end, just too rounded and smooth, and PGB's are pretty bright and thin. A2P's fix both of those things.
You owe it to yourself to try a pair of Seth's, Seymour's highpoint. I liked PG's more before I tried Seth's. I have several sets of Seth's now and want to sell/trade my one set of PG's. That big of a difference. Seth's are what a great PAF is supposed to be.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
I can see trying other bridge pickups...but the PG Neck is just unbeatable in a production pickup.
I pair it with everything even the PG Bridge model.
LOL!
Sounds awesome with a Custom too.
I can see trying other bridge pickups...but the PG Neck is just unbeatable in a production pickup.
I pair it with everything even the PG Bridge model.
LOL! Sounds awesome with a Custom too.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
Complete agreement Jeremy. Those three are my favorite Duncan neck humbuckers. Never loved the Jazz, 59 or the AII Pro as much.
I do like my PG neck paired with my PG Trembucker and also my '78 Trembucker a lot. It's why I'm trying to find another dual humbucker guitar besides my ES-335.
But that ES-335 is a tough act to follow!
Complete agreement Jeremy. Those three are my favorite Duncan neck humbuckers. Never loved the Jazz, 59 or the AII Pro as much.
I do like my PG neck paired with my PG Trembucker and also my '78 Trembucker a lot. It's why I'm trying to find another dual humbucker guitar besides my ES-335.
But that ES-335 is a tough act to follow!
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Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
Yeah, Ive always preferred higher powered bridge pups, but learned a neck PG sounds great. One day I tried a PG neck and bridge in my LP trad pro and both are amazing!
Ive never tried Seths or ants.. I like AIIps and 59b in the neck too. Jazz does ok in some apps too..
Yeah, Ive always preferred higher powered bridge pups, but learned a neck PG sounds great. One day I tried a PG neck and bridge in my LP trad pro and both are amazing!
Ive never tried Seths or ants.. I like AIIps and 59b in the neck too. Jazz does ok in some apps too..
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Rockstar216
New member
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
I love the PGn recently I swapped out the A2 and put in a polished A3 now its beautiful. I like the a2 in it but could get a lil muddy on the bass at times with the a3 it cuts more but not real sharp in the treble and the bass tightened up a lil which I like very articulate not as thick anymore but i might swap it back to the a2 down the road but for now I love a3 in the PGn
I love the PGn recently I swapped out the A2 and put in a polished A3 now its beautiful. I like the a2 in it but could get a lil muddy on the bass at times with the a3 it cuts more but not real sharp in the treble and the bass tightened up a lil which I like very articulate not as thick anymore but i might swap it back to the a2 down the road but for now I love a3 in the PGn
Lake Placid Blues
New member
tubecrunch
New member
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
Hi blue. Ive always had an easy time with PGb. Any chance those 250k pots are choking out the mids? I ask because I seem to have the opposite experience. Pg=pleasant upper mids curve while a2p=thin/bright. Conversely, I agree with you on the 57s and looove my Seth's.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
I always try A2 bridge PU's with 500K's first, to see what I have to work with. Good lord PGB's are bright! Just not the sound I want with 500K's. Maybe it was the wood of the individual instruments, but my A2P LP sounds much better than my PG LP. I get more treble from my A2PN than my PGN; the neck is where I'm a treble junkie. I've recently been replacing 500K's with one or two 1-meg pots on some of my LP necks to get more high end. On the bridge, I need a sharp edge, and especially love pick noise, but want a fist inside the glove; midrange and low-end power. I don't want my solos to flit around up high like a butterfly, I want them to hit people in the gut. I guess I'm going in the opposite direction than the crowd. I'm playing British blues style, which precious few other local players here ever do. There are those that suspect that either I know nothing about guitar tone or that I have some sort of hearing deficiency, but it's not just me. I almost always get people telling me how much they like my tones, band and audience, so the tones are nice at home and on stage. That's what tells me I'm not crazy. Something's working.
To me, PAF's should sound great in an LP. That's the testing ground. Those fat LP bodies and short necks fill in the mids and give sustain. And that's what my heroes played. I'm not going to get that with a Strat. When I play out, I usually take an LP or two, and with them having various combinations of Duncan, Gibson, Fralin, Lollar, DMz, and Smits PAF's, I just I don't seem to take the one with PG's. In spite of everything some believe and hold dear, people do like my tones. It defies all reason and logic! And yes, maybe the musicians go for different tones in their own playing, but they shake my hand and want to know I get my sound. I've been told that they like the contrast of me alongside a Strat player. That both guitars are easier to hear. You know too, some of these guys are putting PGN's in brighter woods; maybe they'd think differently about them if they were in an LP. That's where I hear them straying a bit too far towards the warm and mellow side.
I always try A2 bridge PU's with 500K's first, to see what I have to work with. Good lord PGB's are bright! Just not the sound I want with 500K's. Maybe it was the wood of the individual instruments, but my A2P LP sounds much better than my PG LP. I get more treble from my A2PN than my PGN; the neck is where I'm a treble junkie. I've recently been replacing 500K's with one or two 1-meg pots on some of my LP necks to get more high end. On the bridge, I need a sharp edge, and especially love pick noise, but want a fist inside the glove; midrange and low-end power. I don't want my solos to flit around up high like a butterfly, I want them to hit people in the gut. I guess I'm going in the opposite direction than the crowd. I'm playing British blues style, which precious few other local players here ever do. There are those that suspect that either I know nothing about guitar tone or that I have some sort of hearing deficiency, but it's not just me. I almost always get people telling me how much they like my tones, band and audience, so the tones are nice at home and on stage. That's what tells me I'm not crazy. Something's working.
To me, PAF's should sound great in an LP. That's the testing ground. Those fat LP bodies and short necks fill in the mids and give sustain. And that's what my heroes played. I'm not going to get that with a Strat. When I play out, I usually take an LP or two, and with them having various combinations of Duncan, Gibson, Fralin, Lollar, DMz, and Smits PAF's, I just I don't seem to take the one with PG's. In spite of everything some believe and hold dear, people do like my tones. It defies all reason and logic! And yes, maybe the musicians go for different tones in their own playing, but they shake my hand and want to know I get my sound. I've been told that they like the contrast of me alongside a Strat player. That both guitars are easier to hear. You know too, some of these guys are putting PGN's in brighter woods; maybe they'd think differently about them if they were in an LP. That's where I hear them straying a bit too far towards the warm and mellow side.
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Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Pearly Gates in Les Paul is my choice
STill, there are so many sonic mojo factors that go into an LP - the body wood, the neck wood, the fingerboard, the top. One never knows how any given LP will sound. Get a few pieces of wood on the darker end, and/or no maple cap, and they can be totally dark and muddy. Or they cn be ice pick bright (rare). But two made consecutively can sound completely different.
Thus, all manner of PAF eq's sound good/bad/other in them.
STill, there are so many sonic mojo factors that go into an LP - the body wood, the neck wood, the fingerboard, the top. One never knows how any given LP will sound. Get a few pieces of wood on the darker end, and/or no maple cap, and they can be totally dark and muddy. Or they cn be ice pick bright (rare). But two made consecutively can sound completely different.
Thus, all manner of PAF eq's sound good/bad/other in them.
