Pearly Gates Neck Height

[audiocheck]

Just wondering if any other PGn users out there have experienced the same. I have this pup in 2 different Les Pauls and I have noticed that I need to slam the PGn as close to the strings as i can get, without causing a physical obstruction. The pickup just seems to come alive. I think i read some where that Alnico 2 pickups should actually be set this way.

anyone else?

also wondering if anyone has tried the same with other pups. I just set my Screaming' Demon, that is in the neck of one of my LP's, the same way.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

Yes, I like my pickups be as close to the strings as possible while maintaining the same volume as each other. It sounds richer and punchier.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

I leave my uncovered PGn down and jack the screws way up. High E almost touching. Sounds killer

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

The Screamin' Demon is relatively underwound providing a higher resonant peak (in kHz) with what sounds like a high Q factor which explains it's ability to be jacked without being flubby (and also explains why I think they sound like ass in the neck position: a lack of body; sorry to those I may have offended).

...at least I think this was part of the topic (excluding my unsolicited editorialization).

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

The Screamin' Demon is relatively underwound providing a higher resonant peak (in kHz) with what sounds like a high Q factor which explains it's ability to be jacked without being flubby (and also explains why I think they sound like ass in the neck position: a lack of body; sorry).

...at least I think this was part of the topic (excluding my unsolicited editorialization).

yes it was part of the question. Reason I put the Demon in the neck was because I love it in the bridge and i didn't have success pairing it with another pup. I though the Jazz would hold its own against it, but not enough cut. I think there really needs to be a Neck version produced at some point. I guess the ideal setup for a Screaming Demon in the bridge is probably pair it with 2 single coils in a start type guitar. Not in a double humbucker guitar. Maybe I should try it with a StagMag in the neck??

 

[Condemned soul]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

Jazz bridge in the neck goes well with a SD in the Bridge.

 

[chadd]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

yes it was part of the question. Reason I put the Demon in the neck was because I love it in the bridge and i didn't have success pairing it with another pup. I though the Jazz would hold its own against it, but not enough cut. I think there really needs to be a Neck version produced at some point. I guess the ideal setup for a Screaming Demon in the bridge is probably pair it with 2 single coils in a start type guitar. Not in a double humbucker guitar. Maybe I should try it with a StagMag in the neck??

Best combo for a Demon in the neck is an El Diablo in the bridge

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

I think there really needs to be a Neck version produced at some point.

If you ask me there is no need. The Full Shred Neck fills that role perfectly.

I completely agree about the Jazz not having enough cut.

In stark contrast the Full Shred cuts quite well.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

so do you keep the Full Shred slammed as close to the strings as you can get?

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

so do you keep the Full Shred slammed as close to the strings as you can get?

No, not at all. Between the increased output of the position and "congestion" in the right frequency band it keeps up just fine and with plenty of saturation, even with mid gain. The Screamin' Demon isn't a loud pickup by any stretch of the imagination. If anything, it's the one that needs to be close to the strings in order to get stronger bass out of it. Remember, the Screamin' Demon is a pickup that gets along well with single coils.

If you are expecting a strong bass response out of the neck position, you'll need to go with a different pickup like a 59. However, the 59 could easily be described as boomy with that combination.

For me it is usually about tonal balance between the neck and bridge, where the primary difference is the voicing due to the position minus the heavy bass in the neck relative to that in the bridge. With the Full Shred in the neck, I am trading the beautiful cleans of something like a more typical vintage output A5 neck humbucker, such as a 59 or Jazz, in favor of a tighter neck pickup that doesn't result in flub once you start adding gain.

Screamin' Demon + Full Shred Neck is perhaps my favorite pair of stock Duncan pickups for what I like to do.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

No, not at all. Between the increased output of the position and "congestion" in the right frequency band it keeps up just fine and with plenty of saturation, even with mid gain. The Screamin' Demon isn't a loud pickup by any stretch of the imagination. If anything, it's the one that needs to be close to the strings in order to get stronger bass out of it. Remember, the Screamin' Demon is a pickup that gets along well with single coils.

If you are expecting a strong bass response out of the neck position, you'll need to go with a different pickup like a 59. However, the 59 could easily be described as boomy with that combination.

For me it is usually about tonal balance between the neck and bridge, where the primary difference is the voicing due to the position minus the heavy bass in the neck relative to that in the bridge. With the Full Shred in the neck, I am trading the beautiful cleans of something like a more typical vintage output A5 neck humbucker, such as a 59 or Jazz, in favor of a tighter neck pickup that doesn't result in flub once you start adding gain.

Screamin' Demon + Full Shred Neck is perhaps my favorite pair of stock Duncan pickups for what I like to do.

I'm gonna give this a shot in another Les Paul. My previous issue has been that the Demon cuts through a live band so well in the bridge that when I switch to the Neck pup, I get lost in the mix. It seems that the Neck has to be almost 2x as loud to be heard compared to the Demon. So I think my original pairing of the Jazz Neck with it, was bad. I swapped out the Jazz for a second Demon. It helped a lot, but I think a neck Demon would benefit from a few less winds. I had a Full Shred Neck paired with a 59b for a long time with no issues. I later swapped it out for a 59n to have pair of 59's in the same guitar. I always felt the FSn lacked character, but paired with a Demon, it maybe just right.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

I can see why you said that about the FSn in relation to the 59b.

As I hear it, the issue with the Demon in the neck would only get worse with fewer winds. I'm under the impression that the Perpetual Burn (more winds of 43 AWG) would make a better neck pickup. It would likely be too hot for a Demon in the bridge, though.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

You know, some models just sound better close to the strings, and some don't. I realize I am sensitive to this, as I play very lightly, and use vintage output pickups. I use 9s most of the time, and have a pretty low action. The pickups generally benefit from being really close.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

You know, some models just sound better close to the strings, and some don't. I realize I am sensitive to this, as I play very lightly, and use vintage output pickups. I use 9s most of the time, and have a pretty low action. The pickups generally benefit from being really close.

Mincer,

I play hard and I also play 9's. I am having the same issue, as I have with the Screaming Demon, with my Custom Built LP made of Claro Wallnut over Black Limba. In this one I have a 59b paired with a PGn. The PGn always seems to get lost in the mix. It is better now that I slammed it as close as I can get it. The PGn just really nails that Warren Haynes tone in the neck when really close and I like that.

Not sure I helped the situation with the Screaming Demon in the neck, by putting it as close as I can. I will find out next time I sit in with a band with it.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

I am NOT a fan of "As-close-as-possible". I find when this is what you are doing, you need a different pup. As-Close-AP is a recipe for sustain kill, odd overtones, and farty tone IME.


I play 10's with a heavy hand and almost always distorted from the bridge.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

I am NOT a fan of "As-close-as-possible". I find when this is what you are doing, you need a different pup. As-Close-AP is a recipe for sustain kill, odd overtones, and farty tone IME.


I play 10's with a heavy hand and almost always distorted from the bridge.

I would agree with you on this, but i think the PGn is the exception. I will keep you posted,but the Demon in the neck, may not benefit from being that close.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

okay,

So I have read that, from duncan website, closer = brighter and punchier.

I also have read from other sites to drop the bobbins and raise the poles to get a brighter tone. Do I do both?

Raise the poles and then get them as close as possible?

any experience with this?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

To me, doing either of those things sounds slightly different. It is worth experimenting, though. I would say either emphasizes different frequencies to me.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

Dude I just finished a guitar with a UOA5 59/Jazz hybrid in the neck. It's so friggin bright, I thought it was out of phase or something. Hybrids are where it's at if you want bright neck humbucker tone.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Pearly Gates Neck Height

okay,

So I have read that, from duncan website, closer = brighter and punchier.

I also have read from other sites to drop the bobbins and raise the poles to get a brighter tone. Do I do both?

Raise the poles and then get them as close as possible?

any experience with this?

Post #3. Mincer is right on how it sounds, with a normal pole piece height and the p/up raised it sounds hotter, maybe it's more mids I'm hearing. With the p/up slightly down from Gibson's recommended height with the pole pieces up it sounds brighter and clearer to me but maybe more dynamic too. Digging in it will still get angry sounding but sweeter overall tone. Mess with the ratios under different gain levels and you'll find the best compromise for your style and your individual guitar.

Another thing to remember about PAF's is that at the time they were new p/ups, players were using what would now be considered heavy strings for E standard. I was watching Seymour on tone talk a week ago and he said something to the effect that they need them to get truer tone. Adjusting the magnetic field via height and pole pieces will sort of do the same thing as heavier strings.

Also if you're wanting a punchier brighter more Hi-Fi sound you should also try a .73 or .88 Primetone pick from Dunlop. I was able to not have to swap pots and caps by just going to this pick.