Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

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Thinking of purchasing a pearly gates Neck to pair with a 59/Custom hybrid in the bridge of my Hamer studio Custom. I’ve been using a modified Phst Cat in the Neck position for a few years now, but am starting to crave the Neck humbucker sound a bit more lately.

The biggest concern i have is for the split coil tones in the Neck position. I play a lot of church music, which requires jangly clean tones more often than not, so i want a relatively bright neck pickup when split but will also have a good singing tone for the humbucker position too. My two current thoughts are the jazz and PGn, but i haven’t played or heard either of them in quite a while.

I will also likely be wiring it to be split until Push/pulled up, since Neck singles sound lovely.

Thanks!

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

If it's going to be split most of the time, you would do better to prioritize that sound. I'd suggest a StagMag or P-rails, pickups where you get real singlecoil tone and can then augment it with a second coil when needed.

Of the two you mentioned, I think the Jazz would probably split better. But splitting any conventional humbucker always tends to be a compromise that falls a bit short of a true single, both in tone and in punch. If you really want a Duncan that's closer to a regular humbucker than the Stag or P-rails, I'd suggest a second Hybrid. You could tame the output a bit via mag swap, A4 or A2 or even A3 if it were still too hot for your taste.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

The most versatile solution is spin-a-split, which is what I have most of my neck HB's wired for (tone pot is converted into a 2nd volume pot, but for one coil only - there's a wiring diagram on this site). You get full HB down to coil cut, and everything in between, which is where the magic is. Matched coils reduce 60 cycle hum, and also reduce treble and add midrange. When they're unmatched, some single coil sound is no longer 'masked' and high-end and clarity are added. Because you dial the 2nd coil in, or out, you have full control over how much single coil sound is blended in with the humbucker. Great for brightening neck HB's and eliminating dull, muddy tones.

 

[Synapsys]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

I have both in different mahogany-bodied guitars, and prefer both in parallel than in split mode.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

"Matched coils mask treble." Sigh.

Does anyone know how an inductor works?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

For better split tones between those 2 pickups, I like the Jazz. It is still clear and articulate, and sounds better to me than a split neck PG.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

To be split most of the time but still get good solid but clean humbucker neck tones, you need a Whole Lotta Humbucker neck.

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

Thanks for the insight fellas. I think what I meant was that I want a humbucker in the neck that can provide believable single coil tones. I'm not going for a strat neck sound, just something that's kind of jangly, but when in HB mode will also give a traditional humbucker neck tone.

Likely I will be wiring it so that the push pull pot splitting the pickup will be set to tapped in the "down" position, and would have to pull it up to bring to humbucker mode.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

Believable single coil tones and sound like a traditional humbucker.

Good luck. Definitely not the Jazz, that's for sure.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

StagMag!!!

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

Believable single coil tones and sound like a traditional humbucker.

Good luck. Definitely not the Jazz, that's for sure.

Ditto!!

Or the PGn, I did it. Not that great. More of a Jazzy tone than a bitting Strat tone when split.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

At least it still has something in the upper mids:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K5ZAgFDrLeY

SH-2N Jazz? Forget it.

 

[tabeck5]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

The most versatile solution is spin-a-split, which is what I have most of my neck HB's wired for (tone pot is converted into a 2nd volume pot, but for one coil only - there's a wiring diagram on this site). You get full HB down to coil cut, and everything in between, which is where the magic is. Matched coils reduce 60 cycle hum, and also reduce treble and add midrange. When they're unmatched, some single coil sound is no longer 'masked' and high-end and clarity are added. Because you dial the 2nd coil in, or out, you have full control over how much single coil sound is blended in with the humbucker. Great for brightening neck HB's and eliminating dull, muddy tones.

Got to second this, this is a great solution and, if you can find a quality stacked pot, can be done incredibly easily. I have done similar mods with single coils, once you try this you won't want to go back. I especially love this type of mod in a Hum-Sing configuration when you have a really bright or muddy neck or bridge, simply dial up the non-offending pickup to tame just a bit.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

Lace Sensor Blue/Gold Dually.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

Believable single coil tones and sound like a traditional humbucker.

Good luck. Definitely not the Jazz, that's for sure.

I am not sure any humbucker does that, but for 'jangly clean tones' described in the OP, the Jazz can do it (I have a few that do).

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

Thin, tinny and bright does not a single coil make. I like to hear at least a little fundamental in my notes.

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

Thin tinny and bright does not a single coil make.

I think Mincer meant non-split Jazz.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

He would have had to have.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

I want a humbucker in the neck that can provide believable single coil tones.

The confusion in the term 'single coil' is there's more than one kind, and they all sound different. P-90's are single coils, as are Gibson/Duncan Staple pickups, and 'Charlie Christian' pickups. You're probably referring to Fender type single coils with wire wrapped around pole magnets.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pearly gates Neck vs Jazz Neck with split coil tones

If "believable single coil" is the priority then it's either a Stag Mag (for Strat-style) or a P-Rails (for P-90-style); from Seymour Duncan, that is. Neither provide traditional humbucker sounds.

The dually approach is more likely to deliver better results. You could even combine a stacked single with a side-by-side single, or any other flange-less combination, really.

STK-S4/Hot Rails
Cruiser/Satch Track
Lace Emerald/JB Jr.
SDS-1/Little '59
Lace Purple/Lace Blue
Area 67/Cool Rails

...etc.