Pearly Gates or '59 Neck?

[jonnymangia]

How would you describe the tonal differences btw these neck pups? They are going into an SG Standard with a '59 bridge...I can't hear a difference on the clips page.
I had heard that the '59 neck can be too boomy/bassy, not very articulate.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Pearly Gates or '59 Neck?

a PGn is my fav neck pickups, but SG's tend to be a little on the thin side sound wise, and Alnico II pickups are not good for that, in fact...they tend to make it worse. 59n's are a little bass heave in Les Pauls, but IMO in an SG a set of 59 is one of the best sounds ever, if you want a bridge pup with more output and ounch, use the 59n and put a Custom in the bridge.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Pearly Gates or '59 Neck?

Basically, what Christian said....

I love the Pearly Gates neck....with a Custom Custom bridge!!! :bigok:

I had a '59 neck & bridge in my Hamer & didn't care for them; way bassy for my taste....replaced them with Seths & haven't looked back!

The PGn can be warm or full of bite & grit, if you want it...roll off the volume & it'll jazz for ya'.

Having said all this, I've never tried it in an SG, so....take what I say as you will anyone else with an opinion!!!

 

[Grandor]

Re: Pearly Gates or '59 Neck?

I want a PGn/CC combo in an Axis... That would rock!

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Pearly Gates or '59 Neck?

One of my standards for humbucker tones is Clapton's work on "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Crossroads" with Cream and those songs were done with an SG loaded with alnico V PAF's, which are what the 59's are based on. In an SG, I'd say 59's all the way.

That said, there's nothing that beats a pair of Pearly's in a Lester.


Nothing.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: Pearly Gates or '59 Neck?

If you refer to the clips page, it's amazing how similar the Pearly Gates and '59 sound....

People really seem to like the '59 combo in the SG. You don't think the neck is going to be too boomy? And how do these compare to the '57 Classics, which Gibson markets as the ideal SG pup. I've played '57's in an ES-335 and thought they were muddy.