Pearly Gates singles for Strat

R

richardcj

New member
Been a member for ages taking advantage of others wisdom. This is my first post so please be gentle! I have been offered, and am going to buy, a matched set of Custom Shop Pearly Gates singles which I am planning on putting in my Levinson Blade Texas Pro. Not a huge amount of info or sound clips of these, so trying to get a feel for what they are like. Already like the Little '59s etc, will these still be a bit Stratty or more 'bucker like, for want of a better comparison.

Cheers in advance.
 
Re: Pearly Gates singles for Strat

Good first post. I've been on here for years and have never even heard of these. I'm interested in what members have to say about them.
 
Re: Pearly Gates singles for Strat

I just gave away a matched set of Pearly Gates for Strat on this forum a couple weeks ago, as a matter of fact. I gave them up because I thought the A5 bar inside them was too weak. The attack was strangely mushy, and the tone was puny.

Nearly every rail or SC sized humbucker, offered by Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio, uses a ceramic bar, and for good reason. Even the Duckbucker, a model which is supposed to sound vintage, used a ceramic bar. What I've discovered is that in the context of a tiny side-by-side humbucker, the magnet is not about output as much as it's about feel and response. It would be nice if SD offered a few more "Little" series humbuckers, but if they do, they probably ought not stray from the ceramic bar, because anything weaker sounds decidedly under-powered. I haven't tried this, but picture adjusting the Little 59's downwards until they're below the pickguard, I imagine that would sound about the same as a the Little PGs. I suspect a lot of Little Pearly Gates buyers are like me, try them, and then put them up in eBay (or give them away) after a while.

I replaced them with a set of plain old Little '59's and much prefer the result, and I can a little of the "rudeness" I associate with the full sized Pearly Gates by rolling the spin a split knob back a bit. I'm planning on recording some sound demos of spin-a-split soon, including with Little 59's.
 
Re: Pearly Gates singles for Strat

Interesting observation Drex.
I wonder if I'll agree
I might contact Duncan and ask they're advice regarding pot values.
 
Re: Pearly Gates singles for Strat

Well it's been a few weeks and I thought I would post an update, if you don't mind.

I originally wanted these for a Levinson Blade Texas Pro. I had hoped they would be interesting with the built in VSC active mid and treble/bass boost. Certainly didn't sound bad but very much not 'Stratty'. Good sounding pickups, more 'bucker than single. Agree that they are not, despite the k readings, very powerful. To be honest a bit underwhelmed so removed and put the Blade back to stock. Not being someone who gives up I decided to try them in my old Standard Strat that over the many years I have owned it has been upgraded with Lace Sensors and the EC mid boost, along with a few other go faster goodies. Now that is a combo that works. The natural brightness of the EC circuit gives the Pearly Gates a bit more bite. The TBX can add more high end to give a more traditional sparkle and the mid boost, whilst not as effective as when used with the Laces, adds a certain fatness that gives them a more full size 'bucker sound. Very happy with this setup and will keep it.

Overall opinion is a very different pickup to the Lil'59s and JBs. Not as much output but in the right setup a more complex sound that is rewarding if you can dial it in.
 
Re: Pearly Gates singles for Strat

I'm sure it's not suited here. But a Pearlie neck seemed to be a game changer to me:



For around a decade, the '59 was my #1 for a neck p-up. But the Pearly is sweeter and has a more bell-like sound I'm after. I hope it helps :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top