pearly gates vs slash ap2
- Thread starter Mr.Morton
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Discharged
New member
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
The Slash neck is pretty close to the CSPG, with the biggest difference being the CSPG is not potted.
/Peter
The Pearly Gates is definately brighter. The Custom Shop Pearly Gates is bigger and bolder, though.
The Slash neck is pretty close to the CSPG, with the biggest difference being the CSPG is not potted.
/Peter
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
I agree, the Pearly Gates is a PAF-type with focus on the highs, while the APH-2s are more mid focused, but still PAF-y. Think of it like this. If you like your LP to cut through, go with the Pearly Gates. If you like your LP to sound like 2 giant sticks of butter, go with the APH-2 (I dig the butter, personally).
I agree, the Pearly Gates is a PAF-type with focus on the highs, while the APH-2s are more mid focused, but still PAF-y. Think of it like this. If you like your LP to cut through, go with the Pearly Gates. If you like your LP to sound like 2 giant sticks of butter, go with the APH-2 (I dig the butter, personally).
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
No way to lose here, really.
The PG is complex, really...Yes, it is a classic PAF. Yes, it does have a sweet non-harsh top end because of the A2 magnet. Yes, it has an upper mid spike that adds the bright factor, but isn't harsh. And it is not as thick as you would think compared to a 59, and especially an A2P.
The A2P is not a classic PAF - but I agree with Mincer. It is sorta PAFish. I think of it as a classic big fat PAF. Old Memphis Blues style...It's got bottom and meds all over, and certainly fat buttery highs. But it is WAY more than Slash's now caricature tone print of himself. More highs than you would think. Especially with cranked 500k pots.
PG w/wout covers. MEh - my ears don't care enough to care. CS/Stock - never had Custom shop. Don't know the real difference other than price. However, I DO have a PG wound up to like 9.1k in a bridge spot. That IS distinctly different. Noticeably hotter, thicker, and still cuts, while still being very much a PAF.
Your call?
PG set, A2P set, PG neck-A2P bridge, The only comment I would make is that if you go A2P neck, and PG bridge, get the CS (according to those guys) or one wound a little hotter.
PG neck, A2P bridge is super balanced set. A2 neck with PG bridge is a wide range. But all would sound great - just different flavors of great...
*Slash v A2P, again...don't care. Most of what you have heard from Slash was actually an A2P.
No way to lose here, really.
The PG is complex, really...Yes, it is a classic PAF. Yes, it does have a sweet non-harsh top end because of the A2 magnet. Yes, it has an upper mid spike that adds the bright factor, but isn't harsh. And it is not as thick as you would think compared to a 59, and especially an A2P.
The A2P is not a classic PAF - but I agree with Mincer. It is sorta PAFish. I think of it as a classic big fat PAF. Old Memphis Blues style...It's got bottom and meds all over, and certainly fat buttery highs. But it is WAY more than Slash's now caricature tone print of himself. More highs than you would think. Especially with cranked 500k pots.
PG w/wout covers. MEh - my ears don't care enough to care. CS/Stock - never had Custom shop. Don't know the real difference other than price. However, I DO have a PG wound up to like 9.1k in a bridge spot. That IS distinctly different. Noticeably hotter, thicker, and still cuts, while still being very much a PAF.
Your call?
PG set, A2P set, PG neck-A2P bridge, The only comment I would make is that if you go A2P neck, and PG bridge, get the CS (according to those guys) or one wound a little hotter.
PG neck, A2P bridge is super balanced set. A2 neck with PG bridge is a wide range. But all would sound great - just different flavors of great...
*Slash v A2P, again...don't care. Most of what you have heard from Slash was actually an A2P.
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
Personally, I don't like the pearly. It never really 'gets' there to my ears. Too hot for sweet, clean tones with a smidgen of dirty, too clean to be really a dirt-king. The SlashA2Pro is one of the best pickups SD makes that I don't want to hybridize instantaneously. It's got the clean sweetness, the dirty power on tap when dialed in. The pearly just craps itself out when I go into really high gain territory.
Slash A2pro versus regular. The slash is a BIT hotter, but imho a better pickup overall. It's more dynamic, more powerful when you want it to and the neck pickup sings more.
Personally, I don't like the pearly. It never really 'gets' there to my ears. Too hot for sweet, clean tones with a smidgen of dirty, too clean to be really a dirt-king. The SlashA2Pro is one of the best pickups SD makes that I don't want to hybridize instantaneously. It's got the clean sweetness, the dirty power on tap when dialed in. The pearly just craps itself out when I go into really high gain territory.
Slash A2pro versus regular. The slash is a BIT hotter, but imho a better pickup overall. It's more dynamic, more powerful when you want it to and the neck pickup sings more.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
I've always wanted to try the custom shop PG.
I like the slight warmth and compression of the Slash for some things, but I like the original PG's upper-mid bite a little more. I get what Orpheo is saying about wanting a little "more" from the PG, though. That's where the Custom Shop version fits in, from what I understand.
Ace, your 9.1K PG is interesting. Is it a Pearly Gates "Plus" (says "PGP" somewhere on the label)? If not, and the additional resistance is due to differences in the wind, that could put it in '78 model territory! Have you tried one of those yet?
I've always wanted to try the custom shop PG.
I like the slight warmth and compression of the Slash for some things, but I like the original PG's upper-mid bite a little more. I get what Orpheo is saying about wanting a little "more" from the PG, though. That's where the Custom Shop version fits in, from what I understand.
Ace, your 9.1K PG is interesting. Is it a Pearly Gates "Plus" (says "PGP" somewhere on the label)? If not, and the additional resistance is due to differences in the wind, that could put it in '78 model territory! Have you tried one of those yet?
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Warlag
New member
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
I got the Slash set and I’m not a big fan of them... I don’t mind the bridge one but I really don’t like they neck one. I find they can be a bit too dark and can be a bit muffled sounding especially the neck pickup... I’m trying to think of a better descriptive word than muffled but I hope you know what I mean.
I got the Slash set and I’m not a big fan of them... I don’t mind the bridge one but I really don’t like they neck one. I find they can be a bit too dark and can be a bit muffled sounding especially the neck pickup... I’m trying to think of a better descriptive word than muffled but I hope you know what I mean.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
That's why I have the regular A2P instead. They're great as is, without being wound any hotter.
That's why I have the regular A2P instead. They're great as is, without being wound any hotter.
Warlag
New member
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
Really? I assumed there would t be much of a difference for some reason.. I found the Slash pickups were especially no good on the clean channel. Did you find that as well? And are the A2P’s better for clean sounds than the slash’s in your opinion?
Really? I assumed there would t be much of a difference for some reason.. I found the Slash pickups were especially no good on the clean channel. Did you find that as well? And are the A2P’s better for clean sounds than the slash’s in your opinion?
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
That's what you get for assuming! The standard A2Ps and the "Slash" set are quite different...the Slash is warmer and a little hotter, the standard A2P's breathe more, if that makes sense.
If you like the Slash bridge pickup, seek out a regular A2P for the neck. They'll match fine and probably give you the balance you're looking for.
That's what you get for assuming! The standard A2Ps and the "Slash" set are quite different...the Slash is warmer and a little hotter, the standard A2P's breathe more, if that makes sense.
If you like the Slash bridge pickup, seek out a regular A2P for the neck. They'll match fine and probably give you the balance you're looking for.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
+1. I wouldn't want a neck A2P any warmer than it is, so the Slash neck has no appeal for me. In fact, I have an UOA5 in one to give it bit more high-end bite. In case the OP doesn't know, A2P's are simply Jazz's with A2 magnets.
+1. I wouldn't want a neck A2P any warmer than it is, so the Slash neck has no appeal for me. In fact, I have an UOA5 in one to give it bit more high-end bite. In case the OP doesn't know, A2P's are simply Jazz's with A2 magnets.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
Nope - not a plus. Wound it at the Duncan factory myself. Haven't tried a 78 ever...
Nope - not a plus. Wound it at the Duncan factory myself. Haven't tried a 78 ever...
Warlag
New member
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
Hahaha very true my friend! I’m going to check into the A2Ps now and I gotta start being a bit more open minded too! Lol
Hahaha very true my friend! I’m going to check into the A2Ps now and I gotta start being a bit more open minded too! Lol
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
Sounds like the '78 should be on your short list then...great pickup! Probably very close to your overwound Pearly
Sounds like the '78 should be on your short list then...great pickup! Probably very close to your overwound Pearly
Zheddar
New member
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
Aceman, I am really curious, did the Pearly Gates get warmer with that exta 1k of wire on it? Also I think the PGP is like 8.6k'ish (Alnico V) and then the regular one is like 8.2k'ish (Alnico II). I have been trying to figure out how to warm up the PG that I have, but all I have done is make it brighter.
Aceman, I am really curious, did the Pearly Gates get warmer with that exta 1k of wire on it? Also I think the PGP is like 8.6k'ish (Alnico V) and then the regular one is like 8.2k'ish (Alnico II). I have been trying to figure out how to warm up the PG that I have, but all I have done is make it brighter.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
You can get aged-looking brushed nickel covers as a custom option. I have a Seth like that.
You can get aged-looking brushed nickel covers as a custom option. I have a Seth like that.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
If I understand correctly, a plus is a trembucker bobbin, it's larger so it measures higher resistance but has the same number turns as a regular PG. the magnet would likely do more to change the sound than the wire.
But my guess would be the A5 is in there to counter 250k pots and keep it sounding like a PG, but that is a pure guess on my part.
If I understand correctly, a plus is a trembucker bobbin, it's larger so it measures higher resistance but has the same number turns as a regular PG. the magnet would likely do more to change the sound than the wire.
But my guess would be the A5 is in there to counter 250k pots and keep it sounding like a PG, but that is a pure guess on my part.
Re: pearly gates vs slash ap2
I've got the PG plus in a Big Apple Strat and its regular spaced, I've had several others over the years in various Strat setups and they all measured in the 8.2k range (I had 2 different regular PGs from that same era, with the block letter "label maker" style labels that measured 7.9 ish for the bridge ) so I'm guessing that batch of wire was a little lower resistance? That was the only conclusion I could come to as they are wound on a machine with a counter. I think you are right about the A5 keeping it sounding like a PG with 250k pots, it sounded ok with 500k volume and 250k tone in my Big Apple strat too.
I've got the PG plus in a Big Apple Strat and its regular spaced, I've had several others over the years in various Strat setups and they all measured in the 8.2k range (I had 2 different regular PGs from that same era, with the block letter "label maker" style labels that measured 7.9 ish for the bridge ) so I'm guessing that batch of wire was a little lower resistance? That was the only conclusion I could come to as they are wound on a machine with a counter. I think you are right about the A5 keeping it sounding like a PG with 250k pots, it sounded ok with 500k volume and 250k tone in my Big Apple strat too.
