Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
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Falstaff
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Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
I used the PG in the bridge of a 70's Les Paul. The PG is a great overall pickup and can go from Toy Caldwell-style cleans to Social Distortion-style drive and still sound great. This pickup really shines in the clean to slightly breaking up area--I really noticed a nice harmonic halo around single notes. Sort of a nice Betts complexity. It also responds really well to dynamics. The amp I was using was a Boogie Studio 22 but the guitar sounded darn good through any amp.
I used the PG in the bridge of a 70's Les Paul. The PG is a great overall pickup and can go from Toy Caldwell-style cleans to Social Distortion-style drive and still sound great. This pickup really shines in the clean to slightly breaking up area--I really noticed a nice harmonic halo around single notes. Sort of a nice Betts complexity. It also responds really well to dynamics. The amp I was using was a Boogie Studio 22 but the guitar sounded darn good through any amp.
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
I had the PG in the bridge of my ltd ec-1000 (mahogany, lp-style)... Great pick-up. Paf style, lower output but sounded great distorted and clean. It is a really versatile bridge pick-up, especially if you learn to play a lot with your tone control.... Some find it a little bit trebly, I don't. It just goes to really nice, round and warm with the tone control rolled off to sparkly when you turn the tone up.... Great for both, rythm and solos...
I had the PG in the bridge of my ltd ec-1000 (mahogany, lp-style)... Great pick-up. Paf style, lower output but sounded great distorted and clean. It is a really versatile bridge pick-up, especially if you learn to play a lot with your tone control.... Some find it a little bit trebly, I don't. It just goes to really nice, round and warm with the tone control rolled off to sparkly when you turn the tone up.... Great for both, rythm and solos...
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
I have an APH-1 neck pickup, I use it in my Wolfgang Special.
It has a very even and balanced sound both clean and distorted.
Has a very sweet topend and responds well to percussive rhythm both clean and distorted.
Has good strong articulate leadsound and sings very well.
A pickup for those who likes balanced eq and a sweet sound.
I have an APH-1 neck pickup, I use it in my Wolfgang Special.
It has a very even and balanced sound both clean and distorted.
Has a very sweet topend and responds well to percussive rhythm both clean and distorted.
Has good strong articulate leadsound and sings very well.
A pickup for those who likes balanced eq and a sweet sound.
midnite_man
New member
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
Pearly Gates? What else comes to mind but Billy Gibbons and ZZ Top!
If you want to get some Texas sizzle out of your Les Paul, these are the pickups to use. I've used a set in my Epi LP Standard in past days and produced excellent rock/rock n' roll tones out of that axe with no problems. Great for palm-muting pickin' technique with 'em cranked up and running the signal through my Fender DRRI tube amp. Played clean they sound great for rhythm playing together. Good highs in the bridge position, and clean bass and mids in the neck. They work well together as a set.
I tried them in my Epiphone G400 (SG model) at one time, but the body is just a little too dense for those pups IMO. I think they sound best in LP's and would also make a good bridge pickup for a Strat.
Pearly Gates? What else comes to mind but Billy Gibbons and ZZ Top!
If you want to get some Texas sizzle out of your Les Paul, these are the pickups to use. I've used a set in my Epi LP Standard in past days and produced excellent rock/rock n' roll tones out of that axe with no problems. Great for palm-muting pickin' technique with 'em cranked up and running the signal through my Fender DRRI tube amp. Played clean they sound great for rhythm playing together. Good highs in the bridge position, and clean bass and mids in the neck. They work well together as a set.
I tried them in my Epiphone G400 (SG model) at one time, but the body is just a little too dense for those pups IMO. I think they sound best in LP's and would also make a good bridge pickup for a Strat.
msplines
New member
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
I use an AII pro in the neck of an Aria legend (Mahogany/Maple Cap PRS style shape set neck) with a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the Bridge.
In this guitar, the AII is sweeter and fuller than the jazz, clean and smooth as you like with tight bass (HB and split) and sparkly chimey when split. This guitar has the pickups close together, so it quacks like a goodun when split with the bridge (slug coils nearest each other).
I didn't really like it in my LP studio neck, it wasn't tight enough in all that monagamy.
I use an AII pro in the neck of an Aria legend (Mahogany/Maple Cap PRS style shape set neck) with a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the Bridge.
In this guitar, the AII is sweeter and fuller than the jazz, clean and smooth as you like with tight bass (HB and split) and sparkly chimey when split. This guitar has the pickups close together, so it quacks like a goodun when split with the bridge (slug coils nearest each other).
I didn't really like it in my LP studio neck, it wasn't tight enough in all that monagamy.
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Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
The Pearly Gates in the neck of a Les Paul is a beautiful thing. It has a sweet, clear tone that is beautiful with clean sounds, and sounds good and gritty with light to medium gain. It doesnt do as well as, say, the 59 for high gain or metal, because it lacks the 59's bass. Overall its fairly versatile and great for rock & especially blues.
The Pearly Gates in the neck of a Les Paul is a beautiful thing. It has a sweet, clear tone that is beautiful with clean sounds, and sounds good and gritty with light to medium gain. It doesnt do as well as, say, the 59 for high gain or metal, because it lacks the 59's bass. Overall its fairly versatile and great for rock & especially blues.
bloodswords
New member
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
the AIIP (N) is a recent addition to my Duncan arsenal, it's resident in my Ibanez SZ320 & it's the right humbucker for the right guitar. it sounds impressive under high gain & immaculate clean. it complements a set neck guitar very well. :laugh2:
the AIIP (N) is a recent addition to my Duncan arsenal, it's resident in my Ibanez SZ320 & it's the right humbucker for the right guitar. it sounds impressive under high gain & immaculate clean. it complements a set neck guitar very well. :laugh2:
M
Mattt
Guest
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
I have a PG/n in the neck of my Kramer Vangaurd Pro... which is a neck thru, v-shaped guitar, with original floyd rose trem. Going thru a PODxt...
This pickup has excellent cleans, almost acoustic... and can sound great with chorus effect. Turning up the tone pot just adds more body to the sound.
Under heavy-assed distorsion (i play metal), this pickup have a great lead tone that never seems to fuzz... quite prominent bit with a nice rounded tone. Sort of like a Jazz/Blues sound on steroids!
I have a PG/n in the neck of my Kramer Vangaurd Pro... which is a neck thru, v-shaped guitar, with original floyd rose trem. Going thru a PODxt...
This pickup has excellent cleans, almost acoustic... and can sound great with chorus effect. Turning up the tone pot just adds more body to the sound.
Under heavy-assed distorsion (i play metal), this pickup have a great lead tone that never seems to fuzz... quite prominent bit with a nice rounded tone. Sort of like a Jazz/Blues sound on steroids!
BornToShred
New member
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
I have a PG in the bridge position of my guitar (basswood body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard with a Floyd Rose bridge.)
Clean : A bit too trebly and harsh for my tastes. Very upper-middy also. Rolling back the tone a bit, i can get a good enough clean tone from it.
Dirty : Good. With moderate overdrive, i get nice blues/rock rhytm tones. Singing high-gain lead tones are easy to get too. Even AC/DC ish hard rock rhytm tones are possible, but it could use a more solid low-end and more output for metal.
A PG model with a smoother top, a more solid low-end and more output would be my ideal bridge pickup.
Clean : 3/5
Dirty : 3,5/5
Overall : 3+/5
I have a PG in the bridge position of my guitar (basswood body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard with a Floyd Rose bridge.)
Clean : A bit too trebly and harsh for my tastes. Very upper-middy also. Rolling back the tone a bit, i can get a good enough clean tone from it.
Dirty : Good. With moderate overdrive, i get nice blues/rock rhytm tones. Singing high-gain lead tones are easy to get too. Even AC/DC ish hard rock rhytm tones are possible, but it could use a more solid low-end and more output for metal.
A PG model with a smoother top, a more solid low-end and more output would be my ideal bridge pickup.
Clean : 3/5
Dirty : 3,5/5
Overall : 3+/5
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Reckless Abandon
New member
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
The A2 Pro is one of my favorites. It is low output and lets you amp do its thing. It has warmth without being honky or muddy. The highs and bass are just enough to give it thickness and bit. Versitile and sounds great clean. Overdrives nicely. Very articulate and responsive.
The A2 Pro is one of my favorites. It is low output and lets you amp do its thing. It has warmth without being honky or muddy. The highs and bass are just enough to give it thickness and bit. Versitile and sounds great clean. Overdrives nicely. Very articulate and responsive.
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Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
I had a set of APH-1's and they were great pickups both distorted and clean with singing highs and just the right amount of midrange and the bass was perfect, a little boomy in the neck. Clean however, both pickups were icepicky so I took them out of the guitar i was using and plan to use them in a semi hollow body.
I had a set of APH-1's and they were great pickups both distorted and clean with singing highs and just the right amount of midrange and the bass was perfect, a little boomy in the neck. Clean however, both pickups were icepicky so I took them out of the guitar i was using and plan to use them in a semi hollow body.
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
I use the pg+bridge pickup in a fender strat with maple neck and vintage tremolo. it is very versitile but my favorite tone is thru a high gain amp like the booge rectoverb. It cleans up nice and the distortion thru that amp and some celestion vintage 30's can be almost a perfect vanhalen 1 match. its bright so you can get that singing lead distortion tone (like on a major 3rd bend) and harmonics seem to leap off my guitar thru that amp with that pickup. its not scooped sounding and full distortion sounds, and blues sounds, are awsome. if you want to add any base just use a 4/12 cab, gainey leads use a 2/12 cab. Eather way with a real amp this pickup sounds and cuts thru the band very nice.
I use the pg+bridge pickup in a fender strat with maple neck and vintage tremolo. it is very versitile but my favorite tone is thru a high gain amp like the booge rectoverb. It cleans up nice and the distortion thru that amp and some celestion vintage 30's can be almost a perfect vanhalen 1 match. its bright so you can get that singing lead distortion tone (like on a major 3rd bend) and harmonics seem to leap off my guitar thru that amp with that pickup. its not scooped sounding and full distortion sounds, and blues sounds, are awsome. if you want to add any base just use a 4/12 cab, gainey leads use a 2/12 cab. Eather way with a real amp this pickup sounds and cuts thru the band very nice.
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
a few notes of interest about this pickup i should make wile Ime thinking about it. first off- i have never played this pickup in a les paul so i cannot vouch for how it will sound in a les paul. second- i liked it so much i shuved one in a fender strat-maple neck-floyde rose tremelo equiped guitar (in the bridge) and it sounded to thin and trebley becouse a floyde rose tremelo will rob volumn and base tone from any pickup so i would recomend a stronger pickup for a floyde rose equiped guitar ( a medium output or hotter pickup) like a screamin demon wich with the floyd rose tremelo sounds fantastic in my opinion but remember i dont like scooped pickups so keep that in mind. tone sounds i can get with this pick up-amp combo- distortion wise- vanhalen 1 and 2 easily, dokken tooth and nail, zz top lagrange, tush, any hard rock like zep and so on. blues sounds are very taisty and easy to get but remember, thats with an american fender strat-maple neck-vintage trem thru a mesa boogie recto verb amp-useing eather a 2/12 vintage celestion 30's cab or 4/12 vintage celestion 30's cab. hope this helps somebody. also remember this is the pearly gates plus pickup- not regular pearly gates wich is still a great pickup-the pearly plus has a alnico 5 mag-so I am told on this forum-and is wound hotter than a regular pearly gates. some say thru a small speaker it has to much gain and bite. In my opinion this pickup is not the perfect pickup for drop d tuneing thrash, but realy shines for regular tuneing blues, hard rock, some metal, and searing lead tones with high gain amps and 12 inch celestion speakers.
a few notes of interest about this pickup i should make wile Ime thinking about it. first off- i have never played this pickup in a les paul so i cannot vouch for how it will sound in a les paul. second- i liked it so much i shuved one in a fender strat-maple neck-floyde rose tremelo equiped guitar (in the bridge) and it sounded to thin and trebley becouse a floyde rose tremelo will rob volumn and base tone from any pickup so i would recomend a stronger pickup for a floyde rose equiped guitar ( a medium output or hotter pickup) like a screamin demon wich with the floyd rose tremelo sounds fantastic in my opinion but remember i dont like scooped pickups so keep that in mind. tone sounds i can get with this pick up-amp combo- distortion wise- vanhalen 1 and 2 easily, dokken tooth and nail, zz top lagrange, tush, any hard rock like zep and so on. blues sounds are very taisty and easy to get but remember, thats with an american fender strat-maple neck-vintage trem thru a mesa boogie recto verb amp-useing eather a 2/12 vintage celestion 30's cab or 4/12 vintage celestion 30's cab. hope this helps somebody. also remember this is the pearly gates plus pickup- not regular pearly gates wich is still a great pickup-the pearly plus has a alnico 5 mag-so I am told on this forum-and is wound hotter than a regular pearly gates. some say thru a small speaker it has to much gain and bite. In my opinion this pickup is not the perfect pickup for drop d tuneing thrash, but realy shines for regular tuneing blues, hard rock, some metal, and searing lead tones with high gain amps and 12 inch celestion speakers.
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frankencat
New member
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
I have PG's in most of my guitars. It is my favorite SD pickup. Awesome Classic Rock sounds and sounds great clean and tapped too. Rock on Seymour!
I have PG's in most of my guitars. It is my favorite SD pickup. Awesome Classic Rock sounds and sounds great clean and tapped too. Rock on Seymour!
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
I want you to picture this scene... you're playing on stage in a smoky blues bar in Chicago. The smell of fine sweet cigars permeates the room. Glasses of decades-old single malt scotch lines the bar. You're playing a buttery smooth blues line on your neck pickup. Someone opens a door and you can feel Chicago's wintery cold wind across your face. The door closes and you realize it's your job to warm the place back you. So you dig in and heat up an otherwise warm pickup, taking it to new blues heights. The crowd is in your hand once again, winter is forgotten for another hour.
The alnico 2 pros are now my favorite neck humbucker. I have one in my 58 RI Les Paul and it's amazing. I can get that smooth tone I desire and it overdrives with ease. THe A2 mags are just musical, over tones are great. Hard to make a bad choice with this pup.
In the bridge, it was good but not great for my ears. I ended up going with a Custom Custom there. Review on that in the other thread. I do love the A2P/CC combo in a Les paul.
I want you to picture this scene... you're playing on stage in a smoky blues bar in Chicago. The smell of fine sweet cigars permeates the room. Glasses of decades-old single malt scotch lines the bar. You're playing a buttery smooth blues line on your neck pickup. Someone opens a door and you can feel Chicago's wintery cold wind across your face. The door closes and you realize it's your job to warm the place back you. So you dig in and heat up an otherwise warm pickup, taking it to new blues heights. The crowd is in your hand once again, winter is forgotten for another hour.
The alnico 2 pros are now my favorite neck humbucker. I have one in my 58 RI Les Paul and it's amazing. I can get that smooth tone I desire and it overdrives with ease. THe A2 mags are just musical, over tones are great. Hard to make a bad choice with this pup.
In the bridge, it was good but not great for my ears. I ended up going with a Custom Custom there. Review on that in the other thread. I do love the A2P/CC combo in a Les paul.
Tony_H
New member
Re: Reviews of the Alnico 2 Pro and Pearly Gates Humbuckers
Alnico 2 Pro:
I bought a set of APH's for a korina Dean V guitar. The pups worked just great for the guitar: compared to the stock units, they were sweeter, rounder and fuller sounding, with better harmonics. Nice, vocal-like mids in the neck position, nice growl and just enough highs in the bridge position.
Later on I tried the set in an alder/maple Strat-style guitar, and they did not work very well with that particular axe. For some reason that guitar is very bright sounding and basically any pickups sounded harsh until I put in a set of high-output ceramic monsters that sort of compressed the highs and upper mids.
Pearly Gates
Let's get back to that Dean V. I just thought I might add a touch of that Texas sizzle to its tone, so I swapped the APH's for a set of Pearly Gates. Wrong. The PG's were too bright for that particular guitar. I ended up putting the APH's back.
But I used the PG's in my custom made mahogany/maple guitar (mahogany/rosewood bolt on neck, short scale) to great results. That guitar has always sounded very smooth or even too tame to my ears, and I tried 3 various pup configurations before ending up with the PG's. They are likely to stay - they add just enough of those bratty upper mids and highs to add some harmonics and spark to the dark-sounding guitar.
Alnico 2 Pro:
I bought a set of APH's for a korina Dean V guitar. The pups worked just great for the guitar: compared to the stock units, they were sweeter, rounder and fuller sounding, with better harmonics. Nice, vocal-like mids in the neck position, nice growl and just enough highs in the bridge position.
Later on I tried the set in an alder/maple Strat-style guitar, and they did not work very well with that particular axe. For some reason that guitar is very bright sounding and basically any pickups sounded harsh until I put in a set of high-output ceramic monsters that sort of compressed the highs and upper mids.
Pearly Gates
Let's get back to that Dean V. I just thought I might add a touch of that Texas sizzle to its tone, so I swapped the APH's for a set of Pearly Gates. Wrong. The PG's were too bright for that particular guitar. I ended up putting the APH's back.
But I used the PG's in my custom made mahogany/maple guitar (mahogany/rosewood bolt on neck, short scale) to great results. That guitar has always sounded very smooth or even too tame to my ears, and I tried 3 various pup configurations before ending up with the PG's. They are likely to stay - they add just enough of those bratty upper mids and highs to add some harmonics and spark to the dark-sounding guitar.
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