SD Custom Shop Pearly Gates... Opinions?

[67Mopar]

Re: SD Custom Shop Pearly Gates... Opinions?

Seymour wouldn't seem to be a fan of unbalanced coils in the Duncan line, so I'd be surprised if CS PG's had them. The only Duncans I know of with unmatched coils are the '59/Custom which was developed by a forum member, and the Brobucker which was spec'd by members to have unbalanced coils. Not aware of Duncan creating any on their own initiative with unmatched coils, and they've had plenty of opportunities.

Like AlexR said, unbalanced coils reduce mids and add high end (basically the opposite of the 'humbucker effect'), so if CS PG's have a lot of mids, that would tend to confirm that they have matched coils like almost every other Duncan HB.

Pearly Gates are mismatched by 300 to 400 winds on one coil. The Antiquities HB's are mismatched to a lesser degree. Antiquities are based on the early Gibson PAF; all of which were wound on Leesona machines. Wind loads were/are approximated. It's the unbalanced winding that caused the early PAF's to vary in character. Billy Gibbons happened to purchase a '59 Standard Sunburst, with PAF's that were more mismatched than normal. The CS PG's are modeled after those pickups.

I was having a hard time with them, as I was getting WAY too much midrange? I reworked the wiring and solder points in my LPC, which solved the excessive midrange. What was causing it, I do not know? Side-by-side, the CS PG's sound very much like the P90's in my LP Less Plus. I can't tell you how many times I've said; "I wish I could find a set of HB's that sound like P90's..." Well, this is as close as I've ever been, and they aren't going anywhere. If I ever sell the LPC, the Pearly Gates will be staying with me. The fact that they have double cream bobbins (under gold covers) is a huge plus!

A note to perspective buyers: The CS PG's are very sensitive! You need to take your time getting them adjusted for overall response, then balance individual sting volume via the pole pieces. As you close the surface-to-string distance, they begin to sound like an entirely different pickup; more-so than any HB I've ever owned.

 

[Aceman]

Re: SD Custom Shop Pearly Gates... Opinions?

Pearly Gates are mismatched by 300 to 400 winds on one coil. The Antiquities HB's are mismatched to a lesser degree. Antiquities are based on the early Gibson PAF; all of which were wound on Leesona machines. Wind loads were/are approximated. It's the unbalanced winding that caused the early PAF's to vary in character. Billy Gibbons happened to purchase a '59 Standard Sunburst, with PAF's that were more mismatched than normal. The CS PG's are modeled after those pickups.

There are a number of things that resulted in early PAF variation - wind mis-match being only one of them. Mag type was another, and a major player. Also - it actually takes quite a difference in coil winds before you notice it. Like 59/Custom level of differences. Minor variation in a "sort of matched" PAF likely is not audibly detectable.

 

[67Mopar]

Re: SD Custom Shop Pearly Gates... Opinions?

There are a number of things that resulted in early PAF variation - wind mis-match being only one of them. Mag type was another, and a major player. Also - it actually takes quite a difference in coil winds before you notice it. Like 59/Custom level of differences. Minor variation in a "sort of matched" PAF likely is not audibly detectable.

My first paragraph is me quoting someone else. I've also read that Gibson used A2 and A4 magnets. The CS PG's (IMO) have an almost degaussed A5 character to them, but SD says they are cast A2. Whatever... they sound fabulous!

 

[Discharged]

Re: SD Custom Shop Pearly Gates... Opinions?

The Antiquities HB's are mismatched to a lesser degree

Antiquity HB p'ups are NOT turns-of-wire mismatched. I can't say anything about the CS PG's, but the stock PGs are NOT, as any of SD production p'ups I know.

Did you dissect any of'em and count the turns to make that statement, or that's your conclusion because of DC readings?

/Peter

 

[67Mopar]

Re: SD Custom Shop Pearly Gates... Opinions?

Antiquity HB p'ups are NOT turns-of-wire mismatched. I can't say anything about the CS PG's, but the stock PGs are NOT, as any of SD production p'ups I know.

Did you dissect any of'em and count the turns to make that statement, or that's your conclusion because of DC readings?

/Peter

Antiquities and CS PG's are both wound on early (no counter) Leesona winders. Early Gibson PAF's vary in character; due to ambiguous winding. Hence, Billy Gibbons 1959 "Pearly Gates" LP Standard. Is MJ using a timer per bobbin to approximate the winding count? That's how I would do it. As I understand it, a former Gibson employee said; "We wound them until they were full."

Here's an old discussion on Pearly Gates...

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?67821-Are-the-Pearly-Gates-scatter-wound

 

[jeremy]

Re: SD Custom Shop Pearly Gates... Opinions?

the leesona winder has a counter now so things are pretty consistent at duncan as far as turn count

 

[67Mopar]

Re: SD Custom Shop Pearly Gates... Opinions?

All I know for certain, is that the custom shop Pearly Gates sound excellent in my LP Custom. The clips of production PG's are awesome sounding as well. I wonder if SD could wrap a set of mini HB's the same way? I've got a Deluxe goldtop that could use a new set of pickups. The stock mini HB's are nice, but I think I could be getting a better sound out of that guitar.

 

[jeremy]

Re: SD Custom Shop Pearly Gates... Opinions?

i love the antiquity mini hums and fb pups. not sure how much wire they can get on a mini but im sure they could come up with something good for ya

 

[67Mopar]

Re: SD Custom Shop Pearly Gates... Opinions?

i love the antiquity mini hums and fb pups. not sure how much wire they can get on a mini but im sure they could come up with something good for ya

I didn't even know SD made a mini Antiquity HB. Thanks!