Re: Tell me about the PATB-1
Very curious about this pup (for bridge position). I've never tried it, but it keeps cropping up in threads now and then. How does it compare to the Pearly Gates or '59?
I know it's nearly double the resistence and the resonant frequency is considerably lower. I would suspect that it has more mids and a smoother high end? What about the lows? Is it as articulate as the PG or '59? Does it tend to get muddy with OD or distortion?
How would it react to an A8? Or a UOA5? Anyone try this?
I would really like to try a pup with a heavy bottom end and very heavy low mids. Would this fit the bill, or am I way off base here?
I have a PATB-1 (in a rosewood fretboard, basswood body Ibanez RG570). I'd describe it as a Custom 5 with a Custom Custom's mids. Only punchier and more open, but it smooths out incredibly for leads. It's deceptively open feeling for how hot it is. Unusually responsive to tone & volume adjustment at the guitar. It's tight and yet has strong lower mids and a good amount of bass, but I don't know about a heavy bottom end. I'd describe it as very well balanced (in a basswood floating bridge guitar that's normally a touch gutless, though... it's apt to be more stout in a thicker mahogany guitar with a fixed bridge).
It's very articulate. I can pull off AC/DC or VH II tones comfortably with it, yet I'm far more comfortable playing speed metal gallops on it than I was on the JB I had in the guitar before. It crunches and growls far better than the JB did.
I think it'd be a bit smoother, and have even more mids with the UOA5. I'm intrigued by both magnets (and actually have an A8 on hand), but haven't been able to make myself mess with the guitar when I'm enjoying what it currently does so much...
It's not really like the PG, it has plenty of highs and harmonics, but it doesn't have the same cool nasty feel when pushed, and it's punchier, where the PG is I dunno, greasier? for riffing.
It has more mids and way more output than the '59, but with the volume backed off, it sounds a bit similar, but it's a touch stiffer for cleans and low gain work (but absolutely SINGS on mid to higher gain). PATB-1 has more mids than the '59, though.
I'd say the highs on the PATB-1 are more like a '59 than a PG. Clear, broad highs, rather than sizzling presence.
They all have their unique qualities, but it'd be inadvisable to attempt to take away my PATB-1.
