Vintage Output Bridge Recommendation

[ibanezrocks]

I've decided to go with a P.A.F. style pickup for the bridge position in my Ibanez. The body is made of basswood, and the guitar is pretty dark. I'm not concerned with it matching the other pickups in the guitar too much right now because I will replace those soon enough hopefully. I want to get something that is bright, has open sounding mids, is very dynamic, and that can occasionally do heavier styles of music (although I have my SG for that) but that excels at light distortion.
I was considering a Pearly Gates based on searching through old threads but was a little scared off by the description on the SD site that recommends it for bright guitars. That seems to contradict the general consesus around the forum that the PGb is a rather bright pickup.
Is the Pearly Gates what I'm looking for or will it be too much like the Custom Custom in my SG? Does anybody have any other recommendations? I'm not against getting a Dimarzio, though I would like to stick to either that or a Duncan because availability and cost are factors. Also is the Phatcat capable of brightening up a dark guitar with the usual P90 sizzle?

 

[theodie]

Re: Vintage Output Bridge Recommendation

The PG may be OK. It is bright though so it should be good in a dark axe! I had one in a dark axe and I still didnt like it but, that is my ears. I would try a 59 or a jazz bridge if I were you.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Vintage Output Bridge Recommendation

The PGb is a great pickup...and FWIW, I don't fnd them to be to bright...no more bright that any other PAF. However, it does have a little vocal like spike in the upper mids that give it a bit of cut.

Do a search on the forum and you'll find loads of great info.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Vintage Output Bridge Recommendation

i think a phat cat might be a great choice if you like the p90 tone, its a ballsy single coil with good cut that isnt shrill.

what ibanez is this?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Vintage Output Bridge Recommendation

I'd say a 59B...open mids, bright top...deep tight bass.

Fits your description of what you're looking for to a T!

The PGb is a cool one too...but doesn't have quite the same open mids and deep tight bass of the 59B.

Lew

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Vintage Output Bridge Recommendation

The PG is my fave bridge pickup in a Gibson style axe. If your Ibanez is dark though, I see no problems using it in one.


The Phat Cats are great too. They have plenty of mids and highs with a tight bass.

 

[ibanezrocks]

Re: Vintage Output Bridge Recommendation

To answer Lew's question I am using an Ibanez Noodles Signature (yes, the duct tape axe, I don't much care for the finish, though I love the guitar itself). I use standard tuning and 11's incase string gauge matters much in choosing the pickup.
I guess I have some figuring out to do of what I really want before I ask for too many more suggestions, because I'm really not sure if I want a low output bright humbucker or a Phatcat.
Does the 59b have a lack of mids though? I want something that doesn't sound too thick, more open in the mids but I still dont want it to be scooped.