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I have an '81 Les Paul Standard that I recently pulled the '57 Classics out of. In the neck I put a Duncan Pearly Gates neck and I think it's the best neck pickup for me. For the bridge I tried a Screamin' Demon (because I love it in my Frankenstrat) did not work in the Paul for me. So I ordered a Pearly Gates Bridge. It sounds great and balances perfectly with the neck but it, although an improvement, is maybe still not for me. I put my '57 back in and I liked it better, but perhaps maybe just because it was more familiar.

Now, I really wonder if the JB is the one for me. I stayed away previousely because of the 16 K but hey, maybe it's the one. How does it's output match up with the Pearly Gates neck?

Open to any other suggestions, looking for a classic Les Paul tone with some hair on it. Anico II or custom custom?


Originally Posted by JWRI have an '81 Les Paul Standard that I recently pulled the '57 Classics out of. In the neck I put a Duncan Pearly Gates neck and I think it's the best neck pickup for me. For the bridge I tried a Screamin' Demon (because I love it in my Frankenstrat) did not work in the Paul for me. So I ordered a Pearly Gates Bridge. It sounds great and balances perfectly with the neck but it, although an improvement, is maybe still not for me. I put my '57 back in and I liked it better, but perhaps maybe just because it was more familiar.

Now, I really wonder if the JB is the one for me. I stayed away previousely because of the 16 K but hey, maybe it's the one. How does it's output match up with the Pearly Gates neck?

Open to any other suggestions, looking for a classic Les Paul tone with some hair on it. Anico II or custom custom?

the Alnico II pro and Seth lover are both gonna be about the same output as the PG, if you want something hotter try the CC. i use a CC in the bridge of my Yamaha and an Alnico II pro in the neck...it is a great set up!

I'd go with a Custom in the bridge. A JB seems like it has too much of a mid-spike when used in a Lester.

I love the CC in my LP. Wonderful tone.

I think I'm going to give the Custom Custom a whirl. This has the Alnico II in it right? I put the Pearly back in and it makes a great set with the PG neck but there just isn't enough low end. It sounds kinda honky with both the Peacemaker and the Soldano. If I had more than one Les Paul, I might be tempted to keep one set up with the PG set.

Oh, curious about the harmonic content of the Custom Custom, one thing the PG does well is the Reverend type harmonics. Thanks for your in put guys. This is my third Duncan pickup buy for this one guitar, make it stop.

Yes, the CC has an A2. You'll be able to get some harmonics out of it, don't worry.

I feel that the JB is in a Simialr league with the PGB and the Demon. They all have a trashy quality to them to my ears. The Custom is a winner in my book.

You wanna try something really cool? Put the PG bridge pickup in the neck position. It's one of the best quot;neckquot; pickups out there. Install the Custom in the bridge position and you're rockin'

Another vote for the SH-5 Custom.

I would try a Full Shred in the bridge and 1 on the PGb in the neck.

Custom!!!!!!

If the PGb lacks bass, then the CC is NOT going to do it for you. I say get the Custom. If that doesn't satisfy you, you can always swap the ceramic magnet with an A2 from Torres Engineering ($8):

from : localhost/doh! forgot 'not' in front of CC

Thanks for all the input you guys. I called the factory today and spoke with a nice gent. Can't remember his name at the moment, but he took the time to discuss my instrument and my observations with my prior pickups. He recommended the Custom 5, so I ordered one from a fine SD distributor that had one in stock. I am excited to install this one.

I spent some more time tonight with the Les Paul and the Pearly Gates set that is currently in there. I can totally hear the ZZ tone, but on some ZZ stuff I just don't hear it. It's a definite blues tool with this matched set, but I would like my Les Paul to take me to other places as well. News at 11:00.

The new Custom 5 arrived and I think I have found a match. It has the output I am looking for and a good balance to it. I have spent a day or so with it now and I think that although it may be a bit hot in the output category, it is the best match of the Duncan products I have tried. The volume difference between the Pearly Gates Neck and the C5 us slightly more than I had hoped for, but not enough to look for another pickup.