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Hello All,

I'm a Blues player modifying a Les Paul I've acquired, and about to make a change in pickups.

I've narrowed it down to a set of Pearly Gates, and the P 90 type 'Phat Cats.'

I like a full 'smoky' warm bluesy sound, yet with punch, strong cut, and sweet overtones. I play the gamut, clean to some distortion, Delta, Chicago, Swing, Rock edged.

On the sound bytes, the Phat Cat seems to have good definition, as well as tone.

The Pearly Gates have warm tone, slightly softer. Both sound good, albeit different.

Problem is the sound will not be really true until I get it on stage with the live mix.

So, I'm asking others if they have live 'STAGE' experience with either of the pickup configs.

Thanking all in advance,

Joel 'Joey' W

I've got limited stage experience with a set of PGs in my Hamer Special FM. I hopped up and jammed some AC/DC with a friend's band and they sounded amazing in that application. They really cut through the mix and kept their tonal characteristics intact. I have no real experience with the Phat Cats but I've heard nothing but good things about them. I wish I could help you out more.

Hi and welcome to the forum!

I only have experience with a PG in the bridge of a mahogany lp-type guitar, and, as Travis stated, they are amazing pick-ups in a live setting. They cut through really really well and are, IMO, really versatile pick-ups. That is one of the reasons I liked the bridge pick-up so much, just by playing around a little with your tone pot, you get what I perceive as being a wider range of tone-color-character than you get with any other pick-up I've tried.... As a matter of fact, I'm installing a set of PG in the LTD in my avatar tonight... I love 'em that much...

I too have only heard praises about the Phat Cats... I guess that at this point it's a matter of knowing whether you want to go for a P90ish sound or a nice bucker sound...

Good luck!

I have extensive stage experience with PG's - but in Strats - and they really work well in both blending with the rest of the band and cutting through the mix when needed. I have also used Gibson P-100's a lot on stage and they always work for me. Teo different animals though. They are both pretty raw sounding through a Marshall type rig (I use a Bogner Shiva) but the PG is smoother by design and the P-100's clean up better but also get nasty when distorted. The reson I mention P-100's is because I assume they sound similar to the Phat Cats. That said - if I had to pick one I would go with the P-90 type pickups for sheer versatility. Another cool option I have often thought about is a P-90 style in the neck and the PG bridge. That would probably be killer. YMMV.

I'm considering trying a '59 bridge with a Phat Cat neck in an SG. Think it would work nice for classic rock, blues and funk?


Originally Posted by twoheadedboyI'm considering trying a '59 bridge with a Phat Cat neck in an SG. Think it would work nice for classic rock, blues and funk?
I assume that would be really nice...

From the EQ numbers SD gives, this sounds like it would be an excellent match. I'm not looking for a traditional dark, smooth neck pickup. I want this guitar to have something twangy and fairly bright with lots of mojo for funk and soul rhythm in the neck position. Basically the sound of a brighter neck p-90.

Hard to say.... humbucker or P90... I love them both.

are you worried about hum? the phat cats are true p90s. they are not overly noisy, but they will have some hum to them.

For me, I'd choose the Phat Cats, but my feelings on the PG's is that they are a bit bright for my personal tastes. PG bridge and PHat Cat neck? Hmm... that'd be tasty.

Hi Scott,

I think you may know where I am heading...

You ask:

quot;are you worried about hum?quot;

No, I also play a Strat 1st crop 62 reissue from about 83. I like the bottom end response and tone definition. Hum is not a bother.

My 1981 SBG 2000 Yamaha has custom pickups, and it just sings. Similar to a JB in the bridge and Jazz in the neck, but still not that. Lots of weight to the tone with good harmonics and sustain.

My new rig I want to have smooth melodic quality for the 'jazzy' blues, but still that heavy, strong tone with an edge - when I want it. Good cut through the mix and great tone.

You wrote:

quot;For me, I'd choose the Phat Cats, but my feelings on the PG's is that they are a bit bright for my personal tastes.quot;

*When I listened to the 'Tones' on the 'Hear' page, the PG sounded warmer than the Phat Cat in the neck position. This is why I am asking for opinions from someone who has played it.

I play other forms of music, but my sound is built for the Blues. Melodic, strong, husky, edgy, cutting when needed; working for the clean or distorted sounds.. The kind of tone which makes someone want to listen.

quot;PG bridge and PHat Cat neck? Hmm... that'd be tasty.quot;

I never considered that... hmmm...

Awaiting your reply, thanks!

Joel 'Joey' w

Firstly,
I love the PG, and I'm also a massive ZZ top fan, and therefore somewhat biased . . .

But . . . I wonder if it might be a hair bright is all. You can really tweak them with a tone control, but for the applications you were mentioning, I'd look into the Phat Cats myself. I find that being true single coils, they are also a little more responsive than a humbucker.

They're both good though, just one is a little mroe Texas, and one is a little more Delta . . .

I want to thank everyone who replied to my question. I took each opinion seriously, did some playing, some thinking...

...and decided I needed a guitar with each set up!

So, this first time, I'm going for the PGs.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts!

Joel 'Joey' W

I have both. The Pearly Gates are in my Lester and the Phat Cats are in my Sheraton. Both are great pickups, clean or distorted. The PC's have more top end chime, but the PG's have more mid range quot;cutquot; and slightly more punch.

I like the Pearly Gates just a bit better than the Phat Cats, though I think both would serve you well.

BTW, the neck PG is way thicker than the neck PC.