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Hey all.

Can anyone compare a Pearly Gates to a Burstbucker 3 in the bridge position?

Is the BB hotter than the PG? Which one is smoother? Which do you think would sound better in a hollow body paired with a Gibby mini 'bucker in the neck?

Thanks a bunch.

I've never tried a Pearly Gates but going by specs, the BB#3 is a shade hotter. Going by how people describe the PG as kind of top-heavy, the BB#3 would be a little warmer and smoother too.

As for which would pair better, it really depends on the nature of the individual guitar's tone (bright/dark) and how much beef you want from a bridge pu.

Tele lead pickups mate well with mini-HB neck pickups, so you might prefer the PG based on that reasoning.

Bizz-ump.

Why fight it? You know how good the PG is... you know you can't resist it...
By playing around with the tone control you'll get a much polyvalent pick-up to put in this axe than you would with a BB IMHO....

I don't know against a BB3...

but compared to a BB pro (a5) they are pretty similar in the general sense...

The BB pro has the high end bite without the sizzle, tighter low end and good but not overbearing mids...it's a bit less hot than the PG. I just can't bring myself to put a PGb in anything I own after messing with them in other paulas...I like everything but that extreme sizzle in the top end, which annoys the pi$$ out of me

BB3 I'd imagine is more middy than the BBpro (a2) and open like a seth (unpotted) without as tight low end.


Originally Posted by ZhangliqunI've never tried a Pearly Gates but going by specs, the BB#3 is a shade hotter. Going by how people describe the PG as kind of top-heavy, the BB#3 would be a little warmer and smoother too.

As for which would pair better, it really depends on the nature of the individual guitar's tone (bright/dark) and how much beef you want from a bridge pu.Is the BB3 a2 or a5?


Originally Posted by SurgeonWhy fight it? You know how good the PG is... you know you can't resist it...
By playing around with the tone control you'll get a much polyvalent pick-up to put in this axe than you would with a BB IMHO....
Duly noted.

BTW, I already have the Pearly Gates (neck, bridge, or as a set) in 3 different guitars, so I was looking at something a bit different.

Maybe a Seth would match up the the mini in the neck. Maybe I should just step up to a full on Antiquity.....I don't know.

BTW Jeff, the sizzle is what I ADORE about the PG. Different strokes, I guess.


Originally Posted by Benjy_26BTW Jeff, the sizzle is what I ADORE about the PG. Different strokes, I guess.

I should clarify....

For lower gain work and cleans, I'm just fine with it and really like it to be honest..but under high gain, it's peircing and harsh to me..In a darker amp, like a MESA I think I'd prefer them, but in a Marshall 800-ish thing it's too much for me.

BB1/2/3 are A2 pups

BBpros are A5.

BTW, I already have the Pearly Gates (neck, bridge, or as a set) in 3 different guitars, so I was looking at something a bit different.

Yeah, I knew you were a fellow PG lover... What I didn't know is that you had it in 3 other guitars...

I would therefore also suggest something different...

It is my impression that mini-hums aren't really smooth (I could be totally wrong tho), so maybe something that could get grittier (compared to the seth) would be a good idea... Maybe a Jazz, not that it's supposedly gritty but it's glassy and can get just mean with O/D.... just a thought....

Have fun!

I would pick the Seth bridge over the Antiquity bridge HB, as it has a bit more honk and bite whereas the Ant is very smooth -- well, they're both smooth, but it's a matter of degree.


Originally Posted by gripweedIs the BB3 a2 or a5?

It's Alnico 2. Only the Burstbucker quot;Prosquot; are Alnico 5. But ultimately it's a distinction without a difference because it is so easy to swap magnets.

I've heard so much about the Pearly Gates quot;sizzlequot;. I am seriously considering putting a set or at least a neck PG in my LP Standard, but I want to understand this sizzle thing a little better before I make a decision. Will someone please enlighten me?

PG is basically an a2 PAF clone with added uppermids. It sounds like an a5 PAF in the high register (but still its highs aren't that upfront) with them uppermids. Unlike a5 PAFs it does have smooth lowermids and its bass is not into-your-face, but spongy.

I love PGs. Great pickups.

BUT I also love burstbuckers. I own two sets that came stock in my R8 and R7(one wound by S.P. - I like this one more - and the other by P.S. -also a great set). They are bright but do not have them uppermids that PG has. So I think they are flatter, and when playing clean jazz chords I think I prefer them over PGs. But for more hard rock kinda stuff I'd go with PGs.

But it is all about matching the wood with the pickups. So all depends on the wood. In my warmoth walnut hardtail fat strat I recently swapped the burstbuckers (#1 - 7.75 K and #2 - 8.30K) with a 8.75K PG and 8.10K PGb (with an a3 mag) in the neck. This changed its character quite noticably. Now it can do better Led Zep stuff, but does not perform as good as before when playing clean 50's 60's blues/jazz stuff.

Its your choice.

B


Originally Posted by Big BlueI've heard so much about the Pearly Gates quot;sizzlequot;. I am seriously considering putting a set or at least a neck PG in my LP Standard, but I want to understand this sizzle thing a little better before I make a decision. Will someone please enlighten me?

i've read alot about this sizzle factor as well. I'm a warren haynes freak and his tone doesn't sizzle to me. I've put a PG in the neck of a LP style guitar and I love it. Tons of sustain, just the right amount of gain, and even with the treble all the way on the guitar still has a full sound to me...so I recommened the PG and don't be afraid of the sizzle. I also read one post where someone first didn't like the quot;sizzle or highsquot; and then turned down the treble from 10 on their amp and the sizzle was gone and now love the tone. Don't fear the Pearly Gates.

The Burstbucker Pros seem to do it all so to speak in that they will perform great cleans, crunch and lead but sometimes I find myself looking for that extra girth and output. I think I may have to try the Duncan C-5 again in this LP.

I am currently testing out the Rio Grande BBQ in my LP and I like that the BBQ is rather transparent in that it does let the guitar's tone to come through better than most pickups. My PRS and LP both sound as they should when having the Rios installed. However...there is that upper sizzle of the PG that does exist.

I might have to say the best I have heard in my LP to date is the WCR Goodwood - 42 gauge wire wound to 9.5 and lightly potted. Big and clear is the word on this sucker.

i never got to try a PG
is it hotter than a 59b or a seth?

PG is a bit hotter Les...not much.. a little...

I know Warren has been listed as a PG user for some time..but from what I understand he's using mostly BB's now...?

BB pros are great..but like PS mentioned, they are missing a little bit of girth compared to say a 59...they aren't quot;thinquot; by any means..just could be a little fatter...


Originally Posted by JeffBPG is a bit hotter Les...not much.. a little...
.
thanks jeff,I may try one in the neck spot

Once you get in with a band mix, you do not lack girth with the BBs assuming you have the amp tweaked correctly. However, I am really liking the WCR Goodwood and want to try that High Order Maximus bridge pickup. I think the C-5 is like a fatter Burstbucker Pro.