Metropoulos Forum

Has anyone tried the seymour duncan pearly gates pickup in the bridge for the old van halen sound (van halen 1 sound ) i been using the duncan 59 for a very long time and had very good results i was just wondering about how the pearly gates compares. thanks for your time.

This is a Pearly Gates - it's my current #1 choice - some days I like it, some days it sounds a little pale compared to the SD Screamin' Demon which seems to be my #2 choice these days.

VH I? Many opinions would prolly differ on that...

http://www.funnymoneyband.com/sw/68split.mp3

-Rob

rgalpin wrote:This is a Pearly Gates - it's my current #1 choice - some days I like it, some days it sounds a little pale compared to the SD Screamin' Demon which seems to be my #2 choice these days.

VH I? Many opinions would prolly differ on that...

http://www.funnymoneyband.com/sw/68split.mp3

-Rob

Nice Beck quote in there, Rob.

I was advised that if I got a Pearly Gates to call up Duncan and ask them to wind it like they wind Billy Gibbon's.

Have it and love it, like a hot rodded PAF!! SD says its like a PAF but a little hotter!!

mightymike wrote:I was advised that if I got a Pearly Gates to call up Duncan and ask them to wind it like they wind Billy Gibbon's.

Chris tell you that?

Wassup to all. In regards to the Pearly Gates pick-up compared to your '59 the main difference I have experienced is that the '59 is a little "sharper " sounding compared to the Pearly Gates. The P.G's sound is a little smoother and softer sounding. I am under the impression that the magnet type( '59 is a alnico 5 I believe and the P.G is an alnico 2) has a lot to do with this. An analogy to the "feel" difference of the two magnet types would be to compare them to dropping your 120 volts down to 90' with the alnico 5 magnet being the 120. That is why alot of these super Duper "New Metal " guy's do not like the pick-up's with the alnico 2 magnets. They are a little "looser" sounding when chugging on the the strings . The Alnico 5 magnet is probably the most popular all around magnet for pick-up's. These Newer Metal guy's are totally into real tight ,fast reaction palm mutes and such, which are not the alnico 2 magnet forte. The P.G will slightly darken your tone compared to the '59 as well. I like the P.G better personally but depending on your guitar(wood,bridge,neck wood, scale length etc) there might be better choices. I like the Custom Custom the best because it also has the 2 magnet but to my ears also has the correct mid range type sound, as well as alittle more output.

I've Got PG(bridge version) in neck & JB in bridge in one of my guitars sounds great.

As far as Seymour Duncan pickups, you cant beat the EVH for early VH stuff. THe Custom Custom is a near second for me with lots of mids and highs and a smooth low end.