Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates

Pickup features: Passive Trembucker
Impedence or other specs: 8.5k DC Resistance, 6.5khz resonant peak

Model of guitar or bass: Ernie Ball Musicman Silhouette (hardtail)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: EMG 85
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Duckbucker in middle, no pickup in neck
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons (?)
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: After fifteen years of EMGs, I realized they were not for me. Too sterile, no dynamics.

Perceived output level: Mid output, slightly lower when split.
Tone: Balanced tone, slightly quacky. Bright when split.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a number of boutique effects and a Boogie Mark 1 amp. I did a lot of research before chosing this pickup; I'm a huge fan of Billy Gibbons and even though my guitar is relatively small and light, the Pearly Gates is a good match and is exactly what I was looking for: A mid-output PAF-style pickup with a balanced, slightly bright tone.
I've got the PG at the neck and a Duckbucker in the middle. I left the old EMG single-coil in the neck just to keep out dust--it's not connected. I'm using a five-way switch:
1. Neck humbucking
2. Neck split
3. Neck humbucking and middle
4. Neck split and middle
5. Middle
The PG has a great single-coil sound, like a slightly less edgy stock texas strat tone. It blends very well with the duckbucker.
With the PG alone in humbucking mode, the sound is great for classic rock or hard rock. It's not hot enough for modern metal sounds but it stands up great to a heavy distortion pedal. Harmonics really jump out.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play in a modern rock band and I'm going for a classic rock sound. This is the perfect PU for me.

Comments: If this pickup were destroyed or stolen, I'd get another one of the same thing.
I've been playing for 22 years and have owned and played scores of guitars, amps, and effects.
What I like: Solid, versatile sounds, split and un-split. Clear and balanced, bright but not brittle.
Dislikes: None. Like I said, this was a carefully-considered decision.
I compared this pickup to DiMarzio and Bill Lawrence and chose this one because it gave me the tone I wanted.
I'm satisfied with this pickup. It's the sound I've been looking for.
In chosing pickups, many things must be taken into account: Guitar's mass, wood, bridge type, scale, playing style, effects, amp, etc. A pickup that sounds great on one guitar might sound like ass on another. For my uses, this pickup is as close to perfect as I can get.
The folks at Black Rose Customs were great. They responded to my e-mails politely and professionally. One item on my order was not in stock (no place I called had it either), and they shipped my order free to make up for the delay.

Pickup features: Humbucking - passive
Impedence or other specs: not sure

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les-Paul
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Gibson Burstbucker Pros.
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons and Warren Haynes
You musical style(s): Classic Rock / Hard Rock / Blues Rock
Reason for pickup change: Gibson pickups were too hard sounding and didn't sing!

Perceived output level: PAF level output
Tone: Warm, middy with top end SNARL! (not harsh or ice pick bright though)
Sonic evaluation: I play Gibson Les-Pauls with a fairly high action with 11 gauge strings though a Marshall 2100 SL-X. The only effect I use is a crybaby wah. I was really disapointed with the gibby pups. Though they are good pups, they weren't for me. I was after that classic overdrine LP tone, thick, warm, singing, round and creamy - similar to Warren Haynes tone. I read Warren used these so thought I should check them out. However, I was worried that some reviewers felt the bridge pup to be to harsh or trebly. Anyway, decided to go for it and ordered a pair with nickle covers. Got them fitted.... and.... LOVED THEM! My set have nickle covers and this may cut some of the top end, but what I get is exactly what i wanted - creamy, thick, singing LP tones. My tone is now somewhere between Warren's tone on the new Allman Brothers DVD and his early Gov't Mule sounds - just what i wanted! I don't get any of the thin, harsh treble that some users have complained from. Perhaps they just suit my rig?

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is pup set is a perfect match for the kind of stuff I play.

Comments: I would buy them again if they were stolen.
I've been playing for 24 years and play Les-Pauls through Marshalls.
I love the fact these pups are thick and creamy.
At this moment I'm totally satisfied.

Pickup features: "Patent Applied For" TEXAS BLUES ROCK TONE...ala Billy Gibbons & ZZ Top
Impedence or other specs: Check Seymour's Site...

Model of guitar or bass: Kramer Elliot Easton Pro Pacer Imperial NOS Parts Project...Custom Assembled for me!
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Selected especially for this guitar.
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom Trembucker Spaced
Artists using this pickup: Um......Billy Gibbons...Me...Everyone below.
You musical style(s): SRV, Jimi, RHCP, Iron Maiden, Various Distorted Power Chord Riffing and Searing Leads...
Reason for pickup change: None...I picked this one for my project

Perceived output level: Patent Applied for Texas Sizzle...this pickup has a lot of grind to it's sound...it's not high out put...but it certainly packs a meaty gritty wallop in the neck. Can easily do dark death/heavy metal w/a distortion pedal and the right settings. Very versatile pickup...great for straight Jazz/Blues as well.
Tone: Very Bassy/Middy...but still retains that mid/treble sizzle. It's not really a distortion by any means but more of a dirty fuzz effect that this pickup imparts tonally.
Sonic evaluation: Kramer into 1978 Marshall JMP 2103 Combo-50w 2x12 Celestion Greenback equipped...only pedal I use is a Boss Metal Zone...as it covers every gammit of driven distortion that you could ever need.
I really...REALLY...like this pickup in the neck. It matches up pretty well w/the Duncan Custom Custom in the bridge...once I balanced out the heights of each pickup so that they're elevated/lowered to the "sweet spot" and pretty much balanced in output when I switch between the two. I have it coil tapped...but it still doesn't really sound anything like a true single coil. Nice cool neck sound when tapped.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Didn't I already answer this question???

Comments: Highly Recommend this pickup as an outstanding neck position addition to your guitar. No regrets. Love the sound I get w/it...Vintage Classic Blues Rock in the neck...grit, grind, sizzle...call it what you will...but this pickup just kicks ass for any style...except classic single coil stuff...and you can accomplish a nice single coil sound w/it tapped and blended w/the Duncan Custom Tapped as well in the middle position on the 3 Way Toggle.

Pickup features: humbucker - passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: "the heritage" les paul style guitar
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: shaller
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: billy gibbons
You musical style(s): blues/rock
Reason for pickup change: needed p/u w/ more body

Perceived output level: slightly more than paf
Tone: slightly middy
Sonic evaluation: I am using a custom modded, point to point wired, 50 watt head into two cabinets, each with a 12" jbl speaker.I split the cabinets on either side of the stage.The amp has 3 channels and I can use either 6L6 or EL34 tubes. - No effects.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a good p/u for blues/rock. It is a detailed and dynamic p/u but can sound very smooth mated with a warm guitar.

Comments: With my set-up, this p/u is amazing. Very dynamic. I have no tone control on my guitar, so with the guitar volume on ten, I can get bright, screaming harmonics. Turn down the volume and the sound gets warmer and cleaner.
For me, this is a wonderful p/u. - It does everything I ask of it.
The top end is bright and the bottom is warm and detailed - not muddy. But keep in mind that the character of a p/u can depend on your amp, the settings, the speakers, your guitar and the way you play.
Get yourself a good amp, a good guitar, some decent speakers, heavy strings, guitar lessons and this p/u won't do you wrong.

Pickup features: Humbucking / Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Heritage H-150CM
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Custom ordered on the guitar from Heritage
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan JB (bridge)
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons......dont know who else.
You musical style(s): Classic rock, Aerosmith, Zeppelin, U2
Reason for pickup change: No change, ordered the guitar from Heritage with this pickup.

Perceived output level: Sounds like a hot rodded Duncan 59, its louder and more aggressive.
Tone: Good balance between bass/mids/treble-more muddy than a 59.
Sonic evaluation: Using it in the neck position of a Heritage H-150CM (basically a Les Paul, only better). Using Fender tube amps w/Visual Sound Ultimate OD pedal and EH Small Clone Chorus pedal. Also have a Heritage H-150CM with Duncan 59's in it. This pickup sounds very full, with a nice balance of bass, mid, and treble. Compared to the 59's, which are my favorite pickups, it sounds louder and darker. It definitely has more gain, and has more of a "rude" sound. If you look at the tone chart on Duncans website, you would think that this pickup would sound very close to a 59, but it does not. They are night and day. The Pearly Gates is very full and warm distorted, and has a lot of sustain. I can get some very nice sounds by rolling the volume off a tad. This pickup is a little muddy sounding compared to my 59's, but still sounds great on its own. It does what I wanted it to do: give me nice fat neck humbucking tones without being a wall of mush. As mentioned earlier, it sounds like a hot rodded 59 or PAF style humbucker. Sounds good clean, or distorted. I can still get enough clarity in my notes to satisfy me, although the 59's are much clearer/brighter.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good match for classic rock/blues, bad for metal.

Comments: If I had to order my guitar again, I would still have this pickup installed. I wanted a neck humbucker that was hotter than my 59's. I also wanted the pickup to retain some clarity, and not be muddy. For me, the Pearly Gates is the right fit. It sounds much better than the stock pickups in my friends Gibsons, and suits my style well. I have had Dimarzio pickups in the past, and like Seymour Duncans better. The pickup balances well with my JB in the bridge, the two work well together. I like the pickup, and if I could change anything, I might give it just a tad more treble. Other than that, I think it is a great value.

Pickup features: 4 Conductor Alnico 2 Humbucking (Passive)
Impedence or other specs: DC Risistance: Neck= 7.3K Bridge= 8.5K Resonant Peak: Neck=7.5khz Bridge=6.5khz

Model of guitar or bass: PRS McCarty
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock McCarty Humbuckers http://www.prsguitars.com/showcase/current/current.html
Other pickups on guitar: Have had SD Jazz in Neck was cool but to clean,SD JB in Bridge to bright and harsh,Pealy gates in neck is killer stayed with it need brge pu . Tried Fralin,Suhr,and many others than tried Pearly gates bridge keeper
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons ZZ Top
You musical style(s): Jazz,Blues,Fusion,Rock,Country,80's metal
Reason for pickup change: The PRS Stock pu's where to mudy through my rig there not bad pick ups but just doesn't complement my tone.

Perceived output level: Pearly gates not an ultra hot pick up is has more treble than a PAF sounding pick up. Pearl gates have good harmonic tone and when the treble is to much I roll off my tone. You really need a Tone Controll with these pick ups to get a number of tones other wise can be to harsh some times but over all a killer pu for my gtr rig and the Tones I love.
Tone: The Pearly Gates are not a Muddy or Bassy pick up It does have bite/Treble blance is cool.
Sonic evaluation: I use The SD Pearl gates in my PRS McCarty I have changed the Bridge to a tone Pro tune-O Matic rap around Bridge this bridge,killer! in tone to the stock PRS Bridge highly recomend this mod. I use a stereo Rig Wet/Dry/Wet think EV,Steve Lukather,Micheal Landau. My rig is as such: Rivera 100W Custom Rake head tone are dumble and marshall mix very cool. This is my Dry set up using a Marshall 4X12 Loaded with (2) weber 60 watt Chicago speakers and (2) 60 watt Thame speakers.
Rack: Pl8 Pwr supply,Bob Bradshaw/CAE Mini Mixer,
Carvin DCM-1000 Pwr amp for Tc D-Two,TC G-Force run these units 100% wet. Cabs for my wet set up are Rivera 2X12 loaded with (2) Chicago 60 watt speakers and Vincenzo 2X12 loaded with (1) Vinatge 30 and (1) Thame. after the DCm-1000 in my rack there's a rack drawer keeley comp,Analog Man Jucier exact like dan armstrong Orange squeezer killer! Voodoo Lab Micro-Vibe,Arion Chorus Pedal,Fantone Peach Fuzz Pedal. after the rack drawer there is a Bob bradshaw/CAE Interface, Bob Bradshaw/CAE 2X4. Pedal Board: Bob Bradshaw/CAE RS-10 Controller,(2) Boss FV-300L Vol. Pedals for TC D-Two and G-Force Vols;Boss 100 Guitar Vol Pedal no longer made,Vox wah moded by Bob Bradshaw/CAE.
http://www.rivera.com/
http://www.webervst.com/hps.html
http://www.customaudioelectronics.com/
http://www.robertkeeley.com/Audiokt88/okguitar.html
http://www.analogman.com/rossmod.htm

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play Blues,Rock,Country,Jazz,Fusion, 80's Metal the Pearly Gates are a very good match for all these styles through my rig . The tone I went after are Larry carlton,Robben Ford,Micheal Landu,Steve Lukather of Toto,Mark Knofler,Black crows,EV.

Comments: I would buy the SD Pearly gates again I have been playing since I was 12yr old now 39. What I love about these pickups are that they cut through a trio or a full 5 pice or more group very cool pick ups. I have tried other product Fralin,Anderson,Tom Holmes,John Suhr Humbuckers,other Duncan's just to name a few thes are killer pickup for my style. Through a rig like mine you need a pickup that will cut through and keep the high's alive the Pearly Gates do this very well and I have seen Billy Gibbons rigs that are close to my set up and his Les Pauls are hollow has his tech scoop out the wood in the body all use thes on his reissue Les Paul. The search is over ver cool Pick ups.

Pickup features: Humbucker, Alnico II
Impedence or other specs: 8.51K DCR

Model of guitar or bass: 93 Strat Plus with nothing original left except the body and neck, and half the bridge
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Duncan c5
Other pickups on guitar: rio single coils
Artists using this pickup: Monkeyman Tate, Apeman Nate, Spaceman Pete, Poop Shanmugan
You musical style(s): Folkabilly Blues Rock
Reason for pickup change: Wanted more highs, less output

Perceived output level: PAF ish
Tone: Balanced, with enough treble and mids - not as much bass or low mid umph as the C5
Sonic evaluation: This is a great pickup. I've been blown away by my last two Duncan purchases. This and a Broadcaster tele lead that happened to be overwound to about 8K.
Anyway, this pickup is great. I don't dig Alnico II magnets, never have, never will. Except for this one. I've tried the C5, '59, Alnico II Pro, and others I can't remember. This is my favorite in the strat. I've found Alnico II mags to mush out on the clarity and low end when driven, but this pickup doesn't. It's snappy and articulate, chimey. Yes it has some high end presence, but it's sweet, yet nasty. The mids and highs are balanced and have character. I love it. It responds well to tone knob adjustments throughout the spectrum. I use it with 500K pots in the strat. Matches pretty well with single coils as far as output. I don't know how it would work in a LP or a 335, etc. I don't think I'd ever try the neck version, no way I'm putting anything but an Alnico 5 in the neck (can you say mush?)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: rockamonkey (it's well suited for this)

Comments: At least for now, I'm satisfied. I'm now in a chime phase and this pickup works great for chime but has bite and a woody timbre when you really dig in. The last guy said it was like a tele and a PAF got together, and that's an apt description. It doesn't compress as much as other hb'ers, or maybe the compression is just more useful and suits the tonal spectrum of this pickup. It responds better than most humbuckers I've tried for dynamic playing. Better than Duncans I've tried, more like a PAF replica (i.e. Peter Florence voodoos which are chimey and respond very well to picking nuances). Pretty versatile, fairly classic tone.

Pickup features: (Passive humbucking)
Impedence or other specs: 8.5 K or so, bridge position

Model of guitar or bass: Warmoth "Tele-Paul" with mahogany body, maple neck, 2 HB
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Duncan JB
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan Jazz in neck position
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): rockabilly, blues , honky-tonk country, alt-country
Reason for pickup change: JB is a great rock pickup, but a bit too much output and too middy for what I'm doing.

Perceived output level: In the range of a vintage PAF as far as output, maybe a tad hotter. Medium output.
Tone: It's like a cross between a PAF and a good tele bridge pickup - a humbucker that never gets muddy. Has a high end that rivals a Gretsch Filtertron, but with more mids. Fantastic pickup for texas blues-country-rock . If you're not into the tele sound at all, you probably won't like this pickup. I wanted the result of a Les Paul and a Tele who got drunk at a party and did the nasty. The alnico 2 magnets take the harshness out of the high end. You get a nice compression similar to a vintage PAF.
Sonic evaluation: I play through a ho-made '59 Bassman circuit and jump it into a ho-made 5E3 tweed deluxe. I use 12 inch speakers, so they smooth out the highs even more. I plug my guitar into a Reverend Drivetrain and an Ibanex Analog Delay, then into a Fender outboard reverb, then into the amps. Sounds very fat but sparkly.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a vintage humbucker with bite - a perfect pickup for Texas blues-rock and alt-country. I use TV Jones Filtertrons in a Guild Starfire as my main rockabilly axe. I use this one for loud Texas stuff and alt-country (Joe Ely, Wilco, etc.). This pickup gets a great "redneck humbucker" tone. If your into a dark-sounding, non-Fender, "woman tone" or metal, I'd steer clear of this one. Great for those who like some bite from their vintage humbuckers.

Comments: A great all-around humbucking pickup if your taste leans more toward 4X4 pickup trucks than Mazda Miatas. Not for jazz, metal, or anything else more "city-fied."

Pickup features: humbucking passive
Impedence or other specs: 8.1 k-ohms

Model of guitar or bass: gibson usa les paul
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: pafs
Other pickups on guitar: only 2
Artists using this pickup: people who like bright crappy tone
You musical style(s): hard rock, blues, jazz
Reason for pickup change: heard the hype of this being the holy grail les paul pickup

Perceived output level: weaker than a gibson 57' re-issue
Tone: waaayyyyy too much treble
Sonic evaluation: les paul into budda stringmaster and marshall 2204 heads with weber silver bell and blue dog 12" alnicos. this pickup is weak and way too much ear-bleeding treble. don't buy if you plan on playing the g,b and e strings! guitar was wired correctly, i had to double-check after the disappointing weak sound. if you find yourself turning the treble to 10 on everything then these are your kind of pickups!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: hard rock, blues or jazz i lose with this pos. i replaced neck and bridge with these turds!

Comments: already removed from les paul. 23 years of playing and these are some of the crappiest sounding pups i've ever heard. if they sound weak in a les paul imagine how they sound in a lesser guitar. the gibby 57 re-issue sounded better! all you idiots with a strat and a crate amp should not be allowed to do reviews. how about a high-end review section where only gibson and hamer owners using all-tube amps contribute reviews? this pickup is a lame, weak pos!

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ummm???

Model of guitar or bass: Fender '97 Lonestar strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none - came on the guitar
Other pickups on guitar: fender texas specials in the neck and middle
Artists using this pickup: I thought that Pearly Gates is the name of Billy Gibbons les paul
You musical style(s): anything except Nu-metal, rap and country
Reason for pickup change: none it came in the guitar... But I bought the guitar beacuse I wanted something better than the Jagmaster I was playing on at the time.

Perceived output level: Normal, not high output, it works well with the texas specials, no real drop off when switching.
Tone: I find it is very balanced, was trebly, but after a little adjustment of the low end screws, it came out very balanced
Sonic evaluation: Playing through the strat, it sounds great, it's wired so that the neck and mid pick up use the first tone control, while the bridge has the 2nd. I normally play through either a Fender Hotrod Deville 2x12 or a Peavey Classic 20. And through either it sounds great, it has a beautifully clear tone clean, and it holds through very well distorted. For heavy stuff I run it through a Boss super Dist or Metal Zone, and it holds the distortion well, and can crank out some great leads, while also being able to maintain some crunch..

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It works great for blues and rock, and I haven't had a problem with it for punk and some metal type things.

Comments: I would definatley buy another, I'm actually thinking of getting one for my Les Paul Custom. I've been playing for 7 years and I just love the way this pick up sounds, compared to some of the Ibanez and Dimarzio P/u's on some of the other guitars I tried that day, This one was the better, it was a little trebly at first, but after I took it home and adjusted the height of the screws, it sounded great.