Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul Studio
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Duncan '59, Dimarzio PAF Pro
Other pickups on guitar: Pearly Gate
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Fusion, Funk, R&B
Reason for pickup change: Didn't like PAF Pro, Duncan '59 too common - wanted something different

Perceived output level: A little hotter than typical "vintage" replacement
Tone: Tight bass, warm middle, bright on top
Sonic evaluation: Fender Blues Jr Amp. I have neck and bridge pickup wired to individually switch coils from series to parallel. I also use WAH, tube screamer, digital delay, flanger, and Peavey "Dirty Dog" from time to time. When playing clean, these pickups sound quite good with the coils in parallel. Very articulate with plenty of harmonics and chime. IMHO this pickup wired in parallel is the very best sounding neck pickup I've heard in a Les Paul. In series, you get a good PAF tone with good harmonics and little extra top end. These pickups have a very long, smooth breakup region, which makes them ideal for blues, but great for most styles of rock and new country. Using only tone controls, I've been able to get convincing tones of Tony Iommi (early days), AC/DC, Page, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jeff Beck (Les Paul Custom days), John Mclaughlin, etc. It's also easy to get real close to a vintage P-90 sound. If you're into metal, you might want something different. On a Les Paul your tone control will probably be more useful than ever before, mine were stuck on 10 for years!!!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues, Rock, Fusion, Funk, R&B

Comments: I can't see having a Les Paul without these pickups, so I would definately replace them. I also use a PRS Custom 24, Cavin TL-50, Peavey Firenza, and a "Frankencaster" with a Warmoth Swamp Ash body, early Fender Strat neck, and Peavey pickups. I've been playing about 20 years. All my guitars except Les Paul and Frankencaster have the stock pickups. In Les Paul I've used PAF Pro, Duncan '59, Classic '57, JB, and EMG's. With the Peraly Gates, I've got the Les Paul sound I was looking for.

Pickup features: passive humbucker w/ 4 conductor wiring
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: washburn bt-6
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock junkers
Other pickups on guitar: texas special (mid position)
Artists using this pickup: zz top
You musical style(s): blues & rock
Reason for pickup change: stocks sounded awful

Perceived output level: near normal
Tone: sweet with clean volumes but a bit harsh and bright when pushed
Sonic evaluation: guitar goes straight into a beringer stereo 210 combo w/ chorus & reverb.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: good for blues but not much else.

Comments: if it were destroyed or stolen i would probably go with a different seymour duncan model because these tend to get a little shrill when they're driven hard. but when coupled with the texas special the PG-1's take on a sweet fender "quack" that has to be heard to appreciate. when the humbuckers are linked together the tone is open & smoother than when used separately but still trebely. also, splitting the coils should be avoided because the signal gets pretty weak.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Fat Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Holy Grail Lace Sensors, LR Baggs X-bridge
Artists using this pickup: don't know
You musical style(s): rock, hard rock, numetal, acoustic rock, blues
Reason for pickup change: the stock pickups weren't doing it for me

Perceived output level: definetly hotter than stock pickups, more volume and tone
Tone: more on the trebely side of balanced,
Sonic evaluation: I have a Fat Strat with the LRbaggs acoustic bridge and preamp in it. I use a Digitech GNX 1 processor and a Hot Rod Distortion through a Fender Bassman 2x15 half stack. The pickup gives off great harmonics. You can hit harmonics almost anywhere on the fret board. I am more of a neck pickup player so I use the Pearly Gates for soloing mostly and it works great. It really cuts through the mix when playing in a live situation.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: for most of what I play I use the neck pickup but it is great for solos... provides great harmonics

Comments: If it were lost or stolen I'd probably get it agian. I might try a different humbucker though, like a Screaming Demon or a Lil' 59. I like the sound it has but use it mainly for soloing. If you are soloing at all it is a great pickup. Cuts through the mix. This is what Fender uses on the Texas Special Fat Strat and that is why I got it.

Pickup features: Humbucking, Passive
Impedence or other specs: 8.5k

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan 59
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan 59 in neck
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock and Blues-rock
Reason for pickup change: I thought that I wanted more sizzle and soaring lead tone.

Perceived output level: Same as Duncan 59 with LOTS of TREBLE
Tone: TREBLY to the "nth" degree
Sonic evaluation: I am using this pickup in my mahogany bodied Les Paul into a Marshall JTM 45 and also a 59 Bassman reissue. Even though both of my amps are very "bass" heavy and thick sounding, this pickup managed to kill my tone because of all the harsh treble. I thought that I could get a "better" ZZ Top tone also when in fact I got a better tone with the 59 for about $30 less.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues and blues-based rock. For my taste I think its trebly enough for country, maybe some guys dig a lot of treble in their blues; I can't stand it.

Comments: If it were lost or stolen, I would replace it with a Duncan 59, which is already on order because I foolishly sold my last one. The Duncan 59 is a great smooth, warm pickup that suits a variety of styles, the Pearly Gates on the other hand is "bright, loud and trebly". I didn't find that the Pearly Gates was smooth even when I backed off the tone control and turned down the Presence on the amp. Horrible value! Don't get scammed, like me!

Pickup features: Humbucker Passive
Impedence or other specs: check on seymour dunc website

Model of guitar or bass: Jagmaster
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour duncan invader *wowza*
Artists using this pickup: who gives a **** B. Gib designed *ZZ top*
You musical style(s): lead guitar, Hard rock, Industrial, metal, classical, blues
Reason for pickup change: stock pickups were good, but i wanted spice and warmth

Perceived output level: wow baby!
Tone: put it on the neck, it's got amazing tone, my teacher that's taught for 40 years was even amazed
Sonic evaluation: i use a crate halfstack, great tone for great price, awesome, i have a black frankenguitar that looks like kurt cobains jag-stang, the humbucker my girlfriend custom ordered for me in red for my birthday. looks very cool

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i already told you, you @$%^@$%

Comments: if it were stolen i would hunt down the bastard that's stupid enough to take a single humbucker out of a guitar, then the rest of my band would kick the guys ass for touching my guitar. i love it and if you're looking for a nice bluesy tone or a thick lead guitar sound put this thing on your neck, i havent tried it on the bridge, because i love it where it is

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 8.5k/bridge - 7.3k/neck

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Epi
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan '59
Artists using this pickup: "must've been down, in that Texas town....you know what I'm talkin' about"
You musical style(s): Rock and Roll, Rock, Classic Rock, Blues, a little R&B.
Reason for pickup change: The first thing anybody needs to do when they buy a Epi Standard Les Paul is basically gut it out and start over, which is what I did.

Perceived output level: I wanted something that would kick some ass when needed, but still be able to clean up. The Pearly Gate delivers.
Tone: Good mid-tones and treble
Sonic evaluation: The stock pu's were way too muddy, and not much tone. Combining the Seymour Duncan '59 in the neck with the Pearly Gate at the bridge is a very versatile arrangement. I run my Les Paul through a Vox wah, TS-9, Fuzz-Face to a Johnson Marquis JM-60 stack. The Pearly Gate definitely has a nice punch to go along with a very sweet high-end. I play this pickup alone quite a bit. But the '59 rounds the combo out with some smooth, warm vibes, great for rhythmn and leads. Cleans up very nicely. Hit the TS-9 or Fuzz Face and things start to get sonic. I love these pups.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I think the Pearly Gate is an excellent all-around pickup. You want ZZ Top? You got it! Great for blues-leads.

Comments: I'd definitely buy this pickup again. When I bought it, I also bought the '59 at the same time at a guitar-shop that specialized in selling parts as well as alot of Les Pauls. There were two guys running the store that day; and when I explained what kind of sound I was looking for one guy (the owner) was all for going Gibson PAF's all the way. Can't remember exactly how much but it was well over $125 per pu. The other gentleman suggested Seymour Duncans, which was his personal favorite, plus having a much nicer impact on the wallet. Both pu's ran me about $150. I wouldn't mind hearing what my Les Paul would sound like with TWO Pearly Gates!

Pickup features: pass.hb.pickup
Impedence or other specs: 4 cond.wiring alnico 2 magnets waxed potted

Model of guitar or bass: 95' LP standard,01'SG Classic, and a kick-ass squier protone strat.
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock gibson
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Dunno,was originaly made for"the pinched harmonic king"Billy Gibbons
You musical style(s): think 60/70 rock,blues,damn,i even play polka!
Reason for pickup change: cos'they were absolute shite...nuff said....

Perceived output level: enough
Tone: Want 60/70's style rock tone? This is all you need.(and a marshall plexi.)
Sonic evaluation: 95'LP standard,18ft lead,marshall plexi, in that order.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: dont even go near metal!if you want metal, buy Dimarzio's!

Comments: This is the pickup that gives me all i want.and that is pure rock!
I also own a SG classic 01'with P90's in it,and to my opinion, this is the only good sounding pickup gibson ever produced.
So,gibson.maybe a little update on your own invented HB would be sweet.
O,yeah.Congratulations with the LP's 50th birthday!any chance of a anniversary model with original P90's?

Pickup features: humbucking-passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul Classic
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Classic Rock
Reason for pickup change: Not happy with the stock Gibson pickup, too hot and kinda nasaly sounding

Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than a normal PAF- not for extreme metal
Tone: Very bright and unbalanced, cold midrange
Sonic evaluation: Les Paul Classic thru a 74 Marshall 100 watter and a Budda SD30, through Basketweave cabs with 30H celestions. I thought this pickup was WAY too bright and unbalanced, if you like lots of treble and loudly this might be for you. It would be good in a all mahagony body guitar or a guitar with a mellow or smooth sound to brighten it up

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: classic rock, hard rock, not good for metal not hot enough

Comments: If your looking for a real PAF sound that is smooth and tonefull buy a Fralin his pickups smoke this baby. A regular duncan 59 is smoother also, I don't hate this pickup it has it's place, for people that like it Bright. I think if they would smooth this pick up out it would be a lot better, plenty of gain just too harsh for maple topped guitars.

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass:
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level:
Tone:
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: Seymour Duncan makes a good PU. However their customer service sucks !!! I ordered a Custom PU two months ago and they have sent me the wrong PU twice !!!
I recommend buying their PU's if they are on stock at your local Dealer. Otherwise get ready to wait...return wrong PU....wait some more and receive wrong PU again !!!

Pickup features: humbucking (passive)
Impedence or other specs: bridge-8.5k,neck7.3k

Model of guitar or bass: gibson les paul standard
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: SD59's
Other pickups on guitar: pearly gates
Artists using this pickup: billy gibbons
You musical style(s): classic rock,blues rock
Reason for pickup change: wanted more bite than the 59's

Perceived output level: moderate,slightly less than the 59's
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: les paul standard-budda-wah-ts9-boss tuner-roger mayer crossroads-marshalljcm800(crunch)or mesa-boogie heartbreaker(clean)into mesa boogie 4/12 recto cab split for bi-amp use.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: rock/blues(ac/dc,G/R's,Gary Moore)these pickups are ideal,not recommended for country/western

Comments: I have been playing over 25 years,owned several guitars by the major manufacturers and in my opinion this is the typical les paul rock sound through a cranked marshall.Call me old fashioned if you like but to my ears there is nothing like a marshall "on the edge" with power tubes dancing being driven by a les paul with paf type pups.My other les paul has a SDjazz in the neck and a SDJBin the bridge,this sounds good but the pearly gates are better because the distortion sounds so much richer and full probably because the pearly gates uses an alnico2 magnet as opposed to the alnico5 in the JB and the jazz.With the marshall amp gain on 8 I can use the vol. on the guitar to get an ac/dc crunch (about no. 3)or wind it up to 10 for solos(bridge).On the neck pup I can get the Clapton "woman tone"with guitar vol. maxed and tone control rolled back, toggle switch in the mid.position and using the tubescreamer gives a santana type lead tone,Using the clean amp settings(mesa heartbreaker)these pickups yield a beautiful clear tone for rhythm/chord work,almost disguising the fact that they are humbuckers,I know they will never sound like a strat played clean but they get close enough for me.I use the marshall on 90% of our band songs anyway.I have tried quite a few different pups in both my les pauls(aph1's,59's,seth lovers,full shred,JB,jazz)but I have now stopped looking because the pearly gates is certainly the best for my style of playing.Only my opinion but you might think differently,if they were stolen or destroyed I would replace them immediately as I think these pups are the perfect match for a les paul playing classic rock and blues through a cranked tube amp.