Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates

Pickup features: Passive Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: 8.5K ohms

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Standard Custom Stratocaster
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Fender Standard Single-Coil
Other pickups on guitar: Fender Standard Single-Coils
Artists using this pickup: No idea
You musical style(s): Rock, Industrial, Metal, Blues, Classic Rock, Heavy Metal
Reason for pickup change: Cause I wanted it.

Perceived output level: Moderatly loud
Tone: Moderate treble, slightly more than a neck single
Sonic evaluation: Well, okay, I have it at the bridge at an angle (Like the bridge single-coil on all Stratocasters), which looks cool and supposedly adds bass and treble. I also had a push/pull pot put on to split it into a single, which is cool. I like running it with a neck/bridge mix, neck tone at about 4 and the humbucker split... There it as a nice mellow mix between bass and treble. It's a good pickup, and can do nice warm tones for blues, all the way to high bass high treble Fear Factory type crunch.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It's perfect for just about all styles.

Comments: If it was blown or stolen, I'd buy another one. I've been playing for about 5 years now, and I own a Harmony Rocket and a Fender Frontman 15R amp. Basically, all I have to say is that this pickup was perfect for me...

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: See Seymour Duncan's web page for specs

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson Shannon Soloist
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: The one I am reviewing
Other pickups on guitar: Single coils by Duncan
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons
You musical style(s): Rock, melodic rock, blues rock, blues metal, experimental rock
Reason for pickup change: This was before I changed pickup.

Perceived output level: moderate
Tone: Bright!! Thin, brittle, crisp. Hurts ears.
Sonic evaluation: Boogies and Marshalls. It was shrill sounding and required a lot of EQ modifications. These made my other guitars sound dull. I took it out and put it in a Paul Reed Smith custom 24 10 top. Then it really sounded good. Apparently not good for neck through maple necks unless you really like that "Texas" sparkle and twang. Good for really fast swirly playing not good for slow sweet playing with out EQing drastically.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It's good for getting that Billy Gibbons sound. Doesn't fit with my style.

Comments: I was not satified at all with this pickup in my Jackson. My friend took his Bridge model and stuck it in the neck position of his Les Paul and it was excellent sounding. My other friend loves it in his Paul Reed Smith but doesn't really like the way the Paul Reed Smith Guitars play, I agree with him because except for only one I tried out of about 50 (It was a CE 22 fret model) I really don't like the way they play either. It really works good in a muddy sounding guitar but not in a naturally bright one.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 8.5k ohms

Model of guitar or bass: 1996 Gibson Les Paul Standard
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 498T
Other pickups on guitar: 490R
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Southern Rock
Reason for pickup change: I had a 59 in there for a while, but I sold it and put the stock pickup back in. It seemed like both were just missing something. The 498T had very little high end when played at high volume - too much midrange.

Perceived output level: a little hotter than the 498T and 59
Tone: trebly, but not in a bad way - actually, it's almost twangy sometimes. probably not as much low end as the 498T
Sonic evaluation: I tried it through my 65 Bassman and a 1987X. The alnico 2 magnets really do have a sweeter high end than the alnico 5 in the 59 and 498T. It sounds pretty good clean, but it rocks when the amp is cranked. It has just enough midrange to be punchy, but not honky. It is a four conducter, but I didn't bother with that.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: great for my style. I use the neck pickup for clean sounds, and the PG in the bridge kicks ass with a distorted amp.

Comments: I like it enough to keep it in the guitar. The neck pickup sounds decent combined with the bridge, but the neck is a little flat sounding on it's own (especially with a bright pickup like a 59 or PG in the bridge). I don't know how it would sound in the neck position, but it sounds great at the bridge. Oh, one more thing I LOVE about this pickup is the fact that it has 2 white coils! It looks great against the LP's wine red finish.

Pickup features: Passive Humbuckers Rhythm & Treble
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson 1998 Les Paul Standard
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: 490R Alnico 498t Alnico 498T Alnico magnet humbucker
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Warren Haynes, Billy Gibbons
You musical style(s): Blues/Rock
Reason for pickup change: Looking for something didnt know what.

Perceived output level: Hotter than the gibson pickups
Tone: Bright, Brittle, to distorted
Sonic evaluation: Using a Fender Hotrod Deluxe, sounded great till i put these in. I know if it sounded good why did i change my Pickups? Well cause i was told "If you dont like your guitar with these in you just dont like your guitar" So I figured what the hey Ill give em a shot. I hated them so bad i took them out after 3 weeks. Pickup was too distorted and Brittle sounding. Put the old pickups back in, and it sound amazing again.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play in a bluesy rock band, the kind for which these are designed, but they just didnt do service. Not smooth enough

Comments: 2-Wouldnt buy these again, put them in my jap strat for fun sound better in there.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Comparable to stock "vintage style" humbuckers (don't make me think)

Model of guitar or bass: PRS Custom
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: PRS HFS
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan '59
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons
You musical style(s): Blues, Funk, fusion
Reason for pickup change: Wanted lower output, more complex tone associated with alnico 2 magnets

Perceived output level: Hot, slightly moreso than average humbuckers such as the Gibson '57 Classic, Duncan '59, Ibanez Super 58, or Dimarzio PAF Pro. More like a Gibson 498T.
Tone: Balanced but present. Pronounced high end, but not brittle. If you picture a stock old gibson humbucker through an amp with a presence pot turned way up, you're thinking along the right lines.
Sonic evaluation: I play the PRS through a Mesa/Boogie DC2, probably not the ideal amp for testing the inherent tone of a guitar or pickups given its inherent tonal coloration, but i have played the guitar through a variety of Peavey and Fender amps, so have a pretty good idea of what I'm working with.
The Pearly Gates manages to ride a fine line between aggressive crispness and vintage style richness. As one might expect, the alnico 2 magnets deliver a fairly transparent representation of the amp and guitar, but with a warm, sweet midrange and smooth but powerful highs. Rolling off the tone control doesn't muddy the tone at all, throughout the taper. I very much recommend this pickup for anyone desiring a really ballsy crunch/blues tone. I actually first heard this pickup in a low-end Jackson with a basswood body and maple neck, and it sounded very smooth and civilized! Sounds excellent split too.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It might not have the output desired for a full-on Metal rig, but the tonal profile is definitely there. Very versatile sounds here. Bear in mind that if you have a guitar with a maple to (Les Paul, et al,) you will REALLY hear the additional brightness! Twangs nice for country or rockabilly too. I didn't care for it in the neck position, unless used with another PG in the bridge. Doesn't blend especially well with other pickups

Comments: I've been playing about ten years and have played more guitars and pickups than i care to admit. I am a definite Seymour duncan fan, and for this particular role, i would choose no other pickup. I have an epiphone dot that i have outfitted with a Jazz neck and JB bridge, which i use for jazzier or more fuzionesque roles. For anything retro, blues or country, the PRS/'59/Pearly Gates arrangement really takes the cake.

Pickup features: Humbucker - Passive
Impedence or other specs: see www.seymourduncan.com

Model of guitar or bass: Peavey Predator 94'
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Peavey Predator Pickups
Other pickups on guitar: 2 Texas Specials
Artists using this pickup: Ala Lone Star Statocaster
You musical style(s): Blues/Classic Rock
Reason for pickup change: The Predator pickups were very weak.
Needed some meat and a darker, ricker tone.

Perceived output level: lots of output, raw, best under overdrive conditions
Tone: good mids, little to bright when clean.
Sonic evaluation: Using a Fender Princeton 112plus as a practice amp.
Using a 72' Fender Super Reverb for stage.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The pickup is ggod for a ranchy blues sound. Not for clean slow work.

Comments: Love the pickup. It must be matched with equal pickups. The Texas Specials are not hot enough to compete. When changing pickups one has to be carfeful to watch volume. One might consider a RoadHouse style by using 2 Pearly Gates (B&N) instead of one.
It is designed for a Les Paul style guitar but works well in Strats.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: '78 Les Paul Custom
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: original Gibsons
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons(ZZ Top)
You musical style(s): revved up Southern punk rock
Reason for pickup change: original neck too muddy, original bridge too twangy

Perceived output level: slightly hotter than an original PAF, a good bit hotter than the crap Gibson put in my Les Paul
Tone: Well balanced in both positions, cleans up well with volume.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a Marshall JTM-30 1x12, the guitar, and a cord. I liked the sound of older ZZ Top stuff and wanted a good solid southern rock sound. This is it! These pickups were after all designed for Billy's '59 Les Paul, it was kinda' hard to go wrong. This is the classic PAF sound everybody hopes for, just a little hotter and maybe a little better defined.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'm the singer/guitarist for my band doing what I call revved up southern punk rock. These pickups are nice and quiet and give me the sound I need. I found these to be suitable for just about anything(all that metal and hardcore stuff comes from the preamp anyway. Has lots of life and good harmonics. Perfect for me, you judge for yourself.

Comments: I would buy these again. This is my third set 'cause I had 'em in the last two guitars(both Les Paul's). I've been playing about eight years and use tube amps exclusively with as few effects as possible(I hate that cheesy overprocessed sound). Love the sound, wouldn't use anything else. This and my little Marshall with the el-34's just have THAT TONE!!!

Pickup features: passive humbuckers
Impedence or other specs: 7.5-8.5K 4-conductor wire

Model of guitar or bass: '91 Gibson Les Paul Standard
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Gibson '57 Classics
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons???
You musical style(s): Hard rock\blues-rock
Reason for pickup change: The '57 Classics were good. But not the sound I was looking for (not enough grind, I guess).

Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than the '57 Classics, not as hot as the stock Gibson pickups that came with the guitar.
Tone: Perfect. Completely balanced. Never muddy. Presence, grind. WOW!
Sonic evaluation: This is IT, man! Smokey blues through a new Fender "the Twin" amp. Serious grind through a Marshall 50-watt SLX half-stack.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Man, I would reccomend these pickups for ANY Les Paul.

Comments: Everything is there. Rock, blues, Metal, Jazz (OK, not Thrash). These pickups totally complement the natural sound of the LP, then make it better.
I'm not kidding--these things are that good.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Lone Star Strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: 2 Texas Specials
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons
You musical style(s): Rock, Fusion, little heavy metal
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: This was my first REAL guitar and I love Strats, so I got this one, and I fell in love with the tone that the pickup delivered.
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: I'm using the Lone Star with a Fender Super 60 tube amp, and a Peavey 412. Through the tube amp it sounds great. The sound is warm and gives a good crunch in overdrive

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It would be dumb as shit to put it anywhere but lead

Comments: Welp, this pickup rocks, It gives great sound and if you can BUY IT!!!

Pickup features: passive humbucking
Impedence or other specs: 7.2k

Model of guitar or bass: My own custom design
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan '59 PAF
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Full Shred
Artists using this pickup: Billy Gibbons
You musical style(s): Classic Rock, Blues, Alternative
Reason for pickup change: Was not satisfied with the previous sound.

Perceived output level: Just right for blues and clean rhythm
Tone: perfect bite for a raunchy texas blues sound
Sonic evaluation: For blues, this is the pickup. In the neck position, its perfect. In the
bridge position, its too bright and not powerful enough. With a Marshall
JTM45 reissue, its great. With a Vox AC30 reissue, its great!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It is not hot enough for speed metal/heavy metal, but then, the bridge is better for that anyway!

Comments: For the neck position, I would buy it again in a heartbeat, For the bridge
position, it is not hot enough, its too bright, and it just generally sucks!