how are the sd pearly gates

[schmidty123]

i saw that there only like 95 bucks i was wondering how it would go with my bb 2 in the bridge (putting it in the neck pos)

[Pwozzie]

I know that a $650 Lonestar strat has one in the bridge and it sounds reallllllllllllllly good

[schmidty123]

hmm im debating a bout switching them around how hot are the duncans

[dressed2kill]

Low output if I remember 7 - 8k maybe, they are a bright pickup though. I put one in the bridge of my studio which is a dark guitar, ended up with quite the tone beast.

[ThomJohn]

Both "Random Blues" vids are me using the SD PG in the neck. My bridge is the stock Gibson 498T:

YouTube - ThomLeeJohn's Channel

[b-squared]

For a few more bucks you can get a WB Vintage Tuned PAF (Hot) that will blow away the SD pickup...

These pickups are gonna be barn burners...trust me. Call Will and talk to him.

BB

[ozone]

I have SD pearly gates (Neck). They've always sounded great in my LP. But b-squared is right. Those WB pup's sound amazing.

[b-squared]

I not toally against the PG...I have a Kramer guitar I bought in the 90s (Night Swan) that comes with them--they are good sounding pickups, no doubt.

The WB pickup is in a totally different league, for about 10-20 bucks more per pickup. You want the sound made famous in Texas? Get the VTP, my friend.

The neck pickup in my 6707 Green set is a little different than the VTP, but it absolutely sings. I don't know if pickups get better the longer they sit, or if it's just dawning on me how much better it sounds over the stock BBs. Last night I played through a solid-state Vox practice amp, using a Zen Drive through the clean channel. It was crazy how good it sounded...a round, woody, almost voice-like tone. I'm still floored, and had to text-message Will after I got out of practice.

Take my advice--buy the VTP for your neck. If you don't like it--let me know and I'll buy it off you for what you paid, plus shipping.

I don't think I'll be hearing from you, though. You might think about just buying a set...after you hear the neck pickup you'll want a VTP Hot for the bridge. Talk to Will, he'll set you up with a set.

BB

[schmidty123]

yea i just need to switch out the stock epi neck pup its far to muddy but i will look into the wb i was always debating about it ive heard nothing but good stuff from them the only problem is i gotta save up a while for the pickup and then another 40 to have the tech i know install it for me

[b-squared]

Originally Posted by schmidty123

yea i just need to switch out the stock epi neck pup its far to muddy but i will look into the wb i was always debating about it ive heard nothing but good stuff from them the only problem is i gotta save up a while for the pickup and then another 40 to have the tech i know install it for me

Saving up is no problem...Will's gonna be around for awhile.

You should have a go at installing it yourself. It's actually quite easy. Go to your library and there's sure to be a book, or go to your local electronics repairman shop and ask him to show you how to do it. (Don't go to your tech, he'll know what you're up to. )

I installed my Greens in about 30 minutes total (I'm a total N00B at it, too!). It's not hard, you just have to take your time and make sure you do it right. If you muck it up--take it to your tech to fix...no harm done!

BB

[LoKi]

I've only liked the PG's in Strats. They ad a bit of texas snap, but not what I'd call sizzle.

I have a Rio Grande BBQ-Bucker that is great in a Les Paul... But having heard all of Will's clips, the VTP is probably right up your alley.

[LoKi]

Originally Posted by b-squared

Saving up is no problem...Will's gonna be around for awhile.

You should have a go at installing it yourself. It's actually quite easy. Go to your library and there's sure to be a book, or go to your local electronics repairman shop and ask him to show you how to do it. (Don't go to your tech, he'll know what you're up to. )

I installed my Greens in about 30 minutes total (I'm a total N00B at it, too!). It's not hard, you just have to take your time and make sure you do it right. If you muck it up--take it to your tech to fix...no harm done!

BB

If you at least get em mounted and ready to go, the only tricky part is the soldering, if you've never done it before. If you screw it up, at least the majority of the work is done, and if a tech charges you $40 for 4 seconds of soldering, I'd punch him in the throat.

I showed up with a ground problem on my '88, all the work done and my tech stopped what he was doing and fixed it in under 3 seconds. I soldered in pickups in an SG after doing all the hard work *removing that huge pickguard, bridge studs, mounting, pickup springs (tricky!) putting it all back together and restringing* and the solder part only took maybe 15 seconds tops.

You can do it! And once you learn how, nobody can stop you!

[b-squared]

Y'know it'd be awesome if one of the really good soldering dudes could do a tutorial on soldering, then get it on youtube or something.

Maybe even keep the vid on our site for downloading. I'd sure appreciate it.

Other good subjects:

How to use a multimeter to check a pickup, capacitor, etc.
How to install and wire pots, switches, etc.

What do you think?

BB

[ozone]

I did a 50's style wiring, installed a pickup, did a Peter Green push/pull mod and 2 months ago I couldn't solder 2 wires together. It's really not that hard. But I have to say and give props to this forum, Without these guys helping out I NEVER would have done it; many thanks to all.
As long as you take your time a take notes. You'll probably have to spend some money at first to buy solder stuff (iron, solder wire etc.). But you'll save so much more doing the job yourself.
Note:When I did my wiring upgrade I noticed that my Pearl Gates was wired wrong (the hot was connected to the jack). And I paid $45. for that install.

[ozone]

I found this site useful. Tangent Tutorials

[Bluesfusion]

Generally I've found that the Pearly's are GREAT in the bridge position, but kind of muddy in the neck.

[Big John]

If you must stick with using SD pickups, I suggest using a different model besides the Pearly Gates. Go with the SH-14 or the SH-11 for the bridge position. I've found the Pearly Gates to sound harsh in comparison.

[schmidty123]

i also wouldent mind the '59' version that duncan has sounds preety good on the site

[LoKi]

Originally Posted by b-squared

Y'know it'd be awesome if one of the really good soldering dudes could do a tutorial on soldering, then get it on youtube or something.

Maybe even keep the vid on our site for downloading. I'd sure appreciate it.

Other good subjects:

How to use a multimeter to check a pickup, capacitor, etc.
How to install and wire pots, switches, etc.

What do you think?

BB

Good call! I bet Will or one of the other winders who already have vids up could whip something up in no time!

[LoKi]

Originally Posted by schmidty123

i also wouldent mind the '59' version that duncan has sounds preety good on the site

59's are good sounding pickups. Dimebag Darrell used them exclusively in the neck position and that was his main solo tone for years.

I prefer the Custom Custom, or Custom 5 in the bridge, but the 59 is a great neck pickup.

[uOpt]

I have tried a PG neck in a LP and an Explorer. It was wired in both and I prefered the straighter SD pickups.

I think the PG is more of a pickup for Fender style instruments, in the bridge in particular.

[schmidty123]

that and the 59's are only like 80 bucks and they come in zebra but it might look weird cuz i got one uncoverd bucker(the 59 when i get it) and then the coverd bb in the bridge

[irunnoft]

Originally Posted by b-squared

Y'know it'd be awesome if one of the really good soldering dudes could do a tutorial on soldering, then get it on youtube or something.

Maybe even keep the vid on our site for downloading. I'd sure appreciate it.

Other good subjects:

How to use a multimeter to check a pickup, capacitor, etc.
How to install and wire pots, switches, etc.

What do you think?

BB

+1000!!! BB, can you send me a PM with some info or titles of books to look for. I'm getting my 67-07 HOT VTPs and 67-07 VTPs from Will sometime next week. He's shipping out my order tomorrow and I've got two guitars that I'm going to need to swap out the stock BBs.