AIIPro and Pearly Gates in 335 Copy, Thoughts?

[Stevo 42]

Based on some suggestions in an earlier thread and things I read on the SD website, I am thinking of putting an AIIPro neck and Pearly Gates bridge in a 335 copy (probably Dot or Sheraton). The purpose of the guitar would be mostly Jazz and Blues (think Kenny Burrell on the one end and maybe John Lee Hooker on the other). Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Jessie Sammler]

I'd buy that for a dollar.

[Stevo 42]

That's helpful. Thanks.

[nalo1022]

I would personally reverse them, Having the PG in the neck and the A2P in the bridge. AI actually have that setup in a LP right now and its killer. The PG is a bit righter sounding and the warmth of the neck position will even it out, and if you want to warm it up the PG responds very well to rolling the tone back. The A2p has some bite to it but it feels a bit warmer and rounder, and this can be very helpful in the bridge position where it can sound thin.

[LtKojak]

Based on some suggestions in an earlier thread and things I read on the SD website, I am thinking of putting an AIIPro neck and Pearly Gates bridge in a 335 copy (probably Dot or Sheraton). The purpose of the guitar would be mostly Jazz and Blues (think Kenny Burrell on the one end and maybe John Lee Hooker on the other). Any thoughts would be appreciated.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/s...&postcount=257

Try it. You won't regret it!

[blueman335]

i would personally reverse them, having the pg in the neck and the a2p in the bridge. Ai actually have that setup in a lp right now and its killer. The pg is a bit righter sounding and the warmth of the neck position will even it out, and if you want to warm it up the pg responds very well to rolling the tone back. The a2p has some bite to it but it feels a bit warmer and rounder, and this can be very helpful in the bridge position where it can sound thin.

+1.

[gripweed]

I would personally reverse them, Having the PG in the neck and the A2P in the bridge. AI actually have that setup in a LP right now and its killer. The PG is a bit righter sounding and the warmth of the neck position will even it out, and if you want to warm it up the PG responds very well to rolling the tone back. The A2p has some bite to it but it feels a bit warmer and rounder, and this can be very helpful in the bridge position where it can sound thin.

This was my initial reaction too. However if you are looking for Kenny Burrell, I would think that you would want a fairly warm or smoky neck pickup. The PG could also in the neck, but realize it is a brighter pickup, as nalo1022 said. I would also agree with the PG and tone control issue. Maybe a set of Pearlys would work well for what you want?

[bagouser]

the pearly gates bridge absolutley sings in gibson style hollowbodies and gets a great vintage-y classic rock-y overdrive when played through a tube amp. Excellent choice. I use a Phat Cat in the neck of mine, but the A2P is also an excellent choice.
You're going to love the way it sounds.....

[Stevo 42]

I think of Jazz as being primarily played through the neck pup (for example, jazz boxes often only have a floating neck pickup). I also think of the AIIPro as being better for the Jazz sound I want and the PG better for the blues I want. That's basically how I arrived at my neck-bridge designations between the two. Anyone please feel free to correct this logic if in error.

[gripweed]

I think of Jazz as being primarily played through the neck pup (for example, jazz boxes often only have a floating neck pickup). I also think of the AIIPro as being better for the Jazz sound I want and the PG better for the blues I want. That's basically how I arrived at my neck-bridge designations between the two. Anyone please feel free to correct this logic if in error.

No, I thought that is what you were going for too. I'd say try it then.

[Stevo 42]

the pearly gates bridge absolutley sings in gibson style hollowbodies and gets a great vintage-y classic rock-y overdrive when played through a tube amp. Excellent choice. I use a Phat Cat in the neck of mine, but the A2P is also an excellent choice.
You're going to love the way it sounds.....

What do you think of the Corsair? How close is it in design to a 335? I am not categorically opposed to Schecter.

[Stevo 42]

No, I thought that is what you were going for too. I'd say try it then.

Cool! I think I will! Covered or uncovered pups? Hmmm....

[J Moose]

I think of Jazz as being primarily played through the neck pup (for example, jazz boxes often only have a floating neck pickup). I also think of the AIIPro as being better for the Jazz sound I want and the PG better for the blues I want. That's basically how I arrived at my neck-bridge designations between the two. Anyone please feel free to correct this logic if in error.

I'd reverse them as well & ran that exact setup in my LP for a long time. AII bridge and a PG neck.

The AII can get a little 'muddy' in the neck, especially if you're doing complex chord voicings like a G13 #9. You can always roll back the tone control to make the PG darker, but if the clarity isn't there you'll never be able to add it.

You may like the darker sound, but for me it was too round... too "Allman Brothers" if that makes any sense. And the 335 tends to be fatter/rounder then an LP to start with...

[Stevo 42]

Hmmm, some very knowledgeable posters saying PG in neck AIIPro in bridge. The SD website suggests the opposite: "Often the APH-1 is used in both neck and bridge positions. Or, in the neck with a higher output pickup like an SH-11 Custom Custom or SHPG-1b Pearly Gates for heavier rock or hotter blues sounds from the bridge position." Then in the description of the PG: "Can be used in the bridge with an APH-1n Alnico II Pro in the neck for smoother tones." Both are noted as working well in semi-hollows. Interesting.

[blueman335]

Hmmm, some very knowledgeable posters saying PG in neck AIIPro in bridge. The SD website suggests the opposite: "Often the APH-1 is used in both neck and bridge positions. Or, in the neck with a higher output pickup like an SH-11 Custom Custom or SHPG-1b Pearly Gates for heavier rock or hotter blues sounds from the bridge position." Then in the description of the PG: "Can be used in the bridge with an APH-1n Alnico II Pro in the neck for smoother tones." Both are noted as working well in semi-hollows. Interesting.

Would we mislead you? Remember, marketing info is geared to the one-size-fits-all approach, and won't make everybody happy.

[Stevo 42]

Would we mislead you? Remember, marketing info is geared to the one-size-fits-all approach, and won't make everybody happy.

I have at least as much faith in the wiser voices of this forum as I do the SD website. It just leaves someone less knowledgeable than many on here wondering what to do. The big problem with pickups is that you have to try to figure out whether they'll work or not before you buy. An amp, you can go plug into and take a listen before buying.

[vegetablejoe]

I just had an A2P set installed in my semi-hollow over the weekend. The neck pickup sounds wonderful clean! The bridge pickup however sounds too warm to my ears and lacks a bit of bite. Haven't had time to re-eq my amp settings or try the guitar with my favorite od pedals.

Still, on first impressions, looks like one really needs a hotter bridge pickup than an A2P to go with a neck A2P.

[gibson175]

Kenny Burell and John Lee Hooker. That is quite a double act!
Yep a2p in the neck and a pg would be way cool. But bear in mind that Kenny primarily uses a pick, a light touch and flatwounds with a full hollowbody, where Johnny Hooker uses the flesh of his fingers and roundwounds.

[Stevo 42]

I just had an A2P set installed in my semi-hollow over the weekend. The neck pickup sounds wonderful clean! The bridge pickup however sounds too warm to my ears and lacks a bit of bite. Haven't had time to re-eq my amp settings or try the guitar with my favorite od pedals.

Still, on first impressions, looks like one really needs a hotter bridge pickup than an A2P to go with a neck A2P.

Great info! Thanks!

[Stevo 42]

Kenny Burell and John Lee Hooker. That is quite a double act!
Yep a2p in the neck and a pg would be way cool. But bear in mind that Kenny primarily uses a pick, a light touch and flatwounds with a full hollowbody, where Johnny Hooker uses the flesh of his fingers and roundwounds.

I may yet end up with two guitars for Jazz/blues but right now I cannot justify it. If I can get anywhere close to either of them, I'll feel pretty good on the deal.