Custom Shop Pearly Gates - what's the point?

[TattooedCarrot]

Can someone explain why one would order a PG from the custom shop for $165 when you can get the same pickup from the production line for half that?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seymour-Dunc...item3a6c5ff8f2

Hand wound by Seymour Duncan Custom Shop

Pickup is Trembucker or F-spaced designed for guitars that have Floyd Rose Tremelo System, however, you can still use it in a regular spaced position for unique tones in the bridge.

This pickup reads Hot 9K ohms, Alnico II based, 7 inches 4-conductor lead wire. A much better alternative to the Pearly Gates Plus!

[uOpt]

Maybe it isn't available trem-spaced outside the CS?

I'm still tempted to order a pair of floor shop customs, PGs with cover unpotted.

[jeremy]

trem spaced pg's are in the normal line, that one is wound hotter than mine by quite a bit and doesnt have screws protruding like a typical pg. no idea about what it really is

[Varg]

The Angus model?

[frankfalbo]

Probably the confusing part is that MJ put "Pearly Gates" in the sticker, when really it's a "Pearly Gates-ish" pickup that is really not the same as any Pearly Gates from stock. At least we know the wind and the pole piece screws are different, who knows what else like the gauss, rough cast magnet, etc.

[Rand-O-Monium]

What's the diff,Frank?

More winds/output?

Why wouldn't it just have a CS sticker?

[Soulcrusher_X]

It looks as if it has 12 slugs instead of 6 slugs and 6 screws. Maybe it has the smooth, Iommi-ish cover? A few youtube vids Ive seen of the Pearly had smooth covers instead of the classic 6-screw cover.

[TattooedCarrot]

It looks as if it has 12 slugs instead of 6 slugs and 6 screws. Maybe it has the smooth, Iommi-ish cover? A few youtube vids Ive seen of the Pearly had smooth covers instead of the classic 6-screw cover.

[dr.barlo]

That is one pickup that I want for my PRS McCarty. It has a Brobucker, and there are times in which I think it is simply too thick, too muscular...

This clearly is not a regular PG.

B

[frankfalbo]

What's the diff,Frank?

More winds/output?

Why wouldn't it just have a CS sticker?

I have no idea, you'd have to ask MJ. She's the one who makes the stickers for the back. I imagine it's like ordering a Big Mac without onions. Is it still a Big Mac? Well that's how they'd key it into the computer, but it has been customized to your liking. It doesn't say that it's a Pearly Gates, it says "SWD Custom Shop Pearly Gate" across two lines. You have to read it together.

If you order a JB with 5% more turns and an Alnico II magnet, it might say "JB" or "JBII" on the sticker or something, but that doesn't make it interchangeable with a production floor JB. When you order from the Custom Shop you might use one pickup as a starting point. "I want a 59 with two rows of screws" or "like a Custom Custom but with fewer turns and degaussed magnet".

What's missing from the two photos is the part of the description label that has all the information about it, including DCR and gauss strength. If anyone has that picture put it up it could help.

[King IzzO)))]

Maybe the screws are fake and under the cover it's a PATB Pearly.

[jeremy]

or maybe it just has short screws lol

looks like a pup that i would like

[rosssurf]

I'd like to hear that and then swap in an A5 to compare!

[Varg]

I love how even Frank has no idea. That has to be the best pickup ever!

[jeremy]

its the custom shop they make one offs all the time, frank has other things to do besides spend all his time watching over mj & seymours shoulders to see what custom goodies are going out

[TattooedCarrot]

I don't think Varg's comment was an attack on Frank that requires defending. I just think it was commentary on the pickup being unusual enough that a Duncan employee who has more knowledge than most of us was also unsure of it.