Pearly Gates/Duncan Custom combo

[sumitagarwal]

I know the PG in neck and Custom Custom in bridge is a popular combo, but what about PG in neck and Duncan Custom (ceramic) in bridge? I've already got these two pickups sitting around and seems like it might work.

This is for an ES-335. If I don't put these pups in there I'll probably purchase and try a pair of PAF 36th Anniversary pickups.

[ExplorersRock]

Personally... For a 335, I'd go '59s, Seths, or Antiquities. Just my 2 cents, I think the PG would sound good, but as much as I like the Custom, it might not mesh well there.

Still, since you have 'em lying around, I say try 'em out! Worst case scenario, you pull 'em back out and get the PAF 36th Anniverseries.

[AlexR]

335's are pretty beefy in the lows to mids. The custom is also pretty beefy. It might tend to sound too full......but you'd need to try it to know for sure.

Semihollows tend to work best with clear pickups....PAF strength humbuckers and P90's.

[RoccoFunnyMan]

Did Seth's in both spots in my Epi Dot, just incredible

[sumitagarwal]

335's are pretty beefy in the lows to mids. The custom is also pretty beefy. It might tend to sound too full......but you'd need to try it to know for sure.

Semihollows tend to work best with clear pickups....PAF strength humbuckers and P90's.

Yea, that's why my immediate instinct is either PG both slots or the PAF 36th. But I want to be able to do some aggressive modern sounds in the bridge (which I already know from experience the PG can do... just not perfectly).

Are 335's beefier than Les Paul's? Also, this is actually a 1990's Heritage 535, so its an incredible guitar hobbled by its crap stock Schaller pickups.

[sumitagarwal]

Oh, also wanted to ask how the PG and Custom would match up output-wise

[LtKojak]

If you care to search, I've recommended more times than I care to remember my now infamous p'up/mag combo, used in an all-maple 335 copy.

Neck: A4 '59n
Bridge: A8 Custom

This combo has worked for me for over four years now; and I think is the best-sounding all-arounder p'up/mag combo you can have, as you can do squeaky cleans just a well as you can do Rock or even obnoxious hardcore metal, without your guitar holding you back.

The PGn/CC is also good if you like it smooth. I go for articulation first. And yes, the PG matches well the CC, both output- and tone-wise. YMMV.

HTH,

[sumitagarwal]

If you care to search, I've recommended more times than I care to remember my now infamous p'up/mag combo, used in an all-maple 335 copy.

Neck: A4 '59n
Bridge: A8 Custom

This combo has worked for me for over four years now; and I think is the best-sounding all-arounder p'up/mag combo you can have, as you can do squeaky cleans just a well as you can do Rock or even obnoxious hardcore metal, without your guitar holding you back.

The PGn/CC is also good if you like it smooth. I go for articulation first. And yes, the PG matches well the CC, both output- and tone-wise. YMMV.

HTH,

Thanks, but from what I understand, construction-aside, the CC and Custom are totally different monsters, right?

[ExplorersRock]

Yea, that's why my immediate instinct is either PG both slots or the PAF 36th. But I want to be able to do some aggressive modern sounds in the bridge (which I already know from experience the PG can do... just not perfectly).

If you want PAF tone and some grunt to get some aggression, you might want to look into a Gibson Burstbucker 3 for the bridge. Maybe pair it with a Burstbucker 2 in the neck. The BB3 is vintage-sounding clean but surprisingly gutsy when distorted. I didn't believe it until I got one, now it's a favorite pickup for me. Won't sound modern, but neither will the Custom. Both are PAF style.

[LtKojak]

Thanks, but from what I understand, construction-aside, the CC and Custom are totally different monsters, right?

The CC will blend with the PGn perfectly.

The Custom, not so much. Not at all, if you ask me.

HTH,

[Gypsyblue]

Most of the players here are a lot more into high gain, modern rock tones than I am.

I wouldn't put a Custom in an ES-335. Even though Hamer does put it in their high end semi-hollowbody, the Monoco Super Pro.

But in an ES-335 I'd go for Seth Lovers or Antiquity or a nickel covered Pearly Gates set. Something with vintage tone and vintage output.

However, I like the PGn & Custom combo. I no longer use it, but I did use it for quite a long time. Eventually, I decided that I wanted a bridge pickup with a bit more of an organic quality and felt that the Custom was a little bit....what? Not harsh. Not sizzley. What's the word? Can't think of it! But it didn't sound "bluesy" or "vocal" enough for me and seemed to have a little more of a "hard rock" tone to it than the more bluesy and vintage tones I prefer.

But it's a great pickup if you DO favor more "hard rock" kinda tones.

I replaced my Custom with a nickel covered PGb. I much prefer the tone of my vintage style humbuckers with nickel covers.

I've also tried the PGn and Custom Custom combo in that same guitar of mine, and the Custom Custom was to smooth for my tastes.

I prefer the Custom over the Custom Custom or Custom 5. The C5 is to trebley for me, the Custom Custom isn't trebley enough for me and the Custom has a slightly grainy edge to it that isn't bad at all - it just isn't the vintage tone I prefer to hear and feel more comfortable with.

[BloodRose]

youll never know til you try.. may be perfect for your likes . maybe just set em low.. If its too much beef in the bridge, swap a mag..

[mariosyjp]

I know the PG in neck and Custom Custom in bridge is a popular combo, but what about PG in neck and Duncan Custom (ceramic) in bridge? I've already got these two pickups sitting around and seems like it might work.

This is for an ES-335. If I don't put these pups in there I'll probably purchase and try a pair of PAF 36th Anniversary pickups.

I'm not sure about those pickups for the ES but generally i think that PG and DC are a perfect set, much more balanced than a PG with a CC.

For my LP I use the PG set with an A3 in the neck.

[allstarrme]

I started with a jazz/JB set in my dot, they were just awful, well the JB was. Moved on to a custom 5 and alnico 2 pro. Pretty good but the a8 mag made it great.

I imagine the PGn & custom to be similar but a little grittier/dirtier. If you find the custom to be too much you are only a magnet away from a custom 5, custom custom or custom 8, which balances nicely & is easily the best of the bunch.

[LonePhantom]

I've reviewed the Pearly Gates Neck and Custom in my Ibanez RG470, and I love the combo. The Pearly Gates works really well alongside the Custom.

[gibson175]

fwiw, the fourth set of pups in my 335 are a pair of PG's. They are staying.
I reckon high output pickups like the custom are more for solid bodied axes and heavier sounds. If you like a bit of air in your tone, then lower output is the way to go IMO.

[blueman335]

If you care to search, I've recommended more times than I care to remember my now infamous p'up/mag combo, used in an all-maple 335 copy.

Neck: A4 '59n
Bridge: A8 Custom

+1 to C8/'59N. I have it in a Sheraton. Sounds great, get lots of compliments.

335's are inherently warm, more like an LP, and can be just a bassy. I think a CC would be a little too dark in a 335 (they're too dark for most LP's). The regular Custom (SH-5) has a ceramic magnet, and not a good match for a semi-hollow. I find PGN's to have a pretty rounded high end and sound kind of mellow. I'd much prefer an A2P or a 36th Anniversary in the neck slot.

I also have a Seth set in a Dot that is wonderful.

[Aceman]

I have used both the PG/CC, and PG/Custom sets - but never in a semi-hollow.

Honestl;y, I'm not feeling the Custom in a 335 style. Just a bit much, IMO.

The PG/Custom set is solid in very hard rock kind of way.