How SHOULD the PG+ sound?

[JonnyG92]

I have a Pearly Gates Plus in my Strat and I have a few concerns...

1) When I first installed it, I had to drill a hole in the Pick guard for the screw to hold it into place. Maybe that means I'm NOT supposed to put it in. Eff the world, I do what I want.

2) Also when I first installed it, it fit snug- TOO snug. It's at an ever-so-slight tilt in its cavity, and of course the coils are going to be "off". Which makes me think that, hey, I need to adjust the pickup height/ bridge saddles to compensate for the slight tilt. (By "Slight" I mean less-than-two degrees.)

3) When I switch from the middle singlecoil to the bridge humbucker I get this HUGE blast of treble that I don't think I should have. There's definitely bass there, it's just not a prevalent as I thought it would be. I wanted a rich full tone, and instead it feels like it's 90:10 with the treble and bass. I wish I could give you a sample clip, but all I have is wireless internet and therefore I can't update my POD software.

I figure I just wired it wrong. I need to open it up to see EXACTLY what I did, but I think I'm going to wait until I have to change the strings.
It's a problem, but I think I can deal with it.

[AlexR]

The PG+ is A5 which is more treble and bass compared with an A2, which is the usual mag for the regular PG.
As it is, the PG has a strong presence....bitey some would call it, also the PG+ has slightly more winds. You could swap in any of an A2, A4 or UOA5 for more rounded tones with more mids.

What guard did you have and how was the pickup mounting screw location different from what you had? I'm not up on all the screw locations, but barring a wide-range humbucker most have 2 screw holes, one at the middle of each end.

If you have bought the pickup aftermarket it may well be trembucker spaced, and the guitar you have put it into being normal bridge spacing (and regular humbucker sized hole in the guard). If the fit is tight try filing or sanding the guard for extra space....or by a new guard with the trembucker slot already cut.

Also you could swap the tone control from middle pickup to the bridge to help alleviate the tone change. Even on 10, the tone circuit will filter some highs, and with a dedicated tone knob you can dial a lot of the harshness away without affecting the other settings.

[JonnyG92]

The pickup was the two-screw kind, but it replaced a 3-screw. Two on the top and 1 on the bottom.

[dr. ad]

sounds like it's sitting too high.
i didn't like this pickup until i sat it really low, ie was thinking "i'll drop it right down then bring it up a tiny bit at a time" and liked it sitting down in the pickup ring

AFAIK all PGPs are standard-spaced.

could be time for a new pickguard? either that or hope you can sandpaper the cut-out until there's clearance, and the hole you've drilled is in the right spot...

[dr. ad]

it'll go from sounding super-present and a little harsh, to being woody/bluesy while still percussive, once it's low enough

in my LP the PGP's the best blues humbucker i've tried. wish i had the chops to do it justice

[JonnyG92]

Word, time to lower it and see what happens.
Thanks guys.

[JonnyG92]

I literally eased up on the screws until it was almost flush with the pickguard and now it has this really cool bite to it, still trebelly as mess but it sounds really aggressive and I'm digging it.

[Inkstained]

I'm trying this. Lowering pickups is good for the soul.

[Guston7]

This thread has me a bit concerned. I just traded a forum member for a PG+. I read other reviews that the + can be very "grainy"(as they put it) on the high-end. I like the regular PG, but have never owned a '+'.

I did play an older (mid '90's) US Lone Star Strat for a short time. I know the new import Lone Star has the +, but did the older ones also? Or, was that a regular PG?

I guess if it doesn't work out I'll slide an A2 in there.

[JonnyG92]

A lot of high end, to be sure. I was expecting a deeper tone, but I like what I got. I guess I'll get a Les Paul if I want that warm tone.

[Inkstained]

in my LP the PGP's the best blues humbucker i've tried. wish i had the chops to do it justice

I'm confused, which I guess should surprise no one.

I thought the PG+ was never sold on its own, but only in various Fenders (the Lone Star {US and MIM versions}, the Big Apple, the American Series Double Fat, etc.)

That would mean, I believe, that the PG+ was available only with trem or "Fender" spacing.

How does it work in a Les Paul?

[dr. ad]

^ apparently fender wanted standard spacing.
i bought one used off a forum bro and he sent it to me in it's little fender box;
so i'm guessing fender sell it as a replacement or custom shop part

they come up in the trading post semi-regularly, check it out

trembucker spacing is ideal, but a pickup still works if the pole spacing isn't perfect; especially pickups with bar magnets ie humbuckers and p90s

[Guston7]

I'm confused, which I guess should surprise no one.

I thought the PG+ was never sold on its own, but only in various Fenders (the Lone Star {US and MIM versions}, the Big Apple, the American Series Double Fat, etc.)

That would mean, I believe, that the PG+ was available only with trem or "Fender"

There are many new ones available on eBay right now. Thanks for answering the question on the US Lone Stars.

The one I'm waiting on (supposed to me in mail now) from a forum member, he says is 'F' spaced.

[hamerfan]

I literally eased up on the screws until it was almost flush with the pickguard and now it has this really cool bite to it, still trebelly as mess but it sounds really aggressive and I'm digging it.

Same with me but i was not digging it in my Les Paul. It does not work with 500k pots.