SD Pearly Gates on H150 report

[Guest mgoetting]

So I got this fine looking H150 from 602a. He got it as NOS soon before he sold it to me. Only he sold it in pieces. First, he took the Seths out of it and sold me those. He replaced them with PGs. Then I almost had to beg for the rest of the guitar. Finally it arrived.

 

I planned on putting the Seths back in. That was weeks ago. I've grown a fondness for the PGs and won't change them out.

 

Since tone reports are opinion, not based on objective frequency analysis, take this with a grain. The PGs are a little brighter than the Seths I have. Note separation seems slightly better defined, especially the lows. There's not a dramatic difference but it is noticeable. I play a lot of fingerstyle, so the brightness helps.

 

Here's the SD tone chart for data:

 

http://www.seymourduncan.com/comparetones

 

I thought about coil splits. I don't think the output is high enough for that. So I'll leave it.

 

All is well. I recommend considering the pup, even for jazz.

[mars_hall]

What I have done in the past is download the sample files from SD and import the mp3 into Audacity. From there you can plot the spectrum analysis of the file to see what the pickup is producing.

 

It's not perfect, but it gives you a bit more info about what you think you are hearing and it isn't impacted by your PC's sound systems. Only the recording and compression of the original tracks are present. It assumes Duncan is using a standardized recording into the pickups.

[Guest mgoetting]

What I have done in the past is download the sample files from SD and import the mp3 into Audacity. From there you can plot the spectrum analysis of the file to see what the pickup is producing.

 

It's not perfect, but it gives you a bit more info about what you think you are hearing and it isn't impacted by your PC's sound systems. Only the recording and compression of the original tracks are present. It assumes Duncan is using a standardized recording into the pickups.

 

 

How has that worked out? That's great.

[mars_hall]

How has that worked out? That's great.

Here's PG vs SL. The SL has more bass and sharper peaks in the mid-range. Also has more high frequency response

[Blunote]

Here's PG vs SL. The SL has more bass and sharper peaks in the mid-range. Also has more high frequency response

 

So is more ...better?

 

I suppose you can adjust pickups and equalizers to get what you want if the sound is there to start with. But what about the characteristics related to the Seth Lovers not being potted? Can that microphonic sound be tuned out, or enhanced?

 

I really don't have an opinion here, just curious.

[bolero]

I used to have some sd PG pups, they are really good sounding

[JeffB]

So is more ...better?

 

I suppose you can adjust pickups and equalizers to get what you want if the sound is there to start with. But what about the characteristics related to the Seth Lovers not being potted? Can that microphonic sound be tuned out, or enhanced?

 

I really don't have an opinion here, just curious.

I have SL's in my H150. I dont have feedback issues even when I gain up, drop tune and do combat a loud drummer and other guitar player.

I know others have problems and have seen it happen. Hand them over my guitar and the problem lessens. Maybe its their set up ie cables and stomps before it hits the amp or amount of gain they are using or the way they set their eq. Dont know. Maybe I just got lucky.

I get a lovely controllable feed back with the SL's that I cant make happen so much in other guitars I have.

[Guest mgoetting]

Here's PG vs SL. The SL has more bass and sharper peaks in the mid-range. Also has more high frequency response

 

So now we're getting data!

 

The PGs are hotter, so I'd expect more dBs. We didn't find that in the frequency-power distribution.

 

The tone on my guitar may be due to other things besides the PG, in fairness. I didn't A/B the pups.

[mars_hall]

So is more ...better?

 

I suppose you can adjust pickups and equalizers to get what you want if the sound is there to start with. But what about the characteristics related to the Seth Lovers not being potted? Can that microphonic sound be tuned out, or enhanced?

 

I really don't have an opinion here, just curious.

 

More is better if you have a naturally brighter guitar. The more bass will balance out the tendency of the wood. If you have a dark guitar to begin with, then an argument could be made for the opposite. It is all subjective.

 

Microphonics can be damped to a degree by limiting the movement of the pickup cover in the same fashion that dampers on a piano string work.

 

As far as enhancement, anything you can do to allow the cover to vibrate against the bobbins more will enhance the chance for microphonics, but this is much harder to obtain.

 

Mike Novello had a H150 with Seths in it and it was the best sounding Heritage I have heard, to date, for the style of music I enjoy. Think Leslie West harmonics. I think a '59 Bridge and Seth in the Neck is a good combination and my 157 is set up this way. I have an Explorer that has a JB in the bridge and a Pearly Gate in the neck and it sounds damn fine.

 

The point and bottom-line is you try to match the pups to the guitar's natural tonal coloration on an individual basis to try to get what your ear needs out of it.

[CJTopes]

 

 

Mike Novello had a H150 with Seths in it and it was the best sounding Heritage I have heard, to date, for the style of music I enjoy. Think Leslie West harmonics.

 

 

I believe that I now own that H-150. The Seths sound incredible in that guitar. Every once in a while I'll have a problem with monophonic feedback but usually it's in a high volume - high gain setting. Originally I was going to put Pearly Gates in it but after playing it a few times I decided to leave great tone alone!

I'm considering trying the Seths in my Mille DC because the HRWs are pretty bright and edgy. The jury is still out on that decision.

[NoNameBand]

So I got this fine looking H150 from 602a. He got it as NOS soon before he sold it to me. Only he sold it in pieces. First, he took the Seths out of it and sold me those. He replaced them with PGs. Then I almost had to beg for the rest of the guitar. Finally it arrived.

 

I planned on putting the Seths back in. That was weeks ago. I've grown a fondness for the PGs and won't change them out.

 

Since tone reports are opinion, not based on objective frequency analysis, take this with a grain. The PGs are a little brighter than the Seths I have. Note separation seems slightly better defined, especially the lows. There's not a dramatic difference but it is noticeable. I play a lot of fingerstyle, so the brightness helps.

 

Here's the SD tone chart for data:

 

http://www.seymourduncan.com/comparetones

 

I thought about coil splits. I don't think the output is high enough for that. So I'll leave it.

 

All is well. I recommend considering the pup, even for jazz.

 

I have tried many different pups in many different guitars. I currently have a matched pair of SD Pearly gates in a PRS Mahogany Custom 22. In comparing them, I did not use any electronic equipment, but I did compare them with other guitars on the same settings on a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp. The thing that stood out for me was, very clear and dynamic. Very touch sensitive. More so than any other PUP. I like them clean but especially like them for blues when the amp is about to break up, I can use the volume control of the guitar to play clean or even set the guitar volume on 10 and by my touch alone, have the guitar clean or breaking up. The SD Pearly Gates do this better than any of the PUPs I have used. This is a quality that is often overlooked. The amount of bite in a pickup. I think they are similar clean but the Pearly gates breaks up better for my taste. However, I highly recommend the Seth Lovers for the 535 and hollowbody guitars. I think it is safe to say that I prefer the Pearly Gates in a solid body guitar. I like them in the bridge of a Strat as well, especially, with Texas Specials in the neck & middle.

[Guest mgoetting]

Very well put.

[pro-fusion]

I just put a Pearly Gates into the bridge position of one of my Jackson Soloists this weekend and love it, so far. I play with a lot more gain than probably anyone else here, and the Pearly Gates seems to work great for that type of sound. What impresses me is the clarity and detail in the sound, while still having a lot of character.

[smurph1]

My 2 Cents here..My 535 has Seths in it, and they sound great..I personally don't really know what "microphonic" means, but the fact that the pickups aren't wax potted doesn't amount to a hill of beans to me..Now back to your regularly scheduled programming..

[NoNameBand]

My 2 Cents here..My 535 has Seths in it, and they sound great..I personally don't really know what "microphonic" means, but the fact that the pickups aren't wax potted doesn't amount to a hill of beans to me..Now back to your regularly scheduled programming..

 

Wax potting helps prevent feedback. This became an issue when guitar players started playing louder. More powerful amps and hotter pickups, especially with hollowbody guitars. That was the driving force behind the "semi-hollowbody" design to prevent feedback. Almost all modern humbucking pups are wax potted. I'm surprised this would not matter to you. You are a good player and that may come in handy to players like you.