475 pickup swap

[BadHorsie01]

Hi all,

I'm taking the preamp guts and Jackson pickups out of my 475 ( keeping them, though, of course) to bring it in the same power spectrum as my 375.

I've bought a Pearly Gates bridge Trembucker and 2 lil'59s (neck powered according to the Duncan site). I've done a search on the site but cannot find any specific mention of anyone using the PG in the bridge. I kind of know what the lil'59s will sound like but was wondering if anyone had any experience with the PG trembucker in the bridge?

If so, let me know. If not, I'll review it when I get it loaded (after the 20th dec).

Cheers,

Mick

[dg]

Since you've already bought the Pearly Gates, you might as well put it in & see how you like it. It is closer to the PAF range, with about the same output as a '59 but with more high end & mids. It won't be nearly as hot as the J90C in your 375, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, depending on your rig. Plenty of people use less hot pickups and rely on the amp & pedals for the gain. My only experience with the Pearly Gates is in the neck positon of my 750XL, and I like it & use it quite a bit.

[BadHorsie01]

Since you've already bought the Pearly Gates, you might as well put it in & see how you like it. It is closer to the PAF range, with about the same output as a '59 but with more high end & mids. It won't be nearly as hot as the J90C in your 375, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, depending on your rig. Plenty of people use less hot pickups and rely on the amp & pedals for the gain. My only experience with the Pearly Gates is in the neck positon of my 750XL, and I like it & use it quite a bit.

Thanks for the response mate.

I have the J90C backed quite a way down from the strings as I like to do exactly what you have stated above, and let my rig do the work.

I'm in a rock/metal style covers band but I find the articulation, definition and clarity of the sound is much improved by putting a modest signal in from the guitar and letting the rest of the signal chain supply the grunt.
I love the "flavour" of PAF style pickups too. I've done a lot of experimentation over the years and know that I A: can't get on with actives (EMG etc) and B: prefer HOT singles but hate the hum. This is kind of the best middle ground for me.

[johnnyguitar]

Well, PG's are very bright, (even more so in a 25 1/2" scale guitar with a floyd and a basswood body) so I'd try it with a 250K to get rid of the "ice-pick" factor".

I have a 475 with a DiMarzio Air Zone and it's fantastic.

[BadHorsie01]

Hi Johnny, many thanks for the advice! I'll get my luthier to put a 250k in rather than a 500.