Description
Seymour Duncan built the Pearly Gates to chase a very specific ghost: the snarling, singing tone of a ’59 Les Paul Standard that helped define Texas blues-rock. It’s not a strict vintage clone, though – this humbucker runs a touch hotter than true vintage output, giving you extra push into the amp without losing the warmth or dynamic feel that made the original so addictive.
What sets the Pearly Gates apart is the top end. It’s bright without turning brittle, and pinch harmonics practically jump out on their own – a trait that’s made it a favorite for players who lean on sustain and squeal as part of their vocabulary. Blues, classic rock, southern rock, jam bands, hard rock – it covers that territory with authority, especially through maple or ebony fingerboards, and it holds up well in hollow and semi-hollow bodies too.
This is the bridge-position SH-PG1 in gold, wound to 8.35k DC resistance around an Alnico 2 bar magnet, and it ships with four-conductor hookup wire for coil-split wiring options.
Popular pairings:
- Pearly Gates in both neck and bridge for a cohesive, sweet-but-rude voice
- Bridge Pearly Gates with an APH-1n Alnico II Pro in the neck for smoother, rounder tones
- Neck Pearly Gates with an SH-11 Custom Custom in the bridge for a heavier rock attack
Players who’ve reached for this pickup include Dickey Betts, Warren Haynes of Gov’t Mule, Howard Leese of Heart, and Greg Martin of the Kentucky Headhunters – all running it in both neck and bridge positions.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.