Seymour DuncanPearly Gates Humbucker Pickup Set for Electric Guitar - Zebra

I replaced both of the stock PAF marked burstbuckers in my 50’s LP standard with the Pearly Gates nickel bridge and neck. IMO, the factory installed burstbuckers weren’t bad, but the SD’s just gave my Les Paul a lot more clarity. They aren’t super hot, so they don’t pummel your input. You can actually hear every note and every harmonic when playing some of the most complex chords. If you chose these pickups you will quickly find that Aerosmith, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and ZZ all live here! Also, these pickups produce some really pretty cleans with a very detailed top end. I love my Les Paul, and the pearly gates made me love it even more. For reference, I play through a Marshall plexi and a greenback loaded 4x12 cab. Since I wrote the first paragraph I’ve installed Pearly Gates in both my SG Standard and 61 reissue. The clarity with a clean amp such as a fender twin is just gorgeous. The dirt with a fully cranked Marshall is very nice as well.

Bought two sets of these. Initially one was for a PRS SE Custom 24 which had the SE type 85/14 pickups, which were weak and thin sounding. I almost went with the Duncan Seth Lover pickups before settling on these. The Set Lovers as a great sounding PAF type pickups, and in my mind, the Pearly Gates are very similar except that they have just a bit more output. If you like the sound of PAF pickups, but want just a bit more balls - go for these. Played clean they are dynamic, clear with great clarity and string to string balance. A bluesy crunch maintains than clarity and balance. At full distortion, they don't turn muddy or buzzy. The tone is actually inspiring.Some time later, one of the pickups in my '80 Gibson Les Paul developed a serious issue. I was so impressed with the Pearly Gates pickups in my PRS, I bought a second set for the LP. Installed in the LP, it really came to life. Just incredible sound.I've always been a fan of Seymour Duncan's pickups, and these are no exception. I highly recommend these pickups.One note to Amazon. Both packages were packaged by simply dropping them into a plastic bubble envelope. The first set arrived with a dirty footprint on the envelope, the manufacturers plastic jewel box, in which the pickups are packaged was fine.Please put $200 items inside a cardboard box -- Please.

fantastic pickups they sound so good

I spent a lot of time and money trying to find a decent pair of humbuckers that weren't overwhelming with harsh overdrive / distortion. I am playing a Les Paul Studio and homebuilt all-ash Les Paul through tube amplifiers. These pickpups are pretty much perfect. I wasn't necessarily looking for a Rev. Billy sound, but these come very close to producing the tone and response I associate with early 70's electric blues and rock & roll players featuring Les Paul guitars (Ace Frehley, Billy Gibbons, Mike Bloomfield, Rickey Medlocke, Joe Perry, Gary Rossington, early Martin Barre... ). There is a slight dip in the mid-range response - not really scooped, but you will notice it. Neck pickup can produce a very nice woman tone reminiscent of Cream. Now I can really crank up the amps without all the hash that came with other "Alnico II" pickup sets I have tried. Just what I was looking for. How can I not give these 5 stars?

These SD Pearly Gates are excellent pickups. Perhaps the greatest neck humbucker I’ve had—rich and throaty. Bridge is also tight and creamy with clear note definition. Another reviewer said ‘harmonics seem to jump right out of these pickups’ and it’s true. The middle position is reminiscent of Jimmy Page’s tone as well. These make my Les Paul sound much better than the stock Burstbucker 61s. The BBs are pretty good PAF style pickups but can be brittle/harsh. And, at high volume, the Burstbuckers squeal like a pig. In contrast, the PGs sound tight & smooth, punchy without harshness and they are not at all microphonic at high volume. In fact, the blessings of sweet sustain and controlled feedback are poured out in rich abundance upon players of these ‘heavenly’ pickups. I love ‘em!

I bought these pickups for an Epiphone Standard Pro. This guitar feels great to play, but the epiphone pickups are too muddy for my taste. I bought these to fix this problem and wasn't disappointed. In comparison, these offer a much more "lyrical" sound. Where the Epiphone pickups have always sounded like the treble is muffled and the bass is sloppy, these tighten up the low end a bit and let the upper register really sing. Definitely not what I would chose for metal or extremely low tunings, but for just about everything else these are going to be my first choice in humbucker pickups.

Nice clean. Nice dirty and everywhere in between. These are the pickups you are looking for, If sound matters to you then spend the money. You will thank me later!

Pickups arrived used and beat up, like someone just ripped them out of their old guitar. Packing was incomplete and looked suspicious. Beware