[SOLVED!] Seymour Duncan ’59 Vs Pearly Gates: A Guide For Guitarists

Contents

illustrative image seymour duncan '59 vs pearly gates

Debates about Seymour Duncan ’59 Vs Pearly Gates have resulted in contrasting opinions about the guitars. Since both guitars can produce quality sound, it’s going to be tough to choose one over the other. Unable to make up your mind and could use some help? In that case, you should find this article useful.

Overviews Of The SD Pickups

illustrative image of seymour duncan '59 vs pearly gates

In order to reach an informed conclusion regarding Seymour Duncan ’59 vs. Pearly Gates, it’s of utmost importance to grasp the attributes of the pickups.  

Seymour Duncan ’59

seymour duncan '59 vs pearly gates

  • D.C Resistance: 7.6 (Neck) 8.2 (Bridge) 
  • Magnet: Alnico 5
  • Cable: 1C Braided Shield

Made to be flexible, the ’59 pickups offer full-sounding chords, bring attacks and sweet sustains. Incorporating several refinements to compensate for the latest changes in guitar strings as well as amplifiers, the pickups from SD produce bright well-compressed tones. The ’59 pickups still retain old school characteristics thanks to the use of vintage single-conductor braided push back lead wire. All in all, the pickups of Seymour Duncan should work with a variety of styles. 

Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates 

illustrative image of seymour duncan '59 vs pearly gates

  • D.C Resistance: 7.3 (Neck) 8.1 (Bridge) 
  • Magnet: Alnico 2
  • Cable: 4C Shielded  

Featuring the essence of the pickups used in the original Billy Gibbons’ 1959 Les Paul, the Pearly Gates pickups of SD deliver high end focused sounding. Because of the versatile 4-conductor lead wire, guitar players have plenty of wiring options available. In addition to that, the hand-built pickups receive vacuum wax potting so you don’t have to worry too much about the annoying squeals. As the Pearly Gates pickups happen to be wounded using original Leesona winding machines, they give off distinct vintage feels. 

In-Depth Reviews Of Performance

Seymour Duncan ’59

illustrative image of seymour duncan '59 vs pearly gates

  • Excellent Sounds 

The ’59 guitar pickups from Seymour Duncan pack considerable basses and trebles which produce cool tones.  However, in the case your guitar seems to be too “warm” then the fully charged Alnico 5 magnet might cause some muddiness, especially on low strings. To properly address the muddiness in the tone, you could lower the bridge pickup and raise the adjustable pole pieces. It’s also possible for you to enhance the sound just by replacing the Alnico 5 magnet with an Alnico 4 one

  • Fit A Variety Of Styles 

Regardless of what music you like to play (heavy rocks, warm blues,…), the tones of your guitar should stay reasonably nice with Seymour Duncan ’59 pickups. As the pickups don’t prove too wound, they wouldn’t suppress the harmonics, overtones and others that come out of your guitar during plays. The SD pickups have tight responses too so you would be able to determine the ideal amps settings for your guitar without much difficulty.       

  • Offer Great Values For The Price 

The venerable Seymour Duncan ’59 pickups come at highly affordable prices these kinds of days which make them favorites of budget-minded guitarists around the globe. Therefore, if you have a rather tight wallet at the moment then you should consider getting the pickups from SD. 

Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates  

illustrative image of seymour duncan '59 vs pearly gates

  • Clear And Un-Muddy Tone 

Boasting lots of basses, the Pearly Gates pickups fall behind the ‘59 in terms of tightness but they have superior clarity. Capable of providing highly detailed clear sound, the PG pickups allow you to say goodbye to muddiness issues in play. The output of the pickups seems to fluctuate from time to time though but in most cases, you would be able to make excellent tones. All in all, Pearly Gates is going to come out on top in Seymour Duncan ’59 vs. Pearly Gates if sound clarity is the main concern. 

  • Ideal For Blue, Rock And Fusions

Generally speaking, the Pearly Gates pickups of Seymour Duncan perform admirably in various music styles. Nonetheless, the tonal characteristics of the pickups tend to make them well-suited for Texas blues, heavy rocks and fusions. In the case you play such styles on a regular basis, it’s strongly recommended that you grab the SD pickups as soon as possible. 

  • A Bit Expensive 

Considering the superb performance of the Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups, it’s natural that they come at high prices. Compared to the ’59 pickups, the PG ones require more investments in terms of money so think it through before deciding.  

Conclusion of seymour duncan ’59 vs pearly gates: You Make The Call

illustrative image of seymour duncan '59 vs pearly gates

Both ’59 and Pearly Gates pickups have solid characteristics that guitarists appreciate so it’s hard to identify the winner in Seymour Duncan ’59 vs Pearly Gates. In the end, you have to think about your own needs and requirements in order to acquire the right pickups.   

If you want something versatile that supports a variety of music styles then Seymour Duncan ’59 would be your best bet. On the other hand, if clarity is your topmost priority once it comes to guitar pickups then you should go after Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates.