Pearly Gates "Plus" pup info?

Does alnico 2 VS alnico 5 really make that much difference?

I can tell you this, A5 is definitely stronger than A2. I did a magnet swap in the 57 Classics in my SG a few years back. I first swapped from the stock A2 to A5 to UOA5 to A4. Earlier this year I went back to the original A2s.

There is a rather marked difference between A2 and A5. I really couldn’t tell a difference between A5 and UOA5. But, the A5 produced a stronger output and was more biting, almost harsh. I don’t think it was a good match for that pickup wind. I pulled them out within just a few days after the swap. Then I swapped to A4 and ran with that for awhile.

Like I said, I ended up right back where I started with A2.
 
LOL!!!

Well, I'm a full-time musician and I work in the background of the Los Angeles area music scene, so my job affords me the opportunity to meet a lot of people.

Because there are so many things located down here, like Seymour Duncan, Schecter, Suhr, Ernie Ball, Mission Engineering/Stagecraft, Carvin (now Kiesel) Fender, and Solo Dallas before their recent move to Florida. I've sometimes just drove down to one of these places when I had a question, rather than call them.

Now, a few months back, I wanted a custom pickup made for me, so I called an acquaintance at Duncan. Although super cool, their custom shop just really didn't seem interested.

I mentioned this around the coffee pot at the studio one morning. Our producer said, "Call DiMarzio and ask for Larry. Tell him I said wassup."

Dimarzio has an obscure custom department that's kind of mysterious. Once you are identified as a card-carrying, registered BMI Artist and Musician's Union member, things start happening.

It's like when the guy would slide open the little panel in the door at a speakeasy and ask for the password.

View attachment 77512

Dimarzio was awesome to work with. I sent them sound files of tones that I liked and we sent emails back and forth.

They created a custom humbucker for me, named after my inarticulate playing style: 'The Neanderthal.' It's a nickel-silver baseplate based, F-spaced, wood spacer, 16.5k AlNico9 44awg beast that rivals a EMG81TW in terms of output (around 370mv) and tone, without squeal or feedback at high volumes.

It's very closely related to the Andy Timmons AT-1 signature pickup, which is 16.5k Alnico 5, 320mv output.

I'm very blessed to have met some really cool and helpful people in this business....
So what you are saying is, yes you are a musical hit man, but you are not aware of the existence such a group.

That’s good. Deny everything. Nobody likes a rat.
Well. Unless it’s this rat.
A29F6BB2-4C83-4E0E-8216-86E565A8B6CD.jpeg
 
Showmasters are pretty cool. Many years ago when I was first looking for a Stratocaster, I almost bought one. Now and then, I wish I would have still gotten it.
If you are ever in the mood to make that wish come true. There are a few out there for sale. They aren’t cheap.
I remember buying mine for less than some of these are listed.
 
Hi folks,

Google pointed me to this thread. Sorry for waking up and old post.
I found this pickup in a box in my workshop, it's been untouched for approximately 22 years+.
I got it to try in a CIJ Strat (ST-68TX) but as the Strat is metric and this pickup is for USA Imperial Strats, the polepeice's didn't line up. My OCD got the better of me and so out it came. As I recall, the pickup sounded incredible. Still Stratty but more oomph.

I forgot about it until I came across it, then I dug out an old digital camera photo from the archives of my computer. (AI search is fantastic, no?).

I was wondering if you knowledgeable folks have an idea of a value of it, as it's a sin that no one is enjoying it's sonic beauty.
I'm attaching photos for reference
 

Attachments

Last edited:
Wish I could contribute something more than what’s in this thread…but an A5 loaded, slightly overwound Pearly Gates version, with four conductor wiring is what it seems to be. I see one listed for $219, but have never had the opportunity to play through one(that I’m aware of).
 
Great sounding pickup, especially good in Strat types.
Poles don't have to line up exactly for it to sound very good.

I have a loose one too, along with the stock one in my Showmaster.
One of these days I'll have to clear out my unused pickups...
 
Back
Top