A middy PRS SE...

[62caster]

Hey all,

Looking to fix a very middy, almost squawky, PRS 245 SE. Its one of the new models with the 245 S pickups. I like the neck PU. Thoughts on a bridge replacement? My favorite bridge pickup in the entire world is the DGT bridge, if that helps! 59? Seth Lover? Pearly Gates?

 

[TVFV]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

If you want less mids and lower output then my suggestion would be the 59.

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[Mr. B]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

Yeah, the 59 bridge sounds great in them. The 59 neck does too but it could be a little boomy. A Jazz might work there. Those would get rid of the squawky mid problem and still sound great.

 

[posite63]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

I'm noticing that a lot of the SEs have this problem. I've got a Tremonti SE in my hands at this very moment, prepping it for sale because I can't find the right pickups to get those annoying mids out. My Clint Lowery SE was similar, and I sold that one too. The Custom 5 was the closest I came to making them ok, no experience with lower output though.

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[62caster]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

Yeah, the 59 bridge sounds great in them. The 59 neck does too but it could be a little boomy. A Jazz might work there. Those would get rid of the squawky mid problem and still sound great.

Thanks! Is the jazz neck a similar or lower output than the 59 bridge? I actually thought about this combo.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

Thanks! Is the jazz neck a similar or lower output than the 59 bridge? I actually thought about this combo.

The Jazz N balances with the 59B. It doesn't feel like it has much less output than the 59N, but it is clearer and has a less boomy low end. Dimarzio Paf Pro bridge and a Humbucker from Hell neck is another combo that works well in one, and would do what you are describing.

 

[TVFV]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

Thanks! Is the jazz neck a similar or lower output than the 59 bridge? I actually thought about this combo.

The Jazz neck has less low end than a 59 neck and should pair well with the 59 bridge.

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[eclecticsynergy]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

If you like the neck pickup, I wouldn't change it. 59B is a good choice for a middy guitar I think.

My only SE was pretty middy to, and a Custom5 fixed it right up.

 

[62caster]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

If you like the neck pickup, I wouldn't change it. 59B is a good choice for a middy guitar I think.

My only SE was pretty middy to, and a Custom5 fixed it right up.

I don't know much about the Custom5, but it seems pretty dang hot?

 

[blind1]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

I don't know much about the Custom5, but it seems pretty dang hot?

I have the Custom 5 and Alnico 2 Pro Neck in a PRS SE 24... this is a pretty good pickup combo for this guitar. In retrospect, I'd go with a different neck pickup. The Custom 5 sounds pretty nice.. has a sweet PAF sound. Alnico 2 Pro is a bit dark.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

I don't know much about the Custom5, but it seems pretty dang hot?

It's actually medium output- hotter than PAF types but nothing like a Distortion or Black Winter. The Custom coils are wound with thinner wire than PAFs so it isn't as hot as the DCR might lead you to believe.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

The Custom 5 is not super hot, but it is hotter than the DGT bridge.

 

[62caster]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

So I think I've decided on the 59 bridge and Jazz neck.. Just trying to figure out if I need a Trembucker or a Humbucker?

 

[Zheddar]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

Some people may say a trembucker because the strings are wider then original 49.2mm. The thing is that the trembuckers are also wider and I have had the tape rip on the sides in pickup rings that weren't wide enough. The only time I use trembuckers is with floyds and the ultra wide vintage spaced strat bridges. Otherwise on anything I usually use regular spaced, even if the strings are at the edge of the poles, they still pickup fine and the edge is usually where you will find them especially on those 245 SE's. But the sound works fine. The PRS SE Bernie Marsden that I have has pickup rings that would tear up the outer edges of trembuckers. Opinions vary here though and what you read here is just one mans opinion, either would technically work. But my vote is that you should get regular spaced.

 

[posite63]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

So I think I've decided on the 59 bridge and Jazz neck.. Just trying to figure out if I need a Trembucker or a Humbucker?

I've tried both. My personal opinion is the humbucker, even though the poles are very slightly off center. TBs are just a touch too wide.

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[Mincer]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

I have a really mid-heavy Music Man. My normal pickups didn't work in it (Custom Custom/APH-1). I switched out the magnets for A5, and now have a Jazz/Custom 5 set, which solves the problem. Sometimes what you think will work won't, and pickups can help fix a tonal problem. The Custom 5/Jazz set is nothing I would ever pick myself, but it solved this particular tonal issue.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: A middy PRS SE...

I've had 2 of the SE 245's and although the pickups that come in them have that PRS mid-focus tone, the guitars themselves do not. The one I still have has a Dimarzio Air Zone in the bridge and a Duncan Full Shred neck. I've tried a dozen combination in it and this one works really well.