Changing pups in a PRS

[CountFeedback]

hey All
Just got a PRS S2 Mira. I'm like'n it a lot but think a set of Duncan's could do better than the stock S2 pickups.

#1 does anybody know if PRS guitars require a "short leg" pickup?

#2 Pickup Suggestions? The stock pickups in it now are A4 or A5 vintage output level. The neck sounds a bit dull to me and the bridge is a little congested IMO, that's my brutal review, overall they're not terrible.

In the NECK: I prefer a bit of a hollow sort of Hendrix-esq neck tone. I get what I want from a 59n I have in another mahogany guitar, I don't hate the JAZZ, tried Antiquities in that other guitar too sounded nice dry but didn't really cut or punch with my usual sound(analog chorus and delay) so I'm nervous about A2 but I'm still interested in maybe a Seth Lover.

BRIDGE: I'm curious about a Phat Cat, but also keen on a zebra JB or maybe a 59b.

Mostly I play 80s/90s-PostPunk (The Cure,NIN,Garbage sort of stuff) with occasional forays into Classic Rock, Blues, Prog, Surf, Shoegaze.

DON'T TELL ME ABOUT MAGNET SWAPS.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

Seth Lover and JB is a kickin combo.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

Well, I have installed short leg pickups on a PRS before...I have not taken apart a Mira, but I would assume it has short legs. You can check the current pickups to see. For the kind of music you like, Phat Cats, or even P-Rails might be a great choice. If you want humbuckers, a Whole Lotta Humbucker with a 59/Custom Hybrid is a great choice, too. A little hotter than vintage, but you can still get vintage tones with the volume knob...and rock out when you want to.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

Everywhere I'm looking for Long vs Short leg pups in a PRS the answer seems to be "maybe?" :eyecrazy:

 

[Demanic]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

59/JB.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

Everywhere I'm looking for Long vs Short leg pups in a PRS the answer seems to be "maybe?" :eyecrazy:

I have SE's from '07 and '09 and I have Custom 22's from '95 and '02 and long legs have not been an issue with those guitars.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

If you go short leg then you will have no issue.

And simply loosening the strings and pulling a pickup in a guitar that you already have would surely be the THE most definitive way of finding out for your guitar.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

I have guitars with Seths and Ants and I love them. And while I have a lot of gain available with my Mesa amps, I use a DOD FX10 preamp at the front of my pedalboard, always on, mild boost. Same great tones, just a little bit bigger. The Ants are all about smooth.

Bill

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

If you go short leg then you will have no issue.

And simply loosening the strings and pulling a pickup in a guitar that you already have would surely be the THE most definitive way of finding out for your guitar.

I know the pickups they put in the S2 models are the same short leg pups they put in the SE models.
If there is enough space routed for long leg pups it's much more convenient if I want to try a Seth Lover or a 59.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

Indeed.

However they do change routs from time to time as their stock pickups change.....epi going from their own pickups to some Gibson ones in certain models as an example.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

I had an original (core) starla..similar dimensions...long legs were super tight and the screws bottomed out in the neck.

Also had issues with a sc250 (core). Shop owner had to cut and rebend legs on my 59 neck.

My current core sc245 can handle long legs.

Safer to go short

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

I know the pickups they put in the S2 models are the same short leg pups they put in the SE models.
If there is enough space routed for long leg pups it's much more convenient if I want to try a Seth Lover or a 59.

I have Seth Lovers, 59's and Pearly Gates pickups in my SE's. No problems. But mine are '07 and '09 SE Singlecuts.

You might ask these questions about your particular guitar on the PRS Forum. They'll know.

Or open up your guitar and see how much room you have so you can buy the pickups you really want with confidence that they'll fit.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

I have Seth Lovers, 59's and Pearly Gates pickups in my SE's. No problems. But mine are '07 and '09 SE Singlecuts.

You might ask these questions about your particular guitar on the PRS Forum. They'll know.

Or open up your guitar and see how much room you have so you can buy the pickups you really want with confidence that they'll fit.

I don't think I can afford the annual membership fee at the PRS forum

 

[JeffB]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

I don't think I can afford the annual membership fee at the PRS forum

I think its an excellent forum with tons of knowledge on the subject at hand.. However , it's Paul's House (a "house organ" if you will), a fan(atic) site, and discussion is pretty well expected to be about his products when discussing gear. If you are looking to start a "should I buy a sg or a s2 vela" sort of thread, that is not the place to do it. Other pickups, pedals, etc. is fine.

The forum is free, and there is plenty of discussion and love for every guitar he makes..SE and beyond. People are respectful and civil, moreso than most other official forums..but it can seem a little "stiff" at times.

 

[nsnate02]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

In my SE, I originally went with. the SD 59 neck and JB in the bridge for the same reasons you stated about the stock PU's. However, the JB was just too shrill for me. I ended up changing it out with a SD 59/Custom hybrid. Found the right balance for me.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

I think its an excellent forum with tons of knowledge on the subject at hand.. However , it's Paul's House (a "house organ" if you will), a fan(atic) site, and discussion is pretty well expected to be about his products when discussing gear. If you are looking to start a "should I buy a sg or a s2 vela" sort of thread, that is not the place to do it. Other pickups, pedals, etc. is fine.

The forum is free, and there is plenty of discussion and love for every guitar he makes..SE and beyond. People are respectful and civil, moreso than most other official forums..but it can seem a little "stiff" at times.

I'm trying to let go of my PRS stereotypes. I imagine the PRS Forum as the country club from the "Trading Places" movie. Lots of middle aged Thurston Howell types going on in mid-atlantic accents about how their breaking their back at the Firm and they'ed lose their mind t'were it not for being able to come home and look at their latest PRS acquisition.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

Pull em up and see

Takes 5 mins

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

Despite my repulsion to unscrewing wood-screws in a guitar without being prepared to do the work... I did it, I lifted the pickguard.
I found in my "inventory" :lmao: a long legged JB to check the routed cavity space.
Interesting what I discovered;

#1 - Long leg pups should fit the S2 Mera.
Looks like you can't drop the pups lower than flush with the pickguard. Also I didn't check for mounting screw length issues or if the thread on the S2 stock screws will work with USA pickups.

#2 - This was a surprise! Standard SD length pole piece screws will bottom out in the cavity before the long legs will.
The PRS designed pickups have shorter pole piece screws.

Update: Long legs won't fit in the neck and standard SD screw poles are too long.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

Win/win? I am sure you can source smaller screws, or just cut the SD screws.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Changing pups in a PRS

Win/win? I am sure you can source smaller screws, or just cut the SD screws.

I think SD pups should fit fine with their stock pole screws but I was surprised that the long legs didn't land first.

Now I'm pondering some pole screw cutting just for the sound mod :scratchch