Help with ideas on a PRS

[welmo]

Hi, I just got a PRS Chris Henderson, with 3 pickups: 250 bridge, and #7 middle and neck. It has the usual 3 way lp combination, and adds the middle pickup with a push pull. While i like it as it is, I feel it could be better. First thing, I want more of a strat positions 2 and 4 kind of sound when engaging the middle pickup. That would give me a better rhythm sound, and clean up a little the gain.
I also have a Freeway switch that am tempted to use ( you can use to get 6 combinations, in 2 pickup mode or with the three pickup configuration).
So, in case I only change the middle pickup, which model would suit me best, Alnico II Pro, Pearly Gates, ´59, Jazz?
And in case I decide for a three pickup change, What pickup could give me a more classic rock/hard rock sound in the bridge? And what pickup could complement well these in the neck, a Jazz, a Screaming Demon, Pearly gates?
I also have a set of Black Winters, which surprised me, and Pegasus/Sentient.
As you can read, I have many options, any recommendations would be helpful.
Thanks for your time.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Help with ideas on a PRS

I and many others on this forum don't prefer a humbucker in the middle slot, it's at an odd place harmonically. The reason single coils work so well in the middle position is they have a lot more clarity and there's also some witchcraft and voodoo that makes them not sound so nice.

What I'd recommend is a Phat Cat bridge model in the middle (with twin A4s if you trust yourself to swap magnets, don't be afraid to keep it stock though, the Phat Cat has an odd construction) and a set of either Saturday Night Specials (if you go A4 for the Phat Cat) or the Slash set (for a stock Phat Cat) would work pretty nice.

If you want a bit more kick in the bridge position, I'd suggest either a Custom Custom (A2) or a Custom 5. In short here are my two recommendations: Alnico II Pro/Phat Cat/Alnico II Pro (or Custom Custom). The other is Saturday Night Special/Phat Cat (A4/A4)/Saturday Night Special (Or Custom 5)

I would recommend your Freeway switch, they are pretty nice on 3 HB guitars. If you wanted to really go crazy on the wiring, I'd recommend push/pull coil splits on the neck and bridge pickups and possibly one for series/parallel and one for out of phase.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Help with ideas on a PRS

I like the idea of a Phat Cat in the middle...or a StagMag. Then you can put the Freeway to use.
For classic and hard rock, check out the '59 in the neck, as well as a Custom in the Bridge.

 

[welmo]

Re: Help with ideas on a PRS

I and many others on this forum don't prefer a humbucker in the middle slot, it's at an odd place harmonically. The reason single coils work so well in the middle position is they have a lot more clarity and there's also some witchcraft and voodoo that makes them not sound so nice.

What I'd recommend is a Phat Cat bridge model in the middle (with twin A4s if you trust yourself to swap magnets, don't be afraid to keep it stock though, the Phat Cat has an odd construction) and a set of either Saturday Night Specials (if you go A4 for the Phat Cat) or the Slash set (for a stock Phat Cat) would work pretty nice.

If you want a bit more kick in the bridge position, I'd suggest either a Custom Custom (A2) or a Custom 5. In short here are my two recommendations: Alnico II Pro/Phat Cat/Alnico II Pro (or Custom Custom). The other is Saturday Night Special/Phat Cat (A4/A4)/Saturday Night Special (Or Custom 5)

I would recommend your Freeway switch, they are pretty nice on 3 HB guitars. If you wanted to really go crazy on the wiring, I'd recommend push/pull coil splits on the neck and bridge pickups and possibly one for series/parallel and one for out of phase.

Thanks for the response!! I haven´t thought about the Phat Cat, interesting alternative!

 

[welmo]

Re: Help with ideas on a PRS

I like the idea of a Phat Cat in the middle...or a StagMag. Then you can put the Freeway to use.
For classic and hard rock, check out the '59 in the neck, as well as a Custom in the Bridge.

Do you know how does the Custom compare to the 250? The Custom used to be my fave bridge pickup, as I could never bond with JB´s