My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

[JDaniels]

...grow a raunchy attitude and have his balls drop. For a 16 yr old (2001 model), he's a late bloomer

The stock pickups sound fine, I'm just a tinkerer and my plan was to get rid of the coil split feature I never use, upgrade the pots/cap and I figured let's try some new pickups in there as well to make it sound more "mine". I've been pouring over the clips and threads here over the past number of months and I've narrowed things down a bit, but I wanted to start a thread specific to my own gear. I'm going to go with the Alnico 2 Pro for the neck, but for the bridge I'm looking for a little more output and presence (raunch/scream) and a bit more punch (balls) on the bottom end without a mid scoop and good sustain/dynamics over the stock bridge. I love how open and dynamic and how long notes ring with the antiquity humbuckers, if I could get that same basic tone with a little more output and punch on the bottom end that would be perfect.

I've been looking at the 59/Custom hybrid and I love the clips however it seems that it doesn't have much sustain. On the clip it seems that the single note lead lines that are supposed to be held just seem to die out without much sustain compared to some of the other pickups, which is kind of a deal breaker for me. Would a degaussed magnet fix this? Also looking at the Custom UOA5 (not a fan of the hollow mids on the stock clips). I like the idea of a degaussed magnet since my guitar is over 16 years old so I've considered the antiquity JB as well, however the clips wouldn't load for me (the regular JB sounded pretty good to me though). Other's I'm considering are the Rio Grande BBQ and the Brobucker however the latter is getting a little expensive.

I play mostly classic rock stuff, VH, ACDC, GnR, and some newer-ish stuff like Airbourne, Sum 41 and Nickelback rhythm and lead, but I'd say a good thick sustaining lead tone is most important. I don't need to nail these tones but getting as close as I can with one guitar is what I'm after. I play though an Earthquaker Palisades OD into the green channel of a Marshall DSL50 and Greenback loaded 4x12. The McCarty has a 51.5mm string spacing so I'm thinking a trembucker is my best option, and I'm also looking for zebra coils as well. Thanks for bearing with me fellas, I think that is all for now and I appreciate any insight you can give me.

 

[Despair]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

The sustain difference, assuming it isn't the guitar having poor acoustic sustain, or the demoer not using enough amp volume to get feedback sustain, unlike with another pickup demo, is most likely tied to output, so a less powerful magnet may not move it at all the direction you want. Given your OD, I can't imagine you really having problems with sustain. I agree some of the demo videos seem to be a bit off, but I've never heard anyone complain of sustain problems with a '59/Custom, going back to before it was a production pickup.

A fair number of people don't get on with JBs, particularly in shorter scale warmer instruments. It can certainly handle the Sum 41 & Nickelback range. But given an OD, you can get there with any of your other options, too, I should think.

The Custom variations should be better for the AC/DC, GnR & Van Halen range. I'd lean a little more to the '59/Custom hybrid for those, and you can always resort to magnet swaps if you need reduced mids, or more of an A2 texture from the pickup [unoriented A5 gets some of that as well, of course. The mixed coils on the '59/C are quite nice for extended presence without harshness. And you get a bit higher output and aggression from the Custom coil, while keeping a good amount of vintage feel & dynamics.

Custom UOA5 would likely handle the gamut well, and likely balance well with the A2Pro, but given your mentions of wanting presence, it might not quite do what you want. If you need more punch, could try a ceramic TB-5, or if the bite of the ceramic is offputting, could try A8, which also drops output a touch as well as giving a rounder high end. Those last two options are probably a bit less dynamic than you are wanting, though.

Trembucker is the best option for poles correctly lining up.

A fair number of people find the PATB-3 Blues Saraceno to be a cheap alternative to the Brobucker, but given your wanting a zebra look, probably off the menu. You might also look at the Whole Lotta Humbucker, for a cheaper overwound PAF that's more likely to fit cosmetic needs.

You also might find that the coil split is more attractive with different pickups.

I'd probably start with the '59/Custom Hybrid from an authorized dealer, given you are a tinkerer, take advantage of the 21-day swap if it misses the mark, work your way through some of the other options.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

I wouldn't go with a Trembucker because it'll be a very tight fit in a standard PRS size mounting ring. A Trembucker is something like an 1/8" wider than a standard Duncan or Gibson humbucker. That means the distance between the two ht. adjustment screws will be wider too.

I'd consider the APH-2 Slash set which is an improved APH-1 set with a great neck pickup and a stronger bridge pickup than the pickup in the APH-1 set that Slash previously used in his stage guitars.

It's a terrific set for rock, blues, jazz...whatever.

I'm curious about that 59/Custom set too, but when I've mixed an alnico 2 neck pickup with a hot alnico 5 bridge pickup I didn't care for it.

Too much difference in EQ for one amp setting to work perfectly for both pickups.

 

[JDaniels]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

The sustain difference, assuming it isn't the guitar having poor acoustic sustain, or the demoer not using enough amp volume to get feedback sustain, unlike with another pickup demo, is most likely tied to output, so a less powerful magnet may not move it at all the direction you want. Given your OD, I can't imagine you really having problems with sustain. I agree some of the demo videos seem to be a bit off, but I've never heard anyone complain of sustain problems with a '59/Custom, going back to before it was a production pickup.

A fair number of people don't get on with JBs, particularly in shorter scale warmer instruments. It can certainly handle the Sum 41 & Nickelback range. But given an OD, you can get there with any of your other options, too, I should think.

The Custom variations should be better for the AC/DC, GnR & Van Halen range. I'd lean a little more to the '59/Custom hybrid for those, and you can always resort to magnet swaps if you need reduced mids, or more of an A2 texture from the pickup [unoriented A5 gets some of that as well, of course. The mixed coils on the '59/C are quite nice for extended presence without harshness. And you get a bit higher output and aggression from the Custom coil, while keeping a good amount of vintage feel & dynamics.

Custom UOA5 would likely handle the gamut well, and likely balance well with the A2Pro, but given your mentions of wanting presence, it might not quite do what you want. If you need more punch, could try a ceramic TB-5, or if the bite of the ceramic is offputting, could try A8, which also drops output a touch as well as giving a rounder high end. Those last two options are probably a bit less dynamic than you are wanting, though.

Trembucker is the best option for poles correctly lining up.

A fair number of people find the PATB-3 Blues Saraceno to be a cheap alternative to the Brobucker, but given your wanting a zebra look, probably off the menu. You might also look at the Whole Lotta Humbucker, for a cheaper overwound PAF that's more likely to fit cosmetic needs.

You also might find that the coil split is more attractive with different pickups.

I'd probably start with the '59/Custom Hybrid from an authorized dealer, given you are a tinkerer, take advantage of the 21-day swap if it misses the mark, work your way through some of the other options.

Thanks for that very informative post. It confirmed some of my suspicions of the 59/custom hybrid's sounds clips and also that it might be a good place to start.

 

[JDaniels]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

I wouldn't go with a Trembucker because it'll be a very tight fit in a standard PRS size mounting ring. A Trembucker is something like an 1/8" wider than a standard Duncan or Gibson humbucker. That means the distance between the two ht. adjustment screws will be wider too.

I'd consider the APH-2 Slash set which is an improved APH-1 set with a great neck pickup and a stronger bridge pickup than the pickup in the APH-1 set that Slash previously used in his stage guitars.

It's a terrific set for rock, blues, jazz...whatever.

I'm curious about that 59/Custom set too, but when I've mixed an alnico 2 neck pickup with a hot alnico 5 bridge pickup I didn't care for it.

Too much difference in EQ for one amp setting to work perfectly for both pickups.

Thanks Lew, I never thought about the humbucker ring adjustment screw spacing. I'll have to try and confirm this somewhere. I thought I remember reading on TGP that people have put trembuckers in their McCarty's. According to my measurements the stock pickups are Gibson spaced, which is odd because I think the TBs would line up better in regards to pole pieces.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

Thanks Lew, I never thought about the humbucker ring adjustment screw spacing. I'll have to try and confirm this somewhere. I thought I remember reading on TGP that people have put trembuckers in their McCarty's. According to my measurements the stock pickups are Gibson spaced, which is odd because I think the TBs would line up better in regards to pole pieces.

You're welcome. Here's a shot of my PRS guitars. All with standard Duncan pickups. No problems whatsoever.

 

[Despair]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

I wouldn't go with a Trembucker because it'll be a very tight fit in a standard PRS size mounting ring. A Trembucker is something like an 1/8" wider than a standard Duncan or Gibson humbucker. That means the distance between the two ht. adjustment screws will be wider too.

I'd consider the APH-2 Slash set which is an improved APH-1 set with a great neck pickup and a stronger bridge pickup than the pickup in the APH-1 set that Slash previously used in his stage guitars.

It's a terrific set for rock, blues, jazz...whatever.

I'm curious about that 59/Custom set too, but when I've mixed an alnico 2 neck pickup with a hot alnico 5 bridge pickup I didn't care for it.

Too much difference in EQ for one amp setting to work perfectly for both pickups.

When replacing pickups, if the original pickup rings are too tight, I'd look at getting replacement rings that work better. Though finding ones that also mount in the original holes might be tricky, if you want it reversible without scars...

I can't recall how people felt magnet swaps worked with the APH-1, particularly neck, for making it balance better with a stronger bridge humbucker, or if it just throws it out of balance? Trying to get disparate sounds out of one guitar does tend to be a bit of a struggle in tradeoffs.

With a hotter bridge, perhaps a bridge model APH-1 or APH-2, for the neck? (SH spaced, instead of Trembucker, of course.) Might be too much darker, but it'd help the volume balance problems.

 

[JDaniels]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

Wow @Lewguitar, that's an impressive collection. What combinations do you like the most your PRSi?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

Wow @Lewguitar, that's an impressive collection. What combinations do you like the most your PRSi?

1. Seth Lovers with the covers removed. Double cream in one and zebra in the other. They are the most fun to play and to rock out on. Great for Gary Moore overdrive and Peter Green when he was with John Mayall overdriven tones. But excellent clean tones too.

2. Antiquitys in my blue CU22. Not quite as much drive as the Seths but a beautiful, elegant, classy tone. Sort of flutey...breathy...but great with overdriven tones too. Sort of "hollow" or "tubular" sounding.

3. Duncan 59's modded with Roughcast Alnico 5 magnets. (stock is polished) Great for Clapton Cream tones and Santana tones. Also great for warm, plucky, jazzy Wes Montgomery kind of tones.

4. Pearly Gates. ZZ Top...Gary Moore...and my own sparkly but overdriven tones. Hard to describe but I love them.

 

[Demanic]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

A2P neck. Custom UOA5 or 5 in the bridge.

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

 

[JDaniels]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

When replacing pickups, if the original pickup rings are too tight, I'd look at getting replacement rings that work better. Though finding ones that also mount in the original holes might be tricky, if you want it reversible without scars...

I can't recall how people felt magnet swaps worked with the APH-1, particularly neck, for making it balance better with a stronger bridge humbucker, or if it just throws it out of balance? Trying to get disparate sounds out of one guitar does tend to be a bit of a struggle in tradeoffs.

With a hotter bridge, perhaps a bridge model APH-1 or APH-2, for the neck? (SH spaced, instead of Trembucker, of course.) Might be too much darker, but it'd help the volume balance problems.

The description for the 59/custom hybrid on the website recommends a jazz or 59 in the neck, so by that logic the A2P should be fine. But that's purely speculation on my part

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

The description for the 59/custom hybrid on the website recommends a jazz or 59 in the neck, so by that logic the A2P should be fine. But that's purely speculation on my part

An A2P neck with an A5 is a Jazz neck.

 

[JDaniels]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

Hey thanks for all the help fellas. I managed to snag a set of PRS 59/09s on Reverb for $250USD shipped to Canada, so I'm going to try those first. Anyone know what I can expect from those?

 

[AZ Picker]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

I had an older set with the normal looking bobbins and I liked them a lot, very punchy and a bit darker than your normal paf type. I put them in a very middy, dark, all mahogany PRS CE 22 with the 5 way rotary and the combo just didn't work well, but that guitar had to have a brighter powerful bridge pickup (sh-5) to have any sort of clarity. I think you will be happy with them, I think I ended up getting over $350 for my set when I got rid of them. So you got a good price as well.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

I currently have the Whole Lotta Humbucker set in my '05 McCarty. I did try the '59/Custom Hybrid for a while, but felt that worked better in my Fret King Esprit. I retained the split, although I put it on a push-push rather than a push-pull for easier switching (for me).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[elelpe]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

Screamin' Demon has great sustain. Replace A5 with A8 mag for thicker sound. Alt8 definitely has it... with higher output though.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: My PRS McCarty needs to hit puberty

Tune down to Eb or D.