Need Pickup Recommendations

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bAngiel01

New member
The Gear in Question:
Guitar: PRS SE CU22 (Drop D, .11-.56 strings, Stock Pickups)
Specs: Mahogany body, Maple cap and neck, Rosewood fretboard
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Roadster
Cab: Mesa/Boogie Rectifier 2x12

Some more stuff:
Genres: Metal, Rock, Jazz, Blues
Needs: Tight bottom end / High output / Clarity in high gain / Versatility

I've been exploring the possibilities of new pickups for a long time, and I've become very lost in a sea of possibilities. The stock pickups in my CU22 are good--not great. They lack output that I need. (I'm making changes as to how I craft my sound--I no longer use the Green Rhino as a boost; I let the amp do all the gain work, and I need more output from my pickups). I like the tone I'm getting, but I need more power. I covered most of the information in the top, I think.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
And I'm not necessarily committed to any one brand, but I'd like to avoid spending a fortune on some new pickups.

Thanks!
 
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Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

El Supremo said:
It's exactly that. Not a regular production model, but quite popular around here.
Click to expand...

And that will cover all the bases that I need covered? Sounds like it might be worth a shot. Where would you suggest I buy an Alnico VIII magnet?
 
Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

Get the TB-5 and try it stock first, it may be perfect for you.
 
Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

bAngiel01 said:
What exactly is the C8? Is it an SH-5 with an Alnico VIII magnet?
Click to expand...

Precisely. I think you are the first person to actually guess that.
With the '59n, some people find it to be a little bit boomy. There is two ways that I know of to make it perfect. 1. Change the magnet for and Alnico 4 magnet, 2. or swap out the screws in it for hex screws (part number 91251A131 at mcmaster.com)

With your specifications, Blueman335's suggestion would be perfect. You could either order the C8 from SD as a shop floor custom (it costs pretty much the same as buying one of their production line pickups new), you could try and find one used on the trading post here, or you could build it yourself which is not as hard as it sounds.
 
Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

uOpt said:
Trem or hardtail?
Click to expand...

It's a trem, but the measurements I took lined up more with the standard spacing. Would it be better to go with the TB-5 just to be safe?

Otherwise, I think I am definitely going to go with the Custom. I'll install it and decide if I want the Alnico VIII later.

Thanks, everyone.
 
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Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

Update:

My pickups arrived today. I bought the TB-5 and the SH-1 '59. I also pickups up an A8 magnet and an A4 magnet, for the bridge and neck pickup, respectively. I will try them stock first, but the place I bought the magnets from charged $6 shipping, and I didn't want to pay that twice for magnets.

Any words of wisdom before installing new pickups and (potentially) new magnets?
 
Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

How are you setting the controls on your amplifier?
 
Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

Funkfingers said:
How are you setting the controls on your amplifier?
Click to expand...

Channel 4 (what I mainly use)
Master Output: 8:00
Master Volume: 10:00
Presence: 9:00
Bass: 7:00
Mid: 11:00
Treble: 1:00
Gain: 2:00

As I said, though, I'm happy with my tone. I just want to improve some things (output, clarity, versatility, etc).
 
Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

I think I'm going to have the chance to make the swap today. I've already put the A4 magnet in the SH-1, but I'm going to wait before I out the A8 magnet in the TB-5.

Are push-push pots wired like push-pull pots?
 
Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

No one? Okay, well...

I just finished changing the pickups. I know have a TB-5 and an SH-1(A4) set up.

Initial thoughts:
TB-5
-Present bottom end
-Harsh on the high end (didn't like that too much)
-Nice output

SH-1(A4)
-Awesome neck pickup
-Not too bassy--nice and sweet

I have both pickups set to coil split with some Mojotone Push-Push pots--they work like a charm. Both sound awesome split.

I'm hoping the A8 magnet will fix some of the issues I'm having.

Thanks, everyone!
 
Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

the 59nA4 is an awesome neck pup. I'm still tinkering around with my J/59nA4 hybrids before I make any final decisions, but the 59nA4 really surprised me. splitting it has given me some really really nice tones on a clean amp setting (I owe that call to blueman!)

I'd wager that if you're already planning on putting an A8 in that TB5, it would resolve your concern with the high end... making it a bit sweeter (not softer or mushier) while having the output.
 
Re: Need Pickup Recommendations

darthphineas said:
the 59nA4 is an awesome neck pup. I'm still tinkering around with my J/59nA4 hybrids before I make any final decisions, but the 59nA4 really surprised me. splitting it has given me some really really nice tones on a clean amp setting (I owe that call to blueman!)

I'd wager that if you're already planning on putting an A8 in that TB5, it would resolve your concern with the high end... making it a bit sweeter (not softer or mushier) while having the output.
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100% about splitting the 59nA4. I love it. I've been itching for something with single coils, but I love what I'm getting here. I'm probably gonna throw on the hex screws mentioned above. I like the prospect of having gear with modding potential.

I'm confident that the A8 magnet will pretty much move things into perfection. Is it true that the A8 magnet has more output compared to other magnets (the write-up on the Alt 8 seems to indicate that)?
 
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