New bridge pickup for PRS SE Zach Myers

[Guitardude93]

Managed to get a good deal on a PRS SE Zach Myers (the semi-hollow, not the 3 humbucker model) several months back and quickly fell in love with it. The only issue I have is the bridge pickup. There's not enough power behind it while playing distorted, and it's way too bright for my taste when playing clean, almost like I'm playing a single coil instead of a humbucker. I primarily use this guitar when I play for my church so I usually just stick to the neck pickup as it's mostly chords but I've begun playing alot of single note lead stuff recently that the neck just doesn't have enough power for, especially since I'm just plugging straight into a direct box instead of using an amp ( I use an amp at home and with my band, just not for church due to making things easier for our sound guy).

I'm thinking of putting in either a Custom Custom or an A2P, since I have had good experiences with both in the past and I think they will really compliment the stock neck pickup. I'm not trying to play metal with it, but I would like to be able to get a good hard rock tone without having to crank the gain all the way up. Thoughts, or is there a better option that would work for both the church stuff and stuff with my band?

 

[Mincer]

Re: New bridge pickup for PRS SE Zach Myers

Well, the Custom Custom will give you the power you want, and the EQ you are looking for. While I love the Alnico II Pro, it may bot have the power you need.

 

[Guitardude93]

Re: New bridge pickup for PRS SE Zach Myers

Would that sound good going through a direct box? I'm not worried as much about playing through my amp as I can adjust the eq as needed.

 

[A-Ro]

Re: New bridge pickup for PRS SE Zach Myers

Are you going direct straight from your pedals without ANY kind of amp sim? If so, that’s probably your issue.

 

[Guitardude93]

Re: New bridge pickup for PRS SE Zach Myers

I'm not using any pedals at the church. At home I occasionally use a wah pedal but that's about it.

 

[A-Ro]

Re: New bridge pickup for PRS SE Zach Myers

I'm not using any pedals at the church. At home I occasionally use a wah pedal but that's about it.

That’s more than likely your problem. An amp sim like a Line 6 will filter out the highs and lows that an amp speaker would and will sound like you’re playing from an amp.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: New bridge pickup for PRS SE Zach Myers

Given that your ask is to address the issue without adding stomp boxes or using an amp, I think the CC would be the best choice. Just being in the bridge position makes it as bright as you need, but the highs are smooth, which should suit your situation well. The heavier mids will help fill out your tone and there are enough lows, though not super tight lows. It's exactly like a souped up APH and it's a great damn pickup.

I had the CC in the bridge of a Strat for many years, and in a Dean Hardtail. It's a great sounding pickup for anything up to hard rock and even though the DCR is 14.+, it doesn't behave like a higher output pickup. It retains a more vintage flavor.

Now, if the CC doesn't work, you may have to look at some cab Sims or something, but one step at a time.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[sedawkgrep]

Re: New bridge pickup for PRS SE Zach Myers

Breed neck in the bridge is a fat, slightly hot PAF. It sounds amazing.

 

[Guitardude93]

Re: New bridge pickup for PRS SE Zach Myers

OK, I think I'll give the custom custom a shot. Next question is will a standard spaced humbucker work? I remember reading somewhere that prs guitars use trem spaced pickups in the bridge.

 

[Mincer]

Re: New bridge pickup for PRS SE Zach Myers

This depends on the string spacing. Here are the measurements for Trembuckers. Get out an accurate ruler.