New pups for PRS Custom 24

November5th

New member
Hello,this my first post on this forum.I have a PRS custom 24,which I love.But I am thinking about changing the pickups.Maybe something with lower output than the HFS and vintage bass.I play through a Bogner Ecstasy,and my lead style is very legato oriented,and I am looking for a pickup that is very dynamic,smooth and,tight.The pickups I have been looking at have been ,Dimarzio Virtual PAF and and virtual PAF hot.If anyone has any suggestions,that would much appreciated.Thanks,and take care.

Dean
 
Re: New pups for PRS Custom 24

Hi 11/5. Welcome to the forum.


<---- That's my 1990 PRS Custom 24. I have a Custom Custom Trembucker in the bridge and a Pearly Gates in the neck. I highly recommend the Alnico 2 in those pickups for smooth legato.
 
Re: New pups for PRS Custom 24

Another forum bro in here bought two Pearly Gates bridge models (that's right, no neck model) for his 24 on the recommendation of another tech. He recommended a bridge model for the neck position too because 24 frets pushes the neck pu closer to the bridge so it needs a little extra heat to compensate.

I installed them for him and it turns out the tech was right -- both pickups sounded really good in his PRS 24, especially the neck pu.
 
Re: New pups for PRS Custom 24

Actually, if you want some sparkle get the Pearly Gates

I can say, for legato, also think of the Custom Custom with a PG OR APH1 (BRIDGE MODELS) in the neck.

Next option - Have ZHANG wind you a 7.9k / 10.5 k Alnico 3 pickup set he makes - very reasonable price, and they have a unique, almost sugary sweet tone with the perfect bite and nice lows, with some A2-style sponge.

I went thru a HELLISH tonequest for my CU24.

(I am the bro with the Pearly's btw)
 
Re: New pups for PRS Custom 24

I can definitely sympathize with you here. I had Jazz, Alnico 2 Pro, and finally a 59 in the neck slot of my CU24. Thus far I really like the 59, I could use a bit less treble but I'll deal with it for now. I could see the bridge version of any PAF being advantageous for a bit more thickness.

Right now I have a CS Distortion/Custom hybrid. Great pup, but hotter than even the HFS, and I am thinking I want a cooler pup than I've had.

I am eventually going to try my Brobucker in the bridge slot and see how that sounds. If I like it I'll order another one.

For warm, warm, warm, I always think of the Alnico 2 Pro. Any PAF style pup will give you a great legato sound in my opinion.

Here's my generic pup breakdown, I compare one pup to another to give folks a frame of reference.

The 59---The 59 is the quintessential A5 PAF (patent applied for) pup. Imagine getting in a time machine and going back to 1959 and swiping a brand new A5 pup from the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo and bringing it forward to today. They have found most homes in many neck slots. It has symetrical coils and lots of quack. It has thumping bass, a scooped mid, and cutting highs. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The Seth Lover---This pup is as true to the original as can be. This pup is unpotted and comes standard with a gold, or nickel pup cover. It has an A2 magnet and has good quack and fair mids. For this pup imagine going back in time to 1955 and grabbing one of the very first PAF's before they debuted in the LP's. This pup is warm and creamy, but can also get bright with the tone knob on 10. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The Alnico 2 Pro---The warmest of the Duncan PAF line. It has symetrical coils and is a modern take on the A2 PAFs. It has round bass and smooth treble, it also has lots of mids to make the guitar really sing. It will warm up the coldest or shrillest of guitars. The most well known Alnico 2 Pro user is Slash of Velvet Revolver and GNR. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

Pearly Gates---The PG is the hottest of the Duncan PAF line. It has asymetrical (mismatched) coils and an A2 magnet. The mismatched coils give this particular pup its rude personality. It has a frequency push in the Presence/Cut knob frequency band. This is the "Sizzle" PG owner talk about. It has the most mids of the Ducan PAF line and is also the hottest. Its patron is Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Standard 4 conductor Wire

The Jazz---The jazz is the pup that bridges the gap between Vintage and Modern pups. Its output is at or around the vintage level. Don't let the name fool you this pup is very versatile and smooth. It has an A5 magnet and is very widely used in the neck slot. It is articulate regardless of the tuning as well. This pup negociates cleans or overdrive very well. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

The Custom Series---The Custom Series is all on pup configuration but with different magnets. The coils are symmetrical and the pups come with Standard 4 Conductor wire

Custom---The Custom is a PAF kicked up a few notches. This pup gets its aggressive edge from its Ceramic magnet. This pup has lots of grind with good treble and midrange. It also has ample bass for palm mute playing.

Custom Custom---The Custom Custom is a midrange heavy pup that lends itself to leads and warming bright guitars. This pup gets its huge midrange from the Alnico 2 magnet. I has smooth bass and treble. Essentially it is an overwound A2 PAF.

Custom 5---The Custom 5 is a pup with an EQ very identical to The 59. It has thumping bass, scooped mids, and cutting treble. Like the 59 it is a bright pup that will liven up dark guitar, but the bass can be overwhelming in a bassy guitar, or the the treble overwhelming in a trebly guitar.

Hope that helps!

Luke
 
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