I have a Korean PRS SE Custom 22 semi-hollow with soapbars. I’ve done a number of upgrades, each one making the guitar a better intrument. Replaced the nut with a graphtech, replaced tuners with gotohs, replaced bridge with an intonatable Schoeder, and knocked the gloss off the neck. The stock pups, seem to get some love, but I jist wasn’t feeling it. Supposedly have aLnico 5’s in both. I thought the neck was boomy, and the bridge was simply generic. After researching relacements I thought, why not try some mag swaps. Got a variety from Philadelphia Luthier. A2,A3,A4,A5’ & A8. Bottom lime: I pulled the shor bar mags and replaced,them all with long bar, smooths. A5/A4 in the nexk,and and a A5/A8 in tje bridge. WOW! The pickup change worked out beyond my expectations. The neck has a nice woody hollow tone (sounds like an old paf). The bridge now has a little more bottom, and hangs much more nicely with the neck. This guitar is now elevated to an instrument that could easilymake it my number 1. Thanks to all on this board for sharing their knowledge, and getting me to get the nerve to give this mod a try.
P 90 mag swap
- Thread starter Slide71
- Start date
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: P 90 mag swap
A5/A8 is a great combination for a bridge P90. Adds body to the lead tone, and I agree with you - it improves balance even with a neck that's wound lighter already.
A5/A8 is a great combination for a bridge P90. Adds body to the lead tone, and I agree with you - it improves balance even with a neck that's wound lighter already.
freefrog
Well-known member
Re: P 90 mag swap
Thx for sharing.
FWIW, here are two other things that PRS SE owners might find interesting to upgrade:
-pole pieces. Stock ones are shorter than normal IME. They make Korean made PRS P90's a tad brighter;
-pole shoe / keeper bar: stock ones are stamped, with a shape and mass differing from regular P90 parts. Vintage correct milled keeper bars can be mounted instead;
Such details also contribute to a better tone from stock PRS P90's, IME/IMHO.
Thx for sharing.
FWIW, here are two other things that PRS SE owners might find interesting to upgrade:
-pole pieces. Stock ones are shorter than normal IME. They make Korean made PRS P90's a tad brighter;
-pole shoe / keeper bar: stock ones are stamped, with a shape and mass differing from regular P90 parts. Vintage correct milled keeper bars can be mounted instead;
Such details also contribute to a better tone from stock PRS P90's, IME/IMHO.
