PAF humbucker for less mid's In a PRS Mac

[voodoogreg]

I think this is only my 2nd thread here, (I had a coil dead in a 82'-83' Custom you all helped me with) I did a search but didn't find quite what I needed.

A little history on the ax it's a 96' PRS McCarty special order (back when I had a "real" relationship with the Co) I had both the Mahogany and maple bumped up in thickness then a stock one, basically think LP, same cap to back ratio though as a std Mac. It's my go to "rock" ax has a wonderful resonance and the stock PU's are not too bad for classic rock stuff. I'm a union session/sideman in Nashville and I am running to more live work with heavier rock and outlaw country gigs. So at more gainy rig settings the known mid honk of the PRS mac bridge PU is getting too pronounced. I had tried a 59' (plain ol' SD 59's love em') in and that really helped but were a bit too bright for my taste's at the time.

So I have been raiding the forum for info, and wanted input from someone that may have a mac, or a mid heavy LP, that found a PU that worked. I also don't a mind a mild bump in gain ( just nothing really past 13kohm or so) here's what I gleaned for some choice's:

SD Brobucker
SD Seth Lover
SD Custom 5/ or 8
SD Whole lotta Bucker
Bare Knuckle Mule

I must say the Mule caught my attention, I took the clips into my home studio and really listened to them but on the Duncan side the "Bro" intrigue's me also. Again I don't mind a bump in gain but it's running into either a Ken Fischer modded Trainwreck/Komet or 69' "real" Jose Arredondo modded 100 watt, so std PAF output or a bump up is fine, I'm old school with the ax vol/tone controls, i got plenty of ways to match gain levels in my rig if need be. Tell me what you think guys. VG

 

[jeremy]

Re: PAF humbucker for less mid's In a PRS Mac

go get the whole lotta humbucker set. its a 59 with a sweeter top and little extra somethin goin on.

i love the brobucker but its got a good amount of mids and the seths being a2 have a fair amount too. its not like the stock pup, much cleaner and clearer but the a2 mag may still have a little honk

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: PAF humbucker for less mid's In a PRS Mac

If you want to dial the mids back a bit then the 59 is probably it. You can always use 250k or 300k pots on the bridge position if its too bright. The Custom 5 would be a higher output option with scooped mids. I think if you find the stock pickups too middy then the Brobucker might be too. I don't know how any of the others on your list compares....

On edit: Didn't see Jeremy's post. His advise sounds good.

 

[blueman335]

Re: PAF humbucker for less mid's In a PRS Mac

If you want to dial the mids back a bit then the 59 is probably it. You can always use 250k or 300k pots on the bridge position if its too bright. The Custom 5 would be a higher output option with scooped mids. I think if you find the stock pickups too middy then the Brobucker might be too.

+1. Both '59's and C5's have scooped mids.

 

[JohnnyGuitarCA]

Re: PAF humbucker for less mid's In a PRS Mac

Demon.

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: PAF humbucker for less mid's In a PRS Mac

I'd guess that you might find the Bare Knuckle Mule had too much mids for your taste and you might like the Riff Raff more.

 

[voodoogreg]

Re: PAF humbucker for less mid's In a PRS Mac

I'd guess that you might find the Bare Knuckle Mule had too much mids for your taste and you might like the Riff Raff more.

Hmm, I will listen to the riff raff again. in my studio it seemed to have a more scratchy high mid/treble content then the mule, but I will listen again. I check on here for a Custom 5 sound file, Duncans main site doesn't have one. and I will listen to the demon, never thought about that one though I knew despite it's name it wasn't a high output PU.
I will go ahead and drop a 59' back in it, at the time I was going for a warmer drive sound, but that's not the case anymore. The Mac bridge pickup is pretty well known for being middy and honky well beyond the usual PAF standard, (whatever that is with so many PAF winds out in the market lol) and dark, making those mid's stand out more. I even discussed this with Paul. I may have to look to the custom shop. VG

 

[Mr. B]

Re: PAF humbucker for less mid's In a PRS Mac

Out of the choices you've listed I would definitely choose the Whole Lotta Humbuckers. They are the best things I've come across for a Les Paul type guitar if you are trying to stay in the PAF ballpark.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: PAF humbucker for less mid's In a PRS Mac

At one time, I'd have gone down the Seth route in a McCarty, but have experienced the WLH set to, I'd almost certainly go with them now.

 

[voodoogreg]

Re: PAF humbucker for less mid's In a PRS Mac

Mr B and Chris, what is it that you like about the WLH bridge/set? Like if you to give them a review? VG