PRS Custom 24

P

Phil M

New member
I've always played Les Pauls and have found that a decent set of Duncans will really open up the guitar and improve the sound. I have had good luck with the '59 (both positions), JB, Jazz and Alnico II Pro. I'm currently digging the Rio Grande BBQ bridge pickup.

I recently pickup up a '93 PRS CU24 with a HFS in the bridge and Vintage Bass in the neck. This guitar uses a 5-way rotary pickup selector and a sweet switch. I'm not a big fan of these pickups, particularly the bridge. I know it won't sound like a Les Paul, but what do you guys recommend for pickups in a PRS with a trem? I typically like vintage-to-vintage/overwound and let the amp do most of the distortion work. I play through a Splawn Quickrod and like to get hard rock tones such as STP, GnR, The Cult, Tool, etc. I also don't want the pickups to be too hot because I go for lower gain sounds sometimes as well.

Thanks.
 
Re: PRS Custom 24

I'm not sure if the HFS is too hot, I just really don't like the tone of it for some reason. I wonder if it's the ceramic magnet(?) If so, I guess I would avoid the Duncan Custom.

I do like the JB but I already have a Schecter with the JB/'59 combo. Also, I love it distorted but I think the JB is kind of harsh with cleaner tones. I have read where a lot of people with Custom 24s don't like the HFS, but I'm trying to gather opinions from PRS users (or non-users) who found something else. I read on another forum where someone actually said that the Lynch Screamin' Demon is NOT a ceramic super distortion type pickup and they recommended it. I had always assumed it was a fire-breather.
 
Last edited:
Re: PRS Custom 24

I think what I don't like about the HFS is that it sounds sort of compressed and polite. My Les Pauls usually sound more open and nasty.
 
Re: PRS Custom 24

stay away from the Custom because the HFS is really very close to the Custom. The HFS has a ceramic magnet and measures 14.7K, the Custom also has a ceramic magnet and measures 14.1K. If you like the "open and nasty" sounds of your Les Pauls, I would also suggest the Pearly Gates combo.
 
Last edited:
Re: PRS Custom 24

I think there may be a Vault thread about this, but because of the 5 way rotary, I believe that 1 of the Duncan's magnets will have to be turned around, so 1 of the positions on the rotary is hum free or phased properly....I forget.

I also don't care for the HFS. It just doesn't have the sound I like.

I think you'd really like the Custom 5/Jazz Bridge in neck combination.
The Jazz B in neck is basically a Jazz N that's a little more robust. That means your 5 way rotary positions will sound better than you've ever heard them. It's still very much in the range of a neck pickup.

The C-5 sounds good in mahogany into British amps. It's basically a 59 bridge with a bit more balls and bigger low end.

Another thing you could try, which will only cost you $6. Just loosen the brass bolts on the bottom of your HFS, break the wax seal, and slide an Alnico 2 or 5 into it, which would probably make it another pickup in the PRS line.
 
Re: PRS Custom 24

I also have a 93 Custom 24. Before you replace the HFS, try adjusting the height of the pup both up and down. I have found this can effect the tone greatly. Good luck on your quest for your utimate tone. :)
 
Re: PRS Custom 24

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm looking into some of these.

Hey Motorcop71, you bring up a good point. I've only used the guitar at 2 rehearsals so far. I didn't care for it the first day but I noticed that the pickups were right up on the strings so I lowered them down into the pickup ring for the next time. After a couple of tunes I raised them back up a little to get a better balance. This helped, but I still think the pickups could be better. It's one of the better sounding electrics I've played UNPLUGGED...

Hey, I just noticed your sig! I play a Quickrod too, BTW.
 
Re: PRS Custom 24

I didn't care for the HFS in my CU24 either. It is a little too stiff and dark sounding for my tastes. I changed out the HFS/VinN for a C-5 and a 59n and the guitars tone was far more open and vocal sounding.

If you are ording the pickups new you can ask for the magnet in the bridge pickup pre-flipped as a floor shop custom from the folks at SD if you aren't comfortable flipping magnets.

If you do change the pickups in that guitar and run into problems feel free to look me up for assistance. I wrote a good sized portion of the FAQs page located on the main SD website including the portion explaining the PRS 5 way thing and mixing SD with PRS pickups.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top