PRS Pickup replacement

[Hot Octopus]

I have a PRS S2 Standard 24. Great guitar. Came stock with import PRS pickups designed after the HFS and I like the neck pickup so I’m not replacing it. Honestly, I mostly like the bridge pickup. I find it very clear and articulate. Under high gain however, the top end of the bridge pickup gets pretty harsh. I actually like the stock pickups besides this issue. What would be a good replacement for the bridge pickup that would maintain the same type of sound with the same gain structure and would have a less harsh top end? For this guitar I’m lookng for a hi-fi sound with killer harmonics.

TIA

 

[SJ318]

Re: PRS Pickup replacement

I wonder if a magnet swap would tame the harshness but retain the other qualities of the pickup you like.
PRS is usually mum on what their magnets are, maybe a UOA5 might do the job.
Good luck.
Steve Buffington

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: PRS Pickup replacement

Maybe Alnico II Pro?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: PRS Pickup replacement

The HFS bridge uses a ceramic mag. Swapping to an A8 mag might tame a little of the high end harshness without completely altering the overall character too much - keeping it hot, fat and tight.

For an outright replacement with similar gain & response, IMO you might take a look at the Alternative 8.

 

[Mincer]

Re: PRS Pickup replacement

Perhaps a Custom Custom? No harsh high end issues there (and it rocks).

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: PRS Pickup replacement

CustomCustom is great in this type of guitar; I put one in my Anniversary SE24 and I love it.

Still, in this particular case the OP is looking for something similar to his HFS - a hot ceramic pickup with modern attack and tight lows. I thought about the regular SH5 Custom but I think it might be too bright for him. And the Duncan Distortion mostly fits the bill - hot, fat, and it screams - yet it too has a goodly amount of sizzle in the highs.

I still feel the Alt8 is a good match to his desire for a hi-fi sound with killer harmonics.

 

[Hot Octopus]

Re: PRS Pickup replacement

Perhaps a Custom Custom? No harsh high end issues there (and it rocks).

I’ve got a CC in my SG and it shoud just be called the ultimate sg pickup instead. The thing is great. But yea, its too toned down. Not really hi-fi.

I’ll take alook into thd other recomendations.

Has anyone tried a bkp cold sweat? Thoughts?

 

[bloughlin16]

Re: PRS Pickup replacement

The SD Omega might be a good candidate: bright but never manages to get harsh in the top end, tight lows, great harmonics, and very hi-fi sounding.