PRS SE24 Replacements
- Thread starter vashondan
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Funkfingers
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Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
Welcome to the forum.
I would like to clarify whether your guitar is a PRS SE Custom with 24 frets or an SE Singlecut 245? Which bridge does it have, fixed or vibrato?
Welcome to the forum.
I would like to clarify whether your guitar is a PRS SE Custom with 24 frets or an SE Singlecut 245? Which bridge does it have, fixed or vibrato?
vashondan
New member
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
How much use do you make of your guitar's volume pot? Through professional quality valve amplification, it should be possible to select the highest gain channel and then roll back from roaring overdrive to a (near enough) clean sound with the pot set at between 2 and 3.
IMO, this single element is the key to a PRS electric guitar. If you modify just one thing, upgrade the volume pot.
*
You probably have the Korean-made interpretations of the PRS Hot, Fat, Screams (bridge/Treble) and Vintage Bass (neck/Rhythm) pickups.
Is the selector switch on your guitar a Fender-style "lever" or a Gibson-style toggle? (This will have some bearing on what changes I am likely to suggest.)
With the push-pull tone control pot pulled up, and both pickups selected together, does the guitar cancel RF interference and hum?
How much use do you make of your guitar's volume pot? Through professional quality valve amplification, it should be possible to select the highest gain channel and then roll back from roaring overdrive to a (near enough) clean sound with the pot set at between 2 and 3.
IMO, this single element is the key to a PRS electric guitar. If you modify just one thing, upgrade the volume pot.
*
You probably have the Korean-made interpretations of the PRS Hot, Fat, Screams (bridge/Treble) and Vintage Bass (neck/Rhythm) pickups.
Is the selector switch on your guitar a Fender-style "lever" or a Gibson-style toggle? (This will have some bearing on what changes I am likely to suggest.)
With the push-pull tone control pot pulled up, and both pickups selected together, does the guitar cancel RF interference and hum?
vashondan
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
Hey, thanks so much for taking the time to help. I really appreciate it!
Well, I've been playing with the volume more since I got this guitar. Trying to get used to the difference between my single coil strats and this one. I've turned down the levels on my boost and overdrive pedals and turned down the volume on my amps keeping the volume at 10 on the guitar. That's helped quite a bit.
Ok, your questions. The selector is a 3 way switch (like a Fender) and no interference with both pickups selected and the push pull up. That combo sounds better than I thought it would. And yes, I believe the pickups are Korean born and raised.
D
Hey, thanks so much for taking the time to help. I really appreciate it!
Well, I've been playing with the volume more since I got this guitar. Trying to get used to the difference between my single coil strats and this one. I've turned down the levels on my boost and overdrive pedals and turned down the volume on my amps keeping the volume at 10 on the guitar. That's helped quite a bit.
Ok, your questions. The selector is a 3 way switch (like a Fender) and no interference with both pickups selected and the push pull up. That combo sounds better than I thought it would. And yes, I believe the pickups are Korean born and raised.
D
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
So, turn the pedal levels back up to where they were set for your Stratocaster. Ride the PRS volume control to govern the intensity of overdrive saturation.
So, turn the pedal levels back up to where they were set for your Stratocaster. Ride the PRS volume control to govern the intensity of overdrive saturation.
vashondan
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
I started that way and I couldn't go past 2 on the guitar volume without it being so hot. Also, I've heard that keeping the volume low on the guitar leads to losing the guitars tone. Is that true?
Based on what I've shared, what pickups would you suggest?
I started that way and I couldn't go past 2 on the guitar volume without it being so hot. Also, I've heard that keeping the volume low on the guitar leads to losing the guitars tone. Is that true?
Based on what I've shared, what pickups would you suggest?
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iamthesuck
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
Well number one, if you're using boosters you have to deal with the fact that the output will be about twice your strats. It will just have more period. If you need some really low output, it depends on whether or not your guitar is bright or dark sounding. A Dimarzio Air Classic is fairly low output, same with the Duncan Jazz. You should really manage the volume on your effects pedals and amp before swapping pickups, but try to adjust the amp first because humbuckers are going to be loud no matter what. If you change the amp setting, maybe plug into an "input 2" jack which usually cuts input gain by 6dB, you could get the start of a good tone.
Well number one, if you're using boosters you have to deal with the fact that the output will be about twice your strats. It will just have more period. If you need some really low output, it depends on whether or not your guitar is bright or dark sounding. A Dimarzio Air Classic is fairly low output, same with the Duncan Jazz. You should really manage the volume on your effects pedals and amp before swapping pickups, but try to adjust the amp first because humbuckers are going to be loud no matter what. If you change the amp setting, maybe plug into an "input 2" jack which usually cuts input gain by 6dB, you could get the start of a good tone.
vashondan
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
Not sure I have an input 2 but will look as soon as I get up off my lazy butt. That would be a nice start though. I think I've still got some learning to do with adjustments on the amp etc so will stick with if for a while but am doing my research just in case. Just read an article from Duncan saying that one of the best combos is a JB and a 59. However, it looks like the JB is pretty hot itself?
Not sure I have an input 2 but will look as soon as I get up off my lazy butt. That would be a nice start though. I think I've still got some learning to do with adjustments on the amp etc so will stick with if for a while but am doing my research just in case. Just read an article from Duncan saying that one of the best combos is a JB and a 59. However, it looks like the JB is pretty hot itself?
iamthesuck
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
JB is loud as hell for what you want. Alnico 2, pearly gates, Jazz/59 combo maybe. Those, the Seth Lovers as well are very low output to. Id check out a pearly gates for one or both positions though. Should be pretty cool if you like ZZ top sounds
JB is loud as hell for what you want. Alnico 2, pearly gates, Jazz/59 combo maybe. Those, the Seth Lovers as well are very low output to. Id check out a pearly gates for one or both positions though. Should be pretty cool if you like ZZ top sounds
vashondan
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
iamthesuck; thanks I'll check those out. Don't know if I want low output but rather moderate?
With the 59's what's the difference between a 1 conductor and 4 conductor model?
Ok, hang in there with me. This is very hard but....
The 59's, Alnico II's and the Pearly Gates all sound pretty good to me. Saw a couple of combos in their listings of players. For example, Robben Ford with PG in the neck and 59's in the bridge It was helpful to see that Dicky Betts and Warren Haynes seem to like the PG's. I want a little edge but again not sooooo hot. Would I be missing out on something if I didn't get a pairing like the JB and 59?
Almost there and I realize that it's likely easier to boost up a moderate output pickup than to reduce the effect of a high output.
iamthesuck; thanks I'll check those out. Don't know if I want low output but rather moderate?
With the 59's what's the difference between a 1 conductor and 4 conductor model?
Ok, hang in there with me. This is very hard but....
The 59's, Alnico II's and the Pearly Gates all sound pretty good to me. Saw a couple of combos in their listings of players. For example, Robben Ford with PG in the neck and 59's in the bridge It was helpful to see that Dicky Betts and Warren Haynes seem to like the PG's. I want a little edge but again not sooooo hot. Would I be missing out on something if I didn't get a pairing like the JB and 59?
Almost there and I realize that it's likely easier to boost up a moderate output pickup than to reduce the effect of a high output.
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iamthesuck
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
I'd say the pearly gates or the 59 set would be a moderate output vintage style for you. The seth lovers are lower putput. very low compared to an hfs, but the other 2 are more moderate. Do investigations to make sure your new pickups get the right tone/eq out of your new pickups. For example, I just put a Damarzio tone zone in my se 24 Paul allender and I love it because the guitar was very bright. But in a dark guitar it would sound like muddy poopy butt. The jb would be too much if the stocks are too hot. I think the ones I mentioned above should be good. Just make sure you plan ahead and read about them. An example of what I'm warning you of I guess is if you use your neck pickup for solos and bridge for rhythm you could use a higher output in the neck and a lower output in the bridge. Or if your SE is a dark guitar and you run the tone knob at 10 all the time, look into brighter pickups
I'd say the pearly gates or the 59 set would be a moderate output vintage style for you. The seth lovers are lower putput. very low compared to an hfs, but the other 2 are more moderate. Do investigations to make sure your new pickups get the right tone/eq out of your new pickups. For example, I just put a Damarzio tone zone in my se 24 Paul allender and I love it because the guitar was very bright. But in a dark guitar it would sound like muddy poopy butt. The jb would be too much if the stocks are too hot. I think the ones I mentioned above should be good. Just make sure you plan ahead and read about them. An example of what I'm warning you of I guess is if you use your neck pickup for solos and bridge for rhythm you could use a higher output in the neck and a lower output in the bridge. Or if your SE is a dark guitar and you run the tone knob at 10 all the time, look into brighter pickups
iamthesuck
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
Yeah if you have room to play with your tone knob I think you'll like any of those. Pearly gates is one set I wanted to try, warren and dickey know what's up
Yeah if you have room to play with your tone knob I think you'll like any of those. Pearly gates is one set I wanted to try, warren and dickey know what's up
vashondan
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
They sure do. I think I'll go with either both 59's or a PG in the neck and a 59 in the bridge.
I played with every adjustment I could today and couldn't get a treble that didn't almost make my teeth hurt
Thanks for the ride.
They sure do. I think I'll go with either both 59's or a PG in the neck and a 59 in the bridge.
I played with every adjustment I could today and couldn't get a treble that didn't almost make my teeth hurt
Thanks for the ride.
iamthesuck
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
Just make good use of your tone knob if the treble is an issue. Yes. You wire directly to the switch for an SE. Join the two wires for series (I forget the colors on duncans) but then ground goes to the obvious solder pile on the switch that is ground, and the hot lead goes on the switch. You'll see the ground and lead if you look at the switch, but they are 2 conductor. The other 2 should be braided, soldered and covered with heat shrink or electrical tape if that makes sense
Just make good use of your tone knob if the treble is an issue. Yes. You wire directly to the switch for an SE. Join the two wires for series (I forget the colors on duncans) but then ground goes to the obvious solder pile on the switch that is ground, and the hot lead goes on the switch. You'll see the ground and lead if you look at the switch, but they are 2 conductor. The other 2 should be braided, soldered and covered with heat shrink or electrical tape if that makes sense
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vashondan
New member
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
I didn't hear any issues with treble in the vids I watched.
I didn't hear any issues with treble in the vids I watched.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: PRS SE24 Replacements
Yes, of course, they do ...
BUT
... if you wanted greater sonic variety, it would be easy to upgrade to a five position selector switch and gain two extra sounds.
Yes, of course, they do ...
BUT
... if you wanted greater sonic variety, it would be easy to upgrade to a five position selector switch and gain two extra sounds.
