Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

[T-Bone-BBQ]

I replaced the zebra SE HFS and Vintage Bass pickups with a set of chrome covered Custom 5 Trembucker/Jazz pickups. I had to use a file to open up the hole in the pickup ring so the trembucker would fit. Here's before and after pics.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

Played this for a good while yesterday after changing the pickups and it's really great. The Custom 5 in the bridge still has good output (not as hot as the HFS), but better clarity especially when rolling the volume back to clean it up. The Jazz is so much better than the vintage bass. Nice, clear tones. Now not only does it look a lot better IMO, but it sounds WAY better than stock.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Upgraded the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

Re: Upgraded the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

The stock PRS pickups are pretty toneless. The HFS is very barky, and the Vintage Bass sounds like there's a blanket over the amp. I can't imagine that they think those pickups sound good. And judging from how many I've replaced for people, it seems very few like them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

I actually like the SE 245 pickups as they are pretty good, but not as good as the Duncan's and DiMarzio's I've replaced them with.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

Definitely looks better. I like how PRS tries to walk the line between vintage and modern with their aesthetics. From what I've experienced with those pickups, definitely sounds better too. I picked one of those up at a Guitar Center the other day, but after hearing the pickups I put it right back down. Plays well, looks good, but you gotta wonder what was running through the head of the people who wound the pickups.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

Agreed; I do like the look w/the covers.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

Wow, what a nice guitar! How did the new pickups change the sound?

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

The Custom 5 has a little less output than the HFS, but much more clarity and works much better at cleaning up with the volume rolled back. The Jazz is just way clearer, less muddy and brighter than the Vintage Bass. Just an overall major upgrade in tone.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

+1 on the chrome covers improving the looks

 

[Mincer]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

I agree..the covers look a lot better.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

I love the look of the covers. They make it very sleek looking, but IMO the biggest improvement is the tone...

 

[blueman335]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

Nice color and flame.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: Upgrade the pickups in my PRS SE Custom 24 Floyd

Nice color and flame.

Thanks. It sounds as good as it looks.