Yet Another PRS SE Pup Thread

jafo

jafo

New member
Hello. I have a first run Santana SE that's giving me sound problems, and I'm hoping for some suggestions. It's a nice resonant piece of wood and sounds great unplugged, so I know it has potential. Fwiw, it's nato, not mahogany as such; and being softer, brighter pups are probably in order.

The stock pups are pretty decent, but they're just too bland and generic and far too muddy in the neck. Lowering the neck pup helps a lot, but it's still too muddy. I tried putting a PAF-style pup in the neck (a Stew-Mac Golden Age), but that didn't help, so I know that's a dead end. I want a clear, clean tone that lies somewhere between vintage (edgy and warm) and modern (smooth and clean). I'm guessing that a Jazz neck would do that, huh? It was the only sound sample which didn't sound too muddy. (Also, I figure it can't be good for phase relationships to always be EQing out the bottom. lol)

The bridge pup isn't bad at all; it can get a variety of vintage, if generic, tones. I want something with more character and personality. I guess the classic choice is a JB in the bridge, but I don't want to sound like I'm in an 80s cover band. (Although I did try a JB in a Schecter C1 Elite -- also a set-neck nato body -- and it sounded and responded great.) Maybe a Jazz bridge? Or maybe a Screamin' Demon? Both have really unique and great sounds (well, judging from the sound clips), and can probably cover a lot of ground from vintage to modern.

*shrug* It just seems like there's a ton of great tone locked up here, and I'd love to release it. Any suggestions? Thanks!
 
Re: Yet Another PRS SE Pup Thread

Jazz N

and another thing to consider is a JazzB IN the neck position. I've heard people around hear say that it's better than the neck model
 
Re: Yet Another PRS SE Pup Thread

I put a JB/59n combo in that exact same guitar for a work colleague a couple of years back and it worked really well. You'll find that you and your amp combo will be what makes the difference as to whether you go down the 80's soundalike route or not.
 
Re: Yet Another PRS SE Pup Thread

A Jazz/Demon combo would be clean, clear, and capable of vintage to very heavy modern tones depending on your amp.
 
Re: Yet Another PRS SE Pup Thread

Hmm, I guess I did my homework fairly well. I'll do some more thinking about the JB, though -- something about sweet, bluesy, singing sustain that can get nasty at the flick of a pick, kind of intrigues me... Thanks for the replies!
 
Re: Yet Another PRS SE Pup Thread

Still considering options while I await the IRS...

Another concern is pick attack. I hate that thunk at the beginning of a note... which pups would reduce it? No matter how softly I pick, or reduce the gain, or EQ, or try different picks (I have three dozen different types), or use my fingers, or adjust the action, it's still an unwelcome explosion. I'll probably go to a full Tune-o-Matic bridge, instead of the one-piece wraparound.

I want something singing and legato, not punchy, and not too high-gain. Are there any such pups, or should I just learn to appreciate metal tones? lol
 
Re: Yet Another PRS SE Pup Thread

jafo said:
Still considering options while I await the IRS...

Another concern is pick attack. I hate that thunk at the beginning of a note... which pups would reduce it? No matter how softly I pick, or reduce the gain, or EQ, or try different picks (I have three dozen different types), or use my fingers, or adjust the action, it's still an unwelcome explosion. I'll probably go to a full Tune-o-Matic bridge, instead of the one-piece wraparound.

I want something singing and legato, not punchy, and not too high-gain. Are there any such pups, or should I just learn to appreciate metal tones? lol
Click to expand...

I think that "thunk" you hear comes from tube amps, aslo referred to as chirp, quack or pick noise. No way to tell exactly what you're describing without a lot more information. A recording is worth a thousand words! Your EQ or technique could be the cause. No idea. Seems to be more noticeable with higher midrange. Can't help a whole lot there.

The pickup you are describing sounds like a PATB3. Got a Blues Saraceno CD. I think he uses that pickup on it. Sounds great and like you describe.
 
Re: Yet Another PRS SE Pup Thread

I love the SE buckers, but they may have changed them since the first gen. The P90s are lower output versions of the McSoapies that PRS and SD developed together.

If you must change the pups then PGn/C5 bridge or better yet DMZ EJ Custom or Bluesbucker neck, Air Zone bridge. Chime to Santana to metal in one axe. Make sure with the Bluesbucker you have the ability to split the pup when you want.
 
Re: Yet Another PRS SE Pup Thread

jafo said:
The bridge pup isn't bad at all; it can get a variety of vintage, if generic, tones. I want something with more character and personality. I guess the classic choice is a JB in the bridge, but I don't want to sound like I'm in an 80s cover band. (Although I did try a JB in a Schecter C1 Elite -- also a set-neck nato body -- and it sounded and responded great.)
Click to expand...


A JB isnt going to make you sound like you are in an 80's cover band unless you ARE in an 80's cover band. Trey from Phish uses JB's, his sound is anything BUT '80's coverband'
 
Re: Yet Another PRS SE Pup Thread

SixStringSales said:
I think that "thunk" you hear comes from tube amps, aslo referred to as chirp, quack or pick noise. No way to tell exactly what you're describing without a lot more information. A recording is worth a thousand words! Your EQ or technique could be the cause. No idea. Seems to be more noticeable with higher midrange. Can't help a whole lot there.

The pickup you are describing sounds like a PATB3. Got a Blues Saraceno CD. I think he uses that pickup on it. Sounds great and like you describe.
Click to expand...

Heh. Definitely not from a tube; you're gonna laugh when you hear this, but I'm running through a GuitarPort... nasty transistory preamp that simply magnifies what's there. lol (Maybe if I had a real amp, huh?)

I'll definitely check out the Saraceno stuff; thanks for the tip!
 
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