57-08’s in a Semi Hollow, Share your Opinions..

[5Springer]

I’ve been shopping for a new semi-hollow and while browsing my local PRS dealer I picked up a Limited Run CE24 semi hollow with 57-08‘s and I thought it sounded just terrible compared to other CE semi hollows with 85-15’s that I’ve tried.. I’m not sure if it was just me, a problem with that particular guitar or just the way they are supposed to sound. I love 57-08’s in other guitars I’ve played or owned. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences using them in hollow bodies?

Charles

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Not all pickups are perfect in all guitars. Plus we often go into situations with preconceived notions and opinions.

I had Dragon 1’s that were incredible in my CE mahogany and Standard 24, but hated how they sounded in my CU24.

No biggie, swap and move on.

 

[JasonE]

I have 57/08s in two PRS hollow bodies, not semi hollow. They work well in my guitars. The 57/08s are very responsive to height adjustments. You may have just preferred them closer or farther away from the strings. From what I read on various forums the 85/15 pickups are much more polarizing than the 57/08s. I am betting the guitar you tried needed adjustment.

I found the 58/15 LT pickups to also be very sensitive to height adjustments. I had them in my 594 and didn't like the volume drop off when switching guitars at gigs. I had 57/08 pickups in some of my other gigging guitars and they work well with my rig so I bought a set and put those in the 594. I love those pickups in that guitar too. In the fall of last year I bought a PRS Studio. It has the 58/15 LT pickup in the bridge. I immediately ordered a 57//08 for it after I bought the guitar. I figured I had been through this before and I knew where it was going. I had a little issue with the pickup I bought and had to send it back for a replacement. Since this process took a little time I was forced to play with the adjustment of the 58/15 LT to make it work for me. By the time I got the replacement 57/08 I decided that the stock pickup was working well in this guitar and left it there. I now have a new pickup setting on a shelf. It kind of makes me wonder if I would like the stock pickups in the 594 if I put them back in. I just love the sound of the guitar with the 57/08s in it that I don't want to go through changing them to decide to change them back because I like the way it sounds now better.