305 owner looking for help on humbuckers

[Tremolo arm]

305 owner looking for advice on humbuckers

First post here, so let me start by saying hello!

I am the proud owner of a 25th Anniversary 305. I love the guitar, which has been my companion on a few gigs and integral to some recordings too.
My "problem" is that I have 3 more guitars, which I have acquired over the years but don't really have much time playing - a Les Paul, a CS Strat, and a Tele Baja. Whilst I am intent on keeping the Strat, I have decided to part with the Les Paul and the 305 (which I find to be too close to the Strat in voicing). The idea is to use the revenue I generate to buy a dream PRS - either a 408 or a Custom 22.

My question is regarding pickups. Whilst the 408 has its own pickups (which I read to be fantastic), the Custom 22 seems to come in several options - 57/08 or HFS / Vintage Bass. Some older Custom 22's seem to sport even more choices of pickups - 59/09 or 53/10s.

Which pickups would be best suited for classic rock / funk rock? I am thinking Aerosmith / Audioslave / Rival Sons / Queens Of The Stone Age. I play in a band, where I am the only guitarist so need a guitar which covers a lot of ground. I have the Strat for the Chili Peppers type numbers, but really need a versatile guitar for everything else. I play through an Orange AD30 and a Marshall Vintage Modern and favour an edgy / raunchy tone, which sits clearly and authoritatively in the mix.

Thanks in advance

 

[themike]

I think you need to send the 305 to the PTC for an extra coil for some OOOOOMP to statisfy you

 

[Brian G]

I think you need to send the 305 to the PTC for an extra coil for some OOOOOMP to statisfy you

I believe its spelled OOMPF

 

[Tremolo arm]

Thanks... though it was not exactly the advice I needed.
Oh, and I think the correct term is "oomph"...

 

[justmund]

My pick would be a 2012 Custom 24 with 59/09s, there should be some "NOS" still kicking about, most likely at great pricing.

Do you have a chance to play one before you buy?

 

[Tim]

First post here, so let me start by saying hello!

I am the proud owner of a 25th Anniversary 305. I love the guitar, which has been my companion on a few gigs and integral to some recordings too.
My "problem" is that I have 3 more guitars, which I have acquired over the years but don't really have much time playing - a Les Paul, a CS Strat, and a Tele Baja. Whilst I am intent on keeping the Strat, I have decided to part with the Les Paul and the 305 (which I find to be too close to the Strat in voicing). The idea is to use the revenue I generate to buy a dream PRS - either a 408 or a Custom 22.

My question is regarding pickups. Whilst the 408 has its own pickups (which I read to be fantastic), the Custom 22 seems to come in several options - 57/08 or HFS / Vintage Bass. Some older Custom 22's seem to sport even more choices of pickups - 50/09 or 53/10s.

Which pickups would be best suited for classic rock / funk rock? I am thinking Aerosmith / Audioslave / Rival Sons / Queens Of The Stone Age. I play in a band, where I am the only guitarist so need a guitar which covers a lot of ground. I have the Strat for the Chili Pepper type numbers, but really need a versatile guitar for everything else. I play through an Orange AD30 and a Marshall Vintage Modern and favour an edgy / raunchy tone, which sits clearly and authoritatively in the mix.

Thanks in advance

If it were me, to complement a Strat and a Tele, I would be looking for 'classic' Humbucker type tones. I think you would find the Custom 22 or something from the McCarty family (eg McCarty, Modern Eagle, DGT etc) a great fit. I would put the 57/08s in there probably.... Or possibly the 59/09s (depending on how over driven you like your HB tones).

The 408s are great.... I have a 408 guitar. It really broadens the tones available on your HB guitar. But with the you having a Strat and a Tele as your other two guitars I am thinking keep it on the straight ahead HB too. Also as it is your only HB guitar you may want to try different HBs in there as you find your particular tastes.

 

[Tremolo arm]

My pick would be a 2012 Custom 24 with 59/09s, there should be some "NOS" still kicking about, most likely at great pricing.

Do you have a chance to play one before you buy?

Thanks. Why would your choice fall on the 59/09 particularly? What's their character compared to 57/08, 53/10 and the newest HFSs?
I may not get a chance to play one before buying.

 

[Tremolo arm]

If it were me, to complement a Strat and a Tele, I would be looking for 'classic' Humbucker type tones. I think you would find the Custom 22 or something from the McCarty family (eg McCarty, Modern Eagle, DGT etc) a great fit. I would put the 57/08s in there probably.... Or possibly the 59/09s (depending on how over driven you like your HB tones).

The 408s are great.... I have a 408 guitar. It really broadens the tones available on your HB guitar. But with the you having a Strat and a Tele as your other two guitars I am thinking keep it on the straight ahead HB too. Also as it is your only HB guitar you may want to try different HBs in there as you find your particular tastes.

Thanks! To answer your question, I like a clear, midrangy type over driven tone, which retains clarity, even when getting raunchy. I am not fond on modern focused tones and I don't play metal so a perfect hum bucking tone would be reminiscent of hat live Led Zeppelin half thick Tele / half Les Paul type tone.

 

[Tim]

I think the 57/08 would be your typical PAF type tones... and certainly a great place to start!! I think you would also actually like a DGT..... It does have that 'Lespaulocaster' type tone and is very versatile.... a perfect gig guitar!

 

[justmund]

Yep I'm with Tim now, the 59/09s are the most modern voiced out of the 5x/xx pickups. They're great with high gain and retain clarity and musicality. 53/10s are the warmest, most "vintage" of the bunch. 57/08s as Tim said are a fantastic PAF type, and are probably what you're looking for. I'm not a fan of the VB/HFS combo, can't put my finger on it exactly but IMO the newer 5x/xx range slay them.

DGT - never played one but they get consistent rave reviews from anyone who picks one up.

Good luck!

 

[Rider1260]

If classic is what you are after then a CU22 is the guitar for you I also believe the 57/08s would be what you are looking for ( my next guitar )
I have a 408 standard and it is killer !!!!! the 408 can do most anything I think

 

[Spikedog007]

My favorites are still the 5708's. I don't have a 408 but do have a Paul's Guitar which I think is close. The 5708's don't seem to be quite as hot as the PUPs in the Paul's Guitar, and imho, they are better suited for the classic rock humbucker sound. The bridge 5708 is, again imho, the best PUP PRS has ever made. I have a 5909 guitar as well and would give the 5909 neck a slight edge over the 5708 neck PUP. I still think you would be very happy with either of the two. Sorry don't have a 5310 guitar...yet!

Now if you want to use the guitar gigging and not lug around two guitars, the 408 would probably be better for a coil split (stratty) tone. Again IMHO, YMMV, etc.

 

[Tremolo arm]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like a 408 / 57/08 pickup shootout. Obviously quite a lot of a price difference but the 408 really sounds like a jack of all trades, so probably worth it.

 

[justmund]

How about Brent Mason Sig then? Affordable, versatile etc. You could even move on the Strat since you'd have those tones covered as well.

 

[Tremolo arm]

How about Brent Mason Sig then? Affordable, versatile etc. You could even move on the Strat since you'd have those tones covered as well.

Had a look at that but not quite sold on the look. I've set my eyes on a charcoal burst Custom 22 (with either 57/08s or 53/10s) or a 408.

 

[Tremolo arm]

May have to rethink my pickup preference... I listened to a bunch of clips recorder with 59/09s and they do sound quite pleasing to (my) ear - very woody and throaty. I understand they are a hotter version of the 57/08. Can anyone confirm?

 

[justmund]

Yes they are hotter but a little different to the 57/08s. I found this:

“PRS is in the middle of a new stage, and the 59/09™ pickups are a big part of that. Like our 57/08™ pickups, the wire for the 59/09s™ is from the same machine that wired the legendary pickups of the late 50’s and early 60’s. This slightly modified wire and a few more or less turns, makes the 59/09s™ a little hotter on the treble and a little brighter on the bass pickup. They sound great.” – Paul Reed Smith

 

[Rider1260]

Tremolo arm
it does not matter what you get because another one will come soon enough ( Trust me I know )