57/08 Neck Pickup is officially dead in my SC 58. What now?

[tbs7duke]

Hey everyone.

With much sadness, I am sorry to report that the neck pickup in my 2011 SC 58 is dead. This has been confirmed by not only myself but two other guitar techs. (Second opinions matter dudes!)

Anyone know the process of getting it replaced? I know that the 57/08's are not for sale, so am I dead in the water with getting another one?

Thanks!

 

[justmund]

Sorry to hear this! Did you buy the guitar new?

 

[Felix]

I would be crushed, just crushed, if one of my 57/08s were to become damaged. I feel for you. Perhaps PRS will take pity on you and consider it a flaw in manufacturing (as the guitar is only a few years old, and a pickup should last for decades or more, if treated with respect).

 

[tbs7duke]

Got it new in 2012. I loved every minute of it. When I got the diagnosis, I honestly felt sick, mostly because I absolutely love the sound of that pickup.

I can already see another reply, "buy another SC 58 or McCarty 58 and take that pickup out" haha

 

[timrocks311]

I would talk with your dealer and/or PRS about getting it replaced.

 

[AP515]

You bought it new, you have a warranty and the pup is covered. Just talk with your dealer you got it from. If that isn't correct for some reason, you can find 57/08's on the used market but they aren't cheap. Still worth buying.

 

[FennRx]

replace it with a better PAF clone.

 

[andy474x]

You bought it new, you have a warranty and the pup is covered. Just talk with your dealer you got it from. If that isn't correct for some reason, you can find 57/08's on the used market but they aren't cheap. Still worth buying.

+1, check with your dealer!!! That's a warranty matter, PRS is very good with customer service and I would expect that they'll hook you up.

I was just playing my axe with 57/08's yesterday, and I'd be devastated too if one of mine went dead. Such incredible pickups!

 

[vchizzle]

I'd imagine you'd have to send the dead pickup to PRS so they can determine that it is indeed dead themselves. I would think if that is the case, they would replace or repair it for you.

 

[HANGAR18]

Is there a huge difference between the 57/08's and the 59/09's?
http://www.prsaccessories.com/collections/pickups/products/59-09-treble-pickup

 

[WEDGE]

The 09 is hotter and makes a great neck pup

 

[HANGAR18]

The 09 is hotter and makes a great neck pup

The thought had occurred to me that maybe the 09 might be an acceptable alternative. Might even like it better.

 

[tbs7duke]

The thought had occurred to me that maybe the 09 might be an acceptable alternative. Might even like it better.

Already have 2 Custom 24's with those pickups which are great btw.

I liked the vibe I had going with the 57/08 on the SC-58. Gonna give PRS a call and make my case.

 

[HANGAR18]

Already have 2 Custom 24's with those pickups which are great btw.

I liked the vibe I had going with the 57/08 on the SC-58. Gonna give PRS a call and make my case.

Cool. Happy hunting!

 

[Brad737]

Sorry to hear that Duke. Any idea what may have killed it?

 

[Felix]

^ My question exactly. A pickup is a pretty rugged thing, though the wires themselves are tiny things. Still, PRS pups in general are quite well-potted and should be fine, as I said, for decades or more if treated at all decently.

@ FennRx: Shame on you! -JK. Still, the "slash" pups may be in the spirit of PAF pups, they have their own voice (-s) and response (-s). A real PAF, for instance, or an accurate clone, would be unpotted and therefore more dynamically responsive... and microphonic to a great degree. -Not that I'd turn down a set of ThroBaks to put in some LP-like (non-PRS) machine, but the "slash" pups are themselves very sweet and toneful and (IMHO) deserve more respect than casually disposing of them as "PAF clones".

 

[HANGAR18]

^ My question exactly. A pickup is a pretty rugged thing, though the wires themselves are tiny things. Still, PRS pups in general are quite well-potted and should be fine, as I said, for decades or more if treated at all decently.

Maybe a solder joint got corroded and the pickup can be repaired or refurbished by the PTC.

 

[Felix]

It would be nice if a repair could be done to it without having to rewind the pickup. If the fault is in (one of the) the coils, that would be sad, as rewinding never quite hits the same tone....

 

[GavQuinn]

I'd send it off to be rewound.

 

[prsrocker1988]

I'd get it rewound if PRS doesn't replace it or if it isn't a simple fix like a solder joint.

What I would do in this case is take the 57/08s out, put in a Duncan 59 set (very good PAF set but potted which is why I prefer it over the Seth Lover/Antiquities) and that way you'll have matching tone and no phase issues, and then when you get the front 57/08 fixed, put the 57/08s back in and then use the Duncans for another guitar or to hold onto. The Duncan 59 set is more meaty than SL/Antiquity. Not a DiMarzio fan and I think the 59 is the best all around mass produced pickup for a vintage tone.