About to add a Stripped 58 to the collection

boardn10 said:
So I gave it a good go!
Now I am loving the Stripped 58.
Different from my 2003 weight relieved LP Standard, but both great.

My tech set it up and cut the nut since it was a bit high but I think he cut the D string slot too low. The string is basically touching the first fret so notes are dead and buzzy most of the length of string, especially above the 12th fret.

The D string tuning machine is also going bad, I think the gears or whatever are stripped.

PRS responded to me about the tuners:

"The tuners on this guitar would be a former version of the Phase 3 tuners. We offer single bass/treble side Phase 3 tuners through our website here: Tuning Machines & Components – PRS Guitars West Street East Accessory Store (prsaccessories.com)

The latest versions of Phase 3 tuners feature a tweaked collar for a smoother turn. They will look slightly different from the ones installed on your guitar but will function much better."

My LP Standard is a 2003, weight relieved. The Stripped 58 is solid wood but lighter weight than my LP.
I got rid of a1994 LP Standard that was 11 lbs. Not sure if they weight relieved in 1994.
These days, I don't want a singlecut over 9 lbs. I prefer less than 9, lol. I was close to buying an Adam Jones Standard LP. Also known to be rather heavy. This one is also solid, no weight relief.
Great tone! I was thinking I'd replace the pickups but honestly they work well for any style. To me they sound and feel hot and very fat. Not as tight as Alnico V magnet loaded pickups, but I can get them as tight as I want with some amp EQ tweaks. My Alnico V bridge pickups have a bit more punch, tightness and aggression but these are great. Very far and full thru the midrange. I was expecting to replace the bridge pickup with something like a Wolfetone Fenris, Suhr SSH or Aldrich. The Fenris is also AII but it's a bit hotter. Then again this pickup uses thicker wire. It isn't that much hotter than the 57/08 due to a different wire gauge. There are several factors that equate to the output of the pickup.
I like the 57/08 bridge so much, that I am tempted to get the 59/09 for my SC250!
Wow, what a pickup. I was expecting to install a Wolfetone Fenris or a Suhr Thornbucker, SSH or Aldrich.
My SC250 has stock pickups but I am installing a Wolfetone Pickup.
I was planning to reaplace the 57/08 pickups but man they rock. I can't believe it. Even for metal, with an amp tweak or boost, I can get plenty tight. I still have Alnico V guitars but wow.
I am tempted to get a 59/09 set now for my SC250.
I was all about the Tremonti, Aldrich and BBQ pickups. But, now I am falling for the 57/08 pickups.
Does anyone know if the 59/09 pickups are just as good? Do the covers make that much difference? I know covers can round off the highs but I should be able to do the same with amp EQ and pickup design. That said, that 59/09 uncovered bridge pickup could be amazing in one of my other Singlecuts. I don't know the specs of the SC250 neck Pickup and how it would match the 59/09 bridge pickup. I could also cover a 59/09 and install one into my 2001 SC, replacing the Aldrich, gold covered.
I compared the Aldrich to the Thornbucker before and liked both. So, nice having variety and choices.
It stinks, I just got a Wolfetone Timbrewolf for my SC250. If it sounds great, I'll keep it, otherwise, I'll order the 59/09.
Anyone know the SC250 neck Pickup specs? Assuming it's like the Tremonti neck pickup. Would it mate with the 59/09 bridge pickup?
How about the 59/09 bridge pickup with the #7 neck pickup?
The 57/08 bridge pickup rocks for any style.

One thing that bothers me is the guy who sold me the guitar said it is mint and rarely played, left I the case. It is in amazing condition, but the electronics have all been removed and replaced with higher end parts and LP style wiring. Appears to be LP 50s wiring.
He failed to mention this.
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Excellent! The 5708 rock, new and old! Good to hear you sorted it out. The SC58 is an amazing guitar.

Love the 5909 bridge. I prefer my uncovered to covered, but they are differnet guitars. The 250 neck reads 8.0, like many of the PRS pickups of that era. Assume they are possibly the same just renamed. The reading is the same as D2 and McCarty if I remember right.
 
boardn10 said:
The latest versions of Phase 3 tuners feature a tweaked collar for a smoother turn. They will look slightly different from the ones installed on your guitar but will function much better."
Click to expand...

You better check that with PRS, but I bought a set of Phase III tuners last year, and they came without a tweaked collar
 
Simon Says said:
You better check that with PRS, but I bought a set of Phase III tuners last year, and they came without a tweaked collar
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Not sure, I talked to them and that's what they told me as well. As long as it works and is better than one that is going bad. I'm surprised it's going bad, I haven't had that happen except on a 1994 CE22.
 
dogrocketp said:
The 59/09 bridge is sometimes described as a 57/08, but more. More of everything. I have three guitars with a 59/09 in the bridge, so that should tell you something.
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Nice.
I prefer covers but I could always cover one. It depends on the guitar, I think this guitar would look good with a black open coil pickup. Hmm...
From reading the specs, they don't seem all that different.
 
SinSir said:
Excellent! The 5708 rock, new and old! Good to hear you sorted it out. The SC58 is an amazing guitar.

Love the 5909 bridge. I prefer my uncovered to covered, but they are differnet guitars. The 250 neck reads 8.0, like many of the PRS pickups of that era. Assume they are possibly the same just renamed. The reading is the same as D2 and McCarty if I remember right.
Click to expand...
I like the 57/08 but you guys have me wanting to try the 59/09.
The 57/08 is fat. Curious if the 59/09 is fatter. Sounds it.

Wjat do you prefer about open coil? The look or more?

Yes, I had to really lower the SC250 neck pickup. I may have to lower it even more. I think it's only at 3/32".
But I only use the neck combined with the bridge pickup, where it works well.
On its own, I use it for some cleans and leads.
 
boardn10 said:
Nice.
I prefer covers but I could always cover one. It depends on the guitar, I think this guitar would look good with a black open coil pickup. Hmm...
From reading the specs, they don't seem all that different.
Click to expand...
My guess would be it's the wire used to give the "more". If you get a new one it would be difficult to cover since they use squabbins. You'd have to remove those and get bobbins then cover. It can be done but way above my amateur tweak skills.
 
boardn10 said:
I like the 57/08 but you guys have me wanting to try the 59/09.
The 57/08 is fat. Curious if the 59/09 is fatter. Sounds it.

Wjat do you prefer about open coil? The look or more?

Yes, I had to really lower the SC250 neck pickup. I may have to lower it even more. I think it's only at 3/32".
But I only use the neck combined with the bridge pickup, where it works well.
On its own, I use it for some cleans and leads.
Click to expand...

It took me a long time to get the covered 5909 dialed in. I picked it up 2nd hand and the previous owner had the pole pieces adjusted to his ear, rig, and guitar. After lots of work I got it dialed in, and it sounds great, but the uncovered one sounds more defined to me, and probably even a bit more grunt.

If I was to do it over I'd probably just pick up a new 5708, since they are already covered and do run hotter than the older version. The new 5708 reminds me more of a 5909. If I really wanted to go 5909 I'd just grab a new squabbin.
 
SinSir said:
It took me a long time to get the covered 5909 dialed in. I picked it up 2nd hand and the previous owner had the pole pieces adjusted to his ear, rig, and guitar. After lots of work I got it dialed in, and it sounds great, but the uncovered one sounds more defined to me, and probably even a bit more grunt.

If I was to do it over I'd probably just pick up a new 5708, since they are already covered and do run hotter than the older version. The new 5708 reminds me more of a 5909. If I really wanted to go 5909 I'd just grab a new squabbin.
Click to expand...
I go back and forth on what I prefer, uncovered vs covered. Sometimes I find covered sweeter, warmer, and so times I find uncovered fatter and yes, more push or grunt. Half the time it's just my ears hearing it one way, and getting used to it, then you switch it up and it throws your ears off. I just try to have some of each. Some covered, some not.
 
boardn10 said:
I go back and forth on what I prefer, uncovered vs covered. Sometimes I find covered sweeter, warmer, and so times I find uncovered fatter and yes, more push or grunt. Half the time it's just my ears hearing it one way, and getting used to it, then you switch it up and it throws your ears off. I just try to have some of each. Some covered, some not.
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Covered is definitely sweeter and warmer. To my old ears anyway. And to my younger ears too, back in the day.

I get a brighter sound with a little more "kiss" or presence without covers.

More balls too if want to move the bridge pickup real close to the strings. I don't set it as close as I used to in the 60's and 70's tho. Neither does Joe Walsh.

I like both sounds (covered and uncovered) about equally.

BB King sounds better with covers. EVH sounds better without.
 
I am enjoying the 57/08s but you guys are making me want the 59/09 bridge.
I don't want to mess up a good thing the way it is now. Lol.
 
boardn10 said:
I am enjoying the 57/08s but you guys are making me want the 59/09 bridge.
I don't want to mess up a good thing the way it is now. Lol.
Click to expand...
It's a steep and deep rabbit hole...

Take your time and really get to know the 57/08's.

For me, there was a very noticeable difference in output between the 57/08 bridge pickup from 2012 compared to the new 2023 version I put in the same guitar to get more output.

In other words, PRS is now doing something different with the bridge 57/08. Winding it hotter or differently or using a stronger A2 magnet or something.

The DCR of the 2023 I have is only a little higher than the 2012 but the output seems higher.
 
Thanks Lew.

I have a lot of high output humbucker and this 57/08 bridge handles all I do, just as well. Leads scream with great pinch harmonics, heavy rhythm sounds just as good, just a different EQ curve than my other high output buckers.

Heck, if I really had to have the latest version, I could always order a new 57/08. But, I'm not spending $230 for one pickup.

This is the Sweetwater listing for a new 57/08 Treble:

PRS 57/08 Treble Humbucking Pickup Features:​

  • Replacement pickup for 6-string guitar bridge position
  • Alnico 2 magnet
  • DC resistance: 8.5k
  • Compatible with 3-way, 3-way push/pull, or 5-way pickup selectors
 
I would think the 57/08 might sound bigger than the 59/09.
Ogten lower output equates to less compression and bigger tone.
 
boardn10 said:
Thanks Lew.

I have a lot of high output humbucker and this 57/08 bridge handles all I do, just as well. Leads scream with great pinch harmonics, heavy rhythm sounds just as good, just a different EQ curve than my other high output buckers.

Heck, if I really had to have the latest version, I could always order a new 57/08. But, I'm not spending $230 for one pickup.

This is the Sweetwater listing for a new 57/08 Treble:

PRS 57/08 Treble Humbucking Pickup Features:​

  • Replacement pickup for 6-string guitar bridge position
  • Alnico 2 magnet
  • DC resistance: 8.5k
  • Compatible with 3-way, 3-way push/pull, or 5-way pickup selectors
Click to expand...
My newer 57/08 bridge pickups all measure just a touch over 9K.

Not 8.5K

My old 2012 57/08 bridge pickup didn't measure as low as 8.5K either but it may have measured less than 9K.

I didn't like that pickup as much as my newer ones.
 
boardn10 said:
Not sure which version I have in my 2012.

The new ones appear similar to the 59/09.
Click to expand...
They only had the one version in 2012 of the 57/08. I have a 2015 P22 that has the newer version in it. I also bought a set of pickups from the PRS accessories store in 2016 and put them in my 594 and those are the newer version as well. Someone would have had to of changed the pickups in the guitar for them to be the new version. I doubt that has been done.

Also to note, there isn't a lot of difference between the old and new when you measure them. The sound a lot hotter than the readings would lead you to believe. For instance, my SC-58 bridge pickup is 8.64k. The bridge in the new set in my 594 measure 9.27k. The output is quite different between them. It makes a difference in how much breakup a pedal or amp has when switching between them.
 
All I know is the bridge pickup in my stock 2014 Stripped feels and sounds hot!
 
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