Compare and contrast 408 vs Paul's Guitar

[Solteroblues]

I'm really thinking of getting one or the other, as I've owned both CU22's and CU24's and a Studio... I know what the spec differences are, but what else should I be looking at to really make a decision? I won't be able to try either out before I buy probably... Paul's uses the neck 408 pup for both positions, does the 408's wider bridge pickup not really make a difference? Can either of the 408 style pups be swapped for standard pups? Also, I really like hardtails, which I apparently can order on the Paul's, but not on the 408?

 

[CoreyT]

You should be able to get a hardtail on the 408, wish I had got it.
At least is was an option when I bought mine back in 2013.
But I went with the tremolo.
Next guitar shall be a hardtail.

http://www.prsguitars.com/408/
Looks like the option is now gone, but I would send an email to Matt King at customer service and ask for sure.

 

[CantankerousCarl]

Hi Soltero - I think the wider bridge pickup is indeed your main consideration here. I own a few of each, and there is an audible difference. To my ears, the wider bridge 408s work best with heavier styles - there is a thickness to the bridge pickup that seems to sit better with high gain. The thinner 408 in the bridge has a little more focus and cut, and split is sounds a little more "traditionally single coil" if that makes sense.

Hope that helps. Can't really go wrong with either!

 

[XiXora]

The 408 with stoptail is definitely gone (if ordering a build now). I tried to get one built in January with a rosewood neck. I ended up ordering a CU22.
If you could order a 408 with a stoptail now, I'd be quite annoyed since I am still waiting on my CU22.

I'll keep on eye on this thread to see if I should suck it up and get another with a trem though .

 

[Solteroblues]

thanks! So XiXora, you're still waiting on a build from January? Do you have to pay in full up front?

 

[XiXora]

I didn't pay in full up front. I heard there has been a rosewood issue at the factory. As long as I get a nice slab, I'm OK with that… maybe I'll order a maple neck next time.

Wondering what 2016 brings now. I'm wishing for stoptail option returning to the 408 or a pattern thin Pauls Guitar. Will end up paying for a PS at this rate as I doubt I'll get my wish

 

[C&M Music - Lafayette]

I heard there has been a rosewood issue at the factory.

Do tell.

 

[squirrel211]

I played them back-to-back, and the 408 Bridge pickup is definitely hotter in the bridge position than the 408 Neck pickup, and a bit warmer EQ-wise. The Neck pickup seemed more defined and clearer, and definitely not as much output.

 

[alantig]

I'll keep on eye on this thread to see if I should suck it up and get another with a trem though .

Why? You think someone on here is going to tell you not to get one??? :rofl:

 

[dogrocketp]

Get two.

 

[XiXora]

I'm just holding out on the stoptail tbh. I swore at myself for 2 weeks for waiting to see what 2015 held. I'm a little stubborn.

Is the Pauls bridge pup the same as the neck pup or tuned or is it differently?

re: factory w/ rosewood, I was told procurement issues.

 

[dsenoj]

Is the Pauls bridge pup the same as the neck pup or tuned or is it differently?

When the Paul's Guitar first came out, I saw something that said the bridge pickup was wound the same as the 408 bridge pickup but the same size as the 408 neck pickup. Or maybe I saw that about the Brent Mason model which uses the same humbucker pickups as the Paul's Guitar.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Can either of the 408 style pups be swapped for standard pups?

No, not really.

 

[Rachmaninoff]

I really would like to see a video comparing both.

High resolution, please

 

[jay]

Also consider with 408 you should be able to choose neck profile, while Paul's has always the Pattern one.

 

[alantig]

When the Paul's Guitar first came out, I saw something that said the bridge pickup was wound the same as the 408 bridge pickup but the same size as the 408 neck pickup. Or maybe I saw that about the Brent Mason model which uses the same humbucker pickups as the Paul's Guitar.

The big thing I remember about the Paul's bridge is Hans saying he thought it was more focused than the 408 bridge. I've never played a Paul's, so I can't comment on that. I can say that the 408 has handled everything I've thrown at it. Very versatile.

 

[László]

They're both really superb. I'd have a VERY hard time choosing between them.

 

[Solteroblues]

ok, next question, do the 408's in the Paul's guitar sound ANYTHING like the 57/08's? Or are they a completely different animal? I sold my P22 with the 57/08's (uncovered) and I LOVED them, my studio with the 57/08 bridge (covered) sounds more harsh and brighter...

 

[alantig]

I think that's really going to depend on the 57/08s you compare to. The 57/08s seem to vary pretty widely. I have some very early 57/08s (from the initial 1957/2008 run), and they're nowhere near the 408s. The 408s are hotter and a bit more modern-sounding. The 57/08s are very vintage-y.

That said, I've heard some others who've had 57/08s that are definitely hotter than what I have, although I can't say whether they sounded more like the 408s.