DS-02 Pickups

[Jszfunk]

Hello
I am thinking about purchasing my first PRS Starla SE. Any thoughts on the DS-02 Pickups? There are very little demo videos on this guitar, and the one from this site he really does not dig in and push the pups as much as I would like. Looking for that " classic rock" tone ,Free,Humble Pie, Black Crowes etc...

 

[Boogie]

Hello
I am thinking about purchasing my first PRS Starla SE. Any thoughts on the DS-02 Pickups? There are very little demo videos on this guitar, and the one from this site he really does not dig in and push the pups as much as I would like. Looking for that " classic rock" tone ,Free,Humble Pie, Black Crowes etc...

While I don’t have an SE Starla, unfortunately, I do have a Vela and they share their bridge pickup. If you’re worried about it bringing the classic rock tone, worry no more! The Vela sounds fantastic backed by a 70s Marshall belting out everything you listed above and more. It’s also responsive to volume control changes if your amp settings allow, so you can sweep between clean and big dirt with a twist. That pup has a little more sizzle on the top end than a PAF, which I like, and it has more grunt and output. For me, a Klon, a Marshall, the right cab, and the Starla pickup = classic rock. Only, you get all that and a Bigsby!

 

[Jszfunk]

While I don’t have an SE Starla, unfortunately, I do have a Vela and they share their bridge pickup. If you’re worried about it bringing the classic rock tone, worry no more! The Vela sounds fantastic backed by a 70s Marshall belting out everything you listed above and more. It’s also responsive to volume control changes if your amp settings allow, so you can sweep between clean and big dirt with a twist. That pup has a little more sizzle on the top end than a PAF, which I like, and it has more grunt and output. For me, a Klon, a Marshall, the right cab, and the Starla pickup = classic rock. Only, you get all that and a Bigsby!

Thanks for the reply. That's what I was wanting to hear!!!

 

[Gigi]

I think the DS02 are only in the new SE Starla.
I'm waiting some shop near me to have this model available.
I felt in love with the demos on the web.

 

[Jszfunk]

I think the DS02 are only in the new SE Starla.
I'm waiting some shop near me to have this model available.
I felt in love with the demos on the web.

I could go find only a couple of demos and I really was not that impressed. If you have some links it would be appreciated. THanks

 

[Gigi]

here is what i found, starting with the "official"

and a fresh new one:

 

[Jszfunk]

here is what i found, starting with the "official"

and a fresh new one:

Thanks for the videos , much appreciated. The pups seem to be chimey and jangly. Not that its a bad thing though. I think I am looking for a little more bite and mid range bark tone than what the Starla offered. To my ears the Miras pups seem to be more to my liking. I can always swap them out.

Is it possible to buy the 85/15 "S" pups from PRS or online?

Thanks

 

[AP515]

Just get the Mira...

 

[andy474x]

I think the DS-02 pickups are probably the same as the Starla S pickups that were on the S2 Starla - all the S2’s use pickups from the same source as the SE’s, they certainly look the same, and their tonal description fits. I have one in the bridge of my S2 Studio and it might just be my favorite of the PRS import pickups. It definitely has that jangly flavor, but in a good way, and the split tone is head and shoulders above other pickups, it retains more “meat” to the sound.

If that’s not what you’re after, have you considered an SE245? The pickups in that are more of a hot PAF style. It would almost be criminal to take those sweet pickups out of a Starla (but... let me know if you do, I might take them off your hands).

 

[Jszfunk]

I think the DS-02 pickups are probably the same as the Starla S pickups that were on the S2 Starla - all the S2’s use pickups from the same source as the SE’s, they certainly look the same, and their tonal description fits. I have one in the bridge of my S2 Studio and it might just be my favorite of the PRS import pickups. It definitely has that jangly flavor, but in a good way, and the split tone is head and shoulders above other pickups, it retains more “meat” to the sound.

If that’s not what you’re after, have you considered an SE245? The pickups in that are more of a hot PAF style. It would almost be criminal to take those sweet pickups out of a Starla (but... let me know if you do, I might take them off your hands).

Thanks for getting back. I agree about the split tones of the pups that was very noticeable and impressive. Much better than others.
Really not looking for a " hotter" pup....just more of that classic rock crunch. Maybe it's just me and watching those demos on the computer...I just wasn't hearing it. Probably just need to play it in person first. I have played Epi's,Gib's and Fenders my whole life. Just looking to branch out a little. I stayed away from PRS due to the price point and a little to pretty for me at times.
Thanks again!!

 

[Ricky H-P]

Hello
I am thinking about purchasing my first PRS Starla SE. Any thoughts on the DS-02 Pickups? There are very little demo videos on this guitar, and the one from this site he really does not dig in and push the pups as much as I would like. Looking for that " classic rock" tone ,Free,Humble Pie, Black Crowes etc...

My understanding is that the Vela has DS-01 and Starla has DS-02.

I am curious about the difference between the DS-02 on the Starla vs the DS-01 on the Vela. I just bought a Vela but the bridge pick up was 'upgraded' to a 57/08 and I am contemplating whether I would want to swap it back to the original. unfortunately the previous owner sold the original so it wasn't included. That being said the 57/08 is great

 

[SinSir]

My understanding is that the Vela has DS-01 and Starla has DS-02.

I am curious about the difference between the DS-02 on the Starla vs the DS-01 on the Vela. I just bought a Vela but the bridge pick up was 'upgraded' to a 57/08 and I am contemplating whether I would want to swap it back to the original. unfortunately the previous owner sold the original so it wasn't included. That being said the 57/08 is great

I don't know about the designation change but everywhere I've read and watched, including PRS, has said the Vela has a starla bridge, atleast the S2 version.

I would agree my Vela bridge is my favorite 's' pickup yet but the 57/08 is arguably my favorite PRS bridge pickup only possibly being edged out by the 59/09. I'd personally take a 57/08 over the Vela pickup. I'm fortunate to have all 3 in different guitars.

I haven't played a set of 53/10 but IMHO the 57/08 and 59/09 are the best pickups PRS has to offer. A strong case can be made they are the best pickups I own but they are in my best guitars. The 57/08 are a fairly new acquisition for me but everytime I play them they bring a huge smile to my face.

All of that said you can occasionally find a set of used starla pickups on reverb for pretty cheap. Though, I wouldn't kick a 57/08 out of my guitar for a s pickup.

Congrats on the Vela pickup. It's a fantastic guitar!

 

[Ricky H-P]

Thanks for the reply and reinforcement on the 57/08

 

[andy474x]

I don't know about the designation change but everywhere I've read and watched, including PRS, has said the Vela has a starla bridge, atleast the S2 version.

I would agree my Vela bridge is my favorite 's' pickup yet but the 57/08 is arguably my favorite PRS bridge pickup only possibly being edged out by the 59/09. I'd personally take a 57/08 over the Vela pickup. I'm fortunate to have all 3 in different guitars.

I haven't played a set of 53/10 but IMHO the 57/08 and 59/09 are the best pickups PRS has to offer. A strong case can be made they are the best pickups I own but they are in my best guitars. The 57/08 are a fairly new acquisition for me but everytime I play them they bring a huge smile to my face.

All of that said you can occasionally find a set of used starla pickups on reverb for pretty cheap. Though, I wouldn't kick a 57/08 out of my guitar for a s pickup.

Congrats on the Vela pickup. It's a fantastic guitar!

100% agree with all this! Spot on.

I love the Starla pickup in my S2 Studio, and don’t want to change it out because it just vibes with the single coils perfectly, and makes the guitar sound unique in comparison to my others. That being said, if PRS brought the S2 Studio back, and in satin, I would be all over that in the blink of an eye, and throw a 57/08 or 59/09 in the bridge for the ultimate gigging machine.

 

[Ricky H-P]

I don't know about the designation change but everywhere I've read and watched, including PRS, has said the Vela has a starla bridge, atleast the S2 version.

I would agree my Vela bridge is my favorite 's' pickup yet but the 57/08 is arguably my favorite PRS bridge pickup only possibly being edged out by the 59/09. I'd personally take a 57/08 over the Vela pickup. I'm fortunate to have all 3 in different guitars.

I haven't played a set of 53/10 but IMHO the 57/08 and 59/09 are the best pickups PRS has to offer. A strong case can be made they are the best pickups I own but they are in my best guitars. The 57/08 are a fairly new acquisition for me but everytime I play them they bring a huge smile to my face.

All of that said you can occasionally find a set of used starla pickups on reverb for pretty cheap. Though, I wouldn't kick a 57/08 out of my guitar for a s pickup.

Congrats on the Vela pickup. It's a fantastic guitar!

Here is the official word, from PRS, I emailed customer service regarding DS-O1 and DS-02:

----The Starla model was released first with “Starla” pickups, which were later used in the bridge position of the Vela. Later, we slightly increased the output of the Starla pickups, but retained the lower-output on the Vela bridge pickups, hence the difference between DS-01 and DS-02. The DS-02 is the second variation (slightly hotter output) of the Starla pickups.


We currently don’t offer the DS-01 or DS-02 pickups for individua sale. I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Let me know if you have any further questions and thank you for your continued support of PRS Guitars.


Ryan

-----PRS Customer Service & Tech Support

 

[SinSir]

Here is the official word, from PRS, I emailed customer service regarding DS-O1 and DS-02:

----The Starla model was released first with “Starla” pickups, which were later used in the bridge position of the Vela. Later, we slightly increased the output of the Starla pickups, but retained the lower-output on the Vela bridge pickups, hence the difference between DS-01 and DS-02. The DS-02 is the second variation (slightly hotter output) of the Starla pickups.


We currently don’t offer the DS-01 or DS-02 pickups for individua sale. I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Let me know if you have any further questions and thank you for your continued support of PRS Guitars.


Ryan

-----PRS Customer Service & Tech Support

So, yes, The Vela has the S2 Starla pickup in the bridge and the SE Starla has the DS-02. Appreciate the footwork for verification.

 

[andy474x]

Here is the official word, from PRS, I emailed customer service regarding DS-O1 and DS-02:

----The Starla model was released first with “Starla” pickups, which were later used in the bridge position of the Vela. Later, we slightly increased the output of the Starla pickups, but retained the lower-output on the Vela bridge pickups, hence the difference between DS-01 and DS-02. The DS-02 is the second variation (slightly hotter output) of the Starla pickups.


We currently don’t offer the DS-01 or DS-02 pickups for individua sale. I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Let me know if you have any further questions and thank you for your continued support of PRS Guitars.


Ryan

-----PRS Customer Service & Tech Support

This is a good thing... I reckon the pickup in my Studio is also a DS-01, and it's certainly very low on the output. Not in a bad way, and it makes the vibe of the guitar unique. But also, a little more push will make the guitar more versatile, in the case of the 2nd version.

 

[Boogie]

Really not looking for a " hotter" pup....just more of that classic rock crunch.

Here’s how I did that…

Mmmm mmm good!

 

[gear and guitars with Mel]

Metal on a Starla…

 

[gear and guitars with Mel]

Metal on a Starla