Gonna buy my first PRS, need help!

[Spartacus GR77]

Hey everyone!

Going to be ordering my first custom PRS. Wanted to pick your brains a bit. There are so many models and different pick up configurattions I was wondering if you guys could help me out.

I am currently looking at the Custom 24. I like playing hard rock, Pink Floyd, and some metal. I am wondering in terms of pick ups and different configurations. For example the 59/09's vs the 408's vs the Narrowfields. Which set of pick ups would be ideal for my music interests?

Is there a different model other than the C24 that would be better suited to me?

Thanks and look forward to your opinions.

 

[JRod4928]

What guitar do you currently play, and why do you like/dislike it?
Is there anything you HAVE to have on a guitar for your taste?
Do you use your tremolo?
Do you change tunings often?
Do you use frets above the 12th fret very often?
Do you ever see the need for a middle pickup?
Would you ever want a piezo?
Do you prefer 'hotter' pickups, PAF style pickups, or single coil type pickups?
Single Cut or Double Cut?
Wide fat or Wide Thin neck profile?

A few notes: In 2014 there will be a floyd rose custom 24 incase you want a trem other than the typical PRS bridge.
If you don't use a trem but change tunings often - the custom 24 will annoy you because it'll be harder to tune because its a semi-floating bridge. Try a McCarty, or another stoptail model.
If you want a piezo with a trem, get the P22 or P24 Trem models. There's a non-trem model simply called P22 or P24.
If you want hotter pickups, try to get the HFS/VB pickups, if you want PAF style, get 57/08 or 59/09, or any of the other combos. If you want single coils - get narrowfields.
If you want a middle pickup, PRS offers a few options that you can look up
If you want a Single Cut - there are the SC models, or Tremonti model (with HOT tremonti pickups). Double cut - all the usual suspects.

Notice I asked if you use frets above the 12th often. NOT the 22nd. The reason is PRS has a fat neck heel on the 22 fret models that extends to roughly the 24th fret. It can make it uncomfortable to play at those higher frets. The CU24's don't have the neck heel like this, it extends to like th 17th fret.

 

[Spartacus GR77]

I currently play a Schecter Diamond series SLS C-1, with Seynour Duncan full shred and Jazz pickups. Dont want a Floyd rose!

would like a tremolo. I do change tunings but not too often. I do go above the 12th fret.

I dont know much about the pick ups, I was hoping to be educated on the PRS ones being offered and that you have mentioned above.

Definately, double cut.

The PRS i tried at my local GC had a wide fat neck and was very comfortable. One of the reasons i am looking into getting a PRS was just how comfortable it felt.

What I can tell you, from my limited experience, Im not crazy about the sound of Fender strat pickups and dont like that fat tone Gibsons produce. I want a tone that is more concise or tight.

Hope that helps. Thank you!

 

[JRod4928]

Awesome, Sounds like you're on the right track with a Custom 24 then.

As far as pickups, I'm not sure if they offer anything other than the 57/08 or HFS/Vintage Bass pickup options to be installed on a production guitar. If you're custom ordering one, I'm sure you could specify any of PRS's pickups.

If I were you, I'd start scouring the interwebs for PRS videos of varying pickup types. It sounds like the usual suspects of PRS pickups won't be for you, but I'd look them up if I were you anyway just for perspective.... Look up HFS/Vintage Bass, Dragon II (Dragon 1's aren't available anymore if I recall correctly), 57/08, 59/09, 53/10, and a few others. Make sure they're doing a demo using a similar setup as you, in terms of amp type, distortion type, etc. I'm not extremely familiar with any other type of PRS pickup - but you might like the McCarty pickups. They are lower output and don't seem to be as 'fat' as a gibson IMO. Keep in mind, Gibson's 'fat' tone is partially due to the 24.5" scale length.

 

[JRod4928]

You can always order a PRS and swap the pickups too. I'd stay within the realm of PRS pickups though, but that's just me - I like their tone.

 

[Spartacus GR77]

I'm def. gonna go custom. I'm either gonna just stay with the 59/09 or add in \m/ metal somewhere. Any experience with these?

 

[JRod4928]

If I were to try out any 3 PRS pickups, they'd be the 59/09, \m/, and the Tremonti pickups.

Unfortunately, I only have experience with the Tremonti's. If it means anything to you, I'm swapping the 57/08's in my Custom 24 for Tremonti's because I like them so much.

 

[Spartacus GR77]

Yeah right on. It's gonna come down to those listed.

 

[Egads]

If you are looking for a slightly more modern and articulate sound, check out any of the guitars with 408 pups--The Paul's, the 408, Brent Mason. They are amazingly articulate pickups and the difference between the humbucking and single coil tones adds some versatility without killing the output.