HB II Piezo AND a HB 594?

[SonicBlue]

Would it be redundant to get a 594 HB II when I already have a knockout of a HB II Piezo core?

We're not talking about too much difference in scale length between the two and both have same pickups. Slight variation in knobs/internal wiring but probably nothing that would hold me back just owning the Piezo model.

Thoughts?

 

[archtop]

Absolutely not if a 594 HBII inspires you to play a bit differently than the HB II Piezo.

 

[Moondog Wily]

What is it you think you will gain from the 594 that you don't already have? Nothing wrong with having a back up, and it would be an excellent backup for your Piezo ;~)) If you want something really different (but still HB), look for an Archtop, a Spruce HB, SC-J or JA-15!! That's my $0.01!!!

 

[Mozzi]

Would it be redundant to get a 594 HB II when I already have a knockout of a HB II Piezo core?

We're not talking about too much difference in scale length between the two and both have same pickups. Slight variation in knobs/internal wiring but probably nothing that would hold me back just owning the Piezo model.

Thoughts?

Why not?

I have both. The HBii Piezo for example only has Master tone/volume and no coil splitting (individual or both) so more 'limited' from its Magnetic options but the 594 can't add that Piezo Sparkle or give you that 'Acoustic' like sound. If you don't want the option to split individually offering 8 different Pick up options, ability to blend or even set different tones for 'each' pick-up then maybe a 594 is redundant for you or maybe it might be a decent option/back-up if you don't always use the Piezo...

Yes there is a difference in scale length, but also in bridge and of course neck carve too.

At the end of the day, if you want it enough, you'll find enough 'reasons' to own one, otherwise you'll be happy with what you have and not feel it offers you enough to justify buying. I think they both have enough differences to own 'both' but maybe where they do crossover is where you 'live' so either is more than enough...

 

[Jo-]

What is it you think you will gain from the 594 that you don't already have? Nothing wrong with having a back up, and it would be an excellent backup for your Piezo ;~)) If you want something really different (but still HB), look for an Archtop, a Spruce HB, SC-J or JA-15!! That's my $0.01!!!

I own all the above hollows as well as an HB 594.

I say go for it. But I may have a problem so don’t trust my advice.

 

[Moondog Wily]

I own all the above hollows as well as an HB 594.

I say go for it. But I may have a problem so don’t trust my advice.

So based on that stellar collection, if you had to choose only two, and one was the HB II Piezo, which other one would you want to keep with it? I think that is what the OP is after, what would go best with his HB II Piezo ;~)) Do you think the 594 is the way to go or do you think one of those others would give more diversity? LOVE your collection!!!

 

[Jo-]

I think the 594 would give more diversity as you have the coil taps etc. but for some reason I find I miss the piezo on it.

Yeah… get the 594 too.

 

[Tosca]

It is possible to modify a HB2 to have coil splits on both pickups without modifying the control layout. Since there is only enough room for one P/P pot it involves converting the piezo minitogs to one of the split switches…or adding a second minitog (the horror).

https://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/lets-see-those-modded-prss.42382/page-3

That being said, I still wholeheartedly support your decision to own both.

 

[Jo-]

I did have my bridge pickup swapped to a PRS #6 with a coil tap. Of course it involved drilling a hole in the top for a mini switch. But that may be too drastic of a surgery for you.

 

[SonicBlue]

Since I would not be able to get a true "strat position 4" sound out of it, I don't care for coil split options on humbuckers. I'll just use a strat when I need that. (or silver sky dead spec )

For my use, I guess it really comes down to the scale length and neck profile - I didn't even think of the neck, great point! I love fat necks like on a Gibson R9 or Fender with a John English 59 neck (aka 59 Large C profile) but prefer PRS Pattern over Pattern Vintage. Pattern is such a great neck profile, it just feels right all the time.

At one point I had way too many guitars and simplified down to 1 Strat, 1 Les Paul and 1 PRS HB II Piezo so I can pretty much cover everything. But I love the HB so much and it's so easy and comfortable to play, I have considered a HB II 594. Thank you all for the input, gives me some things to think about.

 

[Mozzi]

Since I would not be able to get a true "strat position 4" sound out of it, I don't care for coil split options on humbuckers. I'll just use a strat when I need that. (or silver sky dead spec )

For my use, I guess it really comes down to the scale length and neck profile - I didn't even think of the neck, great point! I love fat necks like on a Gibson R9 or Fender with a John English 59 neck (aka 59 Large C profile) but prefer PRS Pattern over Pattern Vintage. Pattern is such a great neck profile, it just feels right all the time.

At one point I had way too many guitars and simplified down to 1 Strat, 1 Les Paul and 1 PRS HB II Piezo so I can pretty much cover everything. But I love the HB so much and it's so easy and comfortable to play, I have considered a HB II 594. Thank you all for the input, gives me some things to think about.

I'd say that the Split coils on Humbuckers are not 'meant' to be a Strat sound but are there to offer you a 'different' tone that might sit in the Mix significantly better as it's not competing with Bass/Rhythm frequencies that 'muddy' the sound in Split/SC mode.

You also get the option to have a HB with a SC tone (Bridge HB/Neck Split for example) and the ability to control the tone for each Pup. If the Bridge (Split or Full) is too bright, but the neck is fine, you can roll the tone off the Bridge and leave it - Saves having to constantly adjust the tone when you switch between Bridge/Neck.

Yes 'Splits' can be good in a live situation when you don't want to have to carry multiple guitars and/or be swapping guitars 'mid-song' for example. But IF I wanted a 'Strat' sound for a Recording, I'd use a strat. Strat's maybe SC's, but not 'every' SC is going to sound like a Strat...

Sometimes, it's great just to have a 'different' tone that maybe suits the song, the mix of Frequencies the rest of the Band are contributing etc.

 

[dmatthews]

It is possible to modify a HB2 to have coil splits on both pickups without modifying the control layout. Since there is only enough room for one P/P pot it involves converting the piezo minitogs to one of the split switches…or adding a second minitog (the horror).

https://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/lets-see-those-modded-prss.42382/page-3

That being said, I still wholeheartedly support your decision to own both.

Wouldn'tcha need different pups? I thought the HB Piezo came with non-splitable (2 wire) pups?

 

[Tosca]

Wouldn'tcha need different pups? I thought the HB Piezo came with non-splitable (2 wire) pups?

Yes…I replaced the pickups w 4 wire 57/08s. Still less expensive than another guitar. The originals went into an SE ZM upgrade.

That being said…didn’t stop me from getting a PS 594 HB 2 with a piezo bridge…back when you could do such things.

 

[SonicBlue]

PS 594 HB 2 with a piezo bridge

Oh man, that would be an amazing guitar! I wish they made that in 594 and also a 25.5" scale, 24 fret HB II (ala Trey from Phish's Languedoc).

 

[Mozzi]

Could always go the PS route....

 

[Tosca]

I’m not 1/1000th the player Tim is…but I like my PS 594 HB2 piezo better. (Top center)

 

[SonicBlue]

I’m not 1/1000th the player Tim is…but I like my PS 594 HB2 piezo better. (Top center)

Wow, 9 controls on that koa beauty! You're approaching the Phil Lesh Alembic zone!

 

[Mozzi]

Obviously @Tosca prefers to split with mini-toggles over push/pull pots - which in a 'live' setting, I'd much prefer too. I like that I can switch my Piezo on too like the HBii over the SE design but you could condense that down with the 594 P/P pots and the SE no volume equals off approach of the SE if that was preferred...

If I was going for wall art or purely aesthetic over function for me, I'd probably ask for something more like I described above, but if I wanted to play it and 'use' the splits/piezo I'd go with @Tosca guitar - that is an absolute stunner too!!!

 

[Bogner]

I Am Disappointed You Are Asking Such A Question And Have Only Listed 2 Guitars. Since No Two Guitars Are Identical The Problem And My Concerns For You Are Even More Glaring.

Buy
Buy
Buy

 

[LackingWit]

If you like the magnetic pickup sounds with the HBIIP, there's probably no reason to add. I switched from the Core Piezo to the 594 for the two volume controls and coil splits. I couldn't be happier and have not looked back. But it was the magnetic electronics in the 594 that drew me to it.

Candid disclosure: I have the SE HBIIP, which was definitely redundant of the Core. I never bonded with the piezo sound blended in with the mags on either SE or Core. I do not think that the piezo by itself really sounds like an acoustic without an IR in the chain. (Through a Mooer Radar with a free D-35 image that a buddy directed me to, it's convincing.) I'm glad that I have the SE for one very specific use and I plan to hold on to it. I do love Wide Fat the neck on it--maybe my favorite over the two Core models I have, but only by a hair and I do not miss it when playing either Core.