Hollowbody II pickups

[Skeeter]

I've had a Hollowbody II for some time now, and while I really like it, I've always thought I'd change the pickups - because it has the old "Archtops" that are a little lifeless, and there are so many interesting low output PAF pickups these days.

One thing - has anyone put in (humbucker-sized) P-90s? This seems like an interesting possibility now that there are so many HB sized ones, and even good hum canceling ones. I would think they would blend well with the piezo and excel at jazz/fusion tones - which is what I primarily want from the guitar.

On the other hand, keeping in the PRS family, perhaps a simple switch to 57/08s would provide some needed character and clarity. Something also tells me the 53/10s might be perfect for my needs - anyone put those in a HB? Love the way they blended in the piezos of the first P22s and seem to have that nice rounded, sweet treble response when overdriven.

Or I could always wait for the 58/15s to come available, as I really like what I've heard from those - really have that nice combo of bite and bloom that I associate with PAFs.

Any insight or even experiences from people with PRS HB's, would be greatly appreciated!

 

[LJD]

A "simple switch" of getting 57/08's would involve sending your guitar to Maryland. I have 53/10's in my HBII and they are out of this world, but PRS doesn't offer them any more. If you were going to send your HBII to Maryland I'd go for the 58/15 because they're described by PRS himself as being in-between the 57's and the 53's (warmer than 57's, brighter than 53's).

This video of a PS HBII with soap bars makes me really want one with p90's. Sounds fantastic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo7j5Tt_n-Q

 

[Huggy Love]

I prefer the archtop PUs over a lot of the other PRS PUs, but I like them because they do jazz a lot better than the others. My 408 is just OK at it and I tested out a newer HB with 57/15 and they were a bit crispy sounding for what I wanted to do. If you're doing harder edge stuff maybe a change could be an OK move but I found the archtops versatile enough to rock out with. I just really like them because they're so clear and don't sound too mushy at high volume.

 

[CVS]

I have 2 HB's one with Archtops (HB 1 with spruce top) and 1 with 57/08's (HB II)
Love them both and they sound quite different from one another.
Agree with Huggy B re: Archtops & Jazz

 

[Danerada]

I have the Archtop pups in mine and I love them. I have played a few HB II's with 5708's in them and I did not care for them. Now, I would like to hear some with the new TV Jones Humbucker pups....

 

[garrettb]

I was disappointed with the Archtop pickups in my HB II for a long time. I finally changed over to low winds from Lollar and couldn't be happier.

 

[Skeeter]

True, this is probably what I like most about the stock Archtops. But for some reason, clean I find the bridge kinda honky and the neck kinda boomy. Needless to say, I don't love these tones with the piezo sounds. The neck can definitely do jazz.

Though I assume other high quality, low wind pickups can do jazz just as well, or better and (for me) just have a better intrinsic tone.

Interesting - looking up the specs on the Archtops, they are rated at 7k bridge and 6.2k neck. That's pretty low!!

I wish the 53/10s were easier to come by. Otherwise I'm looking at BKP Stormy Mondays (love BKPs!)

 

[Herr Squid]

I found the stock pickups in my SCHB (IIRC they were Archtops) to be really hot and bottom-heavy. They struck me as much more of a rawk pickup than I was expecting. I lucked into a second hand pair of 53/10s and installed those. Much better match for that guitar! I also had great results with putting 57/08s into an '04 HB.

 

[solacematt]

If your going to take the McCarty Archtops out and put 57/08's in you'd may as well just get a CU24 or 22, because those pickups don't bring out the the distinct tone and character of the instrument, clean or dirty. The guitar just sounds like a solidbody. If you like playing a HB because the weight by all means, but those pickups really don't compare to what the archtops bring out :/

 

[Skeeter]

If your going to take the McCarty Archtops out and put 57/08's in you'd may as well just get a CU24 or 22, because those pickups don't bring out the the distinct tone and character of the instrument, clean or dirty. The guitar just sounds like a solidbody. If you like playing a HB because the weight by all means, but those pickups really don't compare to what the archtops bring out :/

No, I want to keep the character of a HB. I have plenty of solidbodies. I would hope there are other low wind pickups (lower than 57/08s) that might fit the bill. Or even P-90s that fit in HB space - plenty of those available that are oriented towards HB's and jazz, etc...

But, you never know, the Archtops might be the best compared to other options. I do think 53/10s would be a good option if I could fine them.

 

[AmelBedel61904]

I've played a Hollowbody II with the old archtop pickups for ten years and I wouldn't dare get rid of the pickups. I think they're the best pickups PRS ever made. I've also owned a PRS with 57/08s in them and couldn't stand those pickups. Too gainy and trebly, and it fed back uncontrollably despite being a solid body. Try raising the pickups to have a little more output if you haven't already. It really makes them come to life.

 

[Travelmasterjim]

I have a 2008 hollow body with piezo, and sometimes I think. about the PRS humbuckers , these pickups could have a little bit more eggs for playing hard rock. # During a gig , when playing ZZ Top, I´m quite satisfied. But I believe that´s the upper end, gain wise. In comparison with a Gibson it is much lesser sensitive to unwanted feedbacks , and has much more character tone. I would not change my PRS hollow body to sometinng else, no. Great allround workhorse guitar.

 

[walrus]

I'm totally content with the stock McCarty Archtop pickups in my 2008 Hollowbody Spruce,,,

 

[CVS]

I have 2 HB's one with Archtops (HB 1 with spruce top) and 1 with 57/08's (HB II)
Love them both and they sound quite different from one another.
Agree with Huggy B re: Archtops & Jazz

It has been over 2 years since my original post & I still have both guitars & like them both & they are different sounding. I am thinking about adding a piezo to the HB 1, but love the Archtops

 

[watelessness]

I put Miras in mine and love the change. They are gritty and ranchy. I even had the OCT install a mini toggle split switch. I think you'll enjoy the 57/08's.

 

[garrettb]

Blast from the past! I ended up going back to the Archtop pups on mine, but with an alnico 5 magnet in the neck and I loved that setup. It opened up the tone of the neck pup and it balanced better with the bridge. They were crisp and clean, but still had a nice grit for overdrive. I have since sold the HBII after falling in love with the 594 and a new Custom 22.

Now that 57/08's are available for sale that's probably the way to go if you want that PRS character with more push.