Need Help Identifying 97’ Swamp Ash Special with #7 pick ups

[gray490]

I’m currently looking to buy a Swamp Ash Special, preferably with a stoptail bridge. I found a 97’ model for sale, everything looks great, but the pickups don’t look like McCartys. I messaged the seller to see if the pickups were original and if he could send a picture of the bridge pickup cavity to see the MODCAT (not sure when PRS started using MODCAT) to identify the original specs. In the pictures I can see that the pickups are PRS #7s and in the cavity there is nothing that looks like a MODCAT number.
Here was the seller’s reply: Thanks for your message! I opened up the guitar, the pickups are PRS 7 treble and bass. The wiring and soldering looks original and untouched.
Anyone know if PRS made some SASs with #7 pickups?

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

They came with Swamp Ash pickups originally and then McCartys. Since PRS likes to switch around pickups it’s entirely possible.

I’d swap them out for 57/08’s as fast as you can and enjoy the upgrade

 

[bodia]

I would hit that thing so hard! And as @Bowtiefanatc said, a set of 57/08 would slay

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I’ll just put this here for reference

 

[gray490]

Thanks, I’ve been looking through a ton of Swamp Ash Specials and this was the first one I saw without McCarty pups so I was worried.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

It’s entirely possible that someone removed the covers. 7’s came covered too. Plus if you start fresh with a new harness the wiring is going to look “perfect”.

It’s a beauty. They are definitely underrated guitars.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

One additional thing. 7’s don’t split so it wouldn’t be factory since the SAS splits the bridge and activates the middle pickup with the push/pull.

 

[gray490]

So they wouldn’t be the factory pickups because 7s don’t split?

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

It’s possible that it could be a 1 off, but I wouldn’t put money on it.

I’d be more confident saying that it’s been modified.

 

[gray490]

I added an image of the wiring and soldering, do you think it looks original or rewired and soldered?

 

[VHTStark]

99% sure the #7's were put in aftermarket as they were not being used on production guitars in 1997. A '97 SAS came stock with McCarty pickups, so unless it is a "artist" order, the #7's aren't stock.

I had 57/08's in my old SAS and they ripped in that guitar. I also really liked the \m/'s in my SAS!

 

[gray490]

When I try to edit my message and re-publish the message with the imgur link, it just shows up as a blank square for me. How do I fix that?

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Are you using the link that has “.jpeg” at the end of it if you’re using Imgur?

 

[SinSir]

My '97 came with McC pickups. The #7 are swaps, but that's OK all SAS love 5708 and that's the way you wanna go.

 

[gray490]

No I’m using this: "https://imgur.(com)/a/sas-with-7s-q8uvcpP"
It’s the same format I used the first time I made the thread

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Use the link that has the .jpeg at the end

 

[garrett]

I’m currently looking to buy a Swamp Ash Special, preferably with a stoptail bridge. I found a 97’ model for sale, everything looks great, but the pickups don’t look like McCartys. I messaged the seller to see if the pickups were original and if he could send a picture of the bridge pickup cavity to see the MODCAT (not sure when PRS started using MODCAT) to identify the original specs. In the pictures I can see that the pickups are PRS #7s and in the cavity there is nothing that looks like a MODCAT number.
Here was the seller’s reply: Thanks for your message! I opened up the guitar, the pickups are PRS 7 treble and bass. The wiring and soldering looks original and untouched.
Anyone know if PRS made some SASs with #7 pickups?
imgur link:

https://imgur.com/a/sas

I can't see any pics, but '97 is before the MODCAT days (started around '99-'00), so there will be some info written in pen in the bridge pickup rout.

#7 pickups didn't come out until 2000 with the Singlecut and, as mentioned, did not have taps and were not used on the SAS.

 

[gray490]

Thanks, fixed it

 

[gray490]

Howcome 57/08s over McCartys?

 

[VHTStark]

Howcome 57/08s over McCartys?

Just my personal opinion: I had two old McCarty's in the early 00's. Found the McCarty pickups ok as PAF'S go. Overall a bit too smooth, dark and polite for me.

57/08's made my (and many others) jaw drop the first time I played a PRS equipped with them. They are PAF'S as good as anything out there. Clear, punchy, great feel and with some kerrang to them.

And yes, they do sound REALLY good in an SAS. That would absolutely be the first pickup I put in that guitar if I got an old one.