New DMO pickups in the 40th Anniversary Custom 24

[Revelation]

So PRS has come out with new pickups called DMO. I wonder if it will replace the pickups permanently on their standard guitars? It will be interesting to see how different they sound. If they are suppose to provide a vintage sound, do you think they will change the pickups in the McCarty 594 to the DMO's, and get closer to a Gibson sound? The LT's in my 594's sound brighter and more open than my Les Paul Custom.
When people do comparisons with the 594 and Les Paul, I remind them that you need to reduce the treble knob on your amp for the 594 to sound a little warmer like the Les Paul with does not need the trebel eq reduction. On the flip side, once you get a great clean sound with the 594, you may need to boost the treble a little when going to the Les Paul.

 

[BrianC]

Another "better PAF" ??? been down this road before...

 

[Monahan]

Well, I’m intrigued but not really clear what the target is for these pickups; can’t be just PAF clones

DMO are described as being “wide open with vocal character…” which is not how I would describe a Gibson humbucker. PRS attempting to specifically replicate a Gibson pickup would be a step backward. The current LTs can get that Gibson tone and more.

Honestly I don’t think PRS would be aiming for a PAF.

Looking forward to checking them out at the very least

 

[Simon Says]

Well, I’m intrigued but not really clear what the target is for these pickups; can’t be just PAF clones

DMO are described as being “wide open with vocal character…” which is not how I would describe a Gibson humbucker. PRS attempting to specifically replicate a Gibson pickup would be a step backward. The current LTs can get that Gibson tone and more.

Honestly I don’t think PRS would be aiming for a PAF.

Looking forward to checking them out at the very least

Totally agree. PRS is well in the position to proudly brew the PRS thing. Looking backwards on Gibson and Fender always seemed like a missed opportunity to carve your own legacy

Saying that, I can't wait to hear the DMOs with my own ears. From the limited YT clips I can hear good old PRS midrange, Santana Smooth with good chunk of presence. Very classic PRS alike imo.

 

[VHTStark]

Depends which "Gibson sound" you are referring to. The 58/15 LT's do a very good job of getting that late 50's, PAF tone and feel....which is absolutely a quintessential Gibson sound, very sought after, and certainly much more open and bright that your Les Paul Custom, which I assume has the 490/498t.....also a Gibson sound, but more modern.

As for if they will be released? Tough to say. They are currently on a limited edition model and PRS likes to keep some things exclusive. Other examples being the Artist V pickups and the Robben Ford pickups. Hopefully we see them in other models...the more choices the better!

 

[Revelation]

One of the latest interviews with Paul he said is they are coming out with pickups that have the benefit of a humbucker and single coil in one pickup.

But I thought he already accomplished that with the Paul guitar and and Custom 24 08.

 

[ViggoP]

One of the latest interviews with Paul he said is they are coming out with pickups that have the benefit of a humbucker and single coil in one pickup.

But I thought he already accomplished that with the Paul guitar and and Custom 24 08.

And many more before that.

 

[JasonE]

When I did my factory visit a couple of weeks ago, this was one of the changes I made in my PS spec. I was able to specify the DMO pickups in it. They don't officially have it as an option at this point but since they released them in this limited run 40th anniversary guitar, they let me choose them for my PS build. I am looking forward to hearing how they do in my guitar when it is done. I won't know until some time late next year. They may have them in other models by then.

 

[Rider1260]

Looking at the EQ I'm guessing these sound similar to the 408 pickups even flat eq curve with no big humps

 

[bodia]

Looking at the EQ I'm guessing these sound similar to the 408 pickups even flat eq curve with no big humps

That was my take as well when I heard “wide open with vocal character.”

 

[Simon Says]

When I did my factory visit a couple of weeks ago, this was one of the changes I made in my PS spec. I was able to specify the DMO pickups in it. They don't officially have it as an option at this point but since they released them in this limited run 40th anniversary guitar, they let me choose them for my PS build. I am looking forward to hearing how they do in my guitar when it is done. I won't know until some time late next year. They may have them in other models by then.

Bit off topic, but will PS accept special requests, such as overwinding, different magnets, etc?

 

[Oscar]

The 58/15 LT's do a very good job of getting that late 50's, PAF tone and feel

Back when the 594 was first released I remember Paul saying in an interview that it would make people who grew up on vintage Gibson very very happy. First, I doubt that Gibson devotees would be swayed by anything. If you’re into Gibson, then only a Gibson will be good enough. Second, the difference in sound between a Gibson and a PRS has always been profound to me. YT is full of comparison vids with people going “as you can hear they’re pretty close” and I’m sitting there hearing this really big difference. The 58/15LT never sounded like a Gibson ‘bucker to me. Not even close. Nor does the 594HB-II sound anything like a 330 or 335 to me. Apples/oranges. The closest match seems to be the neck humbucker in my core DGT, with the right amp settings that one’s pretty similar.

 

[SinSir]

Nor does the 594HB-II sound anything like a 330 or 335 to me.

I never knew it was meant to

 

[Faded]

Sounds to me like a PRS version of an old Wide Range Humbucker, not a Gibson.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Back when the 594 was first released I remember Paul saying in an interview that it would make people who grew up on vintage Gibson very very happy. First, I doubt that Gibson devotees would be swayed by anything. If you’re into Gibson, then only a Gibson will be good enough. Second, the difference in sound between a Gibson and a PRS has always been profound to me. YT is full of comparison vids with people going “as you can hear they’re pretty close” and I’m sitting there hearing this really big difference. The 58/15LT never sounded like a Gibson ‘bucker to me. Not even close. Nor does the 594HB-II sound anything like a 330 or 335 to me. Apples/oranges. The closest match seems to be the neck humbucker in my core DGT, with the right amp settings that one’s pretty similar.

You’ve probably seen it, but an interesting comparison -

 

[Revelation]

Back when the 594 was first released I remember Paul saying in an interview that it would make people who grew up on vintage Gibson very very happy. First, I doubt that Gibson devotees would be swayed by anything. If you’re into Gibson, then only a Gibson will be good enough. Second, the difference in sound between a Gibson and a PRS has always been profound to me. YT is full of comparison vids with people going “as you can hear they’re pretty close” and I’m sitting there hearing this really big difference. The 58/15LT never sounded like a Gibson ‘bucker to me. Not even close. Nor does the 594HB-II sound anything like a 330 or 335 to me. Apples/oranges. The closest match seems to be the neck humbucker in my core DGT, with the right amp settings that one’s pretty similar.

The pickups are brighter than my Gibson Les Paul and the guitar is ot as thick sounding.

 

[Oscar]

Just to be clear, I’ve no desire for a PRS that’s just like a Gibson. PRS guitars just work for me whereas Gibsons are fantastic if someone else plays them, not when I play them.

 

[JasonE]

Bit off topic, but will PS accept special requests, such as overwinding, different magnets, etc?

They will not. I had a couple of questions around that for my build. They used to do things like putting covers on the 59/09 pickups. Now that they use the squabbins for the 59/09 that is no longer an option. I wanted to go that route and since the bobbins are different now they can't do it.
I also asked about winding a set of 57/08 pickups hotter, to match the ones I put in my 594 during the short time they were winding them hotter. The wouldn't do that either.

 

[Simon Says]

They will not. I had a couple of questions around that for my build. They used to do things like putting covers on the 59/09 pickups. Now that they use the squabbins for the 59/09 that is no longer an option. I wanted to go that route and since the bobbins are different now they can't do it.
I also asked about winding a set of 57/08 pickups hotter, to match the ones I put in my 594 during the short time they were winding them hotter. The wouldn't do that either.

Bit mental, yet; it is what it is. Thx

 

[JasonE]

Looking at the EQ I'm guessing these sound similar to the 408 pickups even flat eq curve with no big humps

That was my take as well when I heard “wide open with vocal character.”

I am hoping that I like them. After the conversations I had with the guys while I was up there I decided to give them a try. I told them what I find I typically am drawn to and they suggested the DMO pickups. I figure if I don't like them I can get a set of 59/09 pickups and put in it, which is what I originally selected. One thing that has me a little leery is that the resistance on them is lower than what I told them I typically like. However, I have zero issues with the 58/15 LT that is in my Studio, after getting it adjusted to where I like it. I originally planned to swap that out for a 57/08, and even bought the pickup. I have had a brand new 57/08 on the shelf for a year now because I got the stock pickup adjusted to where I like it. It took me about a week of playing it every day with various tones and adjusting it up and down until I found the spot I liked the best.