New Pickups for 2025? Should I wait?

[cmcgrath]

Hello Everyone,
Not sure who has seen that interview Paul did with American Musical about these new pickups they have in development, that he said will be the future sound of PRS going forward. Has anyone heard anything else about these? I've been thinking about getting a 408 pretty heavily these past few weeks but I'm wondering if I should hold off and see what 2025 brings. Any thoughts?

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Nah

 

[Bogner]

Get What You Want Today...Tomorrow May Never Come. Also, There Is No Way I Would Ever Hold Out On A Guitar I Wanted For A Pickup That Is Supposedly Coming Next Year.

 

[cmcgrath]

You guys are probably right.

Get What You Want Today...Tomorrow May Never Come. Also, There Is No Way I Would Ever Hold Out On A Guitar I Wanted For A Pickup That Is Supposedly Coming Next Year.

True enough. Thanks

 

[RC Mike]

Paul will tell you that the guitar you can buy today is better than the one he sold you yesterday. He’ll believe it and talk about it with such enthusiasm and conviction that you’ll want to believe it, too.

There will be a kernel of truth to it, but it’s going to be one of those improvements on the margin. A tenth of a percent here, a smidge of imperceptible improvement there. Somebody in a video or on a forum will talk about how it’s “game-changing.” Somebody else will say they can’t tell any difference.

People will still play the guitars they bought yesterday, because they’re still great guitars.

 

[rcsrich]

Pickups are an easy swap if they prove to be absolutely amazing- just get the dang guitar!

 

[László]

All a newer model or pickup will be is ‘different’. ‘Different’ doesn’t necessarily translate to ‘better for you’.

A newer model, or newer pickup doesn’t invalidate an older model or pickup if you like the tone in the first place.

Would you rather have a ‘59 Burst with the original PAFs, or the same guitar with Gibson’s newer pickups?

 

[d^rren]

I feel it's important to note that Paul's ears are also one year older than they were last year.

 

[Gtrbldr]

I feel it's important to note that Paul's ears are also one year older than they were last year.

So, they will be more bright?

 

[Bogner]

I feel it's important to note that Paul's ears are also one year older than they were last year.

With One More Year Of Marketing Experience As Well.

 

[d^rren]

I have no idea, but one thing I've noticed about most guitarists is that their tone gets increasingly shrill and more compressed as they get older, likely because they're losing their hearing, starting with the high frequencies.

 

[cmcgrath]

Paul will tell you that the guitar you can buy today is better than the one he sold you yesterday. He’ll believe it and talk about it with such enthusiasm and conviction that you’ll want to believe it, too.

There will be a kernel of truth to it, but it’s going to be one of those improvements on the margin. A tenth of a percent here, a smidge of imperceptible improvement there. Somebody in a video or on a forum will talk about how it’s “game-changing.” Somebody else will say they can’t tell any difference.

People will still play the guitars they bought yesterday, because they’re still great guitars.

 

[cmcgrath]

I know...Paul always makes it sound like you're going to be missing out. Probably will be cool though. But I agree

 

[cmcgrath]

Thanks guys. I think I will pull the trigger on that 408 I've been looking at. I have a DGT (which I'm still getting used to) and a 2023 McCarty.
The 408 will be a nice change in the lineup. I mainly got the DGT because the neck measurements are similar to the Pattern Regular, which is my favorite neck by far. Feels a bit chunkier in some spots, but it's close to what I remember the pattern regular was. The jumbo frets definitely make it feel thicker in the depth but I'm getting used to them.
But I really wish they would offer the pattern regular in the core lineup again!

 

[dogrocketp]

The 408 is a fine guitar. Remember, better is what YOU hear. I still prefer my 57/08’s over the newer ones.

 

[cmcgrath]

The 408 is a fine guitar. Remember, better is what YOU hear. I still prefer my 57/08’s over the newer ones.

Oh, I love the 57's. I'm debating on putting one in the DGT. I like the DGT pups, but they lack a bit of the fire the 57's have. Though, the dgt is a fine pup.

 

[Gtrbldr]

I kind of get the feeling the new PUs will be a little different, but very recogniseable, flavour of the path they embarked on in 2008, all the same ballpark IMO. A lovely ballpark it is, but there are no radical changes unless they go back to the high output PUs, but that is not really a direction I expect the market to shift to.

 

[88prs]

I'll get the new pickups "If" they change the new tuner buttons back!

 

[SinSir]

PRS pickups hit perfection in 08/09. 5909 bridge and 5708 neck is the only thing I'd be wishing for in 2025

Though I admit in a huge fan of the 5815LT in the neck with a 5708 or 5909 bridge combo too.

 

[Bogner]

Personally, I Feel The \m/ Pickups Should Get More Love. They Are Exceptional And Far More Versatile Than They Likely Get Credit For. How About A TCI \m/ ? Possibly A \m/ LT? Even Better Would Be A \m/ \m/ Version For The Proper Heavies.