NGD W/L Custom 24 - My First PRS!!!

[traceo]

So a while back I picked up a 100W Archon head and absolutely fell in love with it. Since then I've been dying to get a guitar to go with it. Got in on a Wood Library run from a local dealer about six months ago and last week it finally came in.

Specs:
Artist Grade Flame Maple Top
Violet Finish
Korina Body
Korina Neck
African Blackwood Fretboard
African Blackwood Headstock Veneer
Covered 57/08 Pickups
Hybrid Hardware

Overall I'm completely blown away by this guitar. The quality and playability is just perfect.

The only thing I'm struggling with a bit is the bridge pickup. Both pickups sound incredible from clean all the way to crunch, but once I get into high gain territory, the bridge 57/08 just seems to lose it's articulation and note separation on arpeggios. I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that the pickup is covered (I've never owned a guitar with covered buckers before) or if the 57/08 just doesn't do high gain that well or a bit of both. Any advice would be appreciated. I've looked around a bit at replacement pickups (PRS and Bare Knuckle mostly) and the closest I seem to find to what I'm looking for is the Bare Knuckle Holy Diver (I love the JB in my HSS Strat and the Holy Diver seems to be a souped up version). Only thing that stinks is that I really wanted squabbins as they look better IMO (and I think uncovered is at least part of the answer to this), but none of the PRS pickups seem to have the sound I'm looking for.

Anyways, pictures!!!

 

[bodia]

So a while back I picked up a 100W Archon head and absolutely fell in love with it. Since then I've been dying to get a guitar to go with it. Got in on a Wood Library run from a local dealer about six months ago and last week it finally came in.

Specs:
Artist Grade Flame Maple Top
Violet Finish
Korina Body
Korina Neck
Indian Blackwood Fretboard
Indian Blackwood Headstock Veneer
Covered 57/08 Pickups
Hybrid Hardware

Overall I'm completely blown away by this guitar. The quality and playability is just perfect.

The only thing I'm struggling with a bit is the bridge pickup. Both pickups sound incredible from clean all the way to crunch, but once I get into high gain territory, the bridge 57/08 just seems to lose it's articulation and note separation on arpeggios. I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that the pickup is covered (I've never owned a guitar with covered buckers before) or if the 57/08 just doesn't do high gain that well or a bit of both. Any advice would be appreciated. I've looked around a bit at replacement pickups (PRS and Bare Knuckle mostly) and the closest I seem to find to what I'm looking for is the Bare Knuckle Holy Diver (I love the JB in my HSS Strat and the Holy Diver seems to be a souped up version). Only thing that stinks is that I really wanted squabbins as they look better IMO (and I think uncovered is at least part of the answer to this), but none of the PRS pickups seem to have the sound I'm looking for.

Anyways, pictures!!!

That's a hottie for sure. Congrats! And, welcome aboard.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Stonkin'!

 

[CantankerousCarl]

Gorgeous guitar, and the case ain't too shabby either! I have a WL run CU24 that's all korina with an ebony board, and its a great tone combo IMO. From what I read, Blackwood is similar to ebony.

I only ever had covered 57/08s in a Hollowbody II, and they were OK. I have squabbin 57/08s in a different (all mahogany) CU24 and they sound amazing - albeit I don't think I play with uber gain.

My WL CU24 has the 85/15s, and I think they hold up a little better under gain. But no complaints on any counts.

Congrats on the new looker. I know many folks love the combo of a 57/08 in the neck and a 59/09 in the bridge. You should be able to find a covered 59/09 without too much trouble, or maybe just swap out both for squabbins!

Anyway congrats and good luck!

 

[C&M Music - Lafayette]

Smokin!. Welcome to PRS. The best guitars and amps out there!

 

[veinbuster]

This is a first post?
Fantastic.
Welcome.

 

[László]

Fantastic guitar!

Yes, the covers make the pickups a bit less hot. Then again, they are very toneful that way. If you need hotter, you might try a boost pedal.

 

[Buildermike]

Congrats on a stunning guitar. I love that wood combination, I have a Thorn with that wood combination. I would suggest switching out the bridge pickup with a 59/09. The PTC could do that for you or you could purchase one on the PRS website.

 

[WEDGE]

Hot, and that case is sexy

 

[toothace]

Beautiful! Congrats on that one!!

 

[g.wizz]

That is sexy
Congrats and welcome

 

[AP515]

another vote for a 59/09 in the bridge.

 

[vchizzle]

Nice! Beauty! I play an Archon as well. I have a guitar with 5708's and it sounds great. I have the bridge pickup raised up really high, then matched the neck so the volumes were even. Give that a try. The black paisley case with blue interior is BOSS.

edit: I mostly prefer uncovered as well. 5909 in the bridge would help or you can find squabbin \m/ pickups on ebay usually, at a nice price too.

 

[The Fight]

Cover do add to the muddyness but I feel like the 57/08 is more of a classic rock/ hard rock pickup. As far as high gain go I like the hfs/vb set or from what I hear the \m/ pickup is the way to go too.

The 57/08 is an amazing pickup for classic rock and rich leads. I love that pickup, I'd keep it around mby it will grow in you.

 

[Alan Manning]

Welcome & Congrats. I know how your feeling right now ( What a buzz!!)
Beautiful guitar enjoy. !!! Mines got the 58/15s & she Roars. McCarty.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Congrats!

 

[prsrocker1988]

HNGD.

 

[clasbtenn]

Congratulations on a truly spectacular combo set up!
Enjoy!

 

[guitarman001]

Very similar to mine (even the case, though I don't have the floral picturing on the case):

57/08 are by far my preference. Then 85/15.
57/08 are lower output and I prefer that big-time (these are in my orange one).
I'm not keen on covered pups.

What are squabbins?

VERY nice GASsing.

 

[vchizzle]

What are squabbins?

VERY nice GASsing.

Uncovered, square bobbin PRS pickups