Pick-ups

[jamrcat]

DRBDJSM this is also true for modding other parts. Just watched a video of someone swapping out a CE bridge, because it was brighter than a Core model. $200 project. I achieved the same tonal result lowering my pickups!

 

[DRBDJSM]

DRBDJSM this is also true for modding other parts. Just watched a video of someone swapping out a CE bridge, because it was brighter than a Core model. $200 project. I achieved the same tonal result lowering my pickups!

totally blows my mind. I (personally) think we are DRAMATICALLY overthinking humbucking pickups. They are really not overly complicated devices. Obvously there are different magnets but even then, swapping magnets is not hard--nor expensive. If someone gave me a well made pickup (Gibson, SD, PRS, etc) I really like my odds of making that pickup sound acceptable with only a screwdriver. Toss in a box of magnets (costing a few dollars each) and I nearly guarantee it! When, for example, contemplating going from one PAF ish sounding pickup to another PAF sounding pickup--first just take out a screwdriver--it is really NOT very hard.

 

[Simon Says]

Just curious. How many of you have changed the pickups in your PRS guitar?

Does changing PRS pickups for other PRS pickups count?

 

[24Fretter]

90% of the time I replace them. Electronics are definitely the weak link on a PRS.

 

[Derek Neufeld]

Ive got a wood library 24 that i love but the original owner changed then from 57/08 to hfs bass… id love to get it back to how it was

 

[bodia]

90% of the time I replace them. Electronics are definitely the weak link on a PRS.

Completely disagree,but each to his/her/they own.

 

[SinSir]

Completely disagree,but each to his/her/they own.

If an SE or S2 sure, but agree core electronics are right just how they are.

 

[gemyneye]

I love all the pickups in all my guitars, but I have all core with the exception of my S2 Vela and 2022 Zach Myers. The Vela, though, love the pickups, so they stay!
Although, it's funny I found this thread because I am considering pickup and electronics upgrades on my ZM. It's not that they are bad, just you can tell they aren't "core" level. And the toggle isn't that great either. I just don't know enough about pickups to pick a good one yet, although I feel drawn to Fralin pickups for some reason. And there is no way I would attempt to do all the work myself. Just not a mechanic. I'll do my own setups, but that's about as far as I go.

 

[24Fretter]

Completely disagree,but each to his/her/they own.

Well ok, if you like cheap pots that consistently measure well under spec.......

 

[Senor Verde]

I've changed all the pickups in every McCarty I've owned. The Dragon I treble in my '95 CE22 Maple Top was a keeper, but the neck pickup wasn't. Every guitar that had 57/08 remained stock. Haven't tried any of the newer guitars or pickups.

 

[Sirplayalot]

I'm swapping out the bridge humbucker in my s2 Vela semi hollow. It's just unfamiliar sounding and cold to my ear. I ordered a Lollar Novel T hoping it will mate up with the single coil neck pickup which I like a lot and give me a beefy tele. Will find out next week.

 

[Rod/]

My 3 core models I totally leave alone…….
my Santana SE I changed out to a set of 245’s
fwiw, Lp #1 has a set of Dragon 2’s in it….
Lp #2 has a set of 59/09’s in it….
apparently I love PRS pickups over everything else I’ve tried over the years

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I just swapped out the stock P90 pickups in my Mira 25th Anniversary for some Wolfetone P90’s. Wow…what an improvement!

 

[Gtrbldr]

I just swapped out the stock P90 pickups in my Mira 25th Anniversary for some Wolfetone P90’s. Wow…what an improvement!

Did that with my mccarty p90. In-cre-di-ble. Very affordable, perfect service and great sounding PUs.

Did you go for mean-meaner? I went for mean-underwound mean.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I did go Mean and Meaner. I love the combo.

What I found interesting is that my stock bridge pickup was a true Seymour Duncan(stamped baseplate) but the neck pickup has a blank baseplate with PRS sticker and model numbers.

 

[gush]

Oh the stories I could tell of pickups come and gone

I bet by now you're pretty good at swapping pickups!!

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I bet by now you're pretty good at swapping pickups!!

Maybe…..

 

[Eddie kim]

Seymore Duncan Pearly Gates in my S2 Standard. I am in love!!

https://imgur.com/a/G1xZzWZ

Trembucher on the bridge or regular humbucker?

 

[Eddie kim]

I have my older Zach Myers SE with bare nickel Mules

 

[JasonE]

I have only swapped out the pickups in 3 of mine. I have been thinking about putting the stock pickups back in one of them. I didn't dislike them but wanted the guitar to do something a little different. The pickups that are in it now, are honestly not that far from what was in it stock. I changed them twice and the second change took it back in the direction of what it was stock. The other two, I can't see me changing them back unless I decide to sell the guitars.