PRS 59/09 "TM" pickups? What do I have?

[Ape Factory]

Bought these off the bay, no reference to Tremonti in the auction...they're etched 59/09 TM on the cover. Says 59/09 TM on back, boxes say Tremonti. Supposedly came out of a private stock Santana. Gold pole screws, brushed nickel covers. I'm planning on replacing a set of 59/09's with gold covers in my Paul's Dirty 100. I'm thinking these aren't the same. Has the same three wire (white split wire) setup. Anyone have a definitive answer?
Thanks in advance,
Michel

 

[HighGain510]

Sounds like you bought 59/09's? lol Just because he shipped in boxes from another PRS pickup doesn't mean they aren't 59/09's. If they have the engraved covers and the stickers say 59/09, what are you questioning exactly? Unless the auction was for Tremonti pickups, it sounds like you intended to buy 59/09's right? If that's the case, yes that's what you received, and the white wire is normal. The 59/09's were originally just engraved "59/09" earlier on and then later it changed to the "59/09 TM" engraving, but it's still the same pickup.

Was this the auction?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-59-09-P...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

If so, yes those are definitely 59/09 pickups with hybrid hardware.

 

[Ape Factory]

Thanks Matt! I didn't realize they added the TM after the 59/09's. The 59/09's in my Paul's Dirty 100 say "59/09", engraved on the front, and say the same with the sticker on the back. They do not say TM anywhere. I've not seen the TM designation after the 59/09 before and the boxes say Tremonti hence the connection. (TM=Tremonti?)

My goal was to replace the gold 59/09's with brushed nickel 59/09's so I wanted to make sure the two pairs are essentially the same model pickup and not something different. Love the sound of the 59/09's in the PD100 and want to keep it that way. The original 59/09's have the same wiring, vintage insulated with the separate white wire for split.

I was perhaps thinking the TM meant they were 59/09's but perhaps a bit hotter?

Just curious what the TM would refer to?

And yes, that's the auction.
-m


Edit: Hard to see but here's a shot of the originals in the guitar.

 

[Ape Factory]

"New" pickups. Purchased these as I was aware I could screw things up just replacing the covers. Plus, being a rare guitar, I didn't want to mess with it too much.

Edit...I'd purchased a set of uncovered 59/09's hoping to cover them (It won't work). Just looked at a photo I'd shot of the back side...says TM there too. I've heard the uncovered models are a bit hotter. Wonder if that's what the TM designates?

 

[HighGain510]

Oh the "TM" after the 59/09 is just like any other (TM), it just means "Trademark" since that was the model naming convention PRS came up with for the 57/08 (TM), 59/09 (TM) 53/10 (TM) etc.

P.S. If you decide the nickel-covered, gold pole 59/09's aren't for you, shoot me a PM. I was looking for a pair of those and would gladly pick them up from you if you're looking to move them later. If you decide you don't want the gold ones, let me know as well. I have a Santana with hybrid hardware and a rosewood neck that could use a set of 59/09's as the stock Santana pickups with hybrid config aren't doing it for me.

 

[Ape Factory]

Trademark! Much better than Tremonti I'm actually going to keep the gold 59's since the guitar is a special run. Just in case I ever part ways with it. I can't see that happening any time soon however. Thanks again Matt.

 

[HighGain510]

Coolio! No problem dude, enjoy! The 59/09's are some of my favorite PRS pickups, they sound killer and in that guitar that should sound fantastic!

 

[Ape Factory]

Swapped them in tonight, no issues. Such an aesthetic improvement (to me). Switched strings from my normal Pyramid pure nickels to nickel wrap Diaddario's which I really like on my 305. They're a tad brighter which doesn't help trying to a/b two sets of pickups from memory, LOL. I dialed in a Dr. Z and she rips. Good stuff. God I love this guitar.

 

[Andyman]

I have a 53/10 bass pickup that does not have the TM etched - It is an earlier model before the pickup was trademarked.

 

[Tree]

yes I been looking for 59/09 covered