PRS S2 CU 22 SH Pickup Question

[BinaryEuphoria]

Hello PRSi Gurus,

I currently upgraded my PU on my S2 CU22 SH with a 59 on the neck and a 59/Custom on the bridge, thinking of moving those pickups to my S2 CU24 instead and getting new pickups on the 22.

What are your thoughts on these pickups:
Seth Lovers or Antiquities? I love the 59 and 59/C but want a different sound. I'm open to other suggestions too.

I play mainly rock of all sorts, ranging from clean to high gain.

 

[Tim S]

I find the 85/15 "S" pickups to be pretty versatile -- but that's just me. What do you find lacking in the stock pickups?

 

[BinaryEuphoria]

I believe the pickups weren't 85/15 S, since it was a 2016 model. I just love the sound of the 59 PU personally. Was considering those two in order to have some variety to my sound.

 

[andy474x]

I still have the #7’s in my S2 CU22 Semi, when it comes to character that matches the tone of the guitar itself, I like them. They emphasize the treble and upper mids, and it’s a mellow and bassy guitar, so I feel they help to keep some articulation and tonal balance. Didn't care for the #7 bridge as much in my Satin Standard 22, too bright and twangy, but still loved the neck.

I have Seth Lovers in my ZM, they’re nice pickups, but perhaps more even tonally than I would prefer in the S2 Semi, as the combination could be less articulate in the highs. Quite low output, even less than my 57/08’s, I like vintage output pickups but I don’t think I’d go any lower than that.

Wild idea that someone here put in my head a while back: a set of Starla pickups in the S2 Semi. They’re bright, but not shrill. It would be an unorthodox combination, but if I didn’t like my 7’s so much, I would’ve done it myself by now.

 

[Tim S]

Ah....#7 "S" pickups, huh? I'm just learning how to deal with them in my new S2 Singlecut. I try my best to work with the stock pickups since they were spec'd that way for a reason. (But I'll keep watching this thread... there's plenty of experienced eyeballs reading this thread, so I'm sure they'll be some good suggestions)

 

[andy474x]

Ah....#7 "S" pickups, huh? I'm just learning how to deal with them in my new S2 Singlecut. I try my best to work with the stock pickups since they were spec'd that way for a reason. (But I'll keep watching this thread... there's plenty of experienced eyeballs reading this thread, so I'm sure they'll be some good suggestions)

I played on an S2 Singlecut with 7’s in the shop the other day, liked the bridge more than I did in the Standard 22, and the neck equally well (dig the 7 neck everywhere so far). But I could see a 59/09 being a killer in there too.

 

[AP515]

I'm a fan of 7's and 59/09's. Either will give you the rock tones you are looking for. In my rig the 59/09's sound more aggressive than the 7's but both rock.

 

[BinaryEuphoria]

Hmmm I was looking for a more subdued sound, possibly venturing into ambient and jazzy tones. Unfortunately I don't have the #7s anymore, I swapped them out immediately and the GC Tech "Lost" my pickups.

 

[markd21]

I have used Seth Lovers and Antiquity humbuckers before. I love both, but prefer Antiquities unless I'm playing at stage volume. They feedback too easily.

 

[Black Plaid]

Hmmm I was looking for a more subdued sound, possibly venturing into ambient and jazzy tones. Unfortunately I don't have the #7s anymore, I swapped them out immediately and the GC Tech "Lost" my pickups.

Sounds like they owe you a set of #7s

 

[BinaryEuphoria]

I have used Seth Lovers and Antiquity humbuckers before. I love both, but prefer Antiquities unless I'm playing at stage volume. They feedback too easily.

If I get the Antiquities and not worry about being in stage volume, I'd be ok? Thanks. Was thinking of the Antiquities with 4 conductors or the SL with 4C.

Sounds like they owe you a set of #7s

Agreed. Though this happened almost two years ago.

 

[markd21]

@BinaryEuphoria - Yeah, unless you are cranking your amp SUPER loud, you should be fine with Antiquities. At regular volumes I never had issues with them. They sound killer. Either choice - the Antiquities or the SLs - will sound great.

 

[AP515]

The Seth's are unpotted as well. I have not had feedback issues with either but I don't play super loud and high gain so it isn't surprising. I love both of them.

 

[BinaryEuphoria]

The Seth's are unpotted as well. I have not had feedback issues with either but I don't play super loud and high gain so it isn't surprising. I love both of them.

Listening to both, I'm leaning towards the Seth's. Are there any issues regarding the pickup?

Another question, which John Mann bridge fits the guitar? 2000 NOS?

 

[markd21]

Seth Lover's are GREAT pickups. I still have one in an Ibanez RG560. It sounds great. The only thing I am curious about is your high gain rig. I can imagine them getting "squishy" if you were running something with 6L6s and MASSIVE preamp gain. The "heaviest" I ever went with the Seth Lover is a Sabbath-type tone, or Celtic Frost - you know, the boosted JCM800 type tone....

 

[BinaryEuphoria]

Was thinking of only using low gain on this guitar (upto 90s alternative rock), I have a Marshall DSL 40C, Boss Katana 50 and will get a Mesa Mark V in the future.

 

[markd21]

The Seth Lover should sound great through all of those.