PRS S2 Standard 22 p/u swap. Need advice.

[Sean P]

I don’t own one of these yet, although I plan on purchasing one once I’m finished with school. I played on some already at my local guitar center. I love the instrument, but I didn’t care too much for the stock pickups. I’ve heard a hell of a lot worse, but they’re not what I would be looking for tone wise. I’ve done some extensive reading on this forum already, and have gathered a little bit of knowledge on some of the other pickups PRS has to offer. I do still need a bit of advice on which set I should try first. I’m mostly looking for something with a tighter low end on the bridge pickup that will also clean up really well. I also want to wire them to switch between series and parallel for a bit of tonal versatility. I realize that it’s difficult to have it all, but I would prioritize the tight lows for the heavier riffing over the single coilesque tones. Something that can deliver the heavy riffs and still get me at least ballpark on the other things. Here’s what I’m considering:

HFS/VB

This set seems to fit the bill for the most part, but I have seen some insanely polarizing views on this forum regarding these pups. Considering what I’m after, if any of you with experience with this set can tell me if they’ll deliver is appreciate it.

\m/

This also seem like they’d work for me for the heavy stuff, but I’m not 100 percent certain on their versatility.

Tremonti treble

Like the hfs, the consensus on this pickup is polarizing. I know the Tremonti bass isn’t 4 conductor and would have to pair it with something else. Was considering a 59/09 for the neck. I haven’t seen if anyone has had any experience with splitting this pickup or wiring parallel.

I’m also open to other suggestions. I have read that the 59/09 and 57/08s are well liked on this forum, but I have also read that the lows on them are on the squishy side.

 

[toothace]

HFS/VB FTW!

 

[xjbebop]

I'd recommend you spend some time with it before you spend money on mods.
It's amazing what a little tweaking of knobs on guitar AND amp, plus pup height can achieve...

 

[AP515]

I don't think anything on the 59/09's are squishy. You're going to be using them on a Standard. Lots of low end there anyway. If you were reading about them on a maple top well, this will be different. The 59/09's will be at home in the heavy riffing, and can get you well rounded tones for other things as well. They are what I would recommend.

 

[Eddie kim]

What amp are you using? Pedals? These can dial in the S2 really nicely. Play with the S2. You man ghost really like the stock p/u

 

[bodia]

The \m/ are very versatile. Great clarity. Definitely not a one trick pony.

 

[andy474x]

There's a set of covered \m/'s on TGP for $150. Please buy them before I do.

 

[Sean P]

I don't think anything on the 59/09's are squishy. You're going to be using them on a Standard. Lots of low end there anyway. If you were reading about them on a maple top well, this will be different. The 59/09's will be at home in the heavy riffing, and can get you well rounded tones for other things as well. They are what I would recommend.

I checked out some content on YouTube and they actually sounded really good. I may give them a shot. Just out of curiosity, what would the addition of a maple cap play into the sound of the pickups?

 

[pac90]

A little bit brighter than all hog

 

[AP515]

I checked out some content on YouTube and they actually sounded really good. I may give them a shot. Just out of curiosity, what would the addition of a maple cap play into the sound of the pickups?

The addition of maple on a guitar was not originally for aesthetics. The wood combination of mahogany and maple gave the low and midrange frequencies from the mahogany and the mid to high end from the maple. Some of us like an all "Hog" guitar because it emphasizes the midrange; mostly because the high frequencies are weaker without the maple cap. So it isn't that the pickups are changed but that the availability of certain frequencies are emphasized.