Question about the Brent Mason signature

[Screamingdaisy]

Anyone have/had a Brent Mason signature?

A buddy of mine is looking at one, however he's into hard rock/metal. After playing my McCarty he wants a PRS. I've told him he wants a Custom 24, however someone local is selling a Brent Mason. He's asking me questions, and I'm not sure what to tell him?

I'm not sure what year, but it looks like it has narrowfields and a full pickguard.

 

[Maertl513]

Pickups: Narrow 408 Treble, 305 Singlecoil, Narrow 408 Bass.

More relevant for style than the axe is the player, next comes the proper amp and the proper cab.

 

[watelessness]

i would still have mine were it not for the satin neck

 

[Screamingdaisy]

Pickups: Narrow 408 Treble, 305 Singlecoil, Narrow 408 Bass.

More relevant for style than the axe is the player, next comes the proper amp and the proper cab.

He's my lead guitarist. Shredder, Mesa TC-50 + 2x12.

The red guitar in this vid (Ibanez JS-100) is worn out and the bridge is no longer manufactured. He's looking to retire it and after playing my McCarty he wants a PRS. I'm trying to steer him towards the Cu24. He isn't a big Floyd user, but does want a trem.

(I play bass in this band)

The question is, is the Brent Mason/Narrow 408 a good option for a rock/metal player? My assumption is that it's a twangier sound suitable for country.

My concern is that if he doesn't like them he can't replace them with a regular humbuckers.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Don’t forget about the Korina body. So lovely

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

He's my lead guitarist. Shredder, Mesa TC-50 + 2x12.

The red guitar in this vid (Ibanez JS-100) is worn out and the bridge is no longer manufactured. He's looking to retire it and after playing my McCarty he wants a PRS. I'm trying to steer him towards the Cu24. He isn't a big Floyd user, but does want a trem.

(I play bass in this band)

The question is, is the Brent Mason/Narrow 408 a good option for a rock/metal player? My assumption is that it's a twangier sound suitable for country.

My concern is that if he doesn't like them he can't replace them with a regular humbuckers.

Why wouldn’t he be able to swap the pickups? It’s a strat style body with a pick guard. Might just need a tiny bit of routing. Nothing wild and extreme.

 

[Screamingdaisy]

Why wouldn’t he be able to swap the pickups? It’s a strat style body with a pick guard. Might just need a tiny bit of routing. Nothing wild and extreme.

Honestly, it's an option but I'm not sure what's behind the pickguard; whether it's a universal route or just big enough for NFs.

Best I can figure out, the Brent Mason is versatile, but on the low output side. Strat territory with volume at half, up to P90-but-not-a-P90 around 7-8, then PAF but brighter territory at full volume?

 

[Maertl513]

Arguing from frequencies: A snappy/twangy guitar does not compete with the bass.
I play Metal with SC or TV-Jones style, if I have the demand to use those T-style guitars, my 513s in SC mode or any other guitar which offers coil split or tap.
As stated above: the amp must be supportive with gain. If the pickup is slightly too weak, a compressor pedal (e.g. Mary cries), an OD or a booster are suitable helpers - alone or in a row.

 

[Bogner]

The Guitar Would Be Perfectly Fine For The Type Of Music You Play. The Amp And Cabinet Will Steer The Tone And Have More Effect On The Overall Sound Than Pickups Will But I Am Sure You Know This Already. With That Amp And Guitar You Should Be Able To Pull Off All Kinds Of Quality Tones. For Some Reason If You Are Off A Few Percentage Points, Add An EQ Pedal But I Doubt It Will Be Necessary. The Key Is If He Likes The Guitar, How It Feels And Plays, Etc. If So, I Wouldn't Hesitate.

 

[Johnny Rigs]

My concern is that if he doesn't like them he can't replace them with a regular humbuckers.

To me, that’s the biggest thing.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

To me, that’s the biggest thing.

It’s not a deal breaker. Very small modification under what a pg already covers.

 

[Screamingdaisy]

He called me last night. He had a mix of not wanting to miss an opportunity, but also had a number of concerns about the guitar. I tried to objectively tell him what I thought it'd excel at and where it wouldn't.

We talked about what he actually wanted out of a guitar, and I redirected him towards a Custom 24 again as I think that'll make him happier in the long run.

 

[Stephen J.]

If he loves the guitar, I’m sure he could make it work. If he gets a fair price on it, he will be able to sell it if it doesn’t meet his needs. Even at a little loss, it will put him on the PRS track.
I like the Brent Mason because of the ⅛” (I think) longer scale length. It feels better than my MEV, but it doesn’t sound as good in the single middle coil position. I say try it for a while. It will be fun.