I recently turned 30 and it has been 10 years since I first played a PRS and wanted one. For various reasons I was never able to get one. I scored an awesome deal on an S2 that I was able to get for my b-day that I am just thrilled with. I know it is stripped down but it plays great.
I was sad to find out that even the pickups are Korean made. Not to listen with my eyes, I actually like the pickups. They are versatile and responsive. I had purchased a Schaller P Megaswitch so I could do all the cool coil combinations that I remember when I tried a rotary switch years ago. Unfortunately the pickups are not reverse wound. Meaning, the north lug of the bass pickup, and south lug of the treble pickup are the same. So there is no hum canceling with like coils. Lame. Very disappointed after spending time carefully wiring the new switch.
So I am looking at replacing these pickups with PRS pickups. Somethings tells me that replacing with the HFS/Vintage Bass (which the current pups are modeled after) would be a no brainer. Although many of the reviews I have read about PRS pickups are so polar, it is hard for me to choose a replacement set. To make things even better, none of my local PRS dealers have any non SE PRS guitars in stock so I can't even test other ones. After reading a bunch the past few days I decided to open an account here and just ask for your advice.
The sets I am looking at:
59/09
Dragon II
HFS / VB
Here are my impressions so far from what I gathered from many reviews
59/09: Similar to the 57/08 (or however the numbers work, lol) but with a bit more output and bite. Many rave about their clarity and definition. Although they have bite, they are still sweet. The most expensive of the bunch.
Dragon II: probably the most polarizing reviews I have read. Seems to be either love or hate. They sound like they have a mid bump ( perhaps not as balanced as the others?) They seem to have been standard for a while with the 5 way rotary setup so I think they would work good for that application, even though all of the above are compatible. I read a review from a guy who compared the bridge to a Duncan Custom (one of my favorite bridge pickups, IMO a sweeter and tighter JB) and the neck to a Alnico Pro II, a great neck pickup. If those comparisons are correct, I think the D2s would be a great fit. Plus, I love the covered appearance.
HFS/VB: I go back and forth whether I prefer ceramic on the bridge. Some applications I do, some I don't. I have played plenty of Alnico bridge pups that fit the bill, so I don't have a preference. I like the tone of the s2 pickups so it just seems like the real thing would be natural replacement. If it does have to much bite, that is what the volume and tone are for IMO. Overall, I just do not read a lot about them, as other pickups are often recommended instead. Seems to me this is the PRS version of a JB/59 style setup.
I tend to play harder rock but I dabble in everything from jazz to funk. I am really looking for versatility. The more I play the less I seek 'high output' pickups. My amps have all the gain I need. I prefer clarity and balance, letting my amp EQ do the work. One reason I would like higher output is the different coil combinations from not sounding weak. Although with my lack of knowledge output measurement might not have much to do with that?
I appreciate any help you can offer
I was sad to find out that even the pickups are Korean made. Not to listen with my eyes, I actually like the pickups. They are versatile and responsive. I had purchased a Schaller P Megaswitch so I could do all the cool coil combinations that I remember when I tried a rotary switch years ago. Unfortunately the pickups are not reverse wound. Meaning, the north lug of the bass pickup, and south lug of the treble pickup are the same. So there is no hum canceling with like coils. Lame. Very disappointed after spending time carefully wiring the new switch.
So I am looking at replacing these pickups with PRS pickups. Somethings tells me that replacing with the HFS/Vintage Bass (which the current pups are modeled after) would be a no brainer. Although many of the reviews I have read about PRS pickups are so polar, it is hard for me to choose a replacement set. To make things even better, none of my local PRS dealers have any non SE PRS guitars in stock so I can't even test other ones. After reading a bunch the past few days I decided to open an account here and just ask for your advice.
The sets I am looking at:
59/09
Dragon II
HFS / VB
Here are my impressions so far from what I gathered from many reviews
59/09: Similar to the 57/08 (or however the numbers work, lol) but with a bit more output and bite. Many rave about their clarity and definition. Although they have bite, they are still sweet. The most expensive of the bunch.
Dragon II: probably the most polarizing reviews I have read. Seems to be either love or hate. They sound like they have a mid bump ( perhaps not as balanced as the others?) They seem to have been standard for a while with the 5 way rotary setup so I think they would work good for that application, even though all of the above are compatible. I read a review from a guy who compared the bridge to a Duncan Custom (one of my favorite bridge pickups, IMO a sweeter and tighter JB) and the neck to a Alnico Pro II, a great neck pickup. If those comparisons are correct, I think the D2s would be a great fit. Plus, I love the covered appearance.
HFS/VB: I go back and forth whether I prefer ceramic on the bridge. Some applications I do, some I don't. I have played plenty of Alnico bridge pups that fit the bill, so I don't have a preference. I like the tone of the s2 pickups so it just seems like the real thing would be natural replacement. If it does have to much bite, that is what the volume and tone are for IMO. Overall, I just do not read a lot about them, as other pickups are often recommended instead. Seems to me this is the PRS version of a JB/59 style setup.
I tend to play harder rock but I dabble in everything from jazz to funk. I am really looking for versatility. The more I play the less I seek 'high output' pickups. My amps have all the gain I need. I prefer clarity and balance, letting my amp EQ do the work. One reason I would like higher output is the different coil combinations from not sounding weak. Although with my lack of knowledge output measurement might not have much to do with that?
I appreciate any help you can offer
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