S2 McCarty Thinline Pickups

[Fiddler84]

I just got a 2023 S2 McCarty 594 Thinline. I love playing it so far going on about 2 weeks. While I think the non-USA 58/15 LT pickups have a nice vintage-style tone, I’m thinking about swapping them out for something a bit more modern and versatile and generally “hotter”.

Has anyone swapped out pickups on a 594 Thinline? If so, what would you all recommend? I’m thinking about either D2s or 57/08. Appreciate any thoughts.

Also, will swapping out the electronics with the core electronics make any improvement?

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[andy474x]

57/08's are hotter, but not by a lot. I'd say 59/09 if you can tolerate uncovered pickups and you want some heat. None of those are really "modern" but they're very good.

D2's are polarizing. Most reviews are not as favorable, a few are. I've not tried them. I'd probably look at Bareknuckle or Suhr before a set of D2's, personally.

 

[SinSir]

Pickup swap talks are brought up regularly around here. Take a look around, search, read, and enjoy the swap.

 

[GADonis]

Maybe try putting a clean boost in front of the amp. It doesn't take much boost and it may accomplish what you want for less $$$. I like my TC Electronics Mini Spark.

 

[MarcWink]

I concur with the recommendation for a boost or overdrive between the guitar and the front of the amp, but if you still need to hit the front of the amp a little harder and want a more modern tone, try the PRS \m/ pickups or look at options outside of PRS's offerings for pickups. There are a number of great options from Bare Knuckle, I like the Cold Sweat from them, from Duncan, you have the Black Winter, or from DiMarzio, you have the D-Activator.

 

[Fiddler84]

Maybe try putting a clean boost in front of the amp. It doesn't take much boost and it may accomplish what you want for less $$$. I like my TC Electronics Mini Spark.

I do run through a compressor (Orange Kongoressor) which kind of acts a bit like a boost. Might give this a try too. Thanks

 

[Glide-bpm]

SD Hades Gates... Love the set that came in for a quick install!!! Whoop!

 

[Birdsofprey]

I’ll vote PRS \M/‘s like the ones in my avitar an S2 Mira.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I have a set of Core Starlas waiting for me to get a Thinline.

 

[MWebster]

I bought a '24 Thinline. They are must haves no matter which year. For me, the 58/15LT neck pickup remains because it works well there. I like Lundgren pickups so I put their Black Heaven alnico bridge pickup in. It's only 9.6k resistance so not super hot but a unique bridge pickup because it's chunky but also quite smooth, balances out the roundness of the neck in the in-between position.

I get SG vibes from the guitar and I feel that P90 SG specials are killer. So also putting a noiseless Humbucker sized P90 set in would be fantastic. Imagine a P90 equipped thinline? I know Kinmen, Mojotone and SD make some great noiseless sets.