Santana and HFS/VB pups: Internet vs Real Life

[Shawn@PRS]

Many players use too much gain, I'm guilty of it sometimes as well. Gain is an easy way to hide my crummy playing technique. The problem with the HFS/VB pickups (IMO) is when they are used with too much gain. When used for clean tones or with a small amount of gain, the HFS/VB's are amazing.

 

[Tucson Thump]

“Abraham Lincoln was an alien. I read it on the internet.”

“Was there any proof of this?”

“Yes, but I didn’t understand it. Still, I read it so it must be true.”

The writer didn't know how to spell. What Abe said was that he was an "Illinoisian".

 

[bodia]

Many players use too much gain, I'm guilty of it sometimes as well. Gain is an easy way to hide my crummy playing technique.

The EXACT reason I love tons of gain!

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I'm 100% guilty of not giving the VB/HFS combo a chance in my CU24. The guitar played and felt incredible from day 1, but when I plugged it in I was instantly "offended" by the tone that came from it. (Most likely due to what Shawn said above).

 

[László]

The writer didn't know how to spell. What Abe said was that he was an "Illinoisian".

Isn’t that the same thing?

 

[NBW]

I replaced mine. Probably because I heard so many good things about the BKs and found some cheap on eBay. Now I'm concerned I might buy another PRS and like the 85/15s better.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Now I'm concerned I might buy another PRS and like the 85/15s better.

I’ve found the more guitars I have, the more I want them to be different, and the less I think about swapping pickups.

This thread was kinda inspired by me thinking about swapping pickups in one of my Santana’s and a CE with the HFS/VB set.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I did, stupidly, replace the D2s in my Cu22 with a 59/09 and 57/08. Guitar still sounds amazing, but there was no reason for me to do that.

I really, really, appreciate that you did though. <3

 

[bodia]

I really, really, appreciate that you did though. <3

I know you do! And it was my pleasure to toss them your way.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I know you do! And it was my pleasure to toss them your way.

They’re here for you should you ever wish to put ‘em back in.

 

[bodia]

They’re here for you should you ever wish to put ‘em back in.

Nope. I'm all good.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Nope. I'm all good.

I know, but still...

 

[bodia]

I know, but still...

...Of The Night?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

...Of The Night?

If Rudy Sarzo licks the neck, you can just have the whole guitar.

 

[Tonart]

"tone is art" - I agree, and pickups REALLY effect the tone. I agree some people get crazy with gear but it really has an influence on the voice of the guitar.

Yes that’s a fact and wholehearted agree . I am just too much in love with the other side of the equation, the wood side and the inherent side. Kinda like a “fact vs values” thingy, you know what I mean? Like “yeah I know you’re fat but I like your face too much to care”. Anyway, I digress!! This tread should be about pickups ...

 

[shinksma]

I've probably mentioned this before, but pickups are a weird trip for me. I played guitar for decades, and never even considered that traditionally-sized HB pups could sound "different". All I cared for was that my strat had the usual SSS config, my tele had that "tele" bridge pickup (also has a HB in the neck), my LP Deluxe had those Epiphone mini-HBs Gibson was trying to use up in the 70s, and I had "normal" HBs in my (don't tell Gibson) El Degas Flying V clone. That Flying V still has them - they are double-cream Dimarzios, and from what I gather could be worth something to certain folks.

Anyway...before I played PRS, and even after, I didn't give much thought to the particular pickups. I found the tones I wanted by adjusting volume & tone on guitar and amp (and via pedals).

Now...I still don't really get worked up over it, but I am glad to have a variety of pups in my collection of PRSi including 57/08, 59/09, 85/15, 58/15, HFS/VB. Um, also archtop, SAS, 53/10, probably something else. All stock, except a Santana I have that has Wolfgangs in it (got it that way).

And Alpha/Omega on my SE Holcomb. And all the variety of SE pups...

Yet still I buy a guitar for other reasons, I don't think I've ever let the installed pups affect my decision...

 

[AP515]

I'm an HFS fan. The HFS/VB were the first set of PRS pickups I had and I developed my sound around them. I love everything about them but it may be because I set up my amps with only those pickups to learn from.

Use the tone knob people!

 

[shallbe]

I gig my stock Santana II and CU24 AP all the time thru my custom Matchless amp. Both sound amazing.

I don’t like a lot of compression in humbuckers, and don’t often play with a lot of gain. The stock pickups are wonderful, and I would not ever consider changing them. My CU24 does have an ebony board, so it has a bit more snap and cut naturally.

Dragon II pickups on the other hand, especially the earlier models, are compressed mush. I replaced those with some PRS Artist pickups and love that guitar now. DII pickups are great if you want a compressed wall of gain and no dynamics. That ain’t me.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Dragon II pickups on the other hand, especially the earlier models, are compressed mush. I replaced those with some PRS Artist pickups and love that guitar now. DII pickups are great if you want a compressed wall of gain and no dynamics. That ain’t me.

See, I love the DII neck pickup. Lower that sucker even with the ring, and bury the pole pieces.... magical.

 

[dogrocketp]

Personally, I liked the VB, but not the HFS in my old CE24. The pickups got switched over to 57/08's when they first came out. My ears told me that the HFS had a ceramic magnet, and I found it ice-picky. I'd be curious to know if I was right. I don't like Ceramic pickups,