SE594 modding saga continues...

[markd21]

Over the last couple of days I began taking the 594 apart and reassembling with Core parts.

Observations:

Bridge/tailpiece: The stock bridge is aluminum with pointy brass saddles. I scored an early Core 594 brass bridge with the squared saddles. The tailpieces seemed identical - same weight, etc. However, I went ahead and installed the tailpiece that came with the Core bridge.

Instantly, that modification alone improved the tone. It did not bring the clarity that @garrett has on his 2016 Core 594, but it is closer.

Tuners: I added the Mannmade Vintage locking tuners and they feel great!! I still may do a Phase III upgrade some day, but these are a marked improvement over the tuners that were on there.

Ironically, the Mann tuners are the same make as the stock. So it's not an improvement in quality. The stock tuners on my 594 slipped a lot. It was very annoying.

So where does that leave things?

After the current mods, I decided to go full-magilla and get the 58/15LT pickups. Ordered them last night. When I get them the electronics will get upgraded and then maybe @garrett and I can compare again to see if the mods bring the SE closer to the desired tone of a 2016-era 594.

 

[dmatthews]

Lovely upgrades!

 

[aphantomvaper]

Cannot wait to see and hear how this turns out!

 

[frankencat]

Interesting that the bridge and tailpiece swap made a difference since everyone says that they are the same parts as the core. I have done a bunch of mods to my SE594 and I have been wondering about the bridge/tailpiece.

 

[SinSir]

Interesting that the bridge and tailpiece swap made a difference since everyone says that they are the same parts as the core. I have done a bunch of mods to my SE594 and I have been wondering about the bridge/tailpiece.

He installed the older bridge with square saddles. It's different from the current bridge.

 

[markd21]

Yeah, the early 594s (2015-2019?) had an almost rectangular nickel plated brass bridge with a square saddle.

https://flic.kr/p/2oxP4Fg

 

[BigChrisW]

Tuners: I added the Mannmade Vintage locking tuners and they feel great!! I still may do a Phase III upgrade some day, but these are a marked improvement over the tuners that were on there.

I'll be upgrading to locking tuners on my DGT SE when it arrives. The PRS replacements have leapt in price and are often out of stock in the UK. Do you know if there are alternatives I can use as a direct drop-in?

 

[markd21]

I don't, but I'm guessing Hipshot or Gotoh might have something.

 

[JasonE]

Yeah, the early 594s (2015-2019?) had an almost rectangular nickel plated brass bridge with a square saddle.

https://flic.kr/p/2oxP4Fg

My 594 is a 2016. It has this same bridge on it but mine has raw brass saddles. They are not plated like this one. I also have an SC-58 with the same bridge as my 594.

 

[markd21]

Right on!! To me, that's the best year - 2016!! This bridge has unplated brass saddles too butey are very tarnished. The nickel has rubbed off on the low E side too.

Can you take a gut shot? I want to compare the current PRS drop-in 594 electronics to the 2016 harness. Thanks if you can, cool if you can't!!

 

[JasonE]

Right on!! To me, that's the best year - 2016!! This bridge has unplated brass saddles too butey are very tarnished. The nickel has rubbed off on the low E side too.

Can you take a gut shot? I want to compare the current PRS drop-in 594 electronics to the 2016 harness. Thanks if you can, cool if you can't!!

I don't have a good way to share photos. I don't use any of the pic hosting sites.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I'll be upgrading to locking tuners on my DGT SE when it arrives. The PRS replacements have leapt in price and are often out of stock in the UK. Do you know if there are alternatives I can use as a direct drop-in?

Fudge!! They have hiked in price.

I bought a set from Andertons in early ‘21 and they were the same price as these -

Gotoh SG381 Traditional Magnum Locking Tuners 3 x 3 (Chrome, 07) | eBay

Gotoh's Magnum Locking system is operated by a traditional thumb screw on the back of the tuner for quick and easy string changes. 3 x 3 Set has 3 left and 3 right handed tuners. Magnum Lock with traditional thumb screw locking for easy and quick string changes.

www.ebay.co.uk

If they fit, you can’t go wrong with Gotoh stuff. Solid, reliable and good value for us in UK.

 

[garrett]

Right on!! To me, that's the best year - 2016!! This bridge has unplated brass saddles too butey are very tarnished. The nickel has rubbed off on the low E side too.

Can you take a gut shot? I want to compare the current PRS drop-in 594 electronics to the 2016 harness. Thanks if you can, cool if you can't!!

 

[markd21]

Thanks dude!!! That's VERY different than what I bought...hmmmm. I don't know jack about all those resistors. I'll send a pic of what I've got if you could take a look...

 

[garrett]

Thanks dude!!! That's VERY different than what I bought...hmmmm. I don't know jack about all those resistors. I'll send a pic of what I've got if you could take a look...

I'm curious to see it. Don't know what they do with push/pulls and the TCI pickups nowadays.

They were doing the partial split resistor thing then (holy carp how is this guitar 7 years old?).

 

[László]

My 594 is a 2016. It has this same bridge on it but mine has raw brass saddles. They are not plated like this one. I also have an SC-58 with the same bridge as my 594.

Mine is a 2017 with the un-plated brass saddles as well. Same with my 2014 McCarty Singlecut PS, though the McCarty SC bridge and tailpiece are an aluminum alloy with brass saddles, posts and wheels, instead of the plated zinc with brass saddles, posts and wheels that the 594 uses.

 

[markd21]

@garrett

Pics of the current drop-in electronics:

https://flic.kr/p/2oB9bCA

There's one of these between each volume and tone pot.

https://flic.kr/p/2oB9btN

This is on one tone pot.

https://flic.kr/p/2oB7DpB

This is on the other tone pot.

 

[garrett]

@garrett

Pics of the current drop-in electronics:

https://flic.kr/p/2oB9bCA

There's one of these between each volume and tone pot.

https://flic.kr/p/2oB9btN

This is on one tone pot.

https://flic.kr/p/2oB7DpB

This is on the other tone pot.

That's essentially the same as mine. Only difference is the capacitors on yours are lower voltage, which is irrelevant in a guitar.

 

[markd21]

Rad. So I guess we'll see what happens the TCI pickups!!

 

[frankencat]

The ongoing saga of my SE594 continues (I love this guitar!)

Here is my complete mod/build thread on TGP

PRS SE 594 McCarty - An Honest Review: Now With Mods!

So it’s been a month and the newness is wearing off. This guitar is becoming a workhorse for me and I have probably played it more than any of my other guitars and taken it with me quite a few times as I was leaving the house and needing a guitar for jamming or even a gig. I think the next step...

www.thegearpage.net

Added matching Dimarzio rings. Much better color match and better angle. Not for PRS purists maybe but I like it.