Swapping out S2 CU24 Pups for EMG JH Signature Pickups

[Urbanvoodoo]

Hi Guys,

Got an S2 Custom 24 a couple of months ago as my first guitar and I've been thoroughly enjoying it. No regrets at all.

Thing is - now that i'm starting to explore/discover my musical tastes/preferences i realise that i'm very much a blues/heavy blues/rock/heavy rock/ metal sorta person. I'm also a huge fan of metallica's latest tones (middy sounding, nice low end and clarity).

This has led me to discover the EMG James Hetfield signature pups.. I've been combing online reviews about it and so far everything is extremely positive. They are actives designed to sounds like passives and they seem to be delivering (especially on the dynamic lead tones) on blues, rock, metal and of course cleans which is good for me as I would like some versatility. (which is why i got the PRS in the first place)

If i do swap them in and replace the current S2 HFS and S2 Vintage Bass pickups i'm going to first and foremost lose the coil tap ability (which i rarely use), and i will also be new territory when it comes to tone.

If possible i would like to know from the folks here if i've missed out on any other considerations that would be important in making this decision. I got the PRS because i wanted versatility, however taking into account my newly discovered preferences would the EMG Jhs be a good solution?

Thanks in advanced for the help.

 

[Berten]

I myself would buy another guitar, already equipped with EMG's (and keep the S2 as it is). Perhaps not the huge Snakebyte or Vulture Hetfield signature (not seen the last one in real life for the moment since a lot of stores in Belgium don't have a lot of ESP/LTD love for the moment), but I've owned a LTD Truckster (not with the hetfield set, but with the regular 81/60 combo) which played great but has been traded for money to fund the purchase of another guitar , but an ESP/LTD eclipse or viper for example in combination with a Mesa and an overdrive pedal you can come close to the hetfield sound.

I have 3 guitars with EMG's (ESP Eclipse, LTD Viper 500S and a LTD Dave Mustaine signature DV-8R) and besides their look and playability, they almost all sound the same. The Viper sounds heavy, the DV8-R plays great because of it's weight and fast neck, but they are both no match for the ESP Eclipse. but in all fairness, soundwise, they all play in the same ballpark due to the fact they all have EMG's). I used to be all about the EMG power, but now I fare more enjoy the playing with non-active pickups or with split-coil pickups in search of different tones.

I don't know where you're from, but perhaps try visiting stores which have a guitar with the Hetfield EMG set already installed to check it out.

 

[Urbanvoodoo]

I myself would buy another guitar, already equipped with EMG's (and keep the S2 as it is). Perhaps not the huge Snakebyte or Vulture Hetfield signature (not seen the last one in real life for the moment since a lot of stores in Belgium don't have a lot of ESP/LTD love for the moment), but I've owned a LTD Truckster (not with the hetfield set, but with the regular 81/60 combo) which played great but has been traded for money to fund the purchase of another guitar , but an ESP/LTD eclipse or viper for example in combination with a Mesa and an overdrive pedal you can come close to the hetfield sound.

I have 3 guitars with EMG's (ESP Eclipse, LTD Viper 500S and a LTD Dave Mustaine signature DV-8R) and besides their look and playability, they almost all sound the same. The Viper sounds heavy, the DV8-R plays great because of it's weight and fast neck, but they are both no match for the ESP Eclipse. but in all fairness, soundwise, they all play in the same ballpark due to the fact they all have EMG's). I used to be all about the EMG power, but now I fare more enjoy the playing with non-active pickups or with split-coil pickups in search of different tones.

I don't know where you're from, but perhaps try visiting stores which have a guitar with the Hetfield EMG set already installed to check it out.

That's actually an awesome suggestion. I was just thinking about that because I came across the Ltd snakebyte with jh pups and that thing looks / sounds amazing.

Why ruin the sound I'm getting with the S2 when I can keep it as is and just swap to a dedicated rock/metal guitar.

Only consideration would be added cost.