Thinking of Tinkering

[nicholsonian]

I have had my Core CU24 for 3 years now and have generally been happy with it but perhaps as my quest for the perfect tone (for now at least) continues I find it a quite bright. I have generally had my tone rolled down to about 5 lately for most playing.

I am thinking of a PU change for something a little warmer. I am currently running with the stock 57/08's and playing primarily 60's and 70's rock covers but need to be bluesy as well. I know PRS says that the 57/08's are a classic PAF, but I guess I am looking for something with perhaps lower output and more in the vein of a true classic PAF. I know I'll probably take some heat for this remark (scale length, body mass, bridge type, etc) but not to beat around the bush, make it more LP like. It doesn't seem like many people swap out the PRS PU's in the core models so I am wondering about experiences and results doing this.

The other mod I am considering is replacing the five way blade switch with a three way blade and a push pull pot on the tone control. Basically the S2 switching. I have never really fallen in love with the tones of position 2 and 4.

Just looking for some input and thoughts. Not looking for suggestions such as buy a LP (not in the budget), buy a McCarty (Not in the budget), or buy any other sort of guitar that costs thousands (not in the budget).

Has anyone had similar feelings and experiences about a CU24 and what you did to resolve your problem.

 

[LeicaBossNJ]

This is a silly question, but why does it bother you to play with the Volume or tone pots rolled back?

If that is your sound, and it gives you "someplace to go" if you want a little more bite... what is the concern?

My Custom 24 is brighter than my Les Paul, and I am so greatful. You can always roll of top end and adjust an amp for a warmer sound but it is impossible to clear up a dark pickup.

It is almost like saying "I like to drive 55mph, but my car goes 75mph... I want a car that only goes 55."

Just a thought.

 

[nicholsonian]

I am not sure I would say that it bothers me, but when I generally never have the tone above 5-7 or below about 2-3 I wonder if perhaps a different set of PU's would provide me with a more useful range of tones. Or at least useful to my ears.

 

[garrettb]

If you like how it sounds with the tone turned down, then I don't see a problem. Another option is to rewire it with 250k pots, which will warm it up a bit. Also, tinker with your amp controls; watch the treble and presence settings. Try lowering the treble side of your pickups a little bit.

Always start with the easiest/cheapest options first. And remember it's way easier to take treble out than to add it back in.

The 57/08 pups are a moderate output set, so if you go for an under wound PAF style, they'll be brighter. If all else fails, based on what you want sound-wise, I'd look for a mid output set of PAF style with A2 magnets.

 

[nicholsonian]

I haven't tried lowering the pickups yet.

I hate playing the pickup game and occasionally I just need someone to talk me out of it

 

[BrianC]

I find if you are not happy - change it. You can always change it back.

In one of my Custom 24's I went from HFS to 5708 to Suhr Aldrich. Now I am totally happy. Similar story with my SCT -#6 - BB2 - Suhr Aldrich.

 

[László]

Actually, true PAFs are pretty bright pickups, though not as hot necessarily as modern ones. But if you listen to old recordings of true PAFs or get a chance to try a solid body PAF instrument from the 50s or 60s, or a 335, you'll be surprised how bright it sounds.

But one thing you might try is a lot easier than a pickup change - try pure nickel wrapped strings instead of nickel plated. Old-school pure nickel strings have a significantly lower output, and aren't as bright as modern strings. They also last a long time and are easier on the frets than plated steel.

I'm sure you're already rolling back your volume control, since that will also reduce the high end a bit and allow you to control brightness and gain from the guitar instead of the amp.

 

[John Beef]

Get yourself a set of Alnico 2 magnets ans swap the magnets out in your pickups. I assume 57/08s are Alnico 5?

 

[dogrocketp]

Also try just turning down the pole pieces. Then try lowering the pickups. I second Les suggestion about changing strings as well.

 

[Huggy Love]

Les is eluding to and even bigger picture that you are not even realizing at this point. It's all the other factors in your equation too.

Before you go switching pups and whatnot, evaluate all the other links in your chain. Yes, your cu24 may be brighter than your other axes or whatever, but that's what knobs are for, to adjust. On your axe, your amp, etc.
Then you can look at your strings, pick choices(this is HUGE!!), also amp & eq settings. There a lot of other ways to thicken up your sound, though if you switch up guitars during performances that complicates things, but if you're just jamming at home it shouldn't be too much of an issue to roll off the highs and push the lows & mids. Takes about as much energy to strum a chord as it does to turn a knob, right?

That said, I use a thick tone 90% of the time with the tone knob about 3 and the amp settings really pushing the low mids, I even play a lot of solos with the neck pickup.

PS-A lot of the time brightness and darkness are dictated by the wood that was used in the fabrication, some denser pieces of mahogany (or other woods) have brighter tone characteristics and no matter what pup you slap in there it might not make much of a difference.

 

[nicholsonian]

Thanks all.

I spent last evening doing some experiments with different guitars and my amp and really challenging my preconceptions.

For example I was a little bit surprised that the more I played with the EQ of my amp the more I realized that the CU24 was probably my brightest guitar...even more so than my tele.

But through a few hours of honest experimentation I was coming up with some tones I found quite pleasing.

I am curious about the comment from Les with regards to pick matierial. I have tried a few plastics and nylons but any other suggestions that might be a little warmer?

 

[Huggy Love]

There's a pick discussion is on a thread titled "pick punch", some good info there.
I use a Dunlop 208, it's the darkest/warmest pick I have found on the market. If you try one from that series it will be a good starting point because everything else is going to be brighter.
Good luck with your tonal journey.

 

[Ovibos]

pick choices(this is HUGE!!)

I picked up a pick made from a Mexican Peso (a la Rev Billy Gibbons) when I was in Austin, and the difference vs. my normal Claytons is impressive. Even tho it's metal, it has a softer, warmer attack with no click.

 

[Huggy Love]

I picked up a pick made from a Mexican Peso (a la Rev Billy Gibbons) when I was in Austin, and the difference vs. my normal Claytons is impressive. Even tho it's metal, it has a softer, warmer attack with no click.

Cool if you got the sound you want but you wouldn't catch me putting a metal pick anywhere near my PRSi.

 

[Ovibos]

Cool if you got the sound you want but you wouldn't catch me putting a metal pick anywhere near my PRSi.

Totally valid. I'm not someone who gets a lot of pick scratches on guitars (guess I play fairly parallel to the body), and I've got SEs so less drama if gouged. The peso is rounded off so you're more likely to scratch with a fresh plastic pick.

 

[Korina Jack]

Get Dragon II pickups with 5 way rotary switch. It very inspiring, nice tones!

 

[Rider1260]

I have had great luck tailoring the tone of 57/08s by playing with the height , I prefer them as high as possible for the most part ( as with most lower output pickups for me ) in my customs I have higher output pickups and it works for me but I have played BrianC CU24 with 57/08s and it is VERY full sounding.
On a CU24 be aware that the NECK pickup just rocks nice full and clear