What in Tarnation Did I Just Get?

[Michael_B]

I'm new to PRS guitars. Through a big guns-for-guitars trade, I ended up with a stunningly beautiful 1999 Hollowbody II with Archtop pickups. I was reading through various threads and I see references to HBIIs and to Archtops. Would this guitar be called an Archtop or an HBII? Or something else?

It does not have a piezo. When did the HBII start being made with a piezo as a standard feature?

I'm finding the Archtop pickups to be somewhat lacking in versatility. I read on the PRS site that the Archtops were designed to work well with the piezo, but my HBII doesn't have a piezo. Was that a common configuration?

Lastly, I think I got a pretty good deal on it, but what would you consider to be a FMV for a '99 HBII w/ Archtop PUs and no piezo (condition is excellent)?

Thanks.

 

[django49]

Hey Michael.....Different forum but same me.......I bought an HBII new in 1999. It was one of, if not the, first with the piezo. Never loved the sound of the magnetic pups, with or without the piezo. Recently (FINALLY) changed to Wolfetone Dr. Vintage and, with a fair amount of tweaking, it now sounds very close to a buddy's new HBII with the 57/08s. Which is to say MUCH better than the original stock Archtops. It is now much more usable.

It was still (then) a Hollowbody (HBII).......The Archtop had a thicker body.....Sort of a scaled down "jazzer". Some (sorta) similarities to the Hamer Improv actually.

I will defer to others as to pricing of yours.

 

[Whitecat]

Photo(s) please!

 

[jetydosa]

An Archtop would be thicker than the hollowbody, the Archtop is about 4" thick maybe? Both the HB and Archtop have "Archtop" pups. Not sure when piezo became std, probably mid 2000s?

As for as price Id guess around $2k give or take.

 

[Michael_B]

Everyone, thanks for the replies. Django49, great to see you on this forum, too. I was thinking of swapping to Phat Cats or Seth Lovers, but maybe I'll try those Wolfetone Dr. Vintage.

 

[watelessness]

Michael, swing by and check out my HBII with Mira pickups (and PTC coil split mod).

 

[Herr Squid]

That's a gorgeous axe!

Hollowbody II = HBII. Great guitars, the piezo was a higher-price option until 2009 or thereabouts so it's not surprising that yours doesn't have one. The Archtop pickups were... not great. Many current vintage-style pickups (including 57/08s which I put into my own HB) will be better-sounding.

 

[Michael_B]

The Wolfetone Dr. Vintage sound clips are, indeed, a holy tone.

 

[Michael_B]

That's a gorgeous axe!

Hollowbody II = HBII. Great guitars, the piezo was a higher-price option until 2009 or thereabouts so it's not surprising that yours doesn't have one. The Archtop pickups were... not great. Many current vintage-style pickups (including 57/08s which I put into my own HB) will be better-sounding.

Thanks!

I had read that a lot of people switched out to the 57/08s and were extremely happy with the change.

 

[toothace]

That one's a beauty! Welcome to the forum!

 

[Michael_B]

That one's a beauty! Welcome to the forum!

Thanks, toothace. Happy to be here.

I decided to go ahead and drop in a set of Seth Lovers that I have on hand. Dropping it off at the 'smitty, today.

 

[garrettb]

Nice early example of the Hollowbody II. 99 was the second model year.

All the hollow models used the Archtop pickups then. Basically just underwound PAF types. They are a bit woofy sounding. I find them to be one trick ponies. One of these days I'll break down and replace them.

 

[Michael_B]

Just picked up the HBII with Seth Lovers installed. I took a few minutes to try it out.

As you'd expect, it's a major improvement. As Garret said, the Archtop pick-ups were a one-trick pony. The Seth Lovers deliver nice cleans and a respectable growl. I hope to be able to share some more impressions, tomorrow.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

if you're into guns, I'll trade you my Crosman BB gun for it. :shakehands:

 

[Michael_B]

Well... That's a fine offer. And I appreciate it. But, someone else offered me a Nerf Vulcan for it, and I couldn't say "no" to that.

 

[CatStrangler]

The Wolfetone Dr. Vintage sound clips are, indeed, a holy tone.

I've had a few of these, great pickups.

 

[Michael_B]

I shared a tone report of my new HBII/Seth Lover, here.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Well... That's a fine offer. And I appreciate it. But, someone else offered me a Nerf Vulcan for it, and I couldn't say "no" to that.

Tough to compete with that but... mine will leave a better welt!