Why are S2 neck pickups much lower than the bridge pickups?

[CroceFan4life]

I almost sent my S2 Mira back to Sweetwater. I thought somebody had been messing around with it.

The neck pickups are level with the guitar's body.

The bridge pickups stand proud about half inch above the guitar's body. Most pickups on Fender and Gibsons are about that far above the body.

I checked photos on Google and this odd pickup setting seems normal for the S2.

Hard to see in a photo. But the neck pickups are flush with the pickguard.

Apparently this is the PRS factory setting. Why is it so different from other electric guitars? I grew up playing Fenders.
Couple Examples
https://goo.gl/images/VksMCm
https://goo.gl/images/hf8Lpz

My Mira. You can see very clearly how flush the neck pickups are with the pickguard.

Is this really how it's supposed to be setup?
https://goo.gl/images/7L31Z0

 

[bodia]

Yes, this is the setup. Doesn't mean it needs to stay that way. Put 'em where they work best for you! I've had had a couple of cores where the bridge was really high (for what I thought was normal) but they sounded great.

Also, keep in mind, Sweetwater does their 55 point inspection before they ship. No telling if they may have adjusted them too.

 

[andy474x]

I've found the PRS pickups in some models to be matched such that the neck pickup is put down considerably to get the output matched. But I don't let it bother me - listen with your ears, not your eyes.

 

[CroceFan4life]

I just wanted to check.

It sounds pretty balanced in the center switch position. Neck position is a bit thin playing rhythm. I'll keep playing it for awhile.

I may eventually get it adjusted. Locally or maybe get a full setup through the PTC.

 

[garrettb]

I'm a bit skeptical of the Sweetwater inspection. When I got my S2, the bridge pickup was so low, it was beyond the length of the spring, so it just rattled around in the guard. I'm very confident PRS wouldn't have let it leave the factory that way.

The stock images linked don't appear to have it as low as in the OP's pic. Just grab your Phillips head screwdriver and get to twisting until it sounds like you want it.

 

[markd21]

I was perplexed by the neck pickup depth, at first, too. After listening to it, and playing that way for awhile I realized I really liked. I have since done something similar to all my PRS'. It just seems to work for my style.