software

I'm getting a McCarty, and while I think the stock pups are excellent, I am toying with idea of some Duncans...

any comments/suggestions as to whats workin' nice in your Reeds? (especially a McCarty or C22)

Oh..and do the PRS' use F-spacing?

I've got a Jazz in the neck and a Custom/Distortion hybrid from UGD in the bridge. If I were you I'd go with GJ's combo for the McCarty 59/C5, or the jazz depending on your favorite flavor.

Luke

Thanks Luke...

I was thinking 59 neck as it's my fave...but I think I'd want a bit more mids than the C5 for the bridge..(assuming it indeed is as scooped as the tone chart says)..at least low mids that is....jes din' wanna go with a regular custom as I want to stick with alnico mags and lower output.

maybe some seth's...?


Originally Posted by JeffBThanks Luke...

I was thinking 59 neck as it's my fave...but I think I'd want a bit more mids than the C5 for the bridge..(assuming it indeed is as scooped as the tone chart says)..at least low mids that is....jes din' wanna go with a regular custom as I want to stick with alnico mags and lower output.

maybe some seth's...?

No worries man!

I think Seth's would be.....well......uh.....leave you......ummmmmmmm speechless!

I'm thinking of trying an A2 mag in my bridge pup to see what a CC/JB2 sounds like.

Luke

I have a TB-11 Custom Custom Trembucker and an SH-PG1n Pearly Gates in my 1990 Custom 24 (soon to be featured on the cover of the next SD catalog). I've had a few pickups in that guitar and that combination works best for me.

And yes, the bridge pickup is Trembucker-spaced for the PRS vibrato.

Yeah my pup isn't trem spaced, don't know how it happened b/c that's the email I sent MJ, it still sounds pretty good though....Cest la Vie.

Luke

I have a 59b / PGn set in the Natural Finish Cu22.

I have an S-Deco 2b / PGn combo in the CherryBurst Cu22. I may drop the dbl creme Seth in the bridge of this one though. Haven't decided yet.

A JBb / PGn set is slated for the Std24.


Originally Posted by Evan SkoppI have a TB-11 Custom Custom Trembucker and an SH-PG1n Pearly Gates in my 1990 Custom 24 (soon to be featured on the cover of the next SD catalog). I've had a few pickups in that guitar and that combination works best for me.

And yes, the bridge pickup is Trembucker-spaced for the PRS vibrato.

That surprises me to be honest. I've measured them up a few times and the Trembucker spacing puts the pole pieces way outside the E strings on my PRSi. Standard spacing is a hair narrow but the strings still hit the pole pieces.


Originally Posted by TheArchitectThat surprises me to be honest. I've measured them up a few times and the Trembucker spacing puts the pole pieces way outside the E strings on my PRSi. Standard spacing is a hair narrow but the strings still hit the pole pieces.

This is the reason I couldn't figure out what mine was for a while.

Luke

Are you talking about the vibrato or the hard tail?

Mine is a vibrato....but then again....you're probably talking to architect.

I've got a C5/AIIP in my CU22 and it's a nice all round tone, especailly for rock. I love the AIIP neck, but the C5 sounds better in my LP. I am still looking for that nice bridge not quite as hot and with less bass and treble boost than the C5. I am thinking 59'/Custom Hybrid or maybe EVH.

But, personally I love the McCarty and the pickups.
Its a really nice warm, vintage, and smooth tone. I wouldn't change mine, if I had one, but if I had 2... then that's basically the story with my CU22s. I have 2 where one is left stock.

Sniper-V


Originally Posted by Evan SkoppAre you talking about the vibrato or the hard tail?

All of my PRS are trem.

Seths would probably sound pretty nice, but they're two conductors, and PRS's should have 4 lead.

I like the C-5/59 in my teal black McCarty, since it made it a much better 'rock guitar.'
Since PRS guitars have strong mids, that combo sounds good. If you want nice clean vintage output, just save your money and leave the stock pickups in. They're actually better than what you may buy aftermarket. I think if I were going to spend time hearing other pickups in a PRS, I'd try these.....
EVH/PG
59B/Jazz
CC/APH
Custom/59

Thanks everyone for the advice

The stock pups ARE cool...I like them alot..but they almost too quot;hi-fiquot; and lack some low mids which I like for rhythm/riff work...for lead playing they are perfect...alot better than the HFS and VB pups I'm very familiar with...

I'm gonna play with them for a few weeks and then maybe I'll just throw in a pair of zebra 59's I had bought for my Les Paul and never got around to putting in...

The 59's are not F-spaced..are we saying thats quot;OKquot; for a quot;stop bridgequot; like the McCarty has?

They are OK for trems too. I have a std spaced 59 in one of my PRS

I have a feeling you'll really like the zebra 59's. Sometimes, I think the C-5 is just a bit too heavy sounding for my McCarty, but it does drive an amp nicely.

I'll tell you what I did with my McCarties.....I really like using the neck in either humbucking or split mode, but rarely used that feature on my bridge pickup, so I cut the white wire that splits the bridge. Now, I can go from a single neck back to a humbucking bridge without having to touch the pullup tone control. I like the McCarty better with that simple mod.

I like the seths in Mc Carties . My Brazilian ltd is loaded with uncovered seths. I also have one loaded with A2Ps and they sound great in this axe.

I used to have my favorite combo , Seth b amp; '59 n , and it sounded huge in this axe.

I use standard spacing for all my PRSi (mainly stoptail equiped) and it works fine .

Many people feel the C-5 balances perfectly in a McCarty for vintage to hard rock tones. I had one in an LP and never remember issues with lacking midrange or ever thinking it sounded too hot. The numbers read hot but she feels more vintage or medium output. I am still skeptical about it in my Mccarty but am close to ordering one.

What about other PRS pickups like the Artists or Dragon IIs?

I'm back to using the SD59N/Custom 5 in my McCarty and think they sound excellent in that guitar. I tried so many different pups and very expensive one's but they were still not better than the SD pups I have in there now!

I just posted this clip in another thread but its my McCarty with the C5 mostly into a Barber Direct Drive pedal using a Fender Blues Junior!

Custom 5 clip!