Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: HairyChris on April 23, 2008, 02:27:42 PM

Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: HairyChris on April 23, 2008, 02:27:42 PM
I'm looking (hopefully later this year) to replace the VB and HFS set in my PRS Cu24 with a Rosewood neck. The HFS isn't too bad, the split sounds are quite nice, but the VB is pretty much pants.

Is the drop-in replacement something like a Miracle Man + Mule set?

If anyone has any more interesting suggestions, but where the 9 & 7 sounds on the 5 way are still nice, then fire away. Any impressions of a ceramic Nailbomb (heard the Alnico ones!) are also welcome! I want something to chew on...

Cheers.  :D
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: Antag on April 23, 2008, 02:59:12 PM
I've given serious thought to a Cold Sweat set in my Custom 24.  Certainly the CS neck eats teh VB for breakfast (don't have a CS bridge yet though, which is partly why I'm thinking about getting it...)
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: HairyChris on April 23, 2008, 03:14:57 PM
The CS neck ceramic? Will that be a little sharp?

The main problem I have with the VB is that it sounds spiky and horrible (in a bad way).
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: Antag on April 23, 2008, 03:22:55 PM
No, CS neck is Alnico V, it's only the bridge that's Ceramic.

The only ceramic neck BKP is the Painkiller...
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: il˙ti on April 23, 2008, 03:40:30 PM
Quote from: Antag
No, CS neck is Alnico V, it's only the bridge that's Ceramic.

The only ceramic neck BKP is the Painkiller...

This little fact needs to be included in the FAQ. Badly.
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: HairyChris on April 23, 2008, 03:47:27 PM
Hmm, yeah, the site only lists the Cold Sweat as ceramic, ditto the Miracle Man.
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: Twinfan on April 23, 2008, 04:33:21 PM
I believe VHIIs work very well in PRSi.  They have a little less bass than other humbuckers and work great with modern, fairly gainy tones.  The R/W necked models seem to prefer something that's a bit hot and has a bit of treble, so maybe Rebel Yells would work too.

Depends what tone you're after though......
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: HairyChris on April 23, 2008, 05:17:49 PM
Smoother neck then VB, a bit more lairy at the bridge, split settings should still be nice & twangy... :)
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: Twinfan on April 23, 2008, 05:49:47 PM
Metal?  Rock?  Blues?  Country?  Indie?
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: HairyChris on April 23, 2008, 06:10:39 PM
Well I play metal, mainly, but have a couple of 6 strings that will already do this more then well and an amp that'll metallize anything plugged into it. Think rock/metal/blues but has to clean up well.

I'm kind of close to going 'Sod it' and getting a pair of Nailbombs for it... ;) I can always find someone who'll want them if I don't!!
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: ericsabbath on April 23, 2008, 08:47:37 PM
the hfs is closer to the painkiller
big ceramic magnet, aproximately 15k, bright voicing
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: Antag on April 23, 2008, 09:30:03 PM
Quote from: Eric Hellstyle
the hfs is closer to the painkiller

 :?:  I have both pickups & I disagree.  IMO the HFS sounds NOTHING like the PK & vice versa...
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: HairyChris on May 02, 2008, 05:15:23 PM
Apologies for resurrecting this thread....

Anyone tried EITHER mule or miracle man in a Custom 24??

Just considering the possibility of swapping something else into my Blackmachine and then the MM/M into the PRS. I don't know why I didn't think of that before!

If not, don't worry, just let this thread die! ;) Ta!
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: ericsabbath on May 02, 2008, 05:26:11 PM
Quote from: Antag
Quote from: Eric Hellstyle
the hfs is closer to the painkiller

 :?:  I have both pickups & I disagree.  IMO the HFS sounds NOTHING like the PK & vice versa...


i'm not saying they sound really close, but in the same ballpark
i can't think of a closer BKP
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: PhilKing on May 02, 2008, 06:50:18 PM
I have a Miracle Man set in a Warmoth PRS clone (bolt on rosewood neck).  I also have a Rebel Yell set in a PRS Standard 24, and a Mule set in a PRS Artist II (22 fret, hardtail).  I used to have the VHII set in the Artist too.

Sound wise, the Miracle Man set is really hot and powerful, with tight bass and good split sounds.  The Rebel Yells are very punchy and I love them in the all mahogany Standard, but wonder how bright they would be in a maple capped guitar.  I took out the VHII's because I wanted a more vintage tone without as much bass, but the VHII's did sound very good and split really well.  The Mules are giving me the blues/rock tone I wanted and give all the great classic rock tones.
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: hunter on May 02, 2008, 08:13:43 PM
as far as I could tell, listening to your preferences, your guitar, etc, I'd try the Black Dog neck.

It's rather fat and smooth and has lots of depth if you know what I mean, great for metal neck lead tones as well as blues as well as cleans (except funk). Guess it would complement your guitar rather nicely.
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: Nolly on May 02, 2008, 09:38:42 PM
Quote from: HairyChris
Just considering the possibility of swapping something else into my Blackmachine


Painkillers. Go on. You know you want to.  :wink:
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: viking on May 03, 2008, 05:32:42 PM
Quote
If anyone has any more interesting suggestions, but where the 9 & 7 sounds on the 5 way are still nice
I have a PRS Custom 22 with a calibrated set of Mules.The 9 and 7 sounds on the 5 ways are very good,very twangy and sweet  :) !But i really miss the 2 humbuckers together...Anyway,for your style of music (Metal etc.),i think you will have to choose something else for bridge pu;Mule bridge would not be hot enough.For myself,i'm thinking about a bridge BlackDog or something hotter...
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: HairyChris on May 06, 2008, 11:55:57 AM
Thanks for the input.

Quote from: Nolly
Quote from: HairyChris
Just considering the possibility of swapping something else into my Blackmachine


Painkillers. Go on. You know you want to.  :wink:


Not sure. My one isn't chambered and that makes a lot of difference.

Anyway, this is all for the future.... Too skint for another set of BKPs right now!!
Title: PRS HFS & VB replacements
Post by: Sifu Ben on May 07, 2008, 11:25:32 AM
Quote from: HairyChris
Smoother neck then VB, a bit more lairy at the bridge, split settings should still be nice & twangy... :)

Surely you're describing a Cold Sweat set then?