PRS CE24 - Pickup Suggestions... PLEASE HELP! :)

[CLund]

I am looking for replacement pickups for my stock 2004 PRS CE24. I was thinking about going with a SD JB/Jazz set, but then I figured, this is my Second favorite guitar now (Replaced by my new Les Paul) - Why not find the BEST pickup to suit me... Who knows the JB/Jazz might be it - But I am sure there are some Boutique pickups that are better - Like Bare Knuckle... I will give you some background on what I am looking for and see if any of you can point me in the right direction.

I currently play in a band that does songs from and similar to bands like Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, etc… So it’s mostly hard rock / modern rock type music.

Other than my stock PRS… I have a Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul V.O.S. 1960 Plain top. It has a Burstbucker 1 & 2 in it… I love the sound and playability of this guitar and it covers that PAF Sound pretty well for me. The other guitar I have is a Fender Strat that I have installed Fender Custom Shop ’69 pickups in, and it has a low output single coil sound… I want my PRS to be a bit more of a Modern Rock monster sound, and I think an upgrade to my pickups would help.

I don’t really want an all out – high output pickup, I’m not looking for that Metal Music sound, but I want something hotter than the PAF style, Something that gets a good grind, but still has the quality harmonics, solid output of a hotter pickup.

I have listened to a few sound clips from different manufacturers. WCR - Darkburst, Moore/Green Set seem interesting. The Rio Grande BBQ set seems pretty sweet too.   The Bare Knuckle VHIIMight suit my application pretty well...  Or maybe  A Blackdog or Emerald...  It’s just hard to tell what would be a proper fit for me, and my PRS.

Anyone have any suggestions?


Oh, and let me say... The Burnt Nickel would Look pretty sweet in my PRS...  :)   

[Adam.M]

Well Tim uses VH2's in his PRS apparently, i was thinking of going the same way but im not sure if im going to be keeping a hold on my CE24.

Maybe the Rebel Yells would be good for it... which is another direction i was considering.

[ericsabbath]

Blackdog or Emerald

these.

but I'd pick something a bit hotter and middier
like a Rebel Yell or Crawler

[il˙ti]

BK makes so many pickups that are suitable for modern rock in a mahogany/maple/rosewood guitar so I think you'll have to be a bit more specific when it comes to how you want the sound changed. IE "It's too bright sounding, I'd like something fatter" or "it's too muddy sounding, I'd like something really clear and tight".

VHII would be a good choice, but if you've already got the PAF sound covered, maybe look into the higher output models more. For AiC and Soundgarden type tone I think we're definitely in Rebel Yell / Crawler / Nailbomb / Holy Diver territory, depending how you like your mids.

[sjwebb90]

I have Rebel Yells in my Custom 22, its a  great rock pickup and  splits coils are very good also.

They are very versitile pickups and as I play both in a rock band and a functions band they are able to cover most bases with ease.

I also have a set of Crawlers, these are also very good.

[Roobubba]

Or go a little bit hotter and whack some cold sweats in there, I think there are a few PRS/cold sweat touting players around these forums...
Roo

[PhilKing]

I have a Miracle Man set in my bolt on Warmoth PRS clone, and they sound really good.  In my PRS's I have Rebel Yell in the Standatd 24, AIV Mules in the Artist II and Crawler/p-91/p-91 in my EG4.  I did have VHII's in the Artist, but I pulled them because they had a bit too much bottom end for the sound I was after.  In a CE-24, VHII's will probably work really well, though the Miracle Man set are more versatile than you might think!

[Dazza1004]

I have a PRS Cu24 and have got / had the following BKP's (not all in that guitar though)

Rebel Yells
Miracle Man
Cold Sweat
Holy Diver
Nailbombs

If I was buying for that I would go with a Holy Diver bridge and Cold Sweat neck. They are my favorite out of the ones I have tried.

[CLund]

Okay... So i have done a bit more research...  And I am leaning toward the Black Dogs...  I really like that Dark Growl they have, at least from what I have heard in the sound clips.   Are their any other pickups in the hotter output catagories that have that type tone?


--- il˙ti ---- You mentioned the AiC - Soundgarden type sound...  Actually I think that's about where I want to be, So maybe a Holy Driver? - Would that fit the Dark Growl type sound with a hotter output?

Uhg... it's hard trying to decide!!!!

Thanks for all your suggestions everyone!   Keep them coming please!  :)

[CLund]

I have something for you all to look at...   Still trying to decide on Pickup choice,  I have a sound I would like to find, and here is an example... Great Video - Funny - And sweet tone.   They played in Orlando last weekend, small club, great show, and LOVED the tone....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3Vcoq-QRo4

Listen to the riff at 1:10 --- and solo at 3:30.

I know it has a LOT to do with their amps (SUNN), but I love their grinding, yet very open sound.

Also...  Listen to this -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2IZ2qI3ahg

Opening riff is a sweet sound I would like to get close to as well.

I have been leaning and about ready to pull the trigger on a set of Black Dogs....   You all think this would be a good fit?

[CLund]

BK makes so many pickups that are suitable for modern rock in a mahogany/maple/rosewood guitar so I think you'll have to be a bit more specific when it comes to how you want the sound changed. IE "It's too bright sounding, I'd like something fatter" or "it's too muddy sounding, I'd like something really clear and tight".

VHII would be a good choice, but if you've already got the PAF sound covered, maybe look into the higher output models more. For AiC and Soundgarden type tone I think we're definitely in Rebel Yell / Crawler / Nailbomb / Holy Diver territory, depending how you like your mids.

When you mentioned "How I like my mids"  -- I definitly prefer my MID's to be more pronounced lower mid... Most of the settings on my GT-8 are boosted around the 400 - 650 Hhz range...  Love to get that low/mid growl.   

[Rock Pig]

When you mentioned "How I like my mids"  -- I definitly prefer my MID's to be more pronounced lower mid... Most of the settings on my GT-8 are boosted around the 400 - 650 Hhz range...  Love to get that low/mid growl.   

Black Dogs or Crawlers then, I'd say.
The Black Dogs are thicker sounding where the Crawlers are more gritty, I believe.

[Axe Palace]

When you mentioned "How I like my mids"  -- I definitly prefer my MID's to be more pronounced lower mid... Most of the settings on my GT-8 are boosted around the 400 - 650 Hhz range...  Love to get that low/mid growl.   

Black Dog man :)

Did we talk about this on the other forum? This is Nick (The Axe Palace). Maybe I'm getting you confused with someone else but your username is familiar :)

[CLund]

Hey Nick!  Thanks for your reply... and taking my order - your customer service is top notch!!!!

I ordered the Black Dogs in Burnt Chrome...  I will post up here what I think and some pictures pre/post install.