HELP Recommend me BKP similar to PRS 57/08s for CU24!!

[evanism]

Hey there everyone here @ the BKP Forum, greetings from a newbie and probable-BKP-convert.

I am currently using a PRS Custom 24 with stock Vintage Bass/HFS pups. The stock pickups are nice but I'm looking to head the PAF direction for clarity and use the amps' distortion/drive to achieve my heavier sounds. I play rock, classic rock, hard rock and metal. The 57/08's are at the top of my list (they're highly versatile, I read and heard!) but unfortunately they're not readily available where I'm at.

Help recommend me a BKP Set that sounds like it? It must be 4 conductor to work with my 5 way rotary switch. Does it matter if it's alnico 2 or 5? So far I'm looking at the Mules for both neck and bridge. The plus is that there's a shop here locally selling BKPs so getting them would be convenient.

Before I go, here's a clip for everyone, Davy Knowles rocking out to the blues on his PRS with 57/08s. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmuy_V_uc7s&feature=related


Cheers,
Evan

[evanism]

Anyone?

[ericsabbath]

mules would be great

ask Tim about the magnets
alnico 5 is usually edgy and punchy, bit scooped
alnico 2 tends to sound warm, spongy and  a bit middier, but less powerful
I can't comment on the alnico 4

[Telerocker]

I would look at Mules or, a bit hotter, Crawlers.

[FELINEGUITARS]

I know I say this a lot , but you DO need the magnet of the neck pickup reversed to use the PRS 5 way rotary switch

[Nolly]

I'd go for the AIV Mules, the way they're supposed to be. The AIV pickups have a wonderfully balanced response across the range, and the Mules are no exception - completely authentic PAF tone, with wonderful harmonic detail and clarity. FWIW, The Mules are 99% identical to a real '59 PAF, the level of detail Tim has gone into is incredible. The only differences being very specific and minor cosmetic ones to avoid them being passed off as the real thing!

[kevinr]

I have lost count of how many std PRS pickups that I have changed for customers! I have not played or heard the 57/08s so I can't comment on them, what I will say is that you will achieve a much improved sound quality with a BKP product over what you have, I prefer AII or AV over AIV! it's just my preference, I'm not sure if AII Stormy Mondays would have enough power for you, however they do sound "right" to my ears for the paf thing, I have heard some say that the AV mule sounds great in the bridge spot, so maybe that paired with a Holydiver or a Crawler with a VHII neck! I have all these pickups in simular guitars so I get a good idea of what should work with what, or just ask Tim he knows his products.

[Twinfan]

As a PRS man, and someone who's played and owned LOADS of PAF types, for the tones Davy's getting on the video you'd be better with AII Stormy Mondays.  You won't get that midrange chewyness from the hotter magnets.  You'll need a good amp too, obviously.

The Mules and hotter PAFs are better for rockier tones that are brighter and tighter, so they may well be better for you.  They'll sound clearer and more open than the Davy Knowles tone though, but handle heavier gain without mushing...

[simonashby]

Hi, this is exactly the question I would ask. I am looking for a similar tone - vintage PAF with the possibility of being a little hotter. I also use a CU24 with standard pickups at present. I like the 5 way rotary and the possibilities it gives.
The pups I have been considering are Mules or Crawlers. I did email Tim and he said his favourite pups in a CU24 are the Crawlers.

What did you go for in the end?

I am not sure about how easy it is to do a pup change myself. I wouldn't worry on a cheap guitar but this is not cheap.. Not sure of anyone I can trust to do this for me (I live on Phuket island, Thailand).
Thanks.

[kevinr]

I have fitted Abraxas to a CU24 with good results! I'm sure that the Crawlers would work well, as would Black Dog set.

[darkbluemurder]

I use a Holydiver bridge and Cold Sweat neck in my Cu24. These are staying. But they are not PAF types.

The original HFS/Vintage Bass are now in an extremely bright and tight guitar where they work really well.

Cheers Stephan