Author Topic: Pickups for a PRS Mira (Read 5046 times)

Frank_H · « **on:** April 11, 2008, 12:28:08 AM »

What's up everyone?! I have a PRS Mira (solid mahogany, rosewood board sg/lp jr looking guitar). I typically play stuff like Mastodon, Fear Factory, Machine Head, Tool, etc., but I like to mix it up a bit so I like some versatility too. I think the pickups in it sound great, except the bass blooms a bit too much for the faster stuff I do. The amp is probably a factor too, Uberschalls have a looser bass. But that amp isn't going anywhere because with my other axes...LOOKOUT!

Anyway, I read the deal on avoiding the medium output pickups for this type of guitar. I asked Tim and he suggested Riff Raffs, but another cat w/the same axe said they sound alot like the Miras pickups but looser. I also didn't mention to Tim Ubers err on the side of lose. So I emailed him again, just haven't heard back, but I figured I'd ask ya'll too.

So you can probably tell from what I describe in the 1st paragraph that I want something that has a punchy tight bass (not too clinical), crunchy mids, and highs that aren't too sharp. I also like a nice organic clarity for big distorted chords. I should add that the majority of my lead playing is on the bridge too. I also like a bridge that cleans up fairly well. I want a neck that sounds good for cleans and lead. I also plan on splitting them, I'm all about some split neck cleans. I should also add that acoustically this guitar is very resonant and very focused with rich mids (not too bassy or too bright). So a pickup that can add a little depth/complexity to the focused tone, while still staying tight would be killer.

Now that I'm finishing my novel (sorry) do any of you guys have another low output suggestion (the Uber does have the gain on tap) or would this be a candidate for a higher output pickup (Ceramic Nailbomb or AV WP?)to drive through the wood?

Thanks,
Frank

ericsabbath · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2008, 01:28:10 AM »

i love the holy diver for tool and machine head stuff
for mastodon, the warpigs (both versions) are the way
painkiller and miracle man are great for FF style

Quote

a punchy tight bass (not too clinical), crunchy mids, and highs that aren't too sharp. I also like a nice organic clarity for big distorted chords.

sounds something between the holy diver and the alnico pig

ilÿti · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2008, 03:14:00 AM »

This one seems pretty difficult to handle with low output humbuckers, because you say you want it tight to compensate for the Uber , as well as mentioning bands like Fear Factory and Machine Head. To get the kind of compression in your sound that those bands have, you're likely better off with higher output.

The Mule CAN sound tight, if you've got a tight picking hand but it needs a boost of some sort. That's about the only suggestion I have in the vintage section. It can do Tool, Maiden, Sabbath and even Iced Earth type tones very well, so if you're happy playing modern metal with that type tone (which is what I do...) then Mules might work for you.

I assume since you mentioned low output humbuckers that you like a vintagey caracter in your sound. That leads me towards the Cold Sweat or Crawler, as they have that vintage edge but with enough power to handle as much gain as you poor on it.
Maybe even Painkiller... if you dare.

Frank_H · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2008, 10:06:09 AM »

Thanks for the responses. Yeah, I'm having a tuff time. I had nearly decided when it caught my attention that SG shaped guitars typically don't like med output pickups. So back to the drawing board.

I hadn't really considered the Painkillers but that does sound like a really good option. Hmm...

Will · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2008, 11:01:30 AM »

Quote from: Frank_H

SG shaped guitars typically don't like med output pickups.

I think Tim said its the large weight of mahogany, and it needs something low to let the wood shine through, or high to cut through the woody sound. So, flying V's, Explorers etc.

I also remember Tim saying he had good feedback from a player using RY in a flying V

lulusg · « **Reply #5 on:** April 11, 2008, 02:55:14 PM »

I had a great tone on an SG with the Emeralds....great pickups, they were tested and tried by different parties on different amps, over a long period of time. They worked well for us....!

Frank_H · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2008, 11:55:20 PM »

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I figured I'd give an update after hearing back from Tim. He suggested a Cold Sweat bridge and a Mule neck, which after reading the descriptions here and on a couple of the suppliers' sites, it sounds dead on perfect for what I'm looking for. Now to decide on which cover...

ilÿti · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2008, 12:30:21 AM »

Quote from: Frank_H

He suggested a Cold Sweat bridge and a Mule neck

Booyah!

Covers eh? What color is your Mira?

(that was a subtle pic request)

Frank_H · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2008, 02:04:48 AM »

Yeah, I'm definitely up for suggestions. It's the same color as the one pictured in the link. The only difference is mine doesn't have the birds and the pick guard is black.
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/reviews/prs_mira/

Alex · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2008, 08:20:07 PM »

Tight bass sounds like a Miracle Man for me. I like it with my SG anyway.

ilÿti · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2008, 08:26:15 PM »

Quote from: Frank_H

Yeah, I'm definitely up for suggestions. It's the same color as the one pictured in the link. The only difference is mine doesn't have the birds and the pick guard is black.
http://www.harmony-central.com/articles/reviews/prs_mira/

Camo would look cool, and really set it apart from the rest of the Miras. If it was me though, I'd do a Jimmy Page with an open zebra in the bridge and nickel covered in the neck.

Hey, you said you were open to suggestions.