Author Topic: PRS HFS & VB replacements (Read 6485 times)

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

Antag · « **Reply #1 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...)

HairyChris · « **Reply #2 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).

Antag · « **Reply #3 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...

ilÿti · « **Reply #4 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.

HairyChris · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2008, 03:47:27 PM »

Hmm, yeah, the site only lists the Cold Sweat as ceramic, ditto the Miracle Man.

Twinfan · « **Reply #6 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......

HairyChris · « **Reply #7 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... :)

Twinfan · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2008, 05:49:47 PM »

Metal? Rock? Blues? Country? Indie?

HairyChris · « **Reply #9 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!!

ericsabbath · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2008, 08:47:37 PM »

the hfs is closer to the painkiller
big ceramic magnet, aproximately 15k, bright voicing

Antag · « **Reply #11 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...

HairyChris · « **Reply #12 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!

ericsabbath · « **Reply #13 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

PhilKing · « **Reply #14 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.