Recommendations for PRS Custom 22 please! Versatile rock tones needed

[Nolly]

Hi guys,

Apologies in advance for the essay

I'm recording a friend's band at the moment, they play fairly heavy commercial rock, with clean and mid-gain tones aplenty. Now, the guitarist's pride and joy is his PRS Custom 22, which has Dragon II pickups in, but after the first day of tracking the heavy rhythm guitar parts we found the bridge pickup just wasn't cutting it, tonally speaking - we were getting lots of mud in the low mids, and not enough high-mid punch to cut through the mix and provide the clarity desired on the big distorted chords in their songs.
We're now tracking with my Cold Sweat-loaded Blackmachine B6 instead, which is probably the best recording guitar I've come across, and the experience has persuaded the aforementioned guitarist to upgrade his PRS with a set of BKPs. The B6 is a very mid-focussed instrument, unlike the almost scooped sound the PRS has, with lots of bass and treble at each end. I should probably stress that we're not seeking to make the PRS sound exactly like the B6 here, just trying to adopt the extremely clear and detailed midrange tonal qualities it has.
For now I'm just looking for recommendations for the bridge position, as I have a pretty good idea what neck pickup models will do the job needed. Basically, these are the criteria he's looking for:

-Needs to be very clear and open sounding
-Must have significant midrange emphasis
-Preferably moderate output, though I have a feeling this is based on the owner's experience with other brands' muddy high-output offerings
-Not overly bright, as the guitar already has plenty of treble. I'm thinking we should steer clear of ceramic magnets.

Based on what I know he likes, I've been thinking of a Nailbomb, since it's extremely open and dynamic as well as having nice clear mids. Now I did say moderate output above, but I have a feeling the NB isn't anything close to what he'd expect from a high-output pickup.
Another, quite different possibility that came to mind is the VHII, which I have in a Kramer that he is currently borrowing while his PRS is in for a proper setup. I know he really likes how it sounds in there, but I've not experienced the other vintage-hot BKPs so I don't know whether there is another set that would be even more suitable.
Other models I've thought about, but know relatively little about are the Rebel Yells (I've seen that these seem to be a favourite among PRS guys), Crawlers and Black Dogs.

Sorry again for the essay, hopefully some owners will be able to chime in their thoughts,

Cheers in advance!

Nolly

[syr2012]

Um, Nolly? You've just described my Holydiver. I guess you could call it high-output (I honestly don't really consider anything under 17k to be high-output anymore), but it is very clear, open, with fat pleasant mids and clarity for even the dirtiest of distorted chords. Of course, you would have to tweak the screws (or bolts in my case) a bit, but once you do, it's damn near perfect. From what I've heard, the Nailbomb has more of a low-mid grind and roar while I find the HD to have slightly more emphasis on the high-mids. Treble is definitely not an issue, as the HD can be dark (the treble is still tamed nicely even after I removed tone pots). Of course, I would definitely advise against ceramic for such a bright guitar, but you did inadverdently remind me to consider an overwound MM in the future. Of course, if you're wondering anything else about the Holydiver, I can keep playing my guitar to discover more.

Best of luck!

P.S., as a fiction writer, I'm in no position to complain about essays. As long as it's interesting (which this is)...

[kevinr]

HDs in my Eggle Berlin (same style and woods as PRS) work a treat, the neck is a fantastic pup as well, you will not be dissapointed  with HDs! I'm about to fit a set of Nailbombs in another Eggle it will be interesting to compare!

[Adam.M]

Doesn't Tim have VH2's in his PRS?

I think it'd be a good choice.

[kevinr]

I can honestly say after fitting the NBs that I have not heard a better lead bridge pup it responds to the smallest of amp eq changes has a very good single coil sound and has bags of power! and great clean tones.
Go for the NB bridge for sure, as for the neck there are so many great BKP choices I have four and maybe my favourite is the HD.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Dont overlook the Abraxas

I find the Nailbomb too dark for my tastes
I remember watching Steve Stevens playing with Billy Idol and one of his LPs didnt sound as clear as the others - turns out he had Nailbombs in there

For clear upper mids I like the Miracle Man, Cold Sweat ,VH2s, and I like the Crawler for a fuller PAF on Steroids sound

[kevinr]

May have been that particular LP! as I would not call them dark! fat! yes

[Nolly]

Interesting responses, cheers guys! Once I narrow the choices down a little I'll get Tim's opinion.

I definitely wasn't considering the Holy Diver, but the descriptions have got my interest. That said, I should stress that I'm not looking for a dark pickup per se, rather just make sure the top end doesn't get "clangy" when strumming distorted chords.
I've heard of Nailbombs not suiting muddy guitars before, something I'll make sure I run past Tim when I seek his opinion.

Jonathan, your first hand experience of the NB vs RY is very interesting. You're an experienced guy, and I'm sure you've fitted most of the BKP range to your guitars by now, so I value your opinion greatly on this. I had indeed overlooked the Abraxas, perhaps on the assumption that the the AIV magnet might make them a bit too much on the loose side. Am I wrong on this?

The Rebel Yells are probably the frontrunners in my mind at the moment, they fulfill lots of the criteria. Is there any chance someone could briefly outline the differences between them, the Crawlers and the VHIIs?

Finally, something I forgot to mention in the original post is that one of the tunings the band uses involves dropping to a low C, so it's imperative that the pickups can stay clear and defined when detuned.

Thanks again

[hunter]

From my experiences with a Singlecut SE and a McCarty RW: VHIIs or RebelYells

[Twinfan]

I'd go with what Hunter says, with maybe some caution on VHIIs as they're quite bright and thinner sounding that  full on fat 'bucker.

Rebel Yells sound like they'd fit the bill....

[sjwebb90]

I have Rebel Yells in my PRS Artist III, they cover a lot of ground and are versitile.

Split tone is very good too.

[Nolly]

Rebel Yells are definitely looking like the right choice at the moment, thanks for the input lads.

sjwebb90: I see from your signature that you have Crawlers in your Singlecut. How do you find they compare to the RYs?

Cheers again!

[Philly Q]

This is all a bit vague, but if the VHIIs are are just a bit too bright/thin, I read somewhere that Tim had described the Emerald as similar to a VHII but fatter and with more output.

Just a thought, since the Emerald never seems to get a mention.

[sjwebb90]

Through the same amp , Cornford MK50II, 2 x 12 G12M Heritage Speakers, same  medium overdrive and EQ, the Crawlers, to my ears, are more PAF sounding, whereas the Rebel Yells are fatter with more high end emphasis.
If you listen to the Top Gun Theme thats pretty much what the RB's sound like, when played through my rig anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCTJmXrgsFg.

[Philly Q]

Blimey, if we're doing Top Gun videos let's have some Loggins!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1a_ikfUico