Hello all! I'm a long time lurker and it's my first time posting.
I recently purchased a PRS SE Torero. It was more of an impulse buy than anything else because it was on sale. Here are the specs:
http://prsguitars.com/setorero/specs.phpThe guitar plays and feels like a dream. My only gripe about it is the abysmal EMG pickups. I've been using Dimarzios ever since I started playing about 3 years ago and I'm used to all the fluid and dynamic lead tones. The compression and lack of dynamics of the EMG's coupled with blatant "lifelessness" was just too much for me. They are also extremely cold and dead sounding. I've decided to turn to the best pickup company, after much consideration.
This guitar is also my first guitar equipped with a Floyd Rose and I realised that a noticeable amount of sustain was missing, compared to my Fender Strat and Fender Custom HH Tele. The acoustic tone is pretty balanced overall with a slight emphasis on the low end due to the mahogany wings, I suspect.
My band's music revolves around alternative rock, although we do go into very heavy territory from time to time. Think Muse, Radiohead, The Cure, Alter Bridge and occasionally Metallica and Megadeth. Special mention goes to Muse as they are my favourite band and we're heavily influenced by them. In fact, Matt Bellamy's use of BKPs in his guitars encouraged me to try them out.
What I'm looking for first and foremost is
versatility, which the EMGs absolutely fail in. I'm also after an
organic tone with picking dynamics galore. Also, the ability to
clean up nicely by turning down the volume knob would be welcome and I'm very certain this is achievable by no other company except BKP! In addition, I would need
enhanced sustain to make up for the floating bridge.
EQ-wise, I'd like the set to have
singing highs but not ear-piercingly so. A
tight low end is what I'm after too but definitely not modern metal tightness. I'd also like a
full and bold tone, mid wise.
For output, I would prefer a hot bridge model as I dont mind a little bit of grit when playing clean in this position. However, the neck model would have to remain as clean, dynamic and organic as possible, while still balancing well with the bridge output.
My gut feeling is a Nailbomb bridge, as that is what Bellamy uses. I'm unsure about the neck pickup, though. I know Bellamy uses an MQ in the neck position. This is where your opinions come in!
I'd like to thank all of you lovely people in advance. I also apologise if I seem to be asking for too much! It is my first set of BKPs after all and I'm pretty sure it wont be the last. :)
EDIT: I forgot to mention that for gigs, I use a Marshall DSL50 through an Orange 2X12 cab. I use a Peavey Triple XXX combo with EL34's for rehearsals and a Blackstar HT5 for home practice (lol). Thanks again!
