PRS Mira + ?

[slide]

Hi,

so, I got this PRS Mira that I really like.
Most people associate them with an SG and think "Classic Rock" but for me it's more of a "do it all, swiss army knife" guitar.

For that reason, I want to upgrade the switching to a 5-way (and some more stuff) and would like new pickups, while we're at it (I need the bridge magnet flipped anyway).

I've read some similar topics where RiffRaffs were suggested - but those seem to be more in the Classic Rock vein.
I'm looking for a nice, balanced sound (non high-output).
The stock pickups aren't bad sound-wise. They are maybe a tiny bit harsh/bland, or put otherwise: I wouldn't mind a little more jangly sound, with a little less mid-emphasis (pulling some at around 800Hz or so seem to do the trick).
But really just a little.

Given the descriptions, I'm thinking maybe Stormy Mondays...?

Ideas and experiences?

[Gibson 1964]

a bit jangly? I would suggest riff raffs to you for your description.

I have not tried stormy mondays but riff raffs seemed remarkably versatile to me. They are by no means high output and they are a really nice, versatile, pickup. Lively would be a word I would use.

Barring that, mules?

[Telerocker]

RiffRaffs.

[AndyR]

I must admit, I lean towards Riff Raffs for this, I find them very versatile. I even use them for tones that I imagine others use Stormy Mondays for... but I've not actually tried Stormies.

If I want a humbucker sound veering more towards jangly (eg 60s pop/rock), I pick up my Riff Raff guitar, not my Mule guitar. If I want classic rock I can pick up either. Mules will do the jangly thing, but it takes a bit more fiddling around, whereas Riff Raffs do it "out of the box" on my guitars with my amp preferences.

I've got a feeling you'll take some convincing though :lol:. And it is possible the Stormies might do a better job for you, I just don't have the experience of them.

Welcome to the forum :D

[Twinfan]

Riff Raffs or Stormies will work great.  If you're going to use the splits though, I'd go for VHIIs.  They have the best single coil tones out of the vintage range.

[AndyR]

Riff Raffs or Stormies will work great.  If you're going to use the splits though, I'd go for VHIIs.  They have the best single coil tones out of the vintage range.

Oh Ah... I hadn't considered splitting, and for a "swiss army knife" guitar, I suspect he might want to do that (and I assume the 5-way switching confirms this?)

I haven't gone for splitting a humbucker for years and years because I didn't really find the sound very satisfying. I can only imagine my Riff Raffs split - and I'm not sure I'd think it was that usuable :lol: (Others might, but I don't think I'd want to use it much...)

Yeah, I think you could be spot on about that.

slide - I'd now like to qualify my Riff Raff suggestion with "but I use them as a standard twin humbucker set-up, 3-way switching, varying the sounds with guitar volume and tone" (from that point of view, yes, "classic rock" usage :lol:)

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Yep, depends on use. Definitely RR or VH though.

[Twinfan]

VHIIs have largely offset coils, so the split slug coil is a pretty good single coil on its own  ;)

[slide]

Ok, good stuff.
I'll clarify a bit:  :)

60's pop/rock and jangly seems about right. It's that sound that's a little hollow in the mids and a touch bright, I would say.
But I don't want to overemphasize this...I just wish the Mira had "hints" of that sound in it. So far there's basically none, whereas for example my McCarty can do it a little - that would be enough for me.
Obviously, the Mira wasn't designed to be jangly, but IMO with different pickups it should be able to do it at least a little bit.

The switching will include two mini toggles for outside coil / HB / inside coil switching of the 2 PUs and the 5 way will then choose Neck / Both / Bridge / Series / Series OOP.
The idea is, to get the best of the older and newer PRS rotary-style settings in a managable package.

So, yes, split tones are important, but not necessarily in the form of "a single HB-coil on its own" - I find those sounds rather anemic, too, usually.

I've thought about VHIIs but read on severaly threads here, that they don't work well in SG-type guitars (consensus seems to be either vintage or high-output for those guitars) - but I guess I can very easily convinced otherwise...  :D

Concerning RiffRaffs, yeah, I need some convincing, but that's why I asked in the first place, right?

Stormy Mondays don't seem to be the ticket, according to the replies so far...

 

[Twinfan]

If you're using both coils of the pickup, and want a "a touch bright with jangle" then I'd say go for the Riff Raffs  :)

[Philly Q]

Interesting thread!  I've owned a couple of Miras, and still have a Mira X (which sounds rather different due to the 22 fret neck and different timbers).

Never got round to changing the pickups on mine, I was planning on Cold Sweats but I wouldn't suggest them for the clean, jangly tones you're after.

I can see why everyone's suggesting Riff Raffs, but I do have a slight reservation in that the Riff Raffs are a little dry and hard-edged; yes, they're bright so in that sense they'll jangle, but if you want sweeter tones, still bright but a bit softer around the edges, then I think the Stormy Mondays could do the trick.

VHIIs are really only a little hotter than vintage - and I'm planning on a set for my Mira X, with a five-way switch.... eventually - but I think they may be a little rockier than you want.


(BUT..... bear in mind, these guys are gigging musicians, I'm just a stay-at-home with too many guitars.  They probably know what they're talking about better than I do!    )