Tricky PRS pickup replacement selection

[Shadow78]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum, but not to BKP! I have a particularly tough PRS  CE-24 to pin down. The existing pickups aren't terrible, but they just don't fit my sound and sound muffled through my Mesa/Boogie F-50 112 combo. I have emailed Tim and bounced this off a dealer here in the US that does a lot of BKP business and uses them extensively in his own guitars. I believe them both, but I think the dealer's recommendations are a touch closer to what I need. Basically, I'm just double checking my research to make sure I have a sound, informed decision when I go to purchase. Any input is much appreciated! The guitar has a mahogany body, arched maple top, PRS tremolo, bolt-on maple neck with rosewood fretboard. It also has that pesky 5-way rotary control. I know Tim can make the pickups to work with that switch, so that doesn't worry me.

I play mostly progressive styles with influences like Satriani, Vai, Neal Schon, John Petrucci and other similar instrumental rock styles. I also listen to quite a bit of 80's rock on top of my instrumental rock influences. Here's my issues and what I need the pickups to do.

The existing HFS/Vintage Bass pickups have a very sweet treble response and muffled dynamic that is clean and musical, but there is no bite through my Mesa and thus, they sound like a sock is over them. They sound muddy and flabby and their lack of dynamics through a high gain setting like my particularly thick Mesa is frustrating. There isn't enough bite and top end sizzle to be clear enough and they are too fat sounding.  They do, oddly enough, sound a lot sweeter and cleaner than other pickups I use in other guitars and I want to approach my pickup needs to suit this guitar. Here is what I need:

I need a tight but full bottom end response from the Bridge to handle palm-muting. I like the tone of Alnico 5 vs ceramic and still need a buttery singing lead tone that isn't harsh, but has enough clarity and treble response to cut through without getting lost in a mix. I prefer a smoother, creamy or saturated distortion vs a raspier one that cleans up well with a volume knob. I certainly don't need a really hot pickup as I don't play thrash or harder metal styes. I also like a nice growl too. I hope that makes sense...

The neck pickup is a tougher one for me. The Vintage Bass is very muffled in its tone. There really is a lack of sparkle and clarity from the pickup no matter which amp I use ( I have a marshall too) or how I adjust the height of it. I like the punch and warmth of a humbucker, but the voicing of a single coil. I like more articulation in the tone and a woodier sound too. I want the notes to speak and be round, but vocal. Kind of like hearing a 'ooo' sound versus a muffled kazoo. I have heard some PAF's similar to this sound, but an EMG 60 is closer, but warmer and fuller. Satriani has a similar tone too on his Crystal Planet album. I also still need a nice full clean tone and the ability to split well too. I hope this, too, makes sonic sense.

I have been suggested the Alnico Nailbomb set by Tim and the local dealer has suggested the Holy Diver or Black Dogs, but felt the Holy Diver set is the way to go.

Any thoughts or input? I appreciate any help!

[ericsabbath]

not sure
the holy diver is alnico 5, but somewhat similar voiced to the HFS (fat, middy and not bright)
black dog is also pretty similar to the diver, but lower output

nailbomb would be my first choice (I had a ce-22 and always wanted a NB for it), but I'm not sure that would be your case
I think a rebel yell or abraxas would solve your problem, unless you wanna keep the hfs output level (then the nailbomb would do it)
and I'd still choose a cold sweat over the nailbomb for a mesa
plenty of sizzle and punch, but less fat low mids
pretty bright, but it isn't harsh at all

the neck nailbomb is very single coilish but way too hot and scooped for me
I'd pick a riff raff, maybe a mule or holy diver

[Telerocker]

Eric gave some good recommendations. I think Tim's advice a good one, considering the Mesa and the styles mentioned. I would stick with an A-Bomb and a RiffRaff or Mule for the neck.

[Twinfan]

Holy Divers or Nailbombs, no question.  I don't think Black Dogs would be singing enough for the lead styles you like unless you want to pile on boosters or gain settings.

I'd favour Holy Divers as if you want to back off the gain a bit you'll have a little more flexibility.

[Alex]

Satriani, Vai, Neal Schon, John Petrucci

Vai (Evo-type sound) and Petrucci - the Alnico Nailbomb would be perfect for these. I'd go with Tim's recommendation here.

[Shadow78]

Thanks everyone for your input! I appreciate it. I had kind of nailed it down to the nailbomb or holy diver myself. The dealer has a great exchange policy, so if one doesn't cut it, then I'll go with the other.

Thanks! I'll post as I get the pickups in and get noodling around on the guitar!

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Tim is NEVER wrong! Go with the ABomb.

[darkbluemurder]

I have a PRS Custom and had the same complaints as you. I use a Holydiver in the bridge and a Cold Sweat in the neck. The Holydiver can do the same tonal colour as the HFS but is not as nasal in the mids, is tighter in the bass and clearer in the highs. Depending on how much more brightness you want, the Rebel Yell may be a good alternative, as would be the Alnico Nailbomb. Another good option would be Abraxas - less output, more like a hotter PAF, but can do singing lead tones exceptionally well.

For your description of the neck pickup I would prefer the VHII neck over the Cold Sweat neck. If you decide to go with the VHII neck, however, I would not choose the Holydiver bridge as I did not like this combination as much as A-Bomb/VHII. Never played the Nailbomb neck so I cannot help here.

Cheers Stephan