PRS CU24 for Prog Rock

[kitthehacker]

Hi guys,
I'm trying to figure out what BKP set to get for my PRS Custom 24. I'm not really happy with the stock pickups. I feel I want a bit of a hotter pickup in the bridge and a warmer tone from the neck.

I play progressive rock with some metal influences, and I'm looking for more hard-rock sort of tones, with the capacity for high-gain lead work from the bridge, and very warm, very woody clean tones from the neck.

So far I was thinking a Crawler or Holy Diver in the bridge, and a VHII or Stormy Monday in the neck.

Any suggestions?
Thanks.

[Kiichi]

Hi and welcome.

I would deffo agree with the Holydiver in the bridge, very versatile and just perfect for prog rock with metal influence, no doubt in my mind.

For warm and woody neck tones I am not as sure, but the Mule comes to mind right away. Certainly has that classic woody goodness and a nicely balanced and warm sound you want from PAFs. Canīt comment much on how it compares to the ones you mentioned though.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Holydiver bridge and Emerald neck is a tried and trusted combo. It's what I use in my CU24 and I love it as it will do most things really well.

[Telerocker]

Diver and Mule-neck would give you both ends of the spectrum. It's a superb vintage neckpickup with enough crispiness. The Emerald-neck is good option too.

[ericsabbath]

I'm not really happy with the stock pickups. I feel I want a bit of a hotter pickup in the bridge and a warmer tone from the neck.

well... the stock HFS is hotter than both holy diver and crawler
and I'm not sure a neck emerald is warmer than the vintage bass

[EffigyForgotten]

The HFS is probably as hot as the painkiller, and similar in sound too, but is very thin sounding. The Holy Diver I switched it for in my PRS was more low middy and chunky, and I thought I wanted a hotter pickup but definitely know now that I don't. It has a much cleaner sound and oh so smooth high end, perfect for prog music.

[dvorak]

What pups are in it now? 59/09s or HFS/VB?

[ericsabbath]

I really like the miracle man in a PRS

maybe a vhii or even a mule for the neck

[kitthehacker]

What pups are in it now? 59/09s or HFS/VB?

HFS/VB. It's an '02 model

well... the stock HFS is hotter than both holy diver and crawler
and I'm not sure a neck emerald is warmer than the vintage bass

Yeah hotter isn't the right word. Just more bite and depth than anything.
I'm not too sure about pickup terminology, this is the first time I've really thought about changing them.

I really like the miracle man in a PRS

maybe a vhii or even a mule for the neck

I have a friend who owned an Ibanez 1527 with Miracle Men and I always found it a bit too... I don't know, chuggy? Or just a bit too sterile. I sort of want really singing, resonant highs, but with a lot of warmth to the sound.
Sorry, I'm not too sure how to get across what I'm after too well. I just think the Miracle Man's a bit too metally for what I want.

But the more I hear the VHII the more I'm thinking that's the neck pup I want though.